Letters to the Editor Week of 10/16/20

By: 
Press readers

Support
library levy

To the editor: The library system has always been an important part of my life since I have been a kid.
My family could not afford to have a wide collection of books at home, but Lake Local Schools did. Libraries are an important part of every school and university. They contain a wide range of resources vital for their students.
When I worked for the railroad in public affairs I traveled a lot on business. In the summers when I was out of town I would frequent the parks of the communities I was in and eat lunch and read. In the winter months I would visit the local libraries and spend hours there reading, listening to audios and talking and listening to people.
Libraries are much more than learning centers. Libraries are a community center where people can meet, exchange ideas and talk.
I was on the Walbridge Village Council when that piece of land became available to develop. Many ideas were thrown around on what we should do with it; a much needed parking lot for area businesses, a building for commercial use, or a possible library.
Council and the mayor were split - until Library Director Michal Penrod came to visit us. After several visits it did not take long for us to realize that the Walbridge Library should exist in that area.
Many thanks to the Wood County District Public Library for its success over the years and I am so glad we made the decision to have the Walbridge Public Library built. I have spent many hours there and have given classes on railroad safety.
Please vote for the renewal, not a new tax, of the Wood County District Public Library levy.
Ken Gilsdorf
Walbridge

Elderly being
protected
To the editor: Ohio’s long-term care facilities and senior living centers are doing everything they can to protect elderly Ohioans during the COVID-19 crisis.
Genacross Lutheran Services is a non-profit organization that has served northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for over 160 years. We provide long-term care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, assisted living, affordable housing, home healthcare, and other services for nearly 3,500 seniors each year.
Organizations like mine are dedicated to providing top-notch services to seniors during normal times, and COVID-19 has only accelerated our commitment. Our staff of 650 follows all state and local regulations, and we’ve instituted rigorous infection control protocols at our facilities. We’ve even opened up state-certified COVID-19 isolation centers at two of our care campuses to specifically cater to individuals who have, or have suffered from, COVID-19.
We owe it to Ohio’s elderly to keep them safe. Every single day, employees in healthcare from across the region go to heroic measures to protect residents, patients, fellow staff members, and ultimately all of our neighbors in northwest Ohio.
It’s unfortunate the media often fixates on what goes wrong instead of the many things that are going right.
Rick Marshall, President/CEO
Genacross Lutheran Services

Building levy needed
To the editor: I am writing this letter in support of the Freedom Township building levy. The township is in need of a new maintenance building, which currently sits in a flood plain and floods yearly along with the adjacent office. To maintain 40 miles of roadways and three cemeteries this takes multiple pieces of equipment. The current structure lacks the adequate space to house this equipment.
Currently, depending on the season equipment is rotated between locations and during snow season a snow plow is housed in the fire station.
Passing this levy will allow the construction of a new four-bay building that has an office for the fiscal officer, meeting and storage room all under one roof. This will eliminate the need to rent storage, office space, and a barn for salt.
Details of the levy are: 1.75 mills, 10-year non renewable. If the loan is paid before the 10 years they will stop collecting on the levy.
To see how much this levy will cost you, search your taxes on the auditor’s website and use the levy tab. Please vote yes on this levy.
Ron Golightley
Pemberville

Editor’s note: Mr. Golightley is the Freedom Twp. fiscal officer

Libraries improve lives
To the editor: My family did not have a lot of money when I was growing up, but I was so fortunate to have a mother, even though her education ended after the 8th grade, who believed in the importance of reading.
We always had books, newspapers and magazines in the house. We did not have a library in our small town, but she took us regularly to the library in the county seat and to the bookmobile. She did not have much money for gifts, but she tried to bring us home a book whenever she could. She said we would never be alone if we had a book to read. She is one of the reasons I believe so strongly in the importance of our library. I believe much of my success is due to having more access to books from the library group.
I have volunteered at our library for more than 30 years. I brought our children and grandchildren to Wood County District Public Library. I volunteer partly to honor my mother, partly to give back to the community who has given me so much, but mostly because I love the library and the people who work and volunteer there.
During this time of pandemic and the resulting interruption of children not being in the classroom in many cases, it is even more important to have an excellent library. The library board of trustees and the staff are committed to the people they serve and have tried to make books and all other items and services that patrons want as available as possible during this difficult time, even providing delivery service.
Please join me in voting for the levy. It will not increase our taxes from the amount we pay now. It will enable patrons to continue to have books in all different formats, items to provide music and movies and many other services. We can continue to have the things that enrich our lives at a time we may not be able to personally afford all of them by voting for the levy and keeping the library strong.
Becky Bhaer
Bowling Green

Category:

The Press

The Press
1550 Woodville Road
Millbury, OH 43447

(419) 836-2221

Email Us

Facebook Twitter

Ohio News Media Association