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Replacing lead pipes would be huge task

It’s undeniable that lead is a serious health concern in the United States with much of it originating from the millions of lead pipes carrying drinking water to users everywhere. Many of us became significantly more in tune with the concern when national news coverage reported on the Flint, Michigan, water crisis in 2016 after the then-governor declared a State of Emergency and launched an investigation into high lead levels there. It determined the problem originated largely from the city’s 2014 water source switch. While this problem was not new, the public turned more attention ...

A ‘Bright Christmas’ will benefit hundreds

If you happen to drive past the corner of East Pershing Street and South Lundy Avenue in Salem from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, that long line of children and family moving along will number in the hundreds — anticipating early Christmas moments at The Brightside Project. “Bright Christmas” will be held at the faith-based 501c3 non-profit organization’s building. You have likely seen the brightly-painted building which has become a landmark. The Brightside Project was launched in 2016 by a father-daughter team, Scott Lewis and Lisa Wallace. With more than 20 years of combined ...

Welcome Home Ohio will provide housing

Communities across Ohio have heard from economic development professionals that employers are looking for certain things when choosing a new location. Near the top of the list is adequate affordable housing for the workforce. But here there is already a shortage of affordable housing, even as we await the influx of those who will accompany the large employers we know are on the way. Welcome Home Ohio is hoping to change that, as officials Tuesday released program guidelines for the $150 million in grants and tax credits to be handed out over a two-year period. “Housing needs are ...

Fake images are a growing concern

Legal experts say faked sexual images of real people are so new that federal law dealing with the problem is lagging. The experience of a New Jersey high school should, however, motivate Congress and/or state legislatures to implement strong measures and penalties to battle this potentially destructive, horrific and unconscionable enemy of innocence and decency. An intentionally inflicted, unrelenting nemesis such as the one in question can push a young, immature, fearful and confused mind to want to resort to suicide to escape his or her personal torment and nightmare, in much the ...

Make the EPA plan work to benefit all Americans

Among the stops on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan’s “Journey to Justice” tour were several poor and minority communities in Appalachia. In this case, Regan is after what the Biden administration terms “environmental justice.” One of the aims is to clean up pollution and develop clean energy in those communities. Regan said the program “has the promise to turn disadvantaged and overburdened areas into healthy, resilient and thriving communities for current and future generations.” To that end, another $2 billion in federal funding has been ...

Ohioans deserve better from their public officials

Last Monday, Ohioans learned another significant figure has been indicted in the bribery scandal that exposed the dark side of Columbus politics. Former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Sam Randazzo was indicted by a federal grand jury on bribery and embezzlement charges for his alleged part in what federal prosecutors have called the largest political bribery scandal in Ohio history. As part of an agreement, FirstEnergy has said two of its former executives paid Randazzo $4.3 million ahead of his appointment by Gov. Mike DeWine to be the state regulator overseeing ...