To the editor: Since May 2009, The Miracle League of Northwest Ohio has been playing baseball games on our barrier-free baseball field in Northwood.

It took a lot of hard work and the efforts of many to make this field a reality. When the field was dedicated, I acknowledged many of those who supported us and assisted us in reaching our goal. Since the field was opened a year and a half ago, the support continues and I wanted to publicly thank those have been so helpful and accommodating to us.

I first want to thank our neighbors who live in the Brentwood Park area and VFW 2984. The VFW opens its doors to us each month so that we can hold our board meetings, and continues to support us in many other ways. The residents who live near the field, and specifically those who live on Dilrose Drive, are great. I have personally witnessed the residents protecting our field and making sure that people who are on the field are supposed to be there.

I know we can be noisy on Sunday afternoons, but we certainly appreciate the acceptance we have received from the neighborhood. I also want to thank the Northwood Fire and Police departments. The fire department has been very accommodating in helping us in the late fall when we clean things up and close down for the winter. The police department has been wonderful, occasionally passing by to ensure the protection of the field during different hours of the day and night.

The city administrator, Pat Bacon, Mayor Mark Stoner, councilmen Ed Shimmel, Mike Myers, Jim Barton, Connie Hughes, Dave Gallagher and Randy Kozina have been great to work with and very supportive over the years. The experience in Northwood and the entire Northwest Ohio community has been very positive and supportive.

We are a small organization that provides baseball and recreation to all kids, and we include kids with special needs. So thank you to the entire community for all the great support and assisting us in making baseball and sports a reality for all kids in our area.
Jeff Barton
President, Miracle League of NW Ohio

A sound decision
To the editor: To the citizens of Oregon and Jerusalem Township: I realize the serious economic times that we are all dealing with at this time in history.

I am on record for being against any more taxes, although I’m not on record for being against the proposed school levy. I have given much consideration and just can’t see not supporting the school levy. The realization of having a sub-par school system is something I clearly think we all would regret.

I know that the Oregon School District teachers have made great sacrifices to do their share, from frozen wage increases to paying more out of their pocket for health care. I know that the superintendent has micro-managed all he can micro-manage and still provide a quality experience for your children, your grandchildren or the kids in your neighborhood.

All I can ask is that you don’t make a knee- jerk decision on the school levy. Please sit down and take a moment to make a sound business decision before casting your vote.
Joe Kiss Jr.
Jerusalem Township

Strong schools, strong community
To the editor: Dear Oregon voters:
The children in our community need our help. If the levy that will be on this coming November ballot does not pass, it will not only be the children that suffer, but our community will suffer as well.

When I first moved to Oregon 12 years ago, it was the school system and the community that attracted us. It is inevitable that if this levy does not pass, our school system as we know it will lose many of the services that the children need to have a successful educational career.

If we do not have a desirable school system in turn, we will not have a desirable community. If we pass the levy this November, it will be a win-win situation. By voting yes on this levy, we can keep our community strong, starting with our school system. Pride, commitment and strength – this is Oregon and our school system.

I hope we can help keep it that way.
Jen Large
Oregon

Now’s the time
To the editor: With Election Day coming soon, the Oregon City School Board, along with administration and staff, are trying their best to get information out to the community regarding the urgency of the upcoming levy- Issue 1.

Over the last three years, the board has decreased the operating budget by $7 million. These “cuts” have been hard decisions, and we have tried to keep them as far away from the students as possible. All Oregon School employees have agreed to wage concessions and restructuring of health care benefits to help the budget woes. We know our staff is truly dedicated to providing quality education to our students and community. We continue to evaluate effective programming and remain vigilant in keeping costs low.

With that in mind, the Oregon City School Board is committed to stabilizing the budget and being fiscally responsible. With the passage of this levy, we will be able to secure the operating budget through 2014. The Board recently released a Levy Position Statement that clearly lists the impacts if the levy fails. Regretfully, this fourth round of cuts, if needed, will have a definite impact on all.

Our schools reflect the values of our community. We offer good schools at a good value. Period. Now is the time for our Oregon/Jerusalem community to maintain that good value. Some residents no longer have children in school. Please remember that those who went before you helped to afford your children/grandchildren/neighbors their good education, and those students who are currently in school, including those yet to come, are deserving of the same consideration.

We know some of you may have some questions, so we will be opening our next meeting in community forum style to address as many concerns as we can. The board of education wants to be open and transparent, so plan on attending at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30 at Clay High School’s Library/Media Center.

Remember, good schools help keep property values and cities strong.
Diane Karoly, President
Eric Heintschel, Vice President
Dick Gabel
Diana Gadus
Carol Ann Molnar 
Board of Education Members, Oregon City Schools
 

A responsibility
To the editor: As a parent, a taxpayer and an employee of the Oregon School District, I know that passage of the November levy is critical to the successful future of the Oregon community. It is a responsibility of each generation to provide education for the next generation. I take my responsibilities seriously.

As a parent, I have seen school programs including art, music, physical education and more cut to the bare minimum over the past few years. Parents and students in Oregon are likely to see further cuts, but cuts are likely to be in areas and ways where making the system whole again will be difficult and painful—cuts to incredibly important programs such as auto mechanics and computer programming.

Busing is likely to change drastically and could disappear for some students. Higher fees will happen for athletics. We could lose every-day kindergarten. And it is entirely possible that one of our newly-renovated elementary schools will close. I have heard talk of reconfiguring the middle schools in such a way that all fifth- and sixth-graders will be in one building, and all seventh- and eighth-graders will be in the other. Do you now live close enough for your child to walk to middle school? Don’t plan on it for the future unless the levy passes. I hope you will be as willing as I am to do everything possible to keep quality education in place for children in Oregon.

As a taxpayer, I do not want a mediocre district where all requirements meet government minimum levels. I want schools to maintain the present quality of education—or better. The intrinsic value of our community is directly proportional to the quality of its services – the schools, and the police, fire and recreation departments. Our school system is excellent; it has renovated facilities (thanks to the levy voted by the electorate, a levy which, by law, can be used only for permanent improvements and facility maintenance, not to operate the schools). For example, the new driveway at Fassett comes from Permanent Improvement Funds. Funds available in this account cannot be used for operations.

Twenty percent of funding for the Oregon School District has disappeared because of Ohio HB 66. Think about it. What would Oregon taxpayers do if only 80 percent of Oregon streets were plowed during winter? If only 80 percent of garbage was removed from their residences? If only 80 percent of fire and police calls were answered? We as a community would not stand for this travesty. Oregon would be crippled, just like our schools are now crippled, and will continue to be crippled if taxpayers don’t replace funding taken away by the state of Ohio in HB 66. Administration has worked hard to cut as deeply as possible, while minimizing the effects of cuts on students. The next round of cuts will affect the quality of education, services students need, home values, and the quality of life in Oregon. I hope you will be as willing as I am to do everything possible to keep quality education in place for children in Oregon.

As an employee of the Oregon School District, I can attest to all employees not taking a raise in the past three years. All employees have agreed to a lower-priced health insurance plan, which requires more out-of-pocket expenses across the board to save the district money. As employees retire, many positions remain unfilled because of finances, resulting in loss of teachers, bus drivers, custodians, counselors and other positions.

We have beautiful buildings, but we will have a devil of a time keeping them up without support staff. For example, as a custodian, I have seen the extra measures the school has taken to prevent the spread of illnesses by sanitizing athletic equipment and classroom facilities when student health is in jeopardy. Proper facility maintenance is crucial to maintaining student health and welfare. It is outrageous to think Oregon City Schools may have to resort to every-other-day cleaning or refuse removal.

I am privileged to work for the Oregon School District. I know how great the employees are – the teachers who care about the education and wellbeing of our children, the support staff who puts in so much extra effort to ensure that students arrive safely, that they eat well, and that they are able to learn in a clean and safe environment. Just think. All of the educational structure put in place by our parents and grandparents at great personal sacrifice could change unless taxpayers support the levy in November. I hope you will be as willing as I am to do everything possible to keep quality education in place for children in Oregon.

Do the right thing. Support the levy in November for the community, for the children and grandchildren, for a brighter future for all Oregon/Jerusalem Township residents.
Steve Carpenter
Oregon

Embarrassed and disappointed
To the editor: I attended the Clay High School football game last Friday during my class reunion weekend and I have to say, I was very embarrassed to have anyone know I attended Clay or even lived in Oregon.

Not only am I a military spouse, but I’m also a military mother of a Clay High alum. As I stood out in the parking lot before the game, my husband told me the “National Anthem” was about to start. Without any hesitation, we made our way closer to the field. As the band began to play the “National Anthem,” I was amazed and disappointed that so many people continued to walk, talk and not even remove their hats for the one minute that it takes to pay respect to our country.

There are so many military people who are stationed far from home that don’t have the luxury of attending games with friends and family. I’m so happy that Clay has such a great turnout for their games, but at the same time, I am angry to have I witnessed this. I know that Oregon is not a “military” town like where I live now, and I know that I’m not the only military person to come from Oregon, but when did parents quit teaching their kids to respect our country and even have respect themselves?
Evelyn (Hager) Grove
Robins AFB, GA

Natural parks
To the editor: After reading Mr. Hoefflin’s letter of Sept. 20, “Buckthorn not good,” I still stand behind my letter of Sept. 13, “Let nature take over.”

Mr. Hoefflin stated that the deer will not touch buckthorn. That is a benefit. The park is almost absent of sapling trees (half to two inches in diameter) probably due to over-browsing by deer. The few saplings that I can find are growing surrounded/sheltered by buckthorn. Buckthorn is a prolific plant. It can be kept under control but it will always be here. Sensible select cutting can control it in a more efficient, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound way.

Mr. Hoefflin referred to fear of mono culture. This is biological fact of northern climates that is a domination of just a few species. We have a mono culture of silver maples on the Lallendorf side and the Wynn side is turning into an oak/hickory forest. Many areas of the park floor are dominated by poison ivy, Virginia creeper and wild grape. All of these are natural and not beneficial to wildlife so I guess we should herbicide them too. If you want a textbook Black Swamp forest, select 50 acres and let the rest of the park to nature. After all the Metroparks are supposed to be natural parks.

Readers, the park is ours. Look at the destruction done just south of the former horse stables halfway between Starr and Navarre on Lallendorf side between the bike and walking trails. This could be what a third of the park would look like if they pursue this method.

If you have an opinion please write letters or call the park board at 419-407-9700 and leave a message for Tim Gallaher.
Gene Hagedorn
Oregon

Failing to dream
To the editor: As a new resident of Oregon, I must applaud The Press for printing Bryan Golden’s article on failing to dream.

At this very moment, as Oregon schools are facing budget cuts, that citizens of this town must begin aiming high. As Mr. Golden argues, one reason for missed dreams is a failure to not have goals. If we cannot put aside the differences that are blocking any common grounds in our political and social structure to create a common goal as a community, then we will never be able to put our heads together and solve the problems facing us. If we cannot dream enough to solve our community’s problems, the biggest losers of this lifestyle is not us, but the kids who have no say in their education nor influence in teaching “grown-ups” to have the courage to work together.

The biggest crime of aiming low is that if we cannot take the courage and make changes, which by its very nature is risky, we are lowering the average of our country and our students who being denied their rights as American citizens to a free and quality public education. If we fail to teach ourselves and our students to aim high, then how low will we dream? If we continue to lower our standards in our personal and social well-being, then the real tragedy is denying ourselves to fulfill the American dream.

I look forward to reading more issues of the Press and hope your publication continues to print guest writers with the courage to remind us that success is driven by the study of the obvious and ability to dream a life we want to live.
Michael Medlen
Oregon

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