Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

Reflecting on the City of Marietta’s Performance Audit: A Call for Restructuring

Part 1: How did we get here? The release of the City of Marietta Performance Audit in February 2024 has brought to light critical issues plaguing the city’s financial stability. As a retired public servant with nearly four decades of experience in state government, I have been closely following the developments surrounding this audit. Drawing upon my background in public sector restructuring and re-engineering, I aim to provide insights and recommendations for addressing the challenges faced by Marietta. This is Part 1 of a 4-part series. The City of Marietta Performance Audit, ...

Squatting

Squatting is everyone’s concern. Long time ago “The Wild West” as well as some large cities experienced “Squatting”. It was happening not only in the USA but also on this planet Earth. It seems the practice is upon all of us as never before. Today anyone can fall victim to this unsavory practice of SQUATTING. Obviously, the individuals engaged in this pursuit are intelligent. They are also slyly entitled and some are evil. It takes an insurmountable amount of time and resources to remove squatters from a property. Today’s “squatting” is attributed to unprecedented ...

The Republican Party

The defacto leader of the Republican Party and presumptive presidential nominee believes the people who attacked our Capital are patriots and those found guilty by our legal system are hostages. For over two hours he watched the assault unfold on TV and did nothing. The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower is unrecognizable.

Wealthy residents

Wealthy residents do not pay their fair share of taxes because Marietta does not tax portfolio income (e.g., interest, dividends, capital gains, pensions). Wealthy residents should be taxed on a portion of their portfolio income for the privilege of living in our historical, vibrant, and generally safe community. Levying a progressive tax on portfolio income would allow wealthy residents to contribute fairly to city coffers while not increasing the burden on less fortunate tax payers. Right-sizing the city budget and workforce must be done to address the financial challenge facing ...

Fracking Under Public Lands

I am outraged by the decision of the Ohio Legislature (both houses) and the governor for mandating fracking, i.e., high-pressure hydraulic fracturing, under Ohio public lands. Let me count the ways… First of all, the legislation authorizing this desecration of state parks and other public lands, HB 507, was buried (stuffing, if you will), in a poultry bill passed by the legislature last year without any public hearings. Many of these public lands, including Salt Fork State Park the state’s largest park, are in eastern Ohio and have benefitted residents of Washington County for the ...

Marietta/Belpre Health Department Services

Did you know Marietta/Belpre Health Department offers a wide range of services? Including: * Immunizations (routine children & adult, travelers, & Covid-19) * Reproductive Services * STI Testing and Prevention for Men & Women * Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening * Menopause Care * Sports, work & school physicals * And MORE!! Not to mention we have a Nurse Practitioner on staff 5 days a week! Call us for more information and/or to schedule your appointment! (740)-373-0611