Now that Congress has passed a $787 billion economic stimulus package sought by President Obama, it remains to be decided how the local portion of that money will be spent. One thing is for sure, though: There's no shortage of ideas about what to do with it.  

Ever since voters rejected two separate proposals to raise Hamilton County's sales tax and build a new jail, Sheriff Simon Leis Jr. and county commissioners have complained about how overcrowding at local jails has led to releasing some non-violent offenders early. And last year county officials finally closed the aging Queensgate jail, one of four detention facilities it operated, eliminating 822 beds from the local system.   

Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis Jr. is a man who's used to getting whatever he wants, usually through badgering and bullying other elected officials. Lately, though, the blustery Leis has gotten a cold, hard dose of reality.  

No one likes paying unnecessary taxes or wasteful government spending, but not everyone agrees on abortion, gay rights or whether pornography is harmful. A regional group that's trying to revive its fading political power, the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST), knows this lesson well.  

When individuals and families are facing a tight budget because of job layoffs or rising costs, the first thing they usually do is cut luxuries like going to the movies or eating out. They might even sell unneeded items at a yard sale or on eBay. With that spirit in mind, it's time for Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis Jr. to sell his tank. And throw in the speedboat while he's at it. The county budget needs his help.  

A woman who created a group to protest what she calls the unprofessional conduct of Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters says a detective on his staff recently called her and tried to intimidate her into stopping the group's high-profile criticism. "I found the whole thing highly unusual and really weird," says Franki Butler-Kidd, who heads Citizens Against Joe Deters.   

Hamilton County voters go to the polls Nov. 4 and cast their ballots in the two county commission races, they will have their choice of candidates in each contest - despite the best efforts of local Democratic and Republican party leaders to prevent it.  

Let’s face it: Although the price might fluctuate by 15 or 20 cents on any given day, the era of gasoline costing less than $3.50 per gallon is gone for good. And in all likelihood it’s probably safe to increase that threshold by a few dimes.   

People often say the strangest things when they think they're talking to a small audience of like-minded people -- including truths they wouldn't dare utter elsewhere. The latest example involves f