Letters to the editor, Oct. 13
OPL offers so much for so little
To the editor:
The Oberlin Public Library is a wonderful example of the value that America's public libraries have for the communities they serve. Think for a moment about just a few of the things that you can find there -- information about jobs, careers, and how to write a resume; entertaining and educational books for children of all ages, as well as games, toys, family films and computer software for children; Hollywood film classics and recent movies; popular and classical music on CDs; audio books; fiction and great literature; daily newspapers; books that will teach you how to do just about anything; and magazines filled with current information.
Our public library is the place that we go to educate and entertain ourselves. It's where kids do homework and where we come together as a community for many events. The library, through The Bridge, is also the place where we provide community access to the Internet and training in computer skills.
The Oberlin Public Library is remarkable for its dedicated staff. The combination of friendly and knowledgeable employees, a highly effective and respected director, creative programming, and carefully selected resources makes the library an essential part of our community.
The most striking thing about our public library -- and every public library in America -- is the fact that it's free and it's open to everyone. It doesn't matter whether you're old or young; wealthy or struggling financially, or your racial or ethnic background. The public library belongs to all of us and everyone is on absolutely the same footing once they enter the door.
Our public library, which has served so many of us so well for decades and is so heavily used by all segments of the community, needs help. Reduction in support from the State of Ohio has led to a decline of almost 30 percent in the library's income. There's a 1.5 mill property tax levy on the November ballot that will, if passed, restore funding to needed levels. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home in Oberlin slightly less than 13 cents a day. That's well less than the cost of a simple cup of coffee every week. And since the levy for a 20-year bond issue for the library building is expiring at the time this new operating levy would go into effect, there will be virtually no net increase in taxes for homeowners.
Please join us in enthusiastic support of the Oberlin Public Library levy by voting for Issue # 35 on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Ray English
Alison Ricker
Oberlin
Sloane will keep town on map
To the editor:
I am a life-time Lorain County resident having lived my first 40 years in the Lorain/Elyria area. However, for the past four years, I have lived in Oberlin and have come to adore the charm, diversity and friendliness I now associate with the town. I moved here to be with the man I am now married to and consider myself, indeed, very happy and fortunate.
I met my husband, Ken Sloane, because of our mutual passion for biking -- a relationship, you might say, born of the widely used bike path that passes through our town. My dad and I used it extensively to keep in shape and to enjoy the tranquility of its setting. It was only after I met Ken that I started to stray off the bike path in the Oberlin area and become acquainted with all the amenities Oberlin has to offer. To mention a few: great restaurants, great concerts, unique shopping, interesting people, storied history...all just a few minutes off the path. After becoming acquainted with all these, I began to wonder why there was no signage or promotional literature to suggest that patrons of the path explore Oberlin? I think it's a good question, and it's a perfect lead-in to this:
My husband is running for city council and served on council from 1996 to 2003. During that period, he was instrumental in securing funding for development of a facility in the historic round house building behind McDonald's. It was to house a "park and ride" facility for bike path patrons --- with rest room facilities -- and to be the nucleus for a museum dedicated to the Underground Railroad movement that played such a big part in Oberlin's history. It would also contain information about things people should do and see in Oberlin. The grant was from NOACA, a consortium of counties in Northern Ohio dealing with transportation issues in the area, and was sizable, in the amount of $917,000.
Unfortunately, I have just discovered from Ken that the grant money will likely be lost due to no action to start the project. This becomes doubly frustrating because Oberlin is listed as a "must see" town on Adventure Cycle's Underground Railroad trail. The trail is a 2,008-mile route Adventure Cycle has mapped out stretching from Mobile, Ala., to Owens Sound in Ontario, Canada. It passes through many towns with strong connections to the Underground Railroad and routes people through Oberlin via our bike path. We have met -- and housed -- cyclists coming through Oberlin that could not find the many monuments, parks, sculptures, etc. dedicated to the Underground Railroad movement and that should be mentioned in the museum we need to establish.
Needless to say, Ken and I are not happy about the potential loss in funding for the "park and ride" facility and museum, and it is one of the reasons I encouraged him to run for council. I feel he can provide the leadership necessary to get the round house project going once again and that his input will help to protect the qualities in Oberlin that brought me to love living here.
In closing, those who know me realize I am rather smitten with my man; regardless, do yourself and Oberlin a favor and vote for Ken Sloane.
Lisa Shomo
Oberlin
Soucy listens, communicates
To the editor:
I have long considered the most important trait of an elected or appointed official to be the ability to learn. To listen and make an informed decision without a single-minded commitment to a specific agenda is critical for anyone in the public arena. Over the past six years I have had the privilege of getting to know and to work with Sharon Soucy. Time and again I have seen her capable of learning and making a decision based on that knowledge.
Sharon has served four years as council liaison to the planning commission; through that service I have gotten to know Sharon both as a city servant and as a resident of Oberlin. The commission has on numerous occasions taken positions Sharon has not agreed with, but she has never forgotten her responsibility as a council liaison -- to ask questions and to serve as communicator between the commission and council while being very careful to never attempt to influence commission decisions.
As a result of my experience with Sharon Soucy I will be proud to vote for her and am pleased now to endorse her re-election. Sharon has served the city well and I am confident she will continue to do so.
Marilyn Fedelchak-Harley
Doren Harley
League not the only sponsor
To the editor:
Permit me a clarification. While the League of Women Voters is a long-standing and valued member of the Candidates Night Planning Committee, a number of other important Oberlin organizations also volunteer a representative to plan and organize the Candidates Nights, and deserve honor and recognition for their support and efforts: ACLU, North Central Chapter, AAUW Oberlin Branch, Community Peace Builders, First Church Christian Outreach Committee, Kendal at Oberlin, Main Street Oberlin, Oberlin Area Chamber of Commerce, Oberlin Black Alliance For Progress, Oberlin College, Oberlin Community Services, Oberlin Exchange Club, Oberlin NAACP, Oberlin NBPW, and Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Social Justice Team.
Elizabeth Rumics
Oberlin
Agency not closing or moving
To the editor:
I believe it was Mark Twain who said, remarking on the rumors of his death, "The reports of my early demise are greatly exaggerated."
Some misinformation was released about the renovations at the Apollo that included "James Ross will be retiring at the end of the year."
Nothing could be further from the truth. Nationwide has had a presence in Oberlin since the early fifties with my wife Linda and I serving since 1984. And we look forward to many more years of service.
Since we have a lease with the college, our location will not be changing in the foreseeable future.
If any of my long-time clients have any concerns, they should not hesitate to stop by or give us a call.
James C. Ross
Nationwide agent
Chair should not advocate
To the editor:
In three weeks Oberlin residents will have the opportunity to participate in an election, the results of which are critical to the future of our city. Not much has been written or said about the Nov. 3 election. It should be noted, however, that for the first time in several municipal elections residents have some real choices to make from a large field of candidates for city council.
Candidates should be judged not on their approach to one issue but on a wide range of issues. Consideration of sources for our electric power is an important issue, but there are also other issues facing the city that deserve careful and equal consideration by the candidates and the council to be elected.
Residents should consider candidates who have some idea as to the way council meetings should be conducted. Council members should treat their colleagues, city staff, and members of the audience with respect, even when they disagree on an issue. The chair of council should conduct meetings impartially. And while he has the same rights in discussion as other council members, he should not exercise those rights while he is presiding. If he wishes to participate in discussions, he must give up his position and turn the meeting over to the vice chair. Such simple rules of conduct have been violated frequently in recent sessions of city council.
It is our hope that residents will consider most carefully the candidates for whom they cast their ballots. The results of this election are crucial for the city, not only in the immediate future, but also in the long run.
James W. White
Sigrid Boe
Oberlin
Soucy has proven exemplary
To the editor:
Historically, Oberlin's city council has had its share of exemplary members, the kind of people who put aside ideology and personal differences in order to work successfully with others toward providing our city with good laws, necessary regulations, and solid initiatives. Sharon Soucy, during her tenure on the council, has proven herself to be such a person. Always thoroughly prepared for council meetings, Sharon uses factual support and reasoned arguments in favor of her positions, increasing council's ability to come toward consensus on an issue. Civil in discussions, well-versed on the issues, and willing to hear voices and views different from her own, she brings the kind of leadership ability and consensus-building skills that any governing body needs in order to be truly effective.
As a lifelong resident of Oberlin, she has always been keenly aware of the need for cordial town-gown relationships and has worked hard on projects that enhance the quality of life for both. Over two terms, she has worked on many initiatives important to all Oberlinians such as alternative green energy sources and LEED certified building projects, sidewalks to encourage pedestrian traffic, improvements in the city's housing stock, economic incentives to enhance Oberlin's commercial vitality, and the Underground Railroad Center as an expression of Oberlin's heritage. She is currently working on a plan to provide rebates for residents buying energy-saving appliances as well as other similar initiatives.
In all her work, Sharon has admirably fulfilled her campaign promise to listen, to learn, and to serve. We urge residents to vote for Sharon Soucy on Nov. 3.
Mary Van Nortwick
Thomas Van Nortwick
Council deserves share of credit
To the editor:
A recent letter from a former city council member asserts that not all the credit for Oberlin's enviable economic circumstances is due to the current city council, and that any applause, appreciation, and gratitude should be awarded to finance director Sal Talarico, to the happy circumstances of stable income tax revenue, and the dedication and diligence of municipal employees. Yes. Granted. No argument. Kudos served all around.
Even so, this council, the majority of this council and the majority of several councils preceding rightfully can claim some measure of credit for shepherding the East College Street Project through a pre-development hazard course, with many of the hazards concocted by a coterie of nay-sayers, obstructionists, saboteurs, who were, and still are, devoted -- inexplicably -- to destroying the project.
The majority of this council rightfully can take a major portion of the credit for the fire station expansion. This public building -- functional, energy-efficient, and handsome -- will serve the fire safety needs of this city for the next 25 years.
This council can be very proud to have enacted legislation that strengthens Oberlin's appeal to new businesses and industrial enterprises, with the direct and immediate result that a solar power apparatus company is now located in Oberlin.
This council has not presumed to claim determinative sway over the local economy; we acknowledge that our decisions have limited effects. But we recognize that council -- that city government -- has some effect. We all do what we can to produce good results, and thus council is very gratified that our town is in remarkably good shape.
Of course, that gratification rests uncomfortably on our rueful understanding that, if things economic were bleak, council would be awarded a very large portion of the blame.
For that reason alone, you can be certain, that this council, for the rest of the current term, and the council upcoming will strive to the utmost to do all within our limited power to keep Oberlin's economic circumstances, present and future, bright.
David E. Sonner
Oberlin
Web site has voting information
To the editor:
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Oberlin residents will choose a new seven-member city council and three members of the Oberlin School District School Board as well as decide five issues. There are several ways to get information about this election.
On the League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area website (www.lwvoa.com) voters can find non-partisan information, not only on the candidates and issues that are on the November ballot, but also new precinct maps and voting tips. The downloadable version of the Voter Guide contains answers to three questions that were posed to each of the candidates.
Printed copies of the Voter Guide with answers by each candidate to two questions, an explanation and discussion of the issues, and a precinct map are available at the Oberlin Public Library and the Oberlin College libraries.
A Candidates Night, sponsored by numerous organizations, was held last night, but will be rebroadcast on Cable Channel 9 several times before Election Day: Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 17 , 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 3 - continuously from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area urges area residents to get informed about candidates and issues and then be sure to vote in this fall's general election.
Linda Slocum
Voter Service LWVOA
Leadership in short supply
To the editor:
Residents should be very proud that we are leaders in the "green" movement when we consider that Oberlin is ahead of most communities with 17 percent clean energy assets in hydroelectric, wind and methane generation. As a councilman in December 2007 I voted to authorize our electric utility to enter into a joint venture with AMP-Ohio to achieve a goal of 25 percent clean generation with the addition of three more hydro projects on the Ohio River. I remain committed to finding viable green solutions to our future power needs.
The real issue facing Oberlin is leadership and the current council's failure to secure our base-load (24x7) power. To set the record straight, AMP-Ohio purchases, generates and distributes electrical power for 128 publicly-owned utilities serving more than 570,000 customers in six states -- Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Eighty-one municipalities made commitments to amortize the available new 960 MW over a 40-year period (not 50). When Oberlin dropped its request of 9 MW there were five Michigan cities and many others waiting to acquire these assets.
The current council at the last minuet has commissioned another $70,000 study by the professional electric consulting group Black and Veatch who are to present a 20-year plan for our future power needs. I will want to review their findings before making any commitment to Oberlin's need for our base-load reliable and affordable electric power need.
Council members have a duty to hear every citizen's opinion at the time it is offered and cannot obligate themselves to any one interest group. They must consider the community as a whole when deciding their vote. They must maintain the highest ethical standards and not make decisions based on having unlawful interests in a public contract or conducting personal business on city property and equipment. They should demand all essential information on issues prior to voting.
This is the kind of councilman I will be if elected.
Anthony J. Mealy
Oberlin
More bureaucracy not needed
To the editor:
Vote no on ballot Issue 2 (Ohio Livestock Standards Board). Why? The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Industry is already charged with "protecting and promoting the health of Ohio's livestock and poultry industries." Issue 2 would establish a new bureaucracy to set standards the department would have to enforce, but this bureaucracy would be largely insulated from Ohio's voters and vulnerable to control by agribusinesses that want to prevent any other interest group from having influence on how livestock and poultry are raised. Issue 2 is a power grab that would write potential control by industrial agriculture into the Ohio Constitution. There is no need to take this drastic step. We can all agree on the importance of the care and well-being of our Ohio's livestock. But we don't need to amend the constitution to achieve this.
John Elder
Oberlin
Library a community treasure
To the editor:
We have a real treasure in our community -- our public library. It serves everyone, old and young, rich and poor, all races, religions, and political persuasions. Generations of Oberlinians have grown up with free public library cards, and we owe it to our children and grandchildren to guarantee them continued access to books, films, computers, summer reading programs, and much more. Libraries are important parts of a diverse and democratic society. Please join me in voting yes for Oberlin's library levy, Issue 35, on Nov. 3.
Diana Roose
Oberlin
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