Letters To The Editor Week of 6/28/2021

Slippery slope
in Perrysburg
To the editor: A member of the Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce recently stated on television that “...we have every right to change the name of …,’’ referring to Harrison Rally Day.
“We” certainly didn’t include me. This action by the chamber of commerce, with the full support of the mayor, is a disservice.
Did any member of city council support this? And if you didn’t, why didn’t you speak out?
Mayor, chamber et al, as General Harrison and Commodore Perry are under your skewered microscope, to suit a particular agenda, who or what is next that you will deem the City of Perrysburg not associate with? The Anthony Wayne School District? Washington Crossing Historic Park on River Road in Pennsylvania. The Fort Meigs history site?
This action may appear innocuous to some, but it isn’t. It is a slippery slope.
Lest we forget:
- 1813, Fort Meigs was the site of two sieges in April and May. Defending against the British empire, Major General William Henry Harrison did rally the troops.
- 1813, Battle of Lake Erie with Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in command. His note to Harrison: “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”
- 1840, June. Fort Meigs celebration to commemorate the anniversary of raising of the siege. Residents of Maumee met and wanted to help with the celebration. Committees were formed, including R.A. Forsyth, James Wilkinson, James Wolcott, Horatio Conant, G.B. Knaggs, S.M. Young, D.B. Smith, Elisha Mack, William Kingsbury, J.S Scott, D. Dwight, Chancey Mathews, and M.R. Waite.
Gen. Harrison, then a candidate for president, was invited to speak. Thousands from the U.S. and Canada came to the event.
- 1979, Huzzah Perrysburg, a community event was conceived to be held in June to commemorate the raising of the siege and Harrison’s rally in 1840.
- 2016, We celebrated our bicentennial.
This is not just our history but the history of the Maumee Valley and our nation. This action to delete Harrison Rally Day is now in the books. History will reflect the reaction. I will not attend the fest. My time and money will be spent at Ft. Meigs. Right now there are no major events scheduled at the fort for Sept. 18. Care to join me?
Melanie Calevro
Perrysburg

Wrong location
for battery plant
To the editor: As a resident of Oregon I have to say it is a shame that the mayor, Mike Seferian, has tried to pull the wool over our eyes; speaking to individuals and asking them "not to tell" others of his big secret. Did the mayor and other officials think we would give up farmland, wooded wildlife areas, and wetlands for an industrial park? Do they think we are stupid?
What about the industrial area bounded roughly by Lallendorf, Corduroy, Wynn, and Cedar Point roads? Nearly 550 acres of prime industrial land with rail access, proximity to ports and major highways. Were we not told that this area would be the industrial area of Oregon, and all other land would be residential and commercial?
Keep the industrial areas out of the pristine areas. Sure, a battery plant would be nice; if north of Corduroy.
Michael Hall
Oregon

Poppy Day
a success
To the editor; The Genoa American Legion Auxiliary 324 would like to would like to thank everyone for making our Poppy Day a success. Sunoco MiniMart, Genoa Bank and Millers Market let us distribute poppies from inside the businesses because of the terrible weather.
One hundred percent of the money collected goes to the veterans. Thank you volunteers for helping. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Karen Gruben
Auxiliary President

4th provides a
teaching moment
To the editor: The 4th of July is a day to celebrate our nation and our Independence. I pray we can stand together as Americans and realize how blessed we are to live in the greatest country on Earth. I hope we can all remember the sacrifice of our military members and officers in blue who defend and protect us on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, we currently see a spike in senseless crime in our country. It is a red flag and reminder to teach our children there are consequences for their actions. If there are no consequences given at home, why would they think there will be consequences when they go out into the world?
If a child isn't taught the concept of showing respect at home, why would they show respect to
teachers, police officers, and others?
Sometimes it is that they don't even respect themselves. Lastly, the next generation (even adults) desperately need to learn it is OK to agree to disagree. Believe it or not we can have lunch with someone we don't agree with on every little topic. You don't have to persecute and demean another person just because they don't agree with you. A person’s character defines them, not the color of their skin, religion, or voting record, etc.
The news has endless stories that seem to cry out for these values to be taught. I pray our country wakes up to the fact the next generation will define whether we remain a great country. If we don't pour these values into them, civil society will continue to spiral downward.
It is not the local school system or federal government’s job to raise our kids into kind, empathetic, respectful, proud Americans. The next generation is the key; there is no time to lose.
Kim Kraemer
Elmore