Letters to the editor, Oct. 27

Three candidates stood out

To the editor:

I attended community candidates night at First Church on Oct. 12. The evening was well-organized and extremely well-presented. Thank you to everyone who worked and sponsored the event.

The point I want to share is: Wow! What a strong pool of candidates for school board and city council to pick from this year.

About half the candidates for city council are familiar to us, and we know their sincere commitment to Oberlin and their strengths. Half are relatively new to our radars.

I liked what I heard from Elizabeth Meadows, Tony Gaines, and Kate Pilacky, and am looking forward to hearing more from them. I hope others will make the time to listen for themselves.

Bryan Burgess is a must for our consideration. He has the background we need to understand our renewable energy dilemma.

Aaron Mucciolo is probably one of the lesser-known candidates running. If you were in attendance Monday night, Oct. 12, you probably already know why I am urging everyone to vote for Aaron. But for those who could not be there: Although relatively new to Oberlin, Aaron is committed to living here; he has purchased a home on Union Street. He is strong on details, understands issues, and is always willing to listen. Aaron is knowledgeable beyond his age with good strong opinions. I believe him true to his word when he says he will put his opinions aside and listen to everything that is brought to the table. Please take some time to visit www.aaronmucciolo.com between now and Nov. 3 to form your own opinion.

Dawn Hernon

Oberlin

Braille literacy needs your help

To the editor:

On Oct. 15, President Obama signed a proclamation declaring that day White Cane Safety Day 2009. In the preamble he called special attention to the Braille literacy crisis facing blind children, 90 percent of whom are not being taught Braille. A number of factors account for this shocking figure, but the fact remains that 85 to 90 percent of the blind Americans who are employed are Braille readers. Parents and educators of blind children and also the general public must get past their emotional objection to Braille as a slow, bulky, peculiar, second-rate substitute sporadically offered to the blind by teachers who neither know it well nor believe in its efficiency.

Graduate programs to prepare teachers of blind students are closing in universities, and some good ones cannot find a full complement of students. During this Meet the Blind Month, residents can help by learning about the Braille crisis. We can do this by inviting the National Federation of the Blind of Lorain County to address Scout troops, school classes, service organizations, or church groups. Purchase one or more Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars from the U.S. Mint at www.usamint.gov or 800-usa-mint. The uncirculated coins cost $33.95, and the proof coins for collecting cost $42.95. These are the only U.S. coins ever minted to include Braille letters.

For more information about the best program for teachers of the blind in the country, or to schedule a presentation about Braille, contact me at 774-8077.

Barbara Pierce

Oberlin

City council needs Meadows

To the editor:

I am very proud to know that Elizabeth J. Meadows had decided to be a candidate for the Oberlin city council. I think she is just what we need for the city of Oberlin.

Elizabeth has worked with me on the Oberlin Community Youth Scholarship committee for the past five years. I have found her to have a pleasant personality and strong leadership skills. She believes in the welfare of the community and has the experiences and ability to help lead it in the direction of positive growth. She is a visionary with strong communication skills.

I truly believe with her wonderful God-given gifts, she is the one person that we can put our trust in helping our community in its positive growth. I am sure we will be happy for Elizabeth to represent us with her intelligence and experience working on many committees; I look forward to her skillful leadership. I hope others in the community will also vote for her to join Oberlin city council.

Ruby Jones

Oberlin

GTEP loss is society's loss

To the editor:

On Oct. 14, as he handed out awards to worthy professors, Dean Decatur touted "Oberlin's commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching," yet on the very same day he also made public the college's decision to discontinue GTEP, the new Graduate Teacher Education Program.

I cannot let it rest in peace.

Oberlin's Graduate Teacher Education Program is without any doubt one of the finest partnerships between the college and the community in recent memory. Graduate students, teachers, and children alike greatly benefit from it. Graduate students, along with learning new theory, get to experience the daily struggles and rewards of working in the Oberlin public schools; veteran teachers get to continuously discuss and reassess their methods and ideas; and children get the attention of two qualified and caring adults during much of their school year.

This past May, a new generation of hard working, reflective and student-centered teachers was sent into the world. A third of them decided to stay close and work in Lorain and Cleveland, a third went back to their own home communities and the rest spread across the globe. GTEP was set to produce many more such dedicated educators.

GTEP has been a transformative experience for me and for many others. Citing temporary financial woes as an excuse for discontinuing such a visionary program shows a lack of long-term vision. The college's endowment has increased $30 million from March to June, and GTEP has experienced a 500 percent increase in prospective students between last year and this year.

It is a bleak reminder of the difficult path that lies ahead when my own alma mater, one of the leading academic institutions in this country, undermines the national necessity, and Oberlin tradition, of providing excellent education for all children.

Gwenna Corvez

OC '03/'09

Keep library, Bridge operating

To the editor:

We all need a helping hand every now and then, and the time is now for the Oberlin Public Library and The Bridge. An additional five-year, 1.5 mill operating levy is needed to maintain the current level of service and hours of operation at the library and The Bridge. Without the passage of Issue 35 on Nov. 3, the library and The Bridge may have to cut staff, hours and other worthwhile programs and projects.

Both the library and The Bridge are much used and much needed in the community. Libraries are rapidly becoming the go-to place for families seeking low-cost entertainment and all the other amenities they have to offer. And more and more people are taking advantage of computer training at The Bridge.

The cost of the levy to the owner of a $100,000 home will be about $46 per year; that is less than $1 per week. Residents can help keep the library and The Bridge operating by voting yes for Issue 35 on Nov. 3.

Kitty Denny-Smith

Vote took account of all views

To the editor:

One of the things I value about Oberlin's election process is that council members are elected "at large." This, I believe, reminds us that we are elected to represent all of Oberlin, not just the interests of a single group or neighborhood.

When we as a council struggled to make sound energy decisions two years ago, I heard from a number of citizens who were willing to double their energy bills to help Oberlin acquire clean energy. I admired their conviction, as I do today.

I also heard from a number of citizens who said that if their energy bills doubled they would be unable to make their mortgage payments, and they feared losing their homes or leaving Oberlin. They also expressed fears of being able to sustain their economic health if energy costs became too exorbitant.

The perspectives framed the energy question for me, and I felt, as I do now, that the issue is many-layered. Generally, I feel that we have not given enough serious discussion to the very real social and economic issues facing our town as we move to clean energy.

I voted for a limited involvement in the AMPGS plant. At the time there were no viable alternative energy sources that were both available and affordable to the city. I felt that a limited purchase of clean coal would give us the anchor and balance that would be needed to keep our city health and enable us to secure more expensive alternative energy sources as they became available.

Although many refuse to acknowledge there is anything such as clean coal, this plant emitted dramatically less CO2 than our current source, the Gorsuch plant, and emitted virtually no nitrous oxide or sulfur dioxide, the two sources of acid rain that have plagued our east coast forests.

My greatest fear was that adequate alternative sources would not become available by 2012 to replace the 75 percent coal we were currently using and that we would be forced to buy dirty coal from the open market. This is still a fear of mine today, as two years have passed since the vote, and we have not secured a single megawatt of alternative energy. I hope the next two years are different for the city.

I am greatly dismayed by the characterization of individuals running for council as being green or not green. It has created a false split among candidates as well as an unfortunate split within the town between those who have genuine concerns about the costs of green energy and those who assume they are the only ones who know the true path to sustainability.

I reiterate what I have said many times before -- every council candidate favors moving our town toward more alternative energy. This is not the domain of a chosen few, but a generally held perspective. It is certainly my position, and I will continue to hear all concerns and creative ideas as we commit ourselves to making decisions that are healthy for Oberlin and for our planet.

Sharon Fairchild Soucy

Oberlin

Library served well over years

To the editor:

When I first wandered into the Oberlin Public Library in the old Carnegie Building, looking for Agatha Christie murder mysteries, I found a delightful escape from everyday life. In those days, the check-out cards stuffed in the backs of the books bore the signatures of those who read it before. So yet another delight of the library was the chance to discover who else shared my passion for old-fashioned English murder mysteries.

Some very earnest Oberlin folks had signed those cards before I did. I have been thinking over the role the OPL has played in my life because of the very small levy coming before voters in November.

Here are some other joys and memories from time at the library:

Blissfully reading People magazine in the stacks, located just about where the meat department offered its wares in the old Fazio's.

Bringing my babies for the free children's story times.

Going to The Bridge, the OPL branch just across the street, to check my e-mail when my computer was on the fritz.

Saving 10 bucks a month from not subscribing to Netflix since we get our DVDs free from the library.

Walking up to the checkout desk, and not even having to say my name -- much less show my library card. The circulation staff know my hard-to-spell last name and enter it into the computer so I can check out up to 50 books plus magazines, CDs and DVDs.

Requesting the purchase of specific new books or DVDs that interest me -- and it works. Or the staff gets the items through Interlibrary Loan.

Finding the library open every day of the week -- including Sundays -- year 'round.

On Nov. 3, Oberlin Public Library district voters will see a request for a levy. This levy is estimated to cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $17 in new tax dollars per year. That's less than many of us pay in Netflix fees or video rental late fees.

Here is the calculation of the levy's impact: At 1.5 mills, the levy would bring in revenue of about $295,000 a year and would cost the owner of the $100,000 home about $46. But wait -- at the same time -- a capital levy that paid off the bonds that financed the relocation of the library into the old Fazios will expire, saving that same homeowner $29 a year, thus the net new tax of $17.

Ohio has cut state funding to the libraries just as the economy has worsened, driving even more patrons into libraries, seeking free entertainment as well as access to job-hunting tools such as free Internet.

I am happy to pay this tax for such an essential service. Please join me in supporting the Oberlin Public Library levy on Nov. 3.

Lynn Haessly

Oberlin

Only two deserve your vote

To the editor:

For the past year I have been in the audience for many Oberlin school board meetings, able to observe closely how board members carry out their jobs.

Two board members have been, in my opinion, outstanding: Ian Yarber and Stephanie Jones. I encourage citizens to vote only for these two -- in order to send a message that we want due process and a deep awareness of the real needs of our children.

There is no good reason to have spent six months of valuable board time on discussing uniforms and the Pledge of Allegiance. This could have been handled more judiciously and expeditiously by those running the meetings.

Yarber and Jones defend the taxpayers' right to know, adhering to "sunshine" laws and are careful, thoughtful and good at listening. Both have voted to support the IB program (International Baccalaureate), even while speaking to ensure high quality education for all of Oberlin's students.

Yes, there are three openings on the board but if you give your votes to these two, you will strengthen them and our schools. Vote only for two: Yarber and Jones. Either of them will make an excellent chair and together they will help refocus our school board on the essentials.

June Goodwin

Oberlin

Issue 3 a bad deal for Ohio

To the editor:

There are many reasons for voting no on Issue 3. Penn National's plan seeks to create a monopoly in the Ohio Constitution, yet last year this same company spent $30 million to defeat a similar issue on the grounds of monopoly. Penn National wrote their own petition contract with Ohio's 88 counties and local governments. There was no bidding to guarantee competition for the best percentage rate for Ohio's taxpayers. They offer 33 percent earnings to Ohio while paying Pennsylvania 55 percent.

Other language is devious, as uncovered by State Representative Lou Blessing, R-Cincinnati; there is no guarantee that casinos will be built in all four cities named. Why would they build in Cincinnati, right across the river from the casino that they already have? They claim 34,000 jobs. The construction jobs would be short-term and other jobs would be low-paying ones. Professor John Kindt, University of Chicago, says, "The field research indicates that nationwide you stand to lose 1.5 jobs for every job the casino created...for every dollar legalized gaming contributes in taxes, it really costs the taxpayer $3 to address increased socio-economic costs to society." US News & World Report found crime rates are 84 percent higher in communities with casinos when compared with the national average.

Vote no on Issue 3.

Elizabeth Deitz

Christian Outreach Committee of First Church in Oberlin,

United Church of Christ

Broadwell considers all issues

To the editor:

We would like to strongly endorse Scott Broadwell for the upcoming city council elections. There are many ways to think about whom to support in an election. Most often, we select those who share our perspectives. But, as important as that is, it is also critical to select those individuals who have shown they will consider all the issues that come before council with both seriousness and insight.

We have been deeply impressed with the way Scott has taken on the business of council, preparing long and hard for each meeting, asking good questions and requiring good answers. We urge residents to vote for him.

Steve Volk

Dinah Volk

Oberlin

Library essential to community

To the editor:

As you know, Issue 35 will be on the Nov. 3 ballot for support of our Oberlin Public Library. Because the library is such an essential part of our community, I strongly urge everyone to vote for Issue 35.

The library offers so much, for so many, for so little. It is easily the best bargain in town. For a little more than one thin dime a day, children can have loads of fun in a safe and caring place, eating pizza, drinking pop and winning prizes at Wednesday's Game Night; story hour for little ones can start him off with a lifetime love of reading and books; families can pop some corn and enjoy family night at home as they watch an exciting new movie. And, don't forget, it's not our grandmother's library; our library is a place that is alive and well, and filled with knowledge and power, music that fills the soul, culture and art that sends us soaring, and words that thrill and chill.

In keeping with the spirit of Oberlin, our library is a centerpiece of resources for our community. It offers space for a varied and sundry array of meetings, a place for artisans to display their talents, an opportunity to research one's family tree, to learn to use the computer, to prepare for college entrance exams, or a GED. Our library has resources that can help us learn to cook, or learn to cook Chinese or to cook Cajun, or to become vegan. We can even free that inner writer in us by joining the Writer's Group, or let our Hollywood out by joining the Film Makers.

The Oberlin Public Library is here for all of us, so let's keep a good thing going, and going strong. Vote for Issue 35.

Ruth Palmer

Oberlin

Library offers many services

To the editor:

I want to urge Oberlin citizens to vote yes on Issue 35 on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Issue 35 renews and extends the essential library levy that expires at the end of December. We obviously require a replacement levy to maintain our present level of services and excellence, but this time around we also have to give a little more than last time the bond was passed (we'll need to spend about $11 more per year for a $100,000 valued home, for example). The increased levy has to be passed because state funding has been reduced as a result of the economic downturn. Communities like ours now have to step up to maintain their own local libraries.

Please ask yourself, do you want an Oberlin library that includes the valuable Bridge center for those without computers to gain the Internet access and other benefits of i-technology that are a necessity in the 21st century? Do you want a library that offers services and is open sufficient hours for those who are, in this economy, seeking jobs, retraining themselves, staying in or going back to school? Do you want a place that retirees with reduced incomes can come to find a rich set of magazines and books? Do you want your library to support cutting edge school projects for sixth grade science projects? To enable your neighbors to get the latest help with fixing up their homes and gardens? Do you like knowing your library serves as an valuable center for film and TV programs on DVD, for books on tape and CD, as a place where people access many other digital resources? Do we want to make sure our library can stay open long enough in the evenings to continue to serve as an important civic center for valued programs -- the reading groups, the forums, the speakers, special classes and learning activities that meet many diverse interests?

Yet, unless this levy passes, these assets will be harmed. Hours will be cut, services reduced, staff let go, acquisition of significant materials abridged, and far fewer programs and possibilities supported.

Here's the alternative: We pull together and make sure our library retains its level of excellence. Vote yes on Issue #35.

Phyllis Gorfain

Oberlin

Casino jobs not needed here

To the editor:

Jobs, jobs, jobs. Yes, we need them in Lorain County, but what kind of jobs? How about construction jobs that build schools, clinics, repair our roads, jobs that provide public transportation? How about more teachers, health-related jobs, manufacturing jobs to produce clean energy? Do we really need casino jobs? And a constitutional amendment to get it? Another red flag.

Casinos have not helped the economies of Michigan, West Virginia or Indiana. They will not help Ohio either.

No on Issue 3.

Carol Longsworth

Oberlin

Burgess will make it happen

To the editor:

In San Francisco, waiters no longer scrape scraps into trash cans; uneaten food is dumped into pails that go to surrounding vineyards for compost to grow the grapes. At eight of its North American factories, Honda recycles so diligently that they've gotten rid of their dumpsters entirely. And across the country, "zero waste" is appearing everywhere from school cafeterias to national parks, restaurants, stadiums, and major corporations. Our nation is on the road to tomorrow.

But here in Oberlin, only 20 percent of us recycle.

City council candidate Bryan Burgess is working to change that. As chairman of Oberlin's Conservation and Resource Recycling Commission, Bryan Burgess has pushed hard for less trash and more recycling to save Oberlin's money and precious resources. And as a member of Oberlin's city council, Bryan Burgess will make that happen.

On Nov. 3, I'm going to vote for Bryan Burgess, the city council candidate who's already working for tomorrow, today. I hope other residents will join me. Vote Bryan Burgess for Oberlin city council. We'll all be glad we did.

Will McCracken

Oberlin

Issue 35 replaces bond issue

To the editor:

We are writing to ask people to vote for Issue for 35 in support of the Oberlin Public Library. The library provides many services to our community, including The Bridge, landing of DVDs, computer access, community educational programs, research assistance and of course a wide selection of books and magazines. All of these services are supported by dedicated and professional administration and staff.

Since a 20-year library bond issue is expiring soon, this new operating levy would result in virtually no net increase in taxes for homeowners. Please support our community library by voting for Issue 35.

Ann Findlan

Gerry Findlan

Oberlin

Funds shrink; Issue 35 needed

To the editor:

Because of the shrinking economy, the state funding for the Oberlin Public Library is in jeopardy. An additional 1.5-mill operating levy is needed to maintain the current level of service and operation at the library and The Bridge.

The Oberlin Public Library has quality service, and it is very important that the level of quality service is maintained. Oberlin and surrounding communities depend on the OPL and The Bridge. The Bridge offers free computer classes, and most children and adults depend on the OPL and The Bridge.

So vote in support of Issue 35 on Nov. 3.

Glory Holt

Oberlin

Soucy, Meadows good for town

To the editor:

I have been with Sharon Soucy for two terms on council. She has always looked at the total picture as far as the needs of the city and community.

She is a good decision-maker with experience.

Elizabeth Meadows has fresh ideas on Oberlin's needs. She is a real people person and a wonderful communicator.

We are confident that with Soucy and Meadows working together, the community of Oberlin will be served well.

Let's give these two candidates an opportunity to work together.

Ronnie Rimbert

Renetta Rimbert

Oberlin

Mealy dedicated, experienced

To the editor:

On Nov. 3 I shall vote for Tony Mealy as a member of city council. I support him for many reasons.

He has a wide knowledge of and long experience in city affairs, having served on both the zoning board of appeals and previous councils. He attends all meetings faithfully. He is always well-prepared to discuss agenda items, giving careful thought to them before council sessions. He is willing to voice his opinions at meetings, and to raise any concerns that he may have, enabling citizens to know why he votes as he does. He votes his conscience, placing principle above popularity. He gives priority in voting on community problems, not to quick-fix solutions but to the long-term well-being and fair treatment of all Oberlinians.

Finally, he has the attributes needed in a good public servant: a love of his community; the time and willingness to serve it; the ability to work with those who may not share his views; a saving sense of humor; and above all, integrity. I have never known Mr. Mealy to be self-serving, secretive or cliquish.

Please vote with me for Tony Mealy. He is needed on council.

Eleanor E. Owen

Oberlin

Don't put Issue 2 in constitution

To the editor:

The board of directors of the New Agrarian Center (sponsors of the George Jones Farm) urge its members, supporters, and Oberlin citizens to vote no on Issue 2. If passed, this action would amend the Ohio state constitution to create a Livestock Board with unchecked power over livestock rules and regulations. We believe that this is an inappropriate use of the Ohio constitution, and would set a dangerous precedent by creating a permanent place for special interests in the constitution.

Amending the Ohio constitution should be reserved for significant issues that affect the rights of all Ohio citizens. This issue focuses narrowly on livestock regulation and is an inappropriate use of the constitution. Issue 2 expands state government, creating an added layer of unaccountable bureaucracy over Ohio's livestock farmers.

Please join other organizations such as the Ohio Farmers Union, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association, Ohio Sierra Club, the Center for Food Safety, and Family Farm Defenders in opposing Issue 2.

Judy Laushman

Oberlin

Library vital to our quality of life

To the editor:

The Oberlin Public Library has become increasingly important to Oberlin's quality of life. Not only is it a one of the primary places that all parts of the community visit, it also offers a myriad of services. I want to highlight the genealogical resources.

Over the past two years, I have been studying my own family's history as well as doing research on Oberlin history. I have spent many hours in the library's genealogy room, using resources on Oberlin history, the microfilm reader, and the dedicated computer. The Library subscribes to several commercial genealogy databases, including Ancestry.com. I have spent many hours on Ancestry and made countless trips to the library for that purpose. The availability of these databases and a quiet, comfortable place to search them has saved me the significant price of an individual subscription. The library's helpful and friendly staff as well as the welcoming atmosphere of the place makes it a wonderful place to go.

I urge voters on Nov. 3 to support Issue 35, the Oberlin Public Library levy.

Ann L. Fuller

Oberlin