The Hetuck - 2024 - Volume 85, Issue 5 - Friday

85, Issue 5

Friday, June 14, 2024

SoS: Fine Frenzy at BBS

By Jacob Dougherty

During recreation time Wednesday afternoon, delegates across American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS) were shocked to see fines ranging from $50 to $150 from the Secretary of State (SoS) office. This fine was a result of improperly filling out the campaign funding form, a form used to track donations to one’s campaign to ensure no legal violations or fraud.

While some delegates found the fines fair, and an unfortunate result of negligence on their own part, others were outraged by the fines, finding the strict guidelines and harsh penalties unfair. As so many are financially recovering from their campaigns, they feel the fine is just an extra strain on their savings.

Jeffery Barhorst of Favreau City was given a minor offense and a $50 fine as a result of his campaign for House of Representatives.

“If it is such a ‘minor error’ why does it cost me $50…I think [the SoS] should have only [given fines] with major [errors] like complete absence of papers or certain information,” Barhorst said.

He was also angered by what he believes to be a lack of clarity. Barhorst said that the fine did not, “clearly line out what [was] messed up in the campaign paper, [the SoS] should explain what I did before I pay $50.”

Santiago Salazar of Favreau City was also an-

gered by the fines and looks to further education on process to avoid in the future.

“I really want to see my town happy, and [it is unfair] seeing these unnecessarily put fines that could have been regulated better, and we could have been shown the steps in a more efficient way. We really could have been taught better,” Salazar said.

However, not all delegates are angered by the fines. Mitchell Velazquez of Dieringer City had this to say about the fine he received: “At first I was angry about it because I did not see a flaw in [my form], but [the SoS] explained the violation and I think that’s fair I acknowledge that I did not ask anyone about it…that’s on me for not pursuing knowledge on how to [complete the form]”

SoS Sadhil Mehta of Dieringer City addressed the concerns and tried to quell the outrage amongst the citizenry.

“I am sorry, but it is our department’s job to make sure all those campaign funding sheets were in order, and it is under our jurisdiction to fine those whose sheets were not in order. Whether they had a minor mistake or a major mistake it cannot be excused…It is by law, we have to do this,” Mehta said. Whether the delegates agree or disagree with the fines, all concur that the fines have caused huge tremors across ALBBS. Delegates are waiting to see if the fines will blow over, or if delegates’ threats of legal action will come to fruition.

The Secretary of State, Sadhil Mehta, of Dieringer City, listening to a member of his office give a status update during a meeting.

Photo by: Max Shank

Learning the 9 to 5

By Jeremy King

While delegates always want to win their electoral races, many simply aren’t that lucky and end up finding themselves on Tuesday night without a job. Given the required one hundred percent employment rate at American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS), all remaining delegates must go to the job fair to get hired to various state positions.

One such delegate is Mitchell Peters of Pennell City. Peters was originally hoping to be a state senator, but didn’t win his election. Now he is the director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which he described as “Awesome!”

“I really like the environment and I didn’t think this is the kind of position I would end up in at all,” Peters said.

Two days later, Peters still had the same enthusiasm as when he first became director.

“It’s been going pretty well. I’ve been constantly busy, but I think that's a good thing,” said Peters.

Under his direction, since the opening of state government on Wednesday, the EPA has worked to carry out the people’s business.

“We’ve been working with the department of higher education, to train people in trade schools how to manufacture in a good way that won’t harm the environment. Also, we were notified about an issue with the overpopulation of geese, and we’re trying to figure out a way to get rid of them humanely,” Peters said.

Another delegate, Jared Boucher of Dieringer City, said, “When I came here, I didn’t have [a plan] set, but I just had a vague idea of wanting to do public safety.”

He tried out for multiple different positions, such as Highway Patrol, but didn’t end up getting any of them. He eventually settled on becoming the director of operations for the Department of Disaster Services (DDS).

“I think it's gonna be pretty interesting. I’m hoping to be a firefighter when I graduate [from high school], and I think it’ll help a little bit

with that,” Boucher explained.

Now that some time has passed, Boucher talked about what he’s doing in the DDS: “It’s fun. Hectic, but fun.”

Lastly, Caleb Oehrtman of Favreau City also had an unexpected experience.

“Originally I wanted to run for the county commissioner of Konold, but instead I went in [the job fair] and got a job for the treasurer,” Oehrtman explained.

He says he is excited, as he had been originally going for a leadership role, and now gets to fulfill that as head cashier, the second in command to the state treasurer.

“It’s a fun job really, I get to run around all day and just do stuff. Mainly what I do is cash operations for the state treasury,” Oehrtman concluded.

Oehrtman works hard to make sure everything is filed correctly and so that money continues to flow throughout the state government.

While ALBBS teaches delegates a lot about civics and the workings of government, it also teaches them that failure is not necessarily the end, so long as you work hard and carry on.

Delegates chatting about job possibilities at the State Government Job Fair. Opportunities ranged from jobs in the Parks and Recreation Department to Utilities.

Photo by: Max Shank

Controversy Erupts as Drivers Licenses Make a Comeback Across the State

By Cole Farbizo

State government officials of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS) has found itself facing controversy in the first hours of full operations. Following the reintroduction of drivers licenses for delegates for the first time during the 85th Session of ALBBS, many delegates have spoke out against that possible government overreach.

Local law enforcement have been pulling over citizens who walk without their licenses. Tickets are written for anyone who do not have their licenses properly registered with the BBS Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The decision to implement driver's licenses has sparked a heated debate among participants, organizers, and the delegate community as a whole. Some argue that this addition provides a more realistic experience for the delegates, as receiving a drivers license is an important milestone for young adults.

The Director of Motor Vehicles Landon Wigfeild of Chapman City states, “it's important because it gives the delegates another form of identification.”

However, opponents to the decision have expressed concerns about the potential distraction and shift in focus that driver's licenses may bring to the program. Jackson Streets from Chapman, a delegate convicted for not having a license argues, “I think it's stupid…I have to go to court and I have to pay 50 dollars for it…who cares, I'm tired of all these rules.”

As the talks go on, the government will aim to listen to any worries and make sure the program keeps its important values while also meeting the needs and hopes of the delegates. They hope to make sure everyone feels included and that the discussions are helpful for everyone involved. Ultimately, the controversy will serve as a reminder that implementing tradition into our government requires careful consideration by the delegates and a commitment to the values that they were taught to uphold.

Photo by: Elliot Wall

Bite-Sized City Tales

The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity and excitement for the delegates at American Legion Buckeye Boys State. In the sometimes overwhelming flood of work and papers, many delegates have become hyper-focused on their individual jobs. But many cities have stories to tell, and so some highlights from several cities have been compiled:

Ridenour City

Voices cry out in the night: Ridenour City begs for a bedtime story! The entirety of Ridenour has been heard requesting a bedtime story from their counselor following the conclusion of each nightly city meeting. So far, the pleas have been largely unsuccessful; only once has a bedtime story been granted.

Stockner City

You can’t read Stockner City’s poker face: During recreational hours, citizens of Stockner have been seen playing games of poker in their common areas. Thanks to the controversial gambling incident in Konold County, the question of whether Stockner is hosting an illegal casino has arisen. However, the citizens maintain that while poker chips have been used, no money has changed hands.

Peltier City

Peltier City pride is on the rise: The citizens of Peltier have steadily been growing louder and making their voices heard, proclaiming, “What do we fear? Peltier!” in a display of support and loyalty. Delegates residing in Peltier say that their sights are set on bringing home an honor flag.

Opinion collection by staff of The Hetuck Aggregation of data by Julian Oconer

“Citation City” Cartoon by Olufemi Odiah