This column originally ran in March 2011. I tweaked it a little but not a lot. How sad.

Here it is halfway through February already.
There are still several things that went on my to-do list earlier in the year yet to be checked off.
As I write this, I am surrounded by paper. It’s on my left, on my right, all around me. Arrrg!
I cleared out a file drawer last January and had the best intentions of cleaning up some but now all I see are bigger piles of agendas and the like. Yikes! I better get busy.

Time just seems to slip away. I start working on something and I tell myself I’ll get to the filing when I’m done and then something else comes up and then the phone rings and then someone asks me a question and the next thing I know, I’m jetting out the door and it didn’t get done.

It’s probably going to take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to accomplish this task. I’ll just pencil that right in.
I’ve read somewhere we should always write down our goals for the next day and prioritize them so the most important things get done first. Well, my messy desk doesn’t seem to make it anywhere near the top of that list.

Perhaps I don’t think it’s important enough but it really needs done. Maybe I’ll have a few minutes after I get this column done to tuck a few things away in a file. Then again, probably not.

Let’s check that list for Monday. Hmmm. I don’t believe I see filing on there at all. How odd. It needs done. Why isn’t it on the list? Could be that it is written in disappearing ink.

Things seem to go that way at home, too. For example: I have a drawer at home with old paid bills, letters, cards, etc., that I have been meaning to clean out so it can be used for something else. It needs done and I would benefit from the space. Still, it never shows up on a list. I just keep stuffing in more and more until I can hear pieces fluttering down the back of the dresser when the drawer is opened and closed.

There was a sign on my mother’s desk at the Marathon station and subsequently at the garage on Pierce Street. It read, “Don’t touch my mess! I know where everything is.”

For the most part, the same is true of my desk at work. I can usually lay my hands on something in pretty short order. Sometimes, not so much.

Hey. Where did that list go? Uh oh. I think I wrote it on disappearing paper!

DEAR EDITOR:
On March 6, Van Wert County residents will have the opportunity to vote for two new commissioners.
If you are like me, you have spent many of the last few years a bit disillusioned with the current state of our county.
• Van Wert is only one of three Ohio counties whose population has decreased by 5 percent throughout the last 20 years. While that percentage may seem small, it equates to hundreds of people — gone.
• Van Wert has consistently ranked amongst the highest Ohio counties facing unemployment.
• For nearly a decade, Van Wert has pursued new businesses, and for nearly a decade, Van Wert has continued to lose jobs.
With such statistics, it is sometimes difficult to believe that our local officials have any power to change our circumstances. But a certain candidate has offered a new perspective to voters. Todd Wolfrum believes in a prosperous Van Wert County, and those beliefs extend beyond mere words and ideas.
• Todd Wolfrum believes in creating business incentives that will attract new businesses to the county.
• Todd Wolfrum believes in tapping into state monies that remain untouched each year simply because no one knows how to ask for them.
• Todd Wolfrum believes in promoting business opportunities for individuals and businesses who can invest in our economy today—rather than tomorrow.
• Todd Wolfrum believes that promoting a local higher-education branch campus is the best way to keep the brightest minds in our county.
• Todd Wolfrum believes in representing all segments of Van Wert County— teachers, business owners, factory employees, farmers, bankers, retailers, young, and old.
On March 6, I am voting for Todd Wolfrum. If you care about the future of Van Wert County, you should, too.
Lindsay Hotmire

While catching some fresh air Friday evening, I could hear sirens somewhere in our fair city. I said a little prayer that everything would be OK.

My bestie once told me she does that every time she hears sirens and I just thought it was a great idea. It pretty much covers everything.

DEAR EDITOR:
Attention Van Wert County voters: the time to vote for two new county commissioners is upon us. There are several individuals running for the two open commission seats.
I believe the two candidates with the most experience with the operation of county government are Sheriff Stan Owens and 911 Coordinator Kim Brandt. I also believe both of them will try to represent what is best for all Van Wert County residents at all times.
Tom Wise,
Van Wert

My first thoughts of this column were to write on the Susan G. Komen debacle. I think my opinion might have surprised you but now you’ll never know because it’s back to hugs and kisses in the matter.