Van Wert residents paying attention

To the Editor,

As a former Van Wert resident who still follows what happens back home, I was struck by Brent Stevens’ recent op‑ed suggesting that people raising concerns about data centers are being swept up in “coordinated narratives” or influenced by foreign interests. That claim doesn’t reflect the Van Wert I grew up in. People there think for themselves, ask hard questions, and take pride in protecting their community.

Residents aren’t uneasy about data centers because of Facebook posts or national politics. They’re uneasy because these facilities demand enormous amounts of electricity, strain local infrastructure, and often receive major tax incentives while providing very few long‑term jobs. Those concerns aren’t ideological, they’re practical, and they’re shared by communities across the country dealing with the same pressures.

Ohio’s temporary pause on data center tax exemptions isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that the state recognizes the need for careful evaluation before committing communities to decades of increased energy demand and infrastructure costs. Van Wert deserves that same level of caution and transparency.

No one is calling for a ban on data centers. People simply want honest information about energy use, water needs, noise, diesel backup systems, and the true cost‑benefit balance for the community. If a project is genuinely good for Van Wert, it should be able to stand on its own merits, without implying that residents who ask questions are somehow helping foreign adversaries.

Van Wert has always been a place where common sense and community pride guide decisions. Respecting residents’ concerns is part of that tradition.

Sincerely,

Garry Mosier

Russells Point