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America at 250: A reminder that all are created equal

As our country celebrates not just any Independence Day, but the 250th anniversary of one of the boldest declarations in human history, the festivities give us an excellent opportunity to look back on two-and-a-half centuries of this American experiment and check ourselves against what the founders hoped they were setting in motion. Draped in red, white and blue and surrounded by flags and fireworks, it is easy to forget how we got here and why we are free to celebrate as flamboyantly as we’d like. Richard Henry Lee made the motion to declare independence in June 1776, but not ...

Thanking those who contributed to Stamp Out Hunger

On behalf of the volunteers at the Salem Community Pantry and the Shoppers we serve, I want to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all the residents of Salem who participated in the U.S. Post Office “Stamp Out Hunger” program. Salem residents were asked in May to donate a canned or boxed food item by placing the item near the resident’s mailbox for collection by the postal carriers. The Salem Community Pantry was the recipient of those generous donations. This year, approximately 2,500 pounds of food were collected. These items are being distributed by the Salem Community Pantry ...

Teachers learning to identify mental health needs of students

Society has given teachers increasingly greater responsibility for our children over the past decade or two — in loco parentis truly means, teaching, feeding, clothing, keeping safe and healthy, and protecting — all with the expectation these teachers will also help students keep up with ever-changing educational standards, too. But teachers have kept adjusting. After all, they do their jobs because they care about students’ wellbeing on more than an academic level. A recent partnership between University Hospitals and the Willoughby-Eastlake school district may give them ...

Not all career-technical credentials created equal

Ohio has done an excellent job supporting high school students looking to get a jump on future careers by offering and incentivizing industry credentials through career-technical education. But a recent analysis suggests some credentials may be worth more to students than others. The Fordham Institute looked at career clusters in which credentials are offered. Wage returns seven years after high school were measured for each. While health, business, agriculture, engineering, law/public safety, construction, transportation and manufacturing all yielded positive results; the arts, human ...

No room for outdated politics concerning energy

Politicians and bureaucrats are sometime fonder of putting up road blocks than clearing a path for growth. That appears to have been the case in recent years when it comes to expanding Ohio’s energy portfolio. But PJM Interconnection says Ohio and many of the other states it serves are now reviewing applications to build and connect new sources of power. Credit is given not only to reforms at PJM but also reforms in state-level permitting and regulatory processes. “As the numbers document, PJM’s interconnection process is not standing in the way of generation development, and ...

Apprenticeships help one discover their own talents

Last week’s National Apprenticeship Week gave employers, apprentices, graduates, industry representatives, labor organizations, community organizations, educational institutions — even government agencies — a chance to highlight the importance of training programs that help develop a skilled workforce. The demand for such well-trained and skilled workers is only growing. Now, as the attention of many students and families in our region turns to high school graduation — and what comes next — it is important to use that knowledge to inform the decision-making process. Each ...