Do you know what a champion you have in your Councilman Bob Mollette? You are lucky you have a man who will question and bring to the public's attention the shady operations and the passage of ordinances without adequate consideration or deliberation by the majority of city council members. It is not right the majority of ordinances presented at council are passed without being given the required three readings.

Mr. Mollette spends many hours researching and takes very seriously his position as a representative of the people in his ward and the city as a whole.

Open discussions should be a part of city government, not secret meetings where voting is predetermined. Who has a chance to scrutinize these ordinances when they are passed on the first reading?

Mr. Mollette is very faithful to his obligations to attend scheduled meetings. He uses his vacation time to be present. What other councilman spends his vacation time at these meetings? At the last meeting, Mr. Mollette was berated by another councilman because he wanted to leave early and spend one last evening with his son, who is going on active duty, and seldom seen family. How many other councilmen have been excused time and time again?

Calling all watchdogs; do your part and question every ordinance passed on the first reading when it is "rubber stamped" and passed by four members without regard to the citizens' wishes and their tax money. Kudos to this man who is not a puppet on a string; but his honest considerations and appropriate actions often are met with defiance and vindictiveness.

This letter is to make you aware of the fighter you have in Mr. Mollette; someone who is working for your interests and trying to search out and correct problems. Give your support and a pat on the back to this man and then confront the "do nothings" who only "rubber stamp" and don't, for the most part, have a clue what they are voting for or against.

Are you leery of what's going on in your city? You should be. Shame on this city for the way it is being run. Your attention at these meetings would surely be an enlightening experience.

Norma Ratcliff

Portsmouth

Woman praises SOMC doctors, staff

I want to let people know of the wonderful experience we had at Southern Ohio Medical Center.

My husband had a test done on his back and was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm.

Dr. George Esham followed up on this diagnosis until further attention was needed and he turned the case over to Dr. Khoury.

We were pleased to find out the surgical stinting could be done here at SOMC by Dr. Khoury, and if all went well, he could go home the next day.

The care we received from all departments was very loving and professional.

My husband did return home the next day, and the follow-up care was excellent.

I thank God we were able to have the wonderful doctors and staff so close to home at Southern Ohio Medical Center.

Avanell Vance

McDermott