Sentence insufficient for abusive babysitter

I respond to the Tuesday Dispatch article “Babysitter pleads out for 30 days in jail.” I am in absolute shock and so sad that a Franklin County Common Pleas judge would give a child care babysitter a mere 30 days in jail for abusing children under the age of 5.

How can children 5 months to 5 years old be able to explain the abuse to them while under the care of their babysitter? What parents would cooperate in a plea agreement of a mere 30 days in jail?

Judge William Woods said he had two grandchildren under 2 years old in day care. What if the abused children were his grandchildren? Would there have been a plea bargain?

These children will have nightmares and flashbacks and need counseling for many years.

Susan Gibbs, Columbus

HB 6 needs provisions to make it fair and safe

Thursday’s Dispatch reported that the Ohio Senate approved a version of House Bill 6 to bail out Firstenergy Solutions’ investment in its two nuclear generating units. Republican state Sen. Steve Wilson is quoted as saying “The bill we have today is in the best interest of all Ohioans.” If that is the case, why are the customers of Ohio’s municipal electric utilities and Rural Electric Cooperatives not picking up their fair share of the bailout fee?

Keep in mind that the bill is touted as supporting clean air. Is it possible that those customers breathe air that is different from the air breathed by customers of investor-owned utilities? Probably not.

Imposing a fair share of the fee on customers of municipal electric systems could run afoul of Ohio’s home rule protections for municipalities. However, the legislature has ignored home rule when it chooses to (redlight cameras).

An Associated Press article in the Business Section said staff members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission recommend the NRC cut back on inspections at the country’s nuclear reactors.

According to the article, the proposal is said to help ensure reasonable assurance of adequate protection to the public.

If HB 6 is to be enacted, it should include specific provisions requiring Firstenergy Solutions to adhere to the inspection requirements in effect at the time of the bill’s enactment. If there is a violation, the entire bailout bill would be null and void. Marvin Resnik, Bexley

Columbus lucky to have great radio stations

I support the Thursday Dispatch editorial recommending support for the future of WCBE (90.5 FM), and I appreciate Jim Hutter’s Wednesday letter extolling the many virtues of its programming. We are fortunate to have news and classical music programming of WOSU (89.7 FM) as well. I happily donate to both great NPR stations.

However, many residents are unaware that Columbus is home to two volunteerrun, low power FM radio stations that offer independent nationally syndicated news programming as well as locally produced music shows and even niche programs that reach our immigrant communities.

All can tune in WGRN (Green Renaissance Network) at 94.1 or WCRS (Community Radio Station) at 92.7 or 98.3. Reception is very good inside I-270 and often beyond. Live outside I-270? Listen live at WGRN. org and WCRSFM.ORG or download podcasts.

Tune in to Thom Hartmann’s liberal talk show, Amy Goodman’s “DEMOCRACY NOW!” “Food Sleuth” and local gems like “Word Carver,” “Conscious Voices” and “Folkin’ Around.”

We have a diversity of radio competitive with any major city in the U.S. Charles (Chuck) Lynd, Columbus

Distraction important to president’s strategy

Do not be confused by President Donald Trump’s behavior. He is acting like a magician. While he is distracting us with his left hand, he is deconstructing our government and international reputation with his right hand.

Citizens need to be on the alert to do their best to restore our country and our reputation. Speak up and vote.

Edward Efsic, Columbus

First president set standards for civility

Members of Congress would do well to study George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior and apply them to their public and private actions, including their often too-rash and tooquick Twitter feeds. Ten good rules for Congress and others to follow are:

1) Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present; 2) Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty; 3) At play and at fire it’s good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary; 4) Turn not your back to others especially in speaking; 5) The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon; 6) In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title according to his degree & the custom of the place; 7) Use no reproachful language against any one neither curse nor revile; 8) When a man does all he can though it succeeds not well blame not him that did it; 9) Detract not from others neither be excessive in commanding; 10) Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust.

Although only 10 rules, simple and plain, certain members of Congress and their staff seem unable to abide by them. Maybe they should try harder.

John Dirina, Columbus

State right to restrict tobacco product sales

I thank the Ohio legislature for including a provision that ends the sale of tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, to those under 21 in the state’s operating budget bill.

My mom was a smoker. She died of a massive heart attack in 1991, and since then it has been my life’s work to help end heart disease and improve the health of our community. I have been with the American Heart Association for more than 25 years and currently serve as the executive director of our central Ohio market.

Smoking is the most preventable cause of death

in the United States. Almost one-third of deaths from coronary heart disease are due to smoking and secondhand smoke.

We are on the wrong path in Ohio with the nation’s eighth-highest smoking rate. Alarmingly, 11,900 more Ohioans will become daily smokers this year.

Raising the legal age of tobacco sales also includes electronic smoking devices. E-cigarette makers are trying to addict the next generation by targeting our children. Vaping has become an epidemic.

I applaud the governor, the Ohio House and Senate, and the Department of Health for their dedication to the health and future of our youth. Brenda Houston, Westerville

Bill hinders home rule, cleaner environment

I urge Ohioans to speak out against House Bill 242, not only for their own good, but for the good of the environment. According to the Ohio EPA Solid Waste Management Council, Ohio has only 40 years of available disposal capacity left. HB 242 seeks to exacerbate this issue by prohibiting cities and counties from making local decisions surrounding solid waste management.

The goal of HB 242 is to stop local governments from establishing fees in order to control “auxiliary containers,” which are used to transport food and beverages, such as single-use plastic bags and bottles. This bill blocks citizens and businesses from making educated choices for themselves.

Bexley already has taken it upon itself to enact fees on single-use plastics. Perhaps it is time we take a good hard look into who is actually legislating in Ohio: representatives or Big Oil. Brianna Potter, Columbus