LOCAL RACES & ISSUES

8:51 PM Friday, October 30, 2009

Vote ‘yes’ on mental health levy renewal

I urge our community to vote “yes” on Issue 4, the Mental Health Levy. This is a renewal request, so a “yes” vote will not raise our taxes. In 2000, services were provided to 4,500 community residents; by 2008 that number had increased to 8,400, yet we are not being asked for a greater contribution. This says to me that our mental health organizations have been good stewards of our contribution.

They are obviously finding alternatives to asking the voters for more money in spite of state funding cuts of 35 percent.

In my 40 years as a social worker, I saw first-hand the value of the services provided by this levy. Most near and dear to me, it contributes to a community pool of funding for services to mentally and emotionally disturbed children who need exceptional levels of care.

Nancy Mahoney

Springfield

Jobs are a great help to MHSCC patients

I would like to thank the many Springfield businesses—both large and small—for their support of Mental Health Services of Clark County (MHSCC). Over the past several years, employers in this community have offered part-time jobs to some of the men and women who receive vital services from our agency.

In these difficult economic times, the jobs provide an important source of income for those clients. But equally important, part-time employment has given them a greater sense of purpose.

Psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and depression are serious handicaps. Nevertheless, the MHSCC jobs program — working with Springfield businesses — has demonstrated that people struggling with mental illness can be productive citizens.

Jeff Simons

Springfield

Mr. Simons is with Mental Health Services of Clark County (MHSCC).

Bethel Twp. needs Nancy Brown

Nancy Brown is a graduate of the Ohio Township Leadership Academy and has eight years of experience as a Bethel Twp. trustee. Energetic and hard-working, she is available day or night, at home or the township office.

Nancy listens carefully to all sides and wins support by building consensus. Her support was crucial to township projects currently under construction.

These include new street lights in Medway funded with a $127,000 grant for which the the township’s cost is about $13,000 and a new firehouse for which no new taxes will be required for land, construction or operations.

Nancy wrote a pending FEMA grant for $1.3 million to build a new bridge and improve roads in Park Layne.

In these tough times, we in Bethel Twp. need Nancy Brown more than ever.

Don and Ellen Wallace

Bethel Twp.

Trustee Brown pays attention to details

Bethel Twp. is fortunate to have Trustee Nancy Brown working for them. She gives attention to large and small details of township business.

Nancy Brown has brought information and opportunities to the township by attending township conferences and in the recent past provided the residents with improvements to the area parks by adding equipment and improved facilities.

She also has fostered relationship with towns and villages in the township as well as with Clark County and is available to address residents’ concerns beyond the scheduled township meetings.

Re-elect Nancy Brown trustee of Bethel Twp. for continued growth and opportunities.

Dixie Gergal

New Carlisle

City school levy does not increase taxes

I am writing in support of Issue 16, the Springfield City School District renewal levy.

I have not supported, nor do I intend to support, any issues that would increase property taxes, which continue to place added financial burdens on seniors and all property owners.

In view of these currant trying times for all, I do believe that monies currently received by the Springfield City School District must continue so that our students may also continue to receive an acceptable level of education.

I would ask that voters join me in voting “yes” on Issue 16, as it does not increase the current property tax.

Joe Metzger

Springfield

Elect Anna Bucy to  Greenon school board

Need some help in choosing a candidate for the Greenon Local School Board? Let me help you choose at least one candidate: Anna Bucy.

Ms. Bucy is up for re-election — her second term. She has the knowledge, integrity and responsibility to perform in the interest of our children and our teachers, as well as our community.

She is always willing to listen to all sides of an issue.

Ms. Bucy has been motivated to attend many seminars and workshops dealing with school law, local, state and national conferences on bullying as well as other school board topics.

She sits on the Ohio School Board Association and represents the OSBA in the Southwest Region.

A vote for Anna Bucy will insure a voice for everyone.

Barbara Arnold

Enon

Scoby has experience to warrant re-election

This is a letter of support for Jim Scoby’s re-election for Springfield Twp. trustee.

Since Jeff Mayfield decided not to run, Jim would be the senior trustee — and experience does count.

If you are looking for someone to listen to your concerns, that is Jim Scoby. I’m not saying that he will always agree with your position, but that is not what we should be looking for in our elected officials — we already have too many yes-men.

1 | 2 next page »

Share this article