PhilSpace

Because “MySpace” was taken

1. Phil Barnhart 8.14.08 / 3pm

   Phil,

   It is kind of amazing how many of us have the same or very similar names. There are at least two other State Representatives in the United States whose last name is “Barnhart.”

   You showed up in my Google Alerts for “Phil Barnhart” several months ago with this blog.

   FYI I became a “politician” about 15 years ago because Oregon got into a pickle with school funding. My son’s teacher was laid off because the school district in Eugene, where we live, lost millions in funding because of a very unwarranted and dangerous tax cut. I was in practice as a forensic psychologist at that time but soon found myself working full time on the problem of funding basic government services that people need and that our economy cannot function without.

   I started out running for and serving on the Eugene School Board but for the last 71/2 years I have been in the Oregon House of Representatives. This year I have both the Democratic and Republican nominations as more and more voters realize that government services, done well, lead to a healthier, happier, more prosperous people.

   I did not know about the preacher. There is also a jazz musician with our name who shows up now and again as he releases music. I think he lives in New York. My son also has a similar name. “Philip” seems to run in the family. One of my ancestors (and probably yours) was a Revolutionary War soldier (who fought on the right side) named Philip N Barnhart.

   I did not know the Sandy Allen you refer to in your post, nor your wife, nor the service where she volunteers. A quick look at their web site makes it clear that “Now I lay me down to sleep” provides help for families to remember their lost children in a positive way through beautiful images. I hope she keeps it up.

   I appreciate your post as you try to help those looking for contact with the family of the other Sandy Allen.

   I have been meaning to contact you for some time just to get acquainted, but I have no way to do that other than this comment. Send me an email if you like. Lets talk.

   By the way, my impression is that you are a computer programmer or some such. You might like to know that I sponsored a bill a few sessions ago to requires Oregon to use open source software as it develops state web sites and maintains public data. I could not get the bill passed, but the Department of Administrative services is using more and more web based open source based programs to do the state’s business anyway.

   Phil Barnhart (the “politician”)

   Reply
2. Rita 10.4.08 / 7am

   Hi Phil and Sandy,
   I was giantess Sandy Allen’s friend for 31 years and was family spokesperson when she died. It was amazing to see people from all over the world offer condolences. Your Sandy’s name always pops up in my google alerts so I will check out the photos! If anyone is interested, I recently wrote a book about Sandy’s high school experiences called “World’s Tallest Woman: The Giantess of Shelbyville High” (Nov. 1 from Hawthorne Publishing). It’s available for $4 off during pre-order until Oct. 20. Visit http://www.hawthornepub.com.

   Thanks for the nice mention in your blog!

   Rita Rose
   Indianapolis

   Reply

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