A group called Voters First Ohio wants us to amend the state constitution to change the way voting districts are drawn. They’ve identified a legitimate problem, but chosen a poor solution.
Elected officials from both political parties and many citizens agree the current redistricting process can be improved.
Now, too much depends on whether a single party controls the state legislature and certain statewide offices.
Voters First Ohio wants to create a new, randomly selected commission to draw district boundaries.
It sounds like a reasonable solution, but it’s not.
The proposed constitutional amendment is full of contradictions and loopholes that will just gum up Ohio’s elections process, and, as seen in California, breed influence-peddling and corruption.
Many Ohioans would be ineligible to serve on the commission because of inflexible eligibility rules. Those rules practically guarantee that anyone with any expertise would be banned from serving.
No problem, though. The proposed amendment lets the commission demand an unlimited budget from the legislature so they can hire all the expertise they need.
We don’t need the unrestrained spending, we don’t need more corruption and we don’t need this constitutional amendment.
Rachel Manias
Broadview Heights
Model for civil debate
I would like to second the comments by E. Thomas Dowd in the July 4 article about him (“Retired professor laments loss of freedom”).
I have respect for his courage to speak for what he believes and to try to call us back to sharing and debating ideas rather than labeling in demeaning ways or condemning those with whom we disagree.
Unfortunately, we have increasingly unhealthy models among our political leadership at all levels of government.
I find I consider voting less these days by issues and ideology and more by exhibited emotional maturity and a clear sense of spiritual direction (no matter the candidate’s religion).
Thanks for covering those other than the loudest, angriest voices among us.
The Rev. David Loar
Akron
Girl Scouts to the rescue
I wanted to respond to Jewell Cardwell’s July 4 column, “Girl Scouts rescue fire station from old furniture.”
I was just tickled to see Girl Scout Troop 90160’s letter-writing campaign to replace these firefighters’ furniture become a reality.
These young ladies took a tour of (North Hill) Fire Station No. 7, and were astounded by the poor shape of the firefighters “house” furniture.
Their letter-writing campaign to Levin Furniture (with Jewell Cardwell posting excerpts) could not have nailed the need any better.
In fact, the scouts sounded incredulous that these professional life-savers should have to settle for furniture held together by duct tape.
These Girls Scouts stepped up, as did Levin Furniture. Thanks to both.
These young ladies are on their way to having very bright futures.
I appreciate their ability to observe, see a need and simply go to town to fulfill it. Best of luck, Troop 90160.
Margie Roop
Barberton
