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Forum Presents Issues Information |
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Wednesday, 28 October 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
CELINA — Residents of the region gathered Tuesday night in the Dicke
Hall at Wright State University Lake Campus to be informed on the three
issues on the ballot Nov. 3.
The Organizational Leadership class conducted the forum Tuesday for local residents to educate them on the issues before voting.
"I was very pleased," Organizational Leadership student Angie King said. "Our goal was to present both sides for information purposes."
She said the forum came about through a previous event the students conducted.
"We found out that a lot of residents didn't even know what the issues were," King said.
Issue I had one representative and Issues II and III both had a representative for and against the issue.
Each representative had 15 minutes to discuss the issue and their side of it. Following each representative, a question and answer session was allotted.
Bill Hartnett, of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, was the representative that talked on Issue I of giving bonuses to veterans of foreign wars.
"(It's) for those who were in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Korean Confict," Harnett said."
He mentioned the pay maxes out at $1,000 for those who were in country during the war and $500 for those who were not in the country.
He also informed the group a certain demographic of veterans will not be eligible for a bonus because of the cut-off date.
A student in the leadership class read some oppositions to the issue as King announced they were unable to find a representative to speak in opposition to the issue.
After King reminded the group the evening was an informational forum and not a debate, representatives for Issue II presented their information on the proposal for a livestock care board. The board would evaluate how livestock in Ohio are kept.
A local farmer and President of Ohio Soybean Association, Jeff Wuebker discussed his opinion on the need for the board.
"It would set up a 13 member Livestock Care Board," Wuebker said. "It would range from family farmers to veterinarians, a representative from the local humane society and Ohio consumers."
He mentioned local farmers and the impact they have on local food supply.
"You get the picture how important this is to Ohioans," Wuebker said.
"To me there is nothing more important to protect than our food supply."
Joe Logan, of the Ohio Environmental Council, spoke in opposition to Issue II.
"There really is not an issue with the way people treat animals," Logan said. "It makes one wonder if this is a solution to a problem."
He addressed the idea of making a Constitution amendment for such a topic.
"The Constitution is a stable foundation," Logan said. "But for something that has relatively narrow interest we shouldn't be changing the Constitution."
Lastly, two representatives spoke on Issue III — the proposal of placing casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo.
Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee member Brad Boyer discussed his support of the issue and what it could offer Ohioans. Boyer discussed figures and what would come out of the casinos for Ohioans.
"With the casinos, 85 percent comes back to the county level," Boyer said. "Fifty-one percent goes to the county budget and 34 percent goes to public schools based on pupils."
He mentioned in the first year the casinos revenue would total an estimated $1.79 billion. Boyer also addressed an aspect many are concerned with, making a constitutional amendment for casinos.
"It is the only way to bring casinos here," Boyer said.
The Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner, of the Western Ohio Council of the United Methodist Church, spoke in opposition to the casinos.
"The only way casinos make profit is off of addicted gamblers," she said. "If you gamble once a month, you have a 50 percent change you will become addicted."
She also mentioned the demographic of Ohioans that are addicted to gambling are lower income residents.
"Three of the cities are three of the poorest cities in the country," Stickley-Miner said.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 December 2009 )
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