RACINE —Three legislative issues under current consideration — one regarding placement of a monument on state property, another the sale of raw milk and a third on a gun registration treaty — have gained the support of Racine Grange by vote of its membership.

After Keith Ashley, legislative agent, reported on the proposed legislation at a recent meeting, the Grange voted in favor of the resolution opposing the placement of a Jewish Holocaust monument on the Ohio Capitol grounds or any other state property. One reason given for the favorable vote was that the State of Ohio or its people had nothing to do with the Jewish Holocaust. The second reason was that allowing a memorial which has no connection to Ohio opens up other requests for monuments to causes that have no direct connection to Ohio.

The second resolution was the request to change Ohio law to allow the sale of raw milk. It was noted by Ashley that families of farmers have consumed raw milk safely for generations and that with today’s emphasis on the sale of “natural” products, raw milk fits into that array. He said raw milk was dangerous many years ago due to a lack of refrigeration technology, but that is no longer the case.

The third resolution opposes acceptance of the United Nations’ gun registration treaty by the United States. The reasons, it was pointed out, are that this makes the U.N. into an international government eliminating the sovereignty of the United States. According to the group, it is also a way for the government to get around the Second Amendment on freedom to own guns in the United States.

Ashley reported that U.S. Senate Republicans used their influence to stop Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in signing a U.N. treaty to turn control of all registration of firearms over to the United Nations. However, if the current administration stays in power, further attempts to get this treaty signed will likely occur, Ashley said.

Charles Yost, master presided at the meeting held at the Oak Grove hall. He reported on the current attempt by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remove the term “navigable” from current law concerning the EPA’s ability to control all streams. EPA cannot currently control those streams that are not navigable as it does all other streams. Such a change would allow control of even ditches, he explained. Yost further discussed the situation over swine flu at some county fairs and the fact that a current farm bill is stalled in Congress.

Also discussed was the fact that U.S. Senator Ron Portman of Ohio has introduced a bill to outlaw the shutting down of the government when the budget bill fails to pass. If such a bill were to be enacted, there would no longer be any leverage to get compromises on the budget which, Ashley pointed out, could mean that the continuation of the overspending of the federal government would occur.

Wasteful spending was discussed and it was noted that Congress just finished looking at the $62 million being spent by the U.S. Dept. of Defense on advertising at NASCAR events. Congress voted to continue in this wasteful spending, it was reported.

It was noted that work is continuing by the community service chairman on the War of 1812 bicentennial projects. A report was given on the information booth at the Meigs County Fair. It was noted that Olivia Yost recently attended the Ohio State Grange Junior camp at Friendly Hills Camp near Zanesville.

The master will take part in the 150th anniversary commemoration of Jenkins’ Civil War Raid that occurred in Racine. He will present a wreath at the ceremonies there on Saturday.

The annual officer’s election were held. Nita Yost was re-elected to the executive committee. The Grange continued its planning to remodel and update its hall.

A new constitution for Racine Grange was presented to members, with a vote to take place at the next meeting as a step in the preparation for the Grange incorporation..

The program consisted of a list of humorous responses of various types of doctors regarding their feeling on the passage of Obama’s health care plan. The next meeting will be the annual planning session for the 2012-13 year. The annual community wiener roast will be held at the October meeting.