OHIO’S EMERGING JOBS-FRIENDLY CLIMATE CONTINUES TO SPUR INVESTMENT

11 Companies Expected to Create 885 Jobs

COLUMBUS—Gov. John R. Kasich today announced that several economic development projects are on track to positively impact communities across the state.  Adding to the long list of companies choosing to expand in Ohio or move operations here, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) today approved eleven projects brought to them by JobsOhio, the state’s private, not-for-profit economic development entity.  In all, 885 jobs are expected to be created, while 952 jobs will be retained and more than $38 million in new capital investments will be made.

Highlights from Monday’s TCA meeting include:

·         Apex Industrial Technologies, LLC, a high-tech, internet-based company expects to expand operations and create 100 full-time positions that will provide robust, low-cost, and “Behind-The-Firewall” vending solutions for supplies.  The project is expected to generate $6.9 million in additional annual payroll and retain $2.9 million in existing payroll. The TCA approved a 55 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

·         A manufacturer of fittings for the chemical, plumbing and power tool industries, the G&G Manufacturing Co., is expected to expand operations in Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.), creating 100 full-time positions and generating $5.4 million in additional annual payroll.  The TCA approved a 55 percent, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

·         Alexander Mann Solutions Corporation is expected to add 300 full-time positions as a result of the company’s new location project in Cleveland (Cuyahoga Co.).  The proposed project support clients worldwide and will establish activities around talent sourcing and recruitment/HR administrative services. The TCA approved a 65 percent, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Additional Approvals by the TCA

Leyshon Miller Industries, LLC (LMI), (Location TBD) expects to create 60 full-time positions, generating $1.8 million in additional annual payroll (and retaining $1 million in existing payroll) as a result of the company’s expansion project in a to-be-determined location. LMI offers a wide range of expertise in product development, design, mechanical engineering, solid modeling, engineering analysis, rapid prototyping, and rapid production. The TCA approved a 55 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Oxford Consulting Group, Inc., (Location TBD) is expected to create 45 full-time positions, generating $4.2 million in new annual payroll (and retaining $5.2 million in existing payroll) as a result of the company’s expansion project in a to-be-determined location. Oxford Consulting is a leading information technology consulting firm serving businesses throughout the U.S. The TCA approved a 50 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Central Ohio

Closed Loop Refining and Recovery, Inc., City of Columbus (Franklin Co.) expects to create 55 full-time positions, generating $1.3 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s new location in the City of Columbus (Franklin Co.). The company plans to process old Cathod Ray Tubes (CRTs) where lead is extracted from funnel glass. The TCA approved a 40 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Northeast Ohio

ArtiFlex Manufacturing, LLC, City of Wooster (Wayne Co.) expects to create 50 full-time positions, generating $2.2 million in additional annual payroll (and retaining $22.1 million in existing payroll) as a result of the company’s expansion project in the City of Wooster (Wayne Co.). Artiflex is a joint venture between the Gerstenslager Company (a subsidiary of Worthington Industries) and International Tooling Solutions, LLC (ITS). ArtiFlex will offer an integrated solution for engineering, tooling, stamping, and assembly. The TCA approved a 50 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Plasticolors, Inc., City of Ashtabula (Ashtabula Co.) expects to create 50 full-time positions, generating $1.7 million in additional annual payroll (and retaining $7.5 million in existing payroll) as a result of the company’s expansion project in the City of Ashtabula (Ashtabula Co.). Plasticolors provides pigment dispersions, chemical dispersions, and additives to the thermoset plastics, paint, and coatings industries in the United States and internationally. The company serves customers in the automotive, appliance, equipment, electrical, consumer, and construction industries. The TCA approved a 50 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Valtronic Technologies (USA) Inc., City of Solon (Cuyahoga Co.) is expected to create 50 full-time positions, generating $2.3 million in additional annual payroll (and retaining $4.1 million in existing payroll) as a result of the company’s expansion project in the City of Solon (Cuyahoga Co.). This company works in the development and production of micro-electronics, mechanical parts, and complex systems. The TCA approved a 45 percent, five-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Western Ohio

JJR Solutions, LLC, City of Beavercreek (Greene Co.) expects to create 25 full-time positions, generating $1.4 million in additional annual payroll (and retaining $1 million in existing payroll) as a result of the company’s expansion project in the City of Beavercreek (Greene Co.). JJR Solutions, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), focuses on delivering solutions, products, and services in the form of Information Technology to the federal government and commercial organizations. The TCA approved a 45 percent, five-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Total Quality Logistics, LLC, City of Centerville (Montgomery Co.) is expected to create 50 full-time positions, generating $1.9 million in new annual payroll (and retaining $1.1 million in existing payroll) as a result of the company’s expansion project in the City of Centerville (Montgomery Co.). Total Quality Logistics is the nation’s third largest freight brokerage firm. Founded in Cincinnati, the company works with companies nationwide to facilitate freight movements. The TCA approved a 45 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

Scholarship Opportunities for college bound

 1.  Wake  Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to
attend its MBA  program for FREE, and so far, the response has been very
poor. Please pass  along this opportunity to your friends, families. This is
a great school and  a tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate
school. See the details  below, the contact person is: Derrick S. Boone,
Ph.D., Associate Professor of  Marketing, Rm. 3139 Worrell Professional
Center, Babcock Graduate School of  Management - Wake Forest University
WINSTON SALEM NC 27109-8738 email: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu  or visit
www.wfu.edu <http://www.wfu.edu/>  toll  free (866) 925-3622
<tel:%28866%29%20925-3622>

    2.  Black Male Teachers needed. Do you know any Black Males who are
seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The
CALL ME MISTER program is offered by 4 historically black colleges in South
Carolina, Benedict College , Chaflin University, Morris College and  South
Carolina State University - visit the www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl
for details online application or call 1.800.640.2657

    3.  Harvard University is offering free tuition to families of HONOR
STUDENTS if their income is less than $125,000 per year. Visit
www.fao.fas.harvard.edc <http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edc/>   or call
617.495.1581

    4.  Syracuse University School of Architecture is desperately seeking
young women and men of color interested in pursuing a 5 yr. professional
degree in Architecture. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean School of Architecture,
201 Slocum Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-1250 (315) 443-256
www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php

    5.  A free pair of eyeglasses from Target for any child ages 12 and
under  who brings a valid prescription for glasses from their doctor. You
can find  stores with optical departments at www.target.com
<http://www.target.com/>

    6.  APPLY NOW - If you have/know young adults between the ages of 18-31
with a High School Diploma. The Federal Aviation Association is taking
applications for Air Traffic Controller School visit the website
www.faa.gov/jobs_opportunities/airtrafficcontroller/

    7.  The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, http://www.jkcf.org/, is  offering
two scholarships. The undergraduate transfer scholarship offers  $30,000 per
year to community college students to complete their bachelor’s  degrees at
a four-year college or university. The application is on line and  the
deadline is December 6th. The Foundation's graduate Art Award provides up
to $50,000 to students or recent alumni with exceptional creativity and for
up to three years at an accredited graduate school. The online application
will be available November 1st.

Letter from lorain's acting director of development

Dear Friends of Lorain,

With your help, the wonderful people of our city will be Reclaiming Downtown Lorainon Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 7am to 5pm.  Our goal is to spruce up and beautify our main Broadway corridor prior to the upcoming Summer festival season.

The target area is Broadway from West 21st Street to West Erie Avenue.  Work includes cleaning, landscaping, and painting of buildings and structures.  We need your help!  This is a great project which promotes goodwill and instills community pride.  Several buildings within the corridor will be adopted by volunteer groups for a much needed make-over.  If interested, please contact me at 440-204-2020 or rey_carrion@cityoflorain.org.

The following corporate sponsors have pledged their support:  Home Depot, Lowes, WalMart, City of Lorain, Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Gold Country WOBL, Campana Management, Lorain County Ironmen, WEOL, Lorain Port Authority, Lorain Growth Corporation, Faroh’s Candies, Lorain Arts Council, Lorain Palace Theater, Downtown Lorain Consortium, Veard Construction, Marwill Construction, and many more.  Please join us and help us change the image of our great city.

Thank you!

Rey Carrion, Interim Director

A Few Annoucement on Events

The month of April is packed with events.  Please consider going to one or more.

Breast Cancer Awareess Registratio n Drive
April 5 and 6 at Sam's Club, the time is unkown, be sure to check my Facebook page for the time.
April 9 at St. Joseph's Community Center on 21st and Reid, from 11-1
April 15 as Sacred Heart Chapel.

17th annual Hispanic Leadership Conference
April 20-21

Los Unidos 5k run and walk
April 22 - begins at 9am

For further updates and more information be sure to contact me.

Minority Cancer Awareness Committee Announces Registration Drive

PRESS RELEASE

Committee campaign wants more minorities to get tested all media are asked to attend.  

 LORAIN – April is minority cancer awareness month and the minority cancer awareness committee of Lorain will have a registration drive in collaboration with LCCC Los Unidos to raise money for breast cancer awareness March 18 at Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Ave in Lorain between the hours of 9-1pm.  Registration will be for the LCCC Los Unidos 5K Run for Leadership & Health, which features a 5k run, a one-mile network walk, and a one-fourth mile barefoot dare that will take place at Lorain County Community College (LCCC) April 22 at 9am.  Those who pre-register will have a chance to win an Amazon Kindle Fire. Furthermore, the Los Unidos 5K Run for Leadership & Health will also serve as the closing event of the 17^th Annual Hispanic Leadership Conference held in collaboration with 60 local, state and national organizations working together to create a forum where Hispanic/Latino organizations, advocates and individuals can discuss and address major issues facing the Hispanic/Latino community in Ohio and beyond.

The Los Unidos 5k event will promote the importance of health and leadership, encouraging the community and LCCC family to take a leadership role in promoting better health. That being said, all the proceeds from the one-mile network walk will benefit the Amigas Program, which educates the community on breast cancer awareness, prevention as well as assists those in need of financial assistance for breast cancer tests.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hispanic women are the least likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, not because of its absence, but because that demographic is the least likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Screenings and awareness are less likely within the population as well. The CDC also states African – American woman have the highest death rate for those diagnosed with breast cancer. Although breast cancer is diagnosed 10% less frequently in African American women than White women, African American women are 36% more likely to die from the disease because they are often diagnosed at a later stage making percentage of recovery less. So many deaths can be prevented with awareness and early detection. 

 “I am proud to be advocating in steps toward minority cancer awareness month with our event,” says Gabriel Cruz, chairman of the Lorain County Community College Los Unidos 5K Run for Leadership and Health event.  “All of the proceeds that come from our 1-Mile Network Walk will be benefiting the Amigas Breast Cancer Awareness Program so that they can go out into the community and provide mammograms for women who cannot afford the cost, or are not aware of the serious dangers of breast cancer.”

Nelson Ramirez, a parishioner of Sacred Heart knows the importance of the Amigas program and the influence it has on minority woman. 

“A parishioner and family friend was diagnosed with breast cancer,” he said.  “Fortunately, the Amigas program was available to guide and support her through her treatment and surgery.  As a result, she along with her husband and two beautiful children are on the road to recovery.”

When asked why he has gotten involved with Los Unidos and the Run for Leadership, Tim Carrion a local business owner and community leader said.

“The Run for Leadership brings awareness to the community about health concerns and the importance of focusing on our personal well-being. The proceeds of the event are going to fund local cancer awareness and engaging students and encouraging them to become involved in leadership opportunities. As a former member of Los Unidos I am excited to be part of the team again and I am proud that the group has become such an important organization in our community.”

 With the support of the Los Unidos 5K Run For Leadership & Health title sponsors, the Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues and Progress (CHIP), the Cleveland Clinic, and additional support from Lorain County Community College, Arby's, Fligners Supermarket, The Cleveland Indians, Allstate Insurance, Dunkin Donut abbe rd location, WDLW Cool Cat 1380 & The Lorain Rotary Club the Committee’s goal is to register 300 people March 18 at Sacred Heat Chapel but that day is just the beginning. There are tentative dates of April 7, 14, 15 and 20 at various locations, including Fligner’s Supermarket and the Cleveland Clinic Family Heath Center in Lorain. Each registration drive will raise money to help save the life of a neighbor, a friend, a family member in our community. 

If you have questions or requesting registration a form feel free to contact Diane Dismuke Soto 440-258-5742 Director of the Amigas Breast Cancer Awareness Program, Gabe Cruz 440-387-2184, & Ed Morales 440-787-0839, alumni & member of LCCC’s Los Unidos email:losunidos.lccc42@gmail.com.

Congressman writes letter wanting slaves aknowledged in constructing the white house

Dear President Obama:

I write to request your help in recognizing the contribution of enslaved African-Americans who helped build the White House. In one of our history’s tragic ironies, slaves helped build the capital of the free world. From the U.S. Capitol Building to the White House, our national symbols that represent freedom to so many of us, were built by people who were anything but free. While the larger injustice of slavery can never be adequately corrected, the continuing failure of properly informing visitors to Washington of the history of slaves building our national structures—including the White House—should be remedied.

In July, I was proud to join a bipartisan group of Members of Congress that dedicated plaques placed outside the House of Representatives’ visitor galleries to properly inform visitors of the role slave labor played in constructing the Capitol building. I was also proud that a section of the Capitol Visitors Center was named Emancipation Hall to honor the contributions of slave labor. These injustices were first called to my attention by my constituent, Mandingo Tshaka. It is long past time that similar measure also be taken in the White House to inform its visitors of the role slaved labor played in constructing the Executive Mansion.

Slaves helped dig the foundation for the White House. They quarried stone that would be used for the walls, dug up clay for thousands of bricks, cut timber, sawed lumber, and performed carpentry inside the White House. Even after White House construction was completed, slaves continued to support White House operations. Slaves served in White House domestic staff from 1800 through the Civil War. 

While slavery is no moment worthy of national pride, the American way has always been to acknowledge our wrongs and constantly strive for better. It is wrong not to acknowledge wrongs. An acknowledgment of the role of slave labor displayed in the White House would be an important symbol that the United States does not run from its history, but rather learns from it. That is something of which all Americans can be proud.

I urge you to take steps to have an appropriate representation acknowledging the role of slave labor in constructing the White House in an area of public viewing.

Sincerely,

Gary L. Ackerman

Member of Congress

Marcus Atkinson

In two months Urban Meyer, the new head football coach of The Ohio State University has made waives not only within the confines of Columbus, but around the Big Ten and in 11 months, most likely the country.

In two months Meyer took Ohio State’s recruiting rankings from the mid 30’s to anywhere between 3 and 5, depending on which recruiting system you follow.  The combination of Meyer’s championship history and the recruiting class he completed has caused Michigan State head football coach, Mark Dantonio to share his thoughts on Meyer’s recruiting strategy.

The USAToday put together a succinct article showing the timeline of events including the statements from former Ohio State assistant, Dantonio when mentioned defensive end Se'Von Pittman, who verbally committed to Michigan State, but changed his mind and signed with Ohio State.

"[Ohio State’s] got a new coach, and it's different," Dantonio told The Detroit News. "I would say it's pretty unethical, in the end."

But the Dantonio was not the only head coach to voice his unhappiness with the recurring practices of Meyer, after Kyle Dodson from Wisconsin switched commitments to enroll in Columbus.

"There are a few things that happened early on that I made people aware of that I didn't want to see in this league, that I had seen take place in other leagues," Bret Bielema, head coach of Wisconsin told CBS Chicago. "Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices that are illegal.

Meyer was also able to deter Penn State verbals to come to Ohio State in All-USA defensive lineman Tommy Schutt and linebacker Camren Williams.

Eventually the Big Ten commissioner called a coaches meeting to discuss the concerns to “hash out” things, but apparently Coach Meyer was not happy with the comments made by Dantonio or Bielema.  Thursday on Cleveland’s92.3TheFan and Cleveland’s WKNR 850am, Meyer said he was “beyond angry”.  One thing is for sure, Michigan State and Wisconsin are on Meyer’s “list” for next year.

Valentine’s Day 2012: Feb. 14

Expressing one’s love to another is a celebrated custom on Valentine’s Day; whereby sweethearts and family members present gifts to one another, such as cards, candy, flowers and other symbols of affection. Opinions differ as to who was the original Valentine, but the most popular theory is that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome. In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine Day. Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s. The spirit continues today with even young children exchanging valentine’s cards with their fellow classmates.

 Candy

1,177                                      

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2009, employing 34,252 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 135, followed by Pennsylvania, with 111.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2009, NAICS code (31132) and (31133), <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

409

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2009. These establishments employed 16,974 people. California led the nation in this category, with 45 establishments.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2009, NAICS code (31134)

<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

$12.6 billion

Total value of shipments in 2009 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $7.4 billion industry. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 Annual Survey of Manufactures

<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IBQTable?_bm=y&-_skip=0&-ds_name=AM0931VS101&-_lang=en>

3,386

Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2009.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (445292),

<http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/cbpnaic/cbpdetl.pl>

24.7 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Industrial Reports, Confectionery: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/manufacturing/cir/historical_data/ma311d/index.html>

  

Flowers

$375 million

The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers in 2010 for all flower-producing operations with $100,000 or more in sales. Among states, California was the leading producer, alone accounting for more than three-quarters of this amount ($286 million). Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1072>, <http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/FlorCrop/FlorCrop-04-21-2011_new_format.pdf>

$17 million

The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2010 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales.

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1072>, <http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/FlorCrop/FlorCrop-04-21-2011_new_format.pdf>

                       

17,124

The number of florists nationwide in 2009. These businesses employed 75,855 people.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (453110)

<http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/cbpnaic/cbpdetl.pl>

Jewelry

24,973

Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2009. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. In February 2011, these stores sold $2.27 billion in merchandise. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (448310), <http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/cbpnaic/cbpdetl.pl> and Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services <http://www.census.gov/retail>

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation’s 1,547 jewelry manufacturing establishments.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (339911), <http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/cbpnaic/cbpdetl.pl>  

“Please Be Mine”

2.1 million

The number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2009. That breaks down to nearly 5,800 a day.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/nvsr.htm>,

<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr58/nvsr58_25.htm#tableA>

108,150                                                          

The number of marriages performed in Nevada during 2009. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked fifth nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year among states was 35th. (California ranked first in marriages.)

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/nvsr.htm>,

<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr58/nvsr58_25.htm#tableA> and population estimates, <http://www.census.gov/popest/>

28.7 and 26.5 years

Median age at first marriage in 2011 for men and women, respectively.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2011, <http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/hh-fam/ms2.xls>, Table MS-2

                              

53.1%

The overall percentage of adults who reported being married.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2011,

<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam/cps2011.html> Table A1

69%

Percentage of people 15 and older in 2011 who had been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2011,

<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam/cps2011.html> Table A1

  

74.5%

 Among women who married for the first time between 1990 and 1994, the percentage who marked their 10th anniversary. This compares with 83 percent of women who married for the first time between 1960 and 1964.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009,

<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 4

6.2%

As of 2009, the percentage of currently married women who had been married for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married women had been married for at least 15 years.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 9

 Looking for Love

393

The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ECN&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>      

Try Looking Here . . .

 Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine’s Day:             

Rose City, Texas                            Rose City, Mich.                                 South Heart, N.D.

Loveland, Colo.                               Darling, Minn.                                      Loveland, Ohio

Romeo, Colo.                                   Sacred Heart, Minn.                            Loveland Park, Ohio  

Lovejoy, Ga.                                    Heart Butte, Mont.                               Love County, Okla.

Loves Park, Ill.                               Valentine, Neb.                                     Loveland, Okla.  

Lovington, Ill.                                  Lovelock, Nev.                                      Lovelady, Texas

Romeoville, Ill.                                Loving, N.M.                                          Loving County, Texas

Rosemont, Ill.                                  Lovington, N.M.                                     Valentine, Texas  

Romeo, Mich.                                   Love Valley, N.C.                                   Rose Hill Acres, Texas

Rosemont, Md.                                  

           

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder <http://factfinder2.census.gov>

  

Giving Love a Second Chance

19%

Percentage of people married twice as of 2010. Five percent have married three or more times. By comparison, 75 percent of people who have ever been married have made only one trip down the aisle.

Source: 2010 American Community Survey <http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1YR_B12505&prodType=table>

8

Median length, in years, of first marriages that ended in divorce.

Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, 

Table 8

3.8 and 3.7

The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage for men and women, respectively.

Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, 

Table 8

9% and 8%

Among people 15 and older in 2009, the percentage of men and women, respectively, who had married twice and were still married.

Source for the data in this section, unless otherwise noted: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>

Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau’s Facts for Features series:

Spanish ballots are needed at the polls

This past Friday the Moring Journal published a story concerning the Spanish ballots that will be available for those who wish to vote, and thus express their government protected right.  Unfortunately the online comments shared by Journal readers were unveiled and the perspectives some people believe to be in the past came to the forefront.

The comments, which stated the Spanish ballots should not be available, centered around one basic argument that Spanish reading citizens should learn to read and comprehend English if they want to vote or, the government should not be spending tax dollars on providing Spanish ballots.

In fact, the Lorain County Board of Elections is only conforming to what is law, enforced by the Department of Justice.  The Voting Rights Act, signed into law by then President Lyndon B. Johnson had a small provision in it, which allowed those of Puerto Rican descent living in the United States to have voting materials in their native language.  During that time, a flood of Puerto Ricans came to the United States, including Lorain County; they were recruited by steel mill management to work along the great lakes for lower wages and longer hours during a time when people like Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were in the news protesting civil rights injustice.  Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and others of Spanish ancestry have made steel based cities like Chicago, Lorain, and New York what it is today.  

In 1917, the Jones-Shafron Act gave the natives of Puerto Rico U.S. citizenship, which was the first heavy migration to the states.  Not only are Spanish ballots needed, not only is it law, the implementation of Spanish ballots is a moral statement that should remind people of the origins of our country and the original purpose of its existence.