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Armed Forces Day merits our respect

Today is a day of recognition that often flies under our special days/holidays radar. Especially with Memorial Day beckoning followed by Flag Day, Father’s Day and the big bang of July 4th. But Armed Forces Day should get our attention — and respect — today. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. It falls near the end of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May. An effort to create a single holiday to honor and thank military members for their patriotic service was led by President Harry S. Truman. On ...

Awareness, action much needed on mental health

In the United States, did you know that about half of all adults and 70% of children with a mental illness diagnosis never receive care for it? In Ohio, did you know that 1,906,000 residents have been diagnosed with a mental health condition? Chances are many of you answered “no” to one or both of the above questions testing awareness of the growing scope of the mental health crisis in our nation, our state and our community. That’s one prime reason why the month of May’s designation as Mental Health Awareness Month carries so much need and value. Mental Health Awareness ...

Ohio lawmakers must get both nominees on ballot

If Ohio lawmakers’ aim was to once again embarrass the state on the national stage and to prove the dangers of intentionally failing to address gerrymandering, mission accomplished. Let the back-slapping begin. In what can only be described as either a fit of petulance or an admission they do not believe their presumptive presidential nominee can win without a few dirty tricks, state senators and representatives derailed what should have been a simple fix to get Joe Biden on the November ballot. Recall, state law requires presidential candidates to be certified for placement on the ...

Teachers do not deserve retirement system worries

Ohio teachers deserve better than the worry being stoked by questions about the State Teachers Retirement System. They can hardly be blamed for wondering what in the world prompted consulting firm Aon to sever its ties with the agency. Gov. Mike DeWine is right to be seeking an investigation, after Aon made several recommendations to improve corporate governance at STRS … and then showed itself out. “The unstated implication is that the governance issues at STRS are so concerning that Aon could not continue its contract in good faith,” DeWine said. “STRS may now be out of ...

Ohio’s first climate action plan should just be a start

It’s hard to believe there wasn’t already one in place, but better late than never as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration starts work on the state’s first climate action plan. According to a report by Energy News Network, the state is seeking $189 million in federal Inflation Reduction Act money to establish a statewide fund. That money would be used for electrifying government fleets, retrofitting public buildings and — for those of you still hung up on the electricity for those vehicles being provided by fossil fuels — install solar generation on city, county and state ...

‘Repeat Offenders Act’ is a thoughtful approach

Lawmakers looking to reduce the number of gun crimes without stepping on the Second Amendment have to take a precise approach if they are to do any good. In Columbus, it seems the “Repeat Offenders Act” might be a good start. Introduced by Reps. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, the bill would increase penalties for a person caught a second or third time having a gun illegally, according to a report by WBNS. It would increase penalties for using a gun during a violent crime, and provide mandatory sentences for some offenses. “These repeat ...