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A gerrymandered law is not a solution

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: This is in reference to your editorial (Nov. 8), “Ohio must renew attempts for fair constitutional maps.” A gerrymandered law can not fix a gerrymander problem. Perhaps it is better to have a computer draft a dozen maps, which are within legal parameters, and then have the selection commmitte choose one map for our representative districts. However, any such law must preserve judicial review for the programmers, for the program (or AI) and for the selection committee. Choosing our representatives is too important to leave them to the weathervane of ...

Passage of bill would impact peer-to-peer services

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: Peer-to-peer services have grown in popularity in recent years. For consumers and many small businesses, cash has been replaced by the refrain of “I’ll Zelle/Venmo/CashApp you the money.” With platforms like Zelle, transfers can be done without fees, and funds are immediately available. For small businesses, the convenience and cost can’t be beat. Unfortunately, in Washington, DC, some senators have introduced legislation that would make these services a lot less convenient and, in some cases, more expensive. These Senators want to place burdensome new ...

Lawmakers seek to help Ohio farmers

Editorials

Appalachian Ohio has been affected brutally by drought this year. Not just any drought, however, but “exceptional drought” for Guernsey, Noble and parts of some surrounding counties. Much of that region is represented by state Rep. Don Jones, R-Freeport, and he’s co-sponsored an effort to try to help farmers struggling to get by. Along with state House Finance Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, Jones is pitching a $10 million appropriation to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, that would nearly double the amount ...

Avoid turning holiday a celebration into a tragedy

Editorials

As the holiday season gets into full swing, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is stepping up its focus on keeping us safe. Throughout the holiday season, the patrol says it plans to be highly visible and is “committed to removing dangerous and impaired drivers, keeping Ohioans and our visitors safe.” As Gov. Mike DeWine put it, there is never an excuse for driving impaired. Just because we are entering a season featuring plenty of celebration does not mean we throw our responsibilities to the wind. According to the OSHP, since 2019 there have been more than 72,000 impaired ...

A new and unique way to protect babies in Ohio

Editorials

In a state where so many political figures make a big show about how much they care about babies, some communities are walking the walk and providing an important option for desperate parents with nowhere else to turn. Last year, Lebanon, Ohio, installed a Safe Haven Baby Box at one of its fire stations. At the time, it was the 10th such box to be installed in the Ohio. Last Monday, it was used for the first time. According to a press release from the Lebanon Police Department, the city’s communications center received an alarm at 3:34 p.m. from the newborn safety incubator. When ...

Time should not diminish the impact of Dec. 7, 1941

Editorials

It was the most profound and cowardly sneak attack in the history of man. At exactly 7:55 a.m., on Dec. 7, 1941, the United States was suddenly plunged into a great conflict that would become World War II. The Imperial Japanese Navy struck at Pearl Harbor. And struck hard. The United States’ Pacific Fleet was ravaged. The Japanese sank four battleships, three cruisers and three destroyers. Destroyed were 188 American aircraft. Wounded were 1,282 service personnel. The American death total numbered 2,402. What took the Japanese mere minutes to do on a beautiful Hawaiian Sunday morning ...