Regardless of how much you don’t want it to be, the holiday shopping season is upon us.

With the prevalent economic chaos, the dollar is going to be heavily catered to.

Here’s a few reasons to save a bunch of driving time you could use doing more productive and less expensive things from sustainableconnections.org:

DEAR EDITOR:
On behalf of the current and future participants of the Delphos Senior Citizens, Inc. and the Van Wert County Council on Aging, Inc. sincere appreciation is extended to the Van Wert County voters who passed the .2-mil levy on Tuesday which provides direct services to residents 60 years and older  in Van Wert County.
With the growth of the elderly population, there has been increased demand for the direct services our two agencies provide. With the passage of this levy, vital services such as transportation, assistance with Medicare forms, information and referral, chore and socialization can continue to be provided for our senior population.
The Van Wert County commissioners and the Van Wert voters are to be commended for supporting services that encourage independent living for Van Wert County’s older residents.
Sincere appreciation,
Joyce Hale, executive director
Delphos Senior Citizens, Inc.
Cindy Wood, executive director
Van Wert County Council on Aging

DEAR EDITOR:
Before it gets too late, I want to write to proclaim that yesterday Ohio voters defeated Issue 2 by a large margin.
That means Senate Bill 5, the current administrations attempt to  strip the collective bargaining rights of so many Ohio workers — including nurses, teachers, police and firefighters — has been repealed.
A decisive victory for middle class working families. But more importantly it shows what organization can accomplish — this is one victory that will resonate for years to come.
The work that was done earlier this fall (organizing, campaigning and financial contributions) resulted in protecting worker’s rights and, just as important, the right to vote early in Ohio.  
So, if you questioned whether an alliance of workers and progressives could prevail against the extreme attack on workers rights by the governor and his supporters — to those who said it couldn’t be done — the message sent was clear.
To the teachers, firefighters, police, nurses and other Ohio workers — well done.
One final word of warning. Remember that defending what you work and bargain for requires eternal vigilance. Corporations and big business will be waiting in the wings to fleece workers. You can bet the governor and his supporters will be back on the attack.  Having lost that frontal attack, they will certainly try again.
Clayton P. Osting

DEAR EDITOR,
On behalf of the members of Delphos city council, and the city administration, I would like to thank voters in the city of Delphos who approved the city’s request for a 4.05 mill renewal levy at the polls on Tuesday.
Your support is very much appreciated.
Funds raised by this issue will help to support services provided through the General fund for the 5 year period beginning in January of 2013  and will help your city deal with the prospect of reduced state support.
Sincerely,
Bob Ulm
Delphos City Council President

Each election cycle seems to exhibit similar patterns. In addition to the games of politicians bickering and telling “half-truths” (that are actually lies), I have found another pattern: the little man in my head is eager for the day after Election Day to come.