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"Any time Columbus cares about this part of the state, it's when we're pumping oil out of the ground."
Though that might be an exaggeration, Washington County Commission President Kevin Ritter has a point.
"They tend to forget about this part of the state," he said. "If there aren't severance tax dollars coming in, they tend to forget us."
Ritter's frustration was borne out of the revelation that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was developing a list of water and sewer projects he intends to support -- and the Washington County Sewer Project is not on it.
"They're giving away $5 million in this Vax-a-Million," Ritter said. "At the same time, people will have to sell their homes due to the Devola project. That doesn't sit well with me. If he's got tax dollars to put into this Vax-a-Million, he's got money to pay in to the southeastern part of Ohio."
With DeWine's two-year budget calling for "Investing in Ohio's Future" with a $450 million direct investment in infrastructure related projects, $250 million for broadband expansion, and $200 million to give communities up to $2.5 million for their own infrastructure projects, one can see why Washington County Commissioners would like to be on the state's radar.
Ritter, and commissioners Jamie Booth and Charlie Schilling must not give up. They are right to want to continue to pursue state financial support for the project.
" … we're going to work for the residents to obtain as much money as possible to help," Booth said. "This doesn't fall on the backs of Columbus. This falls on the sewer customers. They have to pay the bills."
Surely DeWine and company will listen to continued efforts by commissioners. Not everyone who asks the state for money can get it. That's just reality. But given that the Washington County Sewer Project could have negative financial effects for an entire community, there is good reason the folks in Columbus should give it another look.