I also quote Loper as stating that this was not, nor had it ever been, my address. I presented overwhelming evidence to the Scioto County Board of Elections of the facts and was found to have met all requirements by both charter and state law to be a resident of said location.
Loper stated that it was a “takeover.” Of this he was more than correct. It is a takeover of our city. A takeover that he was part of until he removed himself from the ward that he represented and changed his voting beliefs. He suddenly supported everything he was against when he ran for office before losing his home and leaving the ward.
During the recall of former mayor Greg Bauer, I told everybody it was time to take our city back ... and it still is. It is way past time to reclaim our city from those that have run it on an un-elected basis for far to long. We are one of the only cities that I can locate where our Chamber of Commerce, Retail Merchants and the Retail Merchants credit bureaus are all run/owned by one private entity. This is the same entity whose leaders sold us the Marting's building, Southern Ohio Growth Partnership, and Clayton Johnson, who also is head of the Marting's Foundation. Many major local banks and large businesses have a “leader” on the SOGP board as well. This would be an awesome tank of names to get a real government body out of! It would never happen! Too much money available over there, but only $50 a month on our side of City Council persons.
Yes it is time for a takeover, as Loper claimed. It is way past time ... just look around at what our “so-called unelected leaders” have done to our area.
It is for those reasons and far too many more to print that on May 2 we must turn out in mass numbers to vote against all issues that are presented on the ballot: Marting's referendum, property tax increase, income tax increase and recall amendments. In my opinion, all are anti-citizen friendly. A vote against is a vote for a positive future.
Please study charter removal and replacement. Chillicothe did and look at them now. A petition will come for this soon. Place the power back in the hands of the elected officials.
Edward L. Scott
Portsmouth
Senior Center employee gives her perspective on services for elderly
I have been employed by the Senior Center for almost 19 years. I transport seniors to doctor's appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, etc. This is a wonderful service for the elderly in Scioto County, giving them the opportunity to stay in their home and keep a measure of independence.
At least once a week, one of our clients will say he or she does not know what she or he would do without the Senior Center's services. I have had clients tell me that before they got on our program, they have gone days without bread, milk or other essentials because they had no way to get to the grocery store. They have canceled doctor's appointments for lack of transportation. They are all so thrilled with our services.
We also offer homemaking and personal care services that are essential to the clients' independence. The Senior Center also offers van and wheelchair accessible van services to clients, as well as informational and outreach assistance.
Our Senior Citizen Levy is our tax dollars working for our hometown people. I'm asking that you please vote yes on our levy May 2.
Rosemary Slone
South Webster
Senior citizens center helps the handicapped
On May 2 there will be an election. The renewal for senior citizens' center will be on the ballot. These people help us handicapped people go to doctor's appointments, shopping and to get whatever is needed. Please vote yes on the renewal levy.
This adds dignity to our lives and gives us a lot of recreation.
Annie Queen
Wheelersburg
Thanks in advance for supporting the senior citizens' transport service
I am writing this letter concerning the senior citizens transport service.
I am a disabled senior citizen and have enjoyed this service for at least 10 years and can't imagine not having them to call on.
And I'm sure many other seniors would be very thankful for any help you could give us by voting yes on renewal of the senior citizens mill levy. Thanking you in advance.
Bette Sowards
New Boston
Voting no on charter amendments allows public to retain recall power
Earlier this month, voters in Urbana recalled their mayor. The reason: critics stated “she ignored the objections of Main Street merchants to the Super Wal-Mart, then cut funding for the merchants group in retaliation.”
One of the changes our city has placed on the ballot would have disallowed voters in Urbana to recall their mayor as the stated reason does not “constitute misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office.”
The recall initiative is a right enunciated by our Ohio constitution. It is a safety valve for the public. If the public has become so fed up with political decisions, especially those made in private, we have the right to recall those officials involved. We should not be at the mercy of a city solicitor or an outside attorney to determine whether our stated reason is good enough.
It is not the voters who supposedly make a laughing stock of Portsmouth with our recalls. It is the decisions made by certain elected officials and how they made these decisions that have resulted in a negative view of our city.
Please vote no on these charter amendments.
Kevin W. Johnson
Portsmouth
Democrat Bob Carr should be supported as congressional candidate
Recently a fellow came into our family business and introduced himself as Bob Carr, candidate for our congressional district in the Democrat primary. Now, that was a first! In nearly 40 years of doing business, no Congressional candidate ever set foot in our door looking for support. It only took a few minutes to appreciate our mutual interest in history and the significance of the “past” to everyday life. It appears Carr has spent a large part of his life involved in historical preservation.
The energy and enthusiasm he demonstrates convinced me to support him in his endeavor. Born of meager circumstances and raised in a foster home in a rural setting, Carr has spent a lifetime in community service. Unpretentious but with self confidence, Bob Carr approaches each problem with honesty and straightforwardness, demonstrating a freshness rare today. I hope our readers support him as I do.
John Simmonds
Leetonia
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