To the editor: As one living in a tornado-ravaged community, it is truly amazing to see communities and people coming together to help and support the people of Lake Township.

Thank you to the township and area firefighters and police officers for keeping us safe and for your fast response to this disaster.

A deeply and heart-touching thank you to all volunteers and support agencies. Without you, the start of recovery would have been overwhelming.

Thank you and God bless all of you.
Tena Pettit

Human treatment urged
To the editor: Farm animals are generally not afforded much, if any, legal protection from abuse. In Ohio, a Wayne County judge ruled it’s legal to hang pigs – execution-style – to death; many of the tens of millions of animals in Ohio factory farms are confined in cages so small they can barely move for their entire lives; cows that are too weak or sick to stand and walk are transported to slaughter plants. Fortunately, a growing number of states have begun addressing this lack of legal protection. Seven states – Michigan, Arizona, Oregon, Maine, Florida, Colorado and California – have passed laws based on sound science to phase out certain agribusiness practices.

Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans are signing petitions to place a measure on this November’s ballot that will set certain humane standards, addressing:

• Minimum confinement standards ensuring animals can turn around and extend their limbs.

• Allowing only methods of euthanasia approved by veterinary authorities.

• Prohibition on the transportation of “downer cows.”

There is ample scientific evidence to support these common sense-reforms. For example, the prestigious Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production recently concluded that the most intensive confinement systems used in agribusiness constitute “inhumane treatment.” Among the recommendations put forth by the commission was a phase out of veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages—which this measure does.

We only have until June 30 to collect the signatures needed. As a veterinary professional who supports the humane treatment of all animals, I urge every Ohio citizen to sign the petition. Go to www.OhioHumane.com to find out more.
Debbie Johnson, DVM
Waterville

Voice your opinion
To the editor: The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority believes the voters of Lucas County and northern Wood County should have the right to vote on TARTA’s proposal to change its funding from property tax to sales tax.   Currently, this approach is in trouble because Sylvania Township Trustees voted June 1 against TARTA’s proposal. This vote, if it stands, will prevent the issue from being submitted to voters at the November General Election.

TARTA is bound by Ohio law requiring a unanimous vote of all a transit authority’s member communities to take major action. TARTA has nine member communities, including Toledo, Sylvania, Maumee, Ottawa Hills, Waterville and Spencer and Sylvania Townships in Lucas County and Perrysburg and Rossford in Wood County.

Currently, TARTA’s funding change proposal has been approved by the Lucas County Commissioners and by Ottawa Hills and Spencer Township. Two of the three members of the Sylvania Township Trustees are the only representatives of a member community to vote in opposition.

TARTA has until late July to obtain its member communities’ agreement to put the issue on the November ballot as well as to convince the Sylvania Township Trustees to change their vote.

If you agree you should have the right to vote on whether or not to repeal the 2.5 mills in property tax TARTA currently collects and replace that with a one-half percent sales tax on all purchases made in TARTA’s service area, TARTA urges you to let your elected officials know you want the right to vote.
James K. Gee
General Manager, TARTA

Refineries are good neighbors
To the editor: There were two letters in the June 14 edition from Oregon residents.

The first was from Mary Lee Grieshaber. Her letter was wonderful, upbeat and uplifting. Her comments gave me hope and confidence that we will pull through this tragedy at Lake High School. The second letter, from Suzanne Deck, had just the opposite effect. It was discouraging and mean-spirited. I felt ill after reading it. I am biased, I admit. My grandfather works at Sun Oil. My father and my uncles are union tradesmen and often work at both refineries.

Refining oil is a dangerous operation. I worry for them when they are in the refineries, but I know the refineries give them the best safety equipment money can buy and each person entering the refineries receives hours of safety training. They are good neighbors, donating much money to local charities. The people working in our refineries know they are working in a “big bomb.” They do not complain.

So BP donated money for fireworks – I think that’s great. We need fireworks on our country’s birthday. Thank you BP. Thank you Mike Beasley.

Suzanne, if you need to make a statement on a personal level about the evils of “big oil,” sell one or two of your gas-guzzlers and ride a bike.
Harleigh Yanez
Clay High School student

Proud of response
To the editor: The western part of Ottawa County in Allen and Benton townships was devastated by an EF3 tornado on June 5 resulting in massive amounts of destruction to property. Many residents were affected by this storm and fortunately, in Ottawa County, because of the quick and thorough response of both neighbors and emergency response teams, there was no loss of life.

As a result of the tornado destruction, there was a huge need for assistance from many agencies throughout Ottawa County and beyond. These agencies, governmental entities and volunteers responded as one to support those in their time of need.

The Board of Ottawa Commissioners would like to extend its appreciation for all agencies and the gracious volunteers that give of their time, resources and talents. In shortly over a week, much has been accomplished through the assistance of many, those affected can begin to rebuild their property and, more importantly, their lives.

The Ottawa County Commissioners are very proud of our community in their response and compassion to their fellow citizens.
Mark W. Stahl, President
James M. Sass
Steven M. Arndt
Board of Ottawa County Commissioners

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