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Letters to the Editor

Calls for unity are ironic

A recent speech on the floor of the US House during the impeachment debate paints a compelling reason to begin now to address the madness that has over taken the Republican Party. Rep. Jim Jordan from Ohio had the audacity to call for “unity” and for all Americans to move on from the violent insurrection that occurred at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Mr. Jordan along with Sixth District House Representative Bill Johnson and the other Republicans who voted against Impeachment want nothing more than for the voters to forgive and forget. The irony of Mr. Jordan’s remarks after five ...

Butler Street’s future

Council members, administration and Marietta Collage officialS, Butler Street is a valuable part of public property. It currently is used as a street. The city has a responsibility to maintain it. It hasn’t been crack sealed since it was resurfaced 3-5 years ago. It has multiple crack lines unrepaired. Illegal Asphalt repairs have been made in the historic brick Fifth and Butler intersection. City law requires proper brick maintenance. City law says those convicted of asphalt repairs in brick streets can face criminal charges. Motorists drive left of center regularly because of ...

Alice Chapman’s legacy

It was startling to read the news of Alice Chapman’s very recent passing. Mrs. Chapman – or Mrs. C, as she preferred the children to call her – was a significant part of the daily lives of generations of children through the Ely Chapman Foundation. My daughter spend evenings there after school and summers there in day camp for years. I can’t imagine our lives without it. Mrs. C could come across as stern, but the emotional and intellectual development of children was always her first priority. She wanted every child to be heard and saw them as the individuals they are. I’m ...

A new beginning

I rarely make New Year resolutions, but this year I feel the need to do so. 2020 has been hell on wheels for most of us, and indeed, those of us who are blessed with empathy feel more deeply the suffering of all living things. Sometimes it’s too much and we have to turn away and go within to save our sanity. After all, there’s only so much that one person can accomplish out there, and self-work is, by far, the most important work we can do. In lifting up ourselves, we lift up the world. Literally. My 2021 resolution is to renew and increase my inner spiritual focus, work earnestly ...

Christmas is out of sight

Yes, Christmas is over in Marietta and the harsh, cold reality of another winter in the Ohio Valley is upon us. The lucky ones among us are off to warmer places to escape the cold or at least retreat to warm homes with cable tv and hot beverages at the ready. What do the homeless do? Unfortunately, they are sequestered in our wooded areas and public lands where no one sees them. A lucky few are able to find shelter from the rigors of winter by sleeping on someone’s couch until the weather improves. While the homeless may be largely “out of sight” in Marietta and Washington ...

Keep growth going

We’re writing in response to last week’s letter regarding proposed gaming machines on property we own and plan to develop in Williamstown. First, we feel like we all agree on one goal: we all want the best for Williamstown. We hope, over our years with the restaurant, residents have seen that commitment from us. Every choice we’ve made has been with the best interest of our town, our employees, and our business. This year was the 40th anniversary of daVinci’s, we went into this year with big goals, to celebrate in a huge way, and end the year with expansion plans to take us ...