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We can’t have it both ways

“This is in every community, far and wide.” Amy Riegel, executive director of the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio, was speaking Monday about homelessness, poverty and the shortage of affordable housing in the Buckeye State. The number of good paying jobs has not kept up with the soaring cost of housing here. So, “for every 100 extremely low income individuals looking for housing, there’s 40 units available,” according to Riegel. Extremely low income is $27,485 or less for a family of four. In Ohio, 28% of renter households are extremely low income, and there ...

Think twice before you post

Leading up to Tuesday’s general election, some law enforcement officers in Ohio proved themselves to be taking a problematic approach to politics — and therefore their ability to properly serve and protect. Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski made an extraordinarily poor decision when he posted on social media suggesting those with Kamala Harris yard signs should have their addresses written down. That appears to have inspired U.S. Justice Department election monitoring efforts in the county. But after that, Clark County Sheriff’s Department Lt. John Rodgers — a patrol ...

Cast your ballot today

Social media and newsertainment outlets have encouraged too many of us to believe those of differing opinions from our own are to be viewed as the enemy. Certainly, the runup to today’s general election has only deepened the division. It’s a frightening atmosphere, but there are some trying to move us toward healing. An organization called Braver Angels promotes civility and cross-partisan communication and interaction. A few local folks are participating in the initiative. George Banziger, a Democrat and Harris supporter, and Dave and Pam Oliver, Republicans and Trump supporters, ...

A crucial difference to make

Leaders of both major political parties agree on one thing: The presidential election Tuesday is among the most important in American history. Its outcome will shape our government, economy, even our society for many years to come, and may even come to truly define just who we are at this time. Your life and that of your children and grandchildren will be affected profoundly no matter who is elected. Don’t you want to have a say in the matter? To judge by voter turnouts in previous elections, many of your friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors simply don’t care ...

Start the conversation

With each month comes a new designated awareness, as advocates seize the opportunity to inform people in new and creative ways. Though it can be hard to keep track, the tactic is a good one. If, for example, there is an uptick in those seeking the various means of screening for cancers after October, the effort is well worth it. Important, too — particularly for Mid-Ohio Valley residents — is November’s Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 16% of West Virginians have diabetes, while approximately 12.6% of Ohioans are diabetic. But ...

It’s time to seek common ground

Outgoing U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio who was succeeded by JD Vance in 2023, joined forces earlier this week to talk about the intensely problematic polarization that is damaging this country. During a panel discussion at the University of Cincinnati, the two discussed the importance of getting the work of the American people done in a bipartisan manner. Along with that goes the effort to combat extremism on both sides, which is making those with a more centrist/moderate perspective less effective in serving their ...