Op-ed: Overide property tax vetoes

By Steve Stivers

Ohio’s business community is facing mounting challenges, and skyrocketing property taxes are at the top of the list. At the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, we represent more than 8,000 businesses of every size, industry, and region across our state. When we surveyed our members last year, one message came through loud and clear: the most pressing tax concern for Ohio’s employers is property taxes.

Since receiving those results, the Ohio Chamber has been working with other business associations, including Ohio REALTORS and the County Auditors’ Association of Ohio, to study the property tax system and tirelessly advocate for reforms.

That’s why we were encouraged to see the General Assembly take meaningful action in the state operating budget to curb the unsustainable growth in property taxes. Their commonsense provisions would have brought much-needed predictability and relief for employers and homeowners alike, particularly in a time of rising valuations and local levy growth. Unfortunately, that relief was vetoed.

Now, the Ohio Legislature has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to override those vetoes.

The property tax burden in Ohio has reached a tipping point. According to the Ohio Chamber’s Ohio Tax Benchmarking Analysis, property taxes in Ohio are 72 percent higher than the peer locations analyzed nationwide. Business owners across the state are being squeezed by double-digit increases in property valuations, compounded by an ever-growing stack of local levies. These rising costs erode competitiveness, discourage investment, and ultimately drive up costs for consumers.

Increasing home values paired with lack of ballot transparency have contributed to the overwhelming burden of increased property tax. In 2024, the average sale price of a home in Ohio increased by 7.3 percent compared to the previous year, reaching $291,062, according to Ohio REALTORS. And in 2024, inflation was 2.9 percent while (three-year) reappraisals increased home values by over 30 percent in many areas.

Guest column: travel scam dangers

By Jamie Crawford

COLUMBUS — With nearly 82 percent of Americans planning to travel this summer, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions is urging Ohioans to be on the lookout for travel scams and fraud as they plan their summer getaway.

Last year Booking.com reported there had been between a 500-900 percent increase in travel scams over the previous 18 months due to advancements in AI technology. Often times, these scams impact travelers before they ever arrive at the airport or hit the road. 

To keep travelers safe and informed, the Division is highlighting steps consumers can take – and what to look for – to ensure their travels go smoothly.

“The more informed you are, the easier it becomes to avoid becoming a victim,” said Division of Financial Institutions Superintendent Kevin Allard. “Planning a trip doesn’t have to be stressful. By following a few simple tips, you can safeguard yourself and your finances without unnecessary hassle.”

Common Travel Scams to Look Out For

Ohio travelers should remain on alert for these prevalent travel scams:

• The Arrival Trap: This involves individuals guiding travelers to use more expensive transportation options once they land at an airport.
• Guest Desk Deception: This involves a traveler receiving a call from someone who claims is from their hotel and says they need the traveler’s credit card information. That information is then used to be fraudulent purchases.
• “Free” Vacation Offers: Fraudulent vacation promotions often come with hidden fees and taxes. Legitimate companies won’t require payment in order to receive free prizes.
• Robocall Vacation Deals: Unsolicited robocalls offering discounted packages are often illegal and indicative of scams.
• Fake Travel Documents: Be wary of websites that charge for services such as visas or international driving permits that are available through legitimate government channels.
• Vacation Rental Fraud: This involves scammers creating fake vacation home listings to steal money from unsuspecting vacationers. Once payment is made, the scammers will disappear, and you may travel to a vacation rental that doesn’t exist.
• Charter Flight Scams: Be on the lookout for advertisements that promote charter flights that disappear once payment is made. 

How to Stay Safe

The Division encourages Ohioans to take the following precautions to avoid becoming a victim of travel scams:

• Do Your Research: Confirm the validity of travel offers, agents, and booking websites by checking reviews or verifying business details with trusted organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
• Know the Payment Methods: Avoid paying for travel packages or accommodations with wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Consider using a credit card for added security.
• Be Wary of High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers will often push you to make quick decisions or payments. Be sure to take your time and ask for cancellation and refund policies upfront.

Tips to Plan a Secure Vacation

• Seek recommendations from trusted sources, including friends, family, or accredited travel agents.
• Use reliable travel booking platforms for airfare, hotels, or rentals, and double-check any unfamiliar websites for customer reviews and complaints.
• Compare hotel rates carefully, paying attention to hidden fees like resort charges and city taxes.
• If purchasing travel insurance, make sure the provider is licensed and review the terms of coverage thoroughly.

Travelers who suspect a scam should report it to local authorities or consumer protection agencies like the FTC or BBB to help combat fraud.

Op-ed: treatment courts effective

By Judge Jill T. Worthington

Every day, courtrooms across the United States are filled with individuals impacted by substance use and mental health disorders. Without treatment to address the underlying cause of criminal behavior, many will continue to cycle in and out of the justice system, burdening law enforcement and at tremendous expense to taxpayers. Treatment courts break this cycle by holding individuals accountable through a combination of treatment and rigorous supervision and returning them to the community as healthy, productive citizens. Today, approximately 4,000 treatment courts across the nation are now considered the most successful justice intervention in our nation’s history, proving that when one person, family, and community rises, we all rise.

May is National Treatment Court Month and the perfect time to tell the story of how our treatment court is vital to cutting crime, saving money, and making our community safe.

Courts Assisting Military Offenders, also known as CAMO Court, has had the privilege of seeing veterans reclaim their lives. While in the CAMO Court program, we helped a veteran, named Josh, re-engage in substance abuse treatment, maintain his sobriety, and recover from a physical injury which prevented him from regular employment. Throughout his time in CAMO Court, Josh went back to school and finished his bachelor’s degree. He is now working on his clinical requirements toward his master’s degree in counseling others with substance abuse issues! Today, Josh is happily engaged, building a family and contributing to his community.

This story is just one of the thousands of individual stories that demonstrate why treatment courts are so critical in the effort to address addiction and related crime. Approximately 65 percent of the U.S. prison population has a substance use disorder, and another 20 percent were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime. The largest and most comprehensive multi-site study ever conducted on treatment courts found reductions in crime averaging 58 percent and savings of more than $6,000 for every individual served. Further benefits include improved education, employment, housing, financial stability, and family reunification.

Treatment courts are our most effective approach to the devastation of addiction and justice involvement. This year’s National Treatment Court Month celebration should signal that the time has come to reap the economic and societal benefits of expanding this proven solution to all in need.

CAMO Court is held at 10 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month at the Van Wert Municipal Court.

Editor’s note: Judge Worthington presides over Van Wert Municipal Court.

Opinion: tipping is out of control

By Gary Richards

After recently participating in a major online discussion with hundreds of other people across the USA about the pros and cons of tipping for services in this country and how it has grown out of control, out of proportion, is being abused by many businesses and people working in the service industry and is beginning to feel more like an obligation rather than what it actually should be (an actual non-obligatory tip/reward to service workers for providing the general public with good service), I decided it was time to discuss this important issue that has been on my mind and bothering me for a very long time now.

It seems that everywhere I go and everywhere I turn these days, some business or person has a tip jar on their countertop at the check-out, often nothing more than just a plastic cup or a jar with tips written on it. Before I get deeper into this, let me first state that I am and always have been a fair and good tipper, especially if the service that was provided to me was good or extra good, was for a service that is unique or special to me like having my car detailed, for a massage, a haircut, for a taxi ride or for an Uber driver, for a tour group leader who took me and a tour group on a guided tour somewhere, etc. I am even more generous with my tips if I know and like that person.

For full-service sit-down restaurants, which I frequent quite often, I try to give 20% IF my server is attentive and does a decent job. However, like many people I know and have talked to about this issue, including the people I discussed this with online, I am growing very tired of feeling obligated to tip people who are honestly not doing very much to earn my tip if they are providing me any kind of service at all. For example, why should I feel obligated to tip people who are literally just handing me my order when all I do is just walk in the door and request a pizza, a doughnut or some food item that is already made or extremely easy to make? I don’t.

Buffets are another problem for me. When all that a person is doing for me is clean my table and provide me with a glass of water and nothing more, which they would have to do anyway, then I really do not feel that I am obligated to tip that person, even though I typically do to some degree anyway.

Now let’s talk about sit-down restaurants, which is a completely different issue and poses more complex circumstances.

Here, I believe, people should tip their waiter and tip fairly generously if they were provided good, very good or exceptional service. But when restaurants tack on the gratuity automatically, that is the very last time I will step foot inside that establishment. In my humble opinion, a tip is a tip, it should be earned and should not be made to feel like an obligation. Automatic gratuities like that are nothing more than a tax that restaurants and their owners are demanding, not asking, that you pay or else you don’t eat at their establishment. This is a big no can do for me. And the general public should not be shamed into tipping at higher percentages either, which happens all the time these days. A person should be able to tip however and whatever they feel like tipping, without being unreasonable or a tightwad, of course.

While on a two-week fully escorted tour of Japan in September of 2024 with 39 other tourists like myself from Canada and the USA, it was refreshing for me and all of us to see that tipping is actually frowned upon in that country. In fact, most people in Japan will be insulted if you do so and will politely refuse your offer. You see, my friends, in Japan the people who work in the service industries are paid a respectable wage or salary that they can actually live on.

An unusual concept, isn’t it? The only exception to that rule was when my travel companion and I and the rest of our tour group, tipped our exceptionally good and hard-working tour guide and bus driver who were with us constantly for two solid weeks and did just about everything for us. I know that I (we) tipped them generously and that our tips were graciously accepted and appreciated by them. They earned their tips and that is the way it should be in this country as well. 

Gary Richards is a resident of Norwalk, Ohio. He is a teacher and traveler who likes to write about his trips.

Guest column: tips for holiday bills

By Jamie Crawford

COLUMBUS — As Ohioans await credit card bills from the recent holiday season, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) is sharing tips to help consumers work through any post-holiday financial headaches, whether it’s managing surprisingly large invoices or dealing with potentially stolen credit cards.

The National Retail Federation reported late last year that sales during the 2024 holiday season were expected to reach a new record. At the same time, according to a survey conducted by LendingTree, 36 percent of American consumers were expected to incur holiday debt with an average balance of $1,181, which is up from $1,028 in 2023.

DFI Superintendent Kevin Allard said the combination of spending more and going into debt can lead to an increased risk of carrying balances into the next holiday season, which can cause even greater financial pressure for consumers. 

“Although they’re quite common in January, larger-than-expected bills after the holidays can seem overwhelming and, at times, insurmountable,” Allard said. “It’s important for consumers to take a breath and realize there are steps they can take to address this financial challenge in the short term so their overall long-term financial outlook isn’t negatively impacted.”

To help manage holiday debt, Ohioans may consider taking the following steps if they receive a large bill:

• Negotiate a lower interest rate – Contact your creditors and emphasize your history of on-time payments or cite competitive offers from other companies. A single phone call could result in significant savings.
• Consider participating in a no-spend month – Offset holiday expenses by challenging yourself to limit spending to only necessities like housing, transportation, and groceries for an entire month.
• Create a debt payoff plan – Don’t panic if you are unable to pay off all your holiday spending immediately. Instead, develop a realistic plan that will allow you to pay it off as soon as possible. Just as important, make sure to stick to this plan.

When you receive your credit card bills in the mail, don’t focus on just the amount you owe. Instead, review each expense to ensure there isn’t anything out of the ordinary that may have driven up your bill up any higher than it should be.

According to Experian, credit card fraud remains a significant issue, with over 214,000 cases reported in the first half of 2024. If you believe your credit or debit card might have been compromised during the holiday season, DFI recommends taking the following steps:

• Cancel your card – Contact your card issuer or bank immediately to cancel the card and request a replacement. For debit cards, make sure to also update your PIN.
• Monitor your accounts – Regularly check statements and online activity for unauthorized transactions. If you notice any disputes or suspicious charges, report them immediately.
• Change passwords – Update your passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised, and also be sure to update your login credentials. Consider freezing your credit to prevent unauthorized new accounts from being created.
• Report the issue – Report stolen information to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov for additional support. 

 “We want Ohioans to feel empowered to take control of their financial future,” Allard said. “Whether it’s addressing holiday debt or protecting against fraud, taking a combination of both appropriate reactive and proactive steps can help you achieve greater financial stability.”

For more information and resources on financial health, fraud prevention, and credit improvement, visit DFI’s website.

Guest column: holiday shopping

By Jarrod Clay

COLUMBUS — With 2024 consumer spending expected to reach a new record this holiday season, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) has unveiled a free Holiday Gift Budgeting Guide to help Ohioans successfully navigate the upcoming season with fiscal responsibility in mind.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), consumer spending during the upcoming winter holiday is expected to reach $902 per person on average, which takes into account items such as gifts, food, and decorations. That’s a $25 increase from last year.

This comprehensive Holiday Gift Budgeting Guide offers a range of financial tips and practical advice related to preparing for and managing holiday expenses. In addition, the guide includes tips for parents on how they can use this time to educate children on smart financial and budgeting lessons.

“The holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful on your finances,” said DFI Deputy Superintendent Rob Rutkowski. “By establishing smart and realistic budgeting strategies and goals, and sticking to them, Ohioans can help ensure they enjoy a memorable holiday season, while avoiding unpleasant financial surprises once the festivities are over.” 

The guide offers Ohioans a range of tips, including creating a holiday budget that transforms unexpected expenses into anticipated costs, starting to save early on, and planning any purchases well in advance. These holistic approaches, as well as others outlined in the guide, will help individuals better prevent or anticipate any holiday credit card bill shock come January. For example, thoughtful preparation ahead of time can allow individuals to take advantage of potential sales while avoiding any last-minute shopping trip splurges.  

Key strategies highlighted in the Holiday Gift Budgeting Guide include:

• Start Saving Early: Set aside funds well in advance of the holiday season to ease the financial burden.
• Set a Realistic Spending Limit: Determine what you can afford to spend on gifts, gatherings, and other holiday-related expenses, and stick to that number.
• Bundle Your Shipping: Save on delivery costs by bundling orders whenever possible.
• Take Advantage of Sales and Offers: Look out for discounts and promotions to help stretch your budget further.
• Create a Gift List: Plan gifts thoughtfully while paying careful attention to cost. This will help to ensure you stay within your budget and avoid impulse purchases.

For parents, the holiday season presents teachable moments for children. By involving children in holiday shopping, encouraging them to research affordable gifts, and engaging them in low-cost family activities, parents can impart lasting financial wisdom. Teaching children the core concept of budgeting through wish lists and gift research fosters an appreciation for financial responsibility starting at an early age. 

With careful planning, strategic budgeting, and disciplined spending, families can enjoy a fun holiday season without the burden of debt or financial stress.

Guest column: unclaimed funds

By Jarrod Clay

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds is currently safeguarding approximately $4 billion in unclaimed funds that is waiting to be claimed. Last year alone, Ohioans were able to put more than $139 million back into their pockets.

Unclaimed funds are lost or forgotten money that businesses and banks report to the Division of Unclaimed Funds after accounts become inactive, typically between 3-5 years. The money can come from inactive checking and savings accounts, refund/credit balances, uncashed cashier’s checks, stocks and bonds, forgotten utility deposits and final paychecks.

While this money can be claimed with just three simple steps, there are some common misconceptions when it comes to claiming Unclaimed Funds. The Division hopes to dispel these myths to encourage more Ohioans to claim what could be substantial funds.

You must pay to file a claim: False – It is 100 percent free to claim your unclaimed funds. While there are finders registered with the State of Ohio who charge fees for helping recover your funds, you can easily claim them for free on your own. In the event you need assistance, experts with the Division are available to walk you through the claims process.

Unclaimed Funds expire over time: False – unclaimed funds never expire, and the Division will continue to safeguard that money until it is claimed by the rightful owner or heir.

You’re careful with your finances so you don’t have unclaimed funds: False – One in seven Americans currently has unclaimed funds in their name. These unclaimed funds can come from a wide range of places, so even those who are on top of their finances could potentially have missing money they are unaware of.

You’ve claimed unclaimed funds in the past, so you don’t need to check again: False – Ohio businesses are required to report Unclaimed Funds on an annual basis, so even though you may have claimed missing money in the past, it’s possible that additional unclaimed funds belonging to you could be reported. That’s why it’s important to search for your missing money on a regular basis.

You should only search for your own unclaimed funds: False – The Division encourages Ohioans to search not only for their unclaimed funds, but the unclaimed funds of friends, family members and loved ones. That way, if you discover they have missing money, you can let them know. It’s also important to search for unclaimed funds that may belong to family members who are deceased so necessary steps can be taken to acquire those funds.

Securing Unclaimed Funds in Three Easy Steps

Ohioans can quickly and easily find and claim their unclaimed funds by taking three easy steps:

• search for money at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov
• gather the required supporting documents
• send the information to the Division either online or by mail.

If you need any additional help, the Division of Unclaimed Funds has a number of video resources available to watch by clicking here.

Op-Ed: Latta visits southern border

As the Representative for Ohio’s Fifth District in Congress, I have visited and inspected our nation’s southern border four times. I take these opportunities because I believe the federal government has a duty and responsibility to protect and secure our nation’s borders.

That is why I traveled to the small southern border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, this month. What I witnessed and heard from Border Patrol agents while there was alarming and unsustainable.

In the month of December, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported apprehending a record shattering 302,000 illegal migrants crossing the southern border. And over the last year, CBP seized over 23,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl.

The Del Rio sector we visited has 242 miles of border with Mexico. Due to the recent surge of illegal migrants, Border Patrol were only able to patrol a fraction of the sector. Many of these Border Patrol agents are stretched thin and are bogged down in processing paperwork, which keep them from patrolling our southern border. Even Border Patrol agents around the country are being forced to process paperwork online, which has also kept them from performing their duties on our northern border.

We also visited a facility that held illegal migrants and is intended to hold 1,000 people. However, during the recent surge, it held 6,000 people. How can the Border Patrol handle these numbers?

CBP also reported to us that Mexican cartels are raking in $32 million a week. These cartels are simply exploiting migrants. And as illegal migrants traverse their way to our southern border, cartels are committing murder, trafficking children, and raping women.

There are many who claim only southern border states and communities should be concerned about what goes on at the border – that is just flat out wrong. This is a nationwide crisis.

Look no further than New York City – of all places – to see the ramifications of misguided southern border policy. New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently cited the migrant crisis as the reason behind recent budget cuts, including freezing the hiring of New York Police Department officers.

Guest column: mental health

Many people underestimate the impact that mental illness can have on an individual or family. It can be difficult to admit that you have a mental health problem in your life. Secondly, it can be just as difficult in getting the people you know to understand your situation without making any kinds of judgments.

As a result, here are six reasons why you should make your mental health an important priority in your life.

• Your situation will improve if you get help: Your anxieties and fears can be challenging to manage and more than likely you will need some help. Just as you talk to your doctor about your regular health, you should not be hesitant in seeking help for your mental health. If left untreated, your anxieties and fears may not go away.
• Drugs and alcohol are not the answer: Drugs and alcohol can make your problems more complicated. Many people have said that drugs and alcohol will only add more problems to your situation. Be smart and learn how to cope with your mental health issues by talking to a qualified professional. There are many health professionals in your area that can give you some ideas on where you can go for assistance.
• You will save time and money: Eventually, you will have to confront your fears and mental health issues. Save yourself the time and heartache and confront your problems now rather than later. You will save months of struggling by getting help right away. The sooner you get assistance the faster you will start getting some relief.
• You are not alone: Everyone deals with fear, stress, and anxiety in one’s life whether your friends and others care to admit it. In addition, do not be embarrassed that you are getting help. We all learn new things from others on a daily basis and learning how to manage your anxieties is no different. In addition, your goal is to get your life back on track and not to get everyone’s approval. If people start asking you questions, just say your dealing with stress. Most people can relate to dealing with stress and anxiety.
• Do not make the mistake of doing nothing: There are many people who struggled with anxiety and other mental health related issues, and they tried to ignore their problems. As a result, some of these people struggled on a daily basis and eventually things became more difficult. It can be scary asking for assistance, but the key is to take things one day at a time.
• You have a variety of options: There are many mental health support groups, organizations, and counselors in your area that can help get your life back on track. Talk to your doctor to get more details on where you can go for some assistance. Help is available but you must be willing to make the choice of getting better. Remember that every problem has a solution. You just have to make the effort to find the answers.

Editor’s note: Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers a variety of techniques that can drastically improve your mental health.

Guest column: beware of scam

Your home is one of the most important financial – and emotional – investments you’ll make. It provides shelter, security, and a sense of stability. Now, thanks to the creativity of fraudsters, it also comes with the risk of a relatively new type of scam called deed or mortgage fraud. Scammers are forging deeds to homes and then taking out home equity loans, putting homeowners at risk.

This scam is on the rise. According to the FBI, deed fraud and mortgage fraud are among the fastest-growing white-collar crimes in the United States. Fraudulent transfers of property can be devastating to homeowners, causing them to lose their homes, their credit ratings, and their peace of mind.

Here’s how it works: a fraudster will scour public records on the internet for your signature, digitally copy it, and forge a fake deed transferring ownership of your home to themselves or an accomplice. Then they take out a home equity loan using your home as collateral. This can potentially leave you on the hook for the loan and fixing the situation can be a legal nightmare. In some cases, homeowners may not even be aware the scam has occurred until they receive a notice of default or foreclosure from their lender.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to safeguard your property:

1. Keep a close eye on your home’s title and deed. You can obtain a copy of your deed from your local county recorder’s office.
2. Be wary of unsolicited offers to purchase or refinance your home, especially high-pressure ones.
3. Protect your personal information. Shred all documents that contain sensitive information, such as your Social Security number or bank account details. Don’t share this information with anyone unless you are certain that they are trustworthy.

You might wonder if the title insurance you paid for at closing protects you. The short answer is probably not. Title insurance typically only protects against title problems prior to closing. Most deed fraud occurs later. However, some title insurers are now offering supplemental insurance to help with deed fraud, but coverage and offerings are spotty. The best course of action is to call your title carrier and get legal advice.

Finally, if you do receive a notice of default or foreclosure, act quickly. Time is of the essence and a swift response can make all the difference in protecting your home and your financial future.

If you believe that you have been a victim of this or any other scam, it’s important to report it immediately. Contact your local law enforcement agency and the FTC to file a complaint. Remember, by being vigilant and proactive, you can help protect yourself and your home from this and other types of scams.

Lane Montz
President and CEO
Toledo Better Business Bureau

Letters to the Editor

The VW independent welcomes the opinions of readers in the form of letters to the editor, provided the submissions are in good taste and refrain from attacking individuals. The VW independent has the right to decide whether or not any reader submission will be published. Letters may be subject to editing and may not be published in their entirety.

Letters should be emailed to editor@thevwindependent.com and must include your full name, complete address and telephone number. Your address and telephone number will not be published, but will be used for verification. Unsigned letters and letters containing personal attacks will not be published.

Columns and letters on the Opinion page are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the VW independent.

Residents invited to meet and greet

To the Editor:

We are faced with a choice to make in the next primary for our State Senator in District 1 here in northwest Ohio. Two good Republicans are running against one another but one stands out as the best choice. 

Our former State Representative, Craig Riedel of Defiance, has decided to enter this race. Craig is intimately in tune with the will and the needs of Van Wert County as our former House District 82 Representative.  Craig is a strong conservative who believes in eliminating Ohio’s income tax, lower property taxes, ending preferential programs like DEI, and forming a state based DOGE team. Craig was also a State Representative instrumental in crafting legislation to provide local control avenues for Ohio’s citizens on industrial wind and solar projects. Craig is not anti-wind or solar, he is pro-community choice. His stance is to let the local citizens decide the future of their communities. 

Craig has organized a meet and greet, town hall style, gathering set for 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Ohio City Community Building. It will be a great opportunity for those who do not know Craig as well as I do, to get to know him and ask him questions. 

I ask that you consider giving Craig your support in the next primary and please come on June 25 and see for yourself that Craig will be a great leader for Van Wert County in the Ohio Senate.

Jeremy Kitson
Wren

Writer supports Tressel for governor

To the Editor,
 
Our state and our nation are at a crossroads and who we choose to lead the State of Ohio next year will be an inflection point for the next decade.
 
Republicans who have served Ohio as governor from Rhodes to Voinovich to DeWine have been strong in creating a business climate that has fostered the creation of millions of jobs. They have been strong for the number one business in Ohio that sustains our many rural counties: agriculture.
 
These men and their administrations have faced tough economic times and led our state with a strength of character we need in our next governor. They succeeded as few have to strike a balance for a state as diverse socially, economically and geographically as Ohio.
 
The many economic successes Governor DeWine and now Senator Husted spearheaded in concert with all regions of the Buckeye State must continue with a governor with an eye on the next generation.
 
Ohio is profoundly blessed that Lt. Governor Jim Tressel in now seriously considering a run of his own for Governor. He comes with a heart and a lifelong resume of service to our state. He comes with a
proven record of leadership – of men, of institutions and of hearts and minds.
 
The next few months are crucial. Join with many in a groundswell of support for Jim Tressel. Time and again Jim Tressel as a coach and a university president and now Lt. Governor has been what Teddy Roosevelt called the “man in the arena” taking his chances to lead and answering the call to serve.
 
Give Jim Tressel a good hard look. When you do, I think we’ll be convinced to give him your support to be the next Governor of the Great State of Ohio.
 
Steve Lankenau
 
Defiance

Writer opposes school vouchers

To the Editor:

I want you to imagine for a moment that you had the power to selectively determine whether your individual tax dollars were used to pay for the maintenance of county or township roads, support the Council on Aging, or provide resources to your local volunteer fire department. In this scenario, you could determine that if you didn’t use particular roads, know anyone who participates in services for our retired community, or truly believe that a house was going to catch on fire in your neighborhood anytime soon, you could ask the government for a personal refund or direct those funds to a project of your own choosing.

I recently listened to a brief presentation from leaders of an aspiring local, religious charter school that made a similar sales pitch to area residents at a youth basketball game.  Their main idea was that taxpayers should be able to selectively redirect their tax dollars, in the form of vouchers, to schools of their choosing. Instead of paying money to support their local public school, they could apply for a voucher that funneled those resources to a private religious school that would be under far less scrutiny than the typical regulations that public schools face.  The message sounded quite convenient and even quite empowering. The problem is that this mechanism is counterproductive to the values, principles, and goals of American democracy in its simplest form.  The argument is designed to sound enticing and make citizens feel better about abandoning their civic duties to their communities.

You can most likely see the fallibility and satire embedded in the examples about individuals choosing to remove their tax dollars from projects that support public roads and infrastructure, vital services for our vulnerable populations, and emergency services for our own families and for our neighbors.  Why do we allow these same types of false assumptions to exist and perpetuate about how we choose to support our local public schools?

We already have the legal tools available to us as citizens to promote change in our local communities. We have the chance to vote to approve or decline levies, we have the choice to seek public office or invest our trust in elected officials to govern in our name, and we have the solemn obligation to protect our local institutions of public trust—namely our local public schools.  If we have concerns about how schools are operated, we should be encouraged to address those issues at local school board meetings or be empowered to seek a position on the elected boards themselves.  This is incredibly important to consider because Ohio was historically a cradle for public education having been carved out of the Northwest Territory and required to reserve actual public lands and resources for the development and sustainability of public education.

For the past three decades, political leaders in Columbus have slowly created a voucher system that has eroded public trust in public education and has drastically reduced resources to sustain public education.  Recent expansions of the EdChoice voucher program have cost the Ohio General Assembly nearly $750 million in 2023-2024, up from $400 million the previous year.  Additionally, the governor’s recent budget proposal includes provisions to allocate more than $1.25 billion on educational vouchers for the 2026-2027 school year, while reducing funding for traditional public schools by over $100 million.  This would lead to approximately 360 school districts (59 percent of all Ohio public school districts) seeing an overall decrease in taxpayer funding from the Ohio General Assembly. In case you’re wondering, our local Van Wert County schools are included in those districts that would stand to lose significant funding from Columbus.  The governor and key statewide legislators expect our local public schools to do more with less funding while private and parochial schools benefit from expanded bailouts.

Many rural taxpayers have ignored the voucher scheme in the past, confident that their local school districts were immune from the poaching of public funds from their local district’s coffers. They have largely attributed the voucher program as something that is for “urban districts” or merely offers alternatives to traditional public schools akin to open-enrollment policies from school to school. Meanwhile, Ohio legislators have expanded voucher accessibility to families that earn up to 450 percent of the poverty level.  That means that a family of four that earns $140,000 will automatically qualify for $6,166 for K-8 educational vouchers and $8,408 for high school.  A program that was initially marketed as allowing students and families to “escape failing schools” has transitioned into a taxpayer-funded program to subsidize private and parochial schools across the state of Ohio. 

According to Policy Matters Ohio, only 3,000 of the 69,000 voucher recipients in 2023-2024 attended a private or parochial school the previous year.  That means that your public tax dollars are being overwhelmingly used to subsidize the tuition of currently enrolled students.  Across the state, only 17% of those voucher recipients qualified as low-income in 2023-2024 as opposed to 68 percent of voucher recipients in 2022-2023.  These private and parochial schools have been historically concentrated in or near urban areas, but the overall expansion of the Ohio General Assembly’s voucher program has affected the amount of resources that are available for public education.  While 90 percent of Ohio’s students are being educated in public schools, an increasing amount of YOUR tax dollars are being siphoned away to subsidize and support private and parochial schools. 

As fewer funds are appropriated for public education in the statewide budget process, you can expect local school districts to increase the frequency with which they have to approach voters about levies for general operating expenses, renovations and additions, and services that impact the entire district community.  We live in a part of Ohio that takes tremendous pride in the success of our local school districts. Do we want to endure years of increased local taxes to support our local public school districts because state legislators have already spent our hard-earned tax dollars on bloated subsidies for private and parochial schools?  A family’s decision to send their children to a private or parochial school should not mean that our local districts have to do more with less financial resources.  It’s time that we stand up for our local schools, our local communities, and our children’s educational future. Please contact your state representative, state senator, or the governor’s office and join me in taking a stand against increased voucher subsidies on the public’s dime.

James Lautzenheiser

Convoy

Operation Christmas Child a success

Dear Editor,

The overwhelming generosity of the people of Van Wert, helped provide joy to more than 15,729 children through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts this season. Across the U.S., the Samaritan’s Purse project collected 10.5 million shoebox gifts in 2024. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2024, the ministry is now sending over 11.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Shoebox packers brought joy and hope to children around the world through fun, full, personalized shoebox gifts. For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God’s love, given to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Across Ohio, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling  937-374-0761.

Although local drop‑off locations for shoebox gifts are closed until November 17-24, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.

These simple shoebox gifts, packed with love, remind children around the world that they are loved and not forgotten.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Fishbaugh
Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child

Program coordinator gives thanks

To the Editor:

On behalf of Lincolnview Schools, I would like to take this time to thank our students, staff, and community members for helping to make 12 years of honoring our Veterans a success. It was a privilege to have so many Veterans present for our program.  I am grateful to every person who brought a Veteran with them, submitted a name of a Veteran, or paid tribute to their Veteran in our memorial portion of the program.

I am very proud of our fourth grade students who sang the National Anthem under the direction of Mr. Scott Turner as well as our incredible concert band who performed March of the Armed Forces and Mansions of the Lord under the direction of Mr. Mike Archinal.

Our keynote speakers were Cameron and Mary Moore from Honor Flight Northeast Indiana. We enjoyed learning more about this amazing organization and are excited to donate to this cause which will allow for more Veterans to take this incredible trip. If you are a Veteran or have a Veteran you would like to submit for an Honor Flight, please visit: www.hfnei.org for more information and an application form.

I would also like to acknowledge our very generous program sponsors. Without the amazing support from these businesses, organizations, and families – this program would not be possible.

*Industrial Maintenance Team
*Dr. Amanda Curtis, Dean of the School of Business and Social Sciences-Lake Erie College
*H.A. Dorsten, INC.
*Randy Carey: Carey Insurance and Financial Services
*Thaison Leaser: Edward Jones
*Vancrest Management Corp.
* Randy Myers: Leland Smith Insurance Services
* 1st Federal of Van Wert
*Jon Sell – Franchise Owner – Biggby Coffee
*Amber & Scott Davis families in memory of Ronnie Davis
*The Merkle Family
*Mike Lichtle: Laudick’s Jewelry
*Tim Slusher: Slusher’s Jewelry
*Straley Realty
*Ayers Service Group
*Tisha Fast
*Braun
*Van Wert Cinemas
*Lewis Family McDonalds
*Kill Family Farms
*Venedocia Lions Club
*GLM Transport
*G&S Mechanical Services
*Dellinger Bros.
*Daniel Shellabarger
 
Lincolnview is very proud of all Veterans and grateful for the service they have given to our country.   Our Veterans are treasures, so make certain you thank a Veteran –not only on Veteran’s Day–but all year long.

Thank you again to the entire Lincolnview Community.

Mrs. Stephanie Renner, Program Coordinator

Convoy resident supports Brown

To the Editor:

I first met Sherrod Brown twenty years ago at a church outreach center in Cleveland, Ohio. He was still a member of the US House of Representatives, but was focused on issues that impact all Ohioans like working to ensure living wages for working families, equal access to quality healthcare opportunities, and dedicated resources for improved public education around the state. Since Sherrod Brown has joined the US Senate he has continued to place an emphasis on advocating for issues that can improve the lives of hard-working Ohio families.

That’s why I’m supporting Sherrod Brown for US Senate again this year.  What stands out to me about Sherrod is that he knows that unions have built the middle class in this country, and he repeatedly stands up for workers and fights to guarantee the right to collectively bargain at the workplace. While other politicians seem more interested in stirring up arguments and sowing seeds of disunion, Sherrod rolls up his sleeves and works on real solutions for Ohioans. 

If you’re like me, you are sick and tired of the negative ads on TV, and there are a few that are 100 percent lies. I can promise you, as your neighbor, that Sherrod Brown never voted to allow men to play in women’s sports, and he absolutely did not vote to give benefits to people who are in this country illegally. It’s really disturbing that his opponent is spreading those lies during this election to score some cheap points before we vote. I like that Sherrod focuses on issues that are important to working families across Ohio: cutting taxes for middle-class families and working to lower the cost of gas and groceries. He takes on the tough fights in Congress: protecting our farms from being sold to China and standing up to anyone in either party who wants to ship Ohio jobs overseas.  Politics can feel ugly these days, so I thought I should send a letter to my neighbors about why I’m voting for Sherrod Brown. I hope that you’ll consider voting for him, too. 

Thank you,

James Lautzenheiser

Convoy

Resident sounds off on Issue 1

To the Editor,

There are plenty of signs on Van Wert lawns, and even a letter here, calling for a No vote on Issue 1 in November. It’s easy to understand why. The Republicans in the State legislature hate it. By extension, the Governor, Attorney General, and the State Supreme Court also hate it. So they have manipulated the wording of the issue on the ballot so that it sounds like the most evil attempt to remove the ability of citizens to vote in the history of the United States.

The earlier letter described a horribly gerrymandered district, which resembles many we’ve actually had in this state since the Republicans took control of the legislature. I do not know if it would be possible to create such a district under Issue 1, but I do know that if it is possible, then it is also possible to do so under our current Constitution. Because the requirements for redistricting under Issue 1 are the same as the current Constitution. The only changes are to who will be doing the redistricting. 

According to the enemies of Issue 1, the citizen commission will be required to gerrymander districts to favor the current two political parties. That is exactly what the current constitution does. And the Republicans in our state government don’t seem to have a problem with it now. That may be because they violated those provisions of the Constitution 7 times, while they wouldn’t be able to do so if Issue 1 passes.

We’ve passed attempts to eliminate gerrymandering in our state redistricting twice now. And both attempts have suffered from the same flaw. They left the power of redistricting in the hands of the politicians who benefit from the final result. Other states have removed the power from the politicians, and gotten better, fairer districts as a result.

Is time for Ohio to do the same. Put citizens in control of the redistricting process and keep the politicians out. Otherwise, we’re just setting the fox to guard the hen house. 

Tom Brincefield 

Van Wert

Meet my brother Tony

To the Editor,

I wanted to introduce my brother, Tony, to you. Sadly, he passed away several years ago but his story is still relevant.

Tony was born in 1945, the fifth child of eight. Due to a difficult birth, Tony did have some brain damage and so was considered “mentally retarded.”  While Tony’s life was challenging for the family, in most ways he fit right in annoying his youngest sister (me) with great zest. In fifth and sixth grade I can remember the taunts of, “Your brother is retarded.” Because that’s what boys of that maturity level did.    

There were not a lot of services available to someone like Tony, so my parents did many things to help improve his life and those of his population which were underserved. Fast forward many years and life found Tony living in an apartment with a roommate (with some supervision) and working at a job for over 25 years that gave him a 401K and a watch when he retired.  Not bad for someone who is  “retarded.”

Imagine my sadness when a man who would have us think that he is the man for the most important job in our country, calls out his opponent as “retarded.” I would say he was right with those fifth and sixth grade boys who thought saying “retarded” was a cool thing to do.

When will his followers say enough is enough? 

Teresa Plas

Van Wert

Resident: vote no on State Issue 1

To the Editor,

Issue 1 deserves a decisive NO vote. Imagine a redistricting map with a narrow corridor from Toledo through Henry and Defiance Counties straight to Paulding County, but not including all of those counties. This nightmare scenario is what will happen if Issue 1 passes.

The commission would be unelected citizens who have been selected by retired unelected judges with a private hiring firm helping. This commission will have total control of the redistricting process and are not accountable to the Ohio voters or the elected legislators we have sent to Columbus. The commission has absolute authority to set their salaries and monies they think they require. Our elected officials at the State House has to give them however much they ask for, no questions asked. Ohio voters will also be restricted in their legal rights to challenge the commission’s decisions. As a true eye-opener, this commission has a lifetime appointment, and would be very difficult to recall them.

Ohio has already voted twice, in 2015 and 2018 to approve anti-gerrymandering restrictions, but out-of-state dark money to the tune of over $25 million dollars have flooded our state from Washington, D.C. and a Swiss billionaire who want to change our Constitution. You should be asking yourself, why do they care what we do in Ohio. The simple answer is they want to totally change the number of districts and the make-up of the state’s districts. This would include how many Congressmen Ohio sends to Washington, D.C.

This is why a “no” vote on Issue 1 is essential to keep gerrymandering based on politics and race out of Ohio.

Laurie Lucas

Rural Paulding