Thank you from the BJFM Society

March 25, 2026

On behalf of the entire BJFM (Blues, Jazz and Folk Music) Society Board, we would like to thank so many individuals and groups for their support, whether financial, volunteering, in-kind donations or all the other countless ways that others helped to make the 33rd River City Blues Festival and other activities we do a success. First, a great thank you to our audience members, whether you came for the first time this year, or you’ve been coming for years. Your support, excitement and interest in seeing live, fun music and visiting the Marietta area is what keeps our board going. ...

We can do better

March 21, 2026

In response to Matt Dole’s opinion piece dated March 10: First, it is the sworn duty of Marietta City Council President Susan Vessels to watch out for the well-being of the citizens of Marietta, a duty she takes very seriously. You should not belittle or minimize her concerns. I agree with you on the need for injection/disposal wells for the operation of the oil and gas industry. Yes, injection wells have a long history and a very good track record of safety over the years. Hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction is a very old technology, dating back to the 1940s However, ...

Marietta without injection wells response

March 18, 2026

Recently (March 10th), the Times printed a Viewpoint titled, “What does Marietta look like without injection wells?” I’d like to respond to Mr Dole of the Accountability Project. For starters, it would look like a town with less heavy traffic. Many brine trucks pass my house daily on their way to having their radioactive contents injected underground at high pressures less than two miles from my house and two miles from the water wells that provide our Marietta water. Those of us who have done the research know that contrary to the oil industry’s lies (which they repeat ad ...

Two-tiered justice system

March 4, 2026

If you don’t believe that there is a two tiered justice system in America, in other words that money allows you to walk, watch what’s going on in the Epstein investigation.

It’s about safe drinking water

February 27, 2026

In response to the letter to the editor written by Dan McKenzie, research director for Accountability Project Institute, published Feb. 21: Washington County for Safe Drinking Water was founded here in Marietta by and for residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley in response to threats posed by injection wells, existing and proposed, within two miles of our aquifers along the Muskingum and Ohio rivers. These wells channel toxic, radioactive wastewater from fracking operations deep into the rock structure below the level of our aquifers, and under high pressure. Underground, that toxic concoction ...

Street conditions: salty

February 25, 2026

Wednesday’s (Feb. 18) Marietta Times front page article carries a story of the lamentable state of our brick streets. They served us well for decades until: SALT. Salt attracts water. Salt water seeps down between the bricks, attracting more moisture. This turns to mud, the bricks sink, and we’ve got a rough road. In Marietta, the damage is done, leaving only one cure; pull up the bricks and start again. Also, the Putnam Street concrete bridge will have to be replaced in 40 or 50 years. Yes, again due to salt. Every homeowner knows that salt on his sidewalk ruins it. Brine ...