... That Ron Nilson of Ground Force Manufacturing declared war on the Education Corridor at the weekly meeting of the Pachyderm Club. A Berry Picker reports: "Speaking very passionately, he encouraged all in attendance, whom he referred to as 'the silent majority,' to stand up and fight.  'The easiest way for evil to triumph, was for good men to do nothing,' he quoted. He told them to not be silent anymore. He had tears in his eyes, I swear. I thought I was at a revival. .... Duane (Rasmussen) had to give Ron the hook or he’d still be talking." Check below for more Nilson gems:

*"They keep talking about vision, 15, 20, 50 years into the future. I’m a businessman, I don’t plan out longer than 5 years – nobody knows the future."

*"NIC raised your taxes 35%" referring to the percentage increase of just that portion of a property tax bill that is NIC. He failed to mention that 35% amounted to roughly $30 a year on homes valued at $200,000.

*"We are, WE THE PEOPLE, we have to make local government listen to us!"

Berry Picker:

*Well, you get the picture ... many of his facts were wrong and he used national numbers to support some of his arguments because local numbers wouldn’t work, but his passion, I think, may move some people. He has a command presence that will win over some ideologues.

*In addition to all the usual suspects, Sandi, Wendy and Deeana were all there from the city, Commish Tondee, and Senators Hammond and Henderson.