Many local residents did not take time out of their schedule to watch Gov. Bob Taft's State of the State address.

It's midday time slot meant the choice was either work, or watch television.

Frank Reeves, of Ironton, said he tries to catch the governor's annual message to the state but he did not this time. And he is not too fond of Taft, anyway.

"He's not for the common man," Reeves said. "It's easy to say 'do this' or 'do that,' but if you've never done it …"

George Jenkins of Pedro said he had intended to watch the governor on TV but he was not at home at the right time.

Jenkins said he is concerned that Taft is too keen on raising taxes, which hurts the consumer.

Billy Cade, of Ironton, said he hardly ever watches the State of the State address.

Esther Malone, of Fairborn, was in Ironton visiting her mother but

with several doctors' appointments on their schedule, they were busy today and did not get to watch television.

"We do try to keep up with what's going on," Malone said. "You don't know what's going on if you don't watch C-Span and all that."

Who would Lawrence Countians like to see sitting in the governor's office in a couple of years?

Jenkins said he would like to have seen U.S. Sixth District Congressman Ted Strickland run and is sorry the congressman chose not to do so. Most said they weren't sure who should run for the state's highest office.