Fancy clubs get federal funds while public pools are dry

Readers may have noticed that the pools in Gahanna, Westerville, Hilliard and many other communities are all closed. The staff who worked there have been laid off and many of them did not qualify for unemployment. Local governments are being deliberately starved of funds!

At the same time more than 13,000 country clubs across the land have received federal Paycheck Protection Program loans. (Which are in fact tax-free gifts.) These gifts have been between $500K and $20 million.

My sister just received notice that she will be getting a refund on her dues on her condo in Florida as the association is now flush with cash. I do so enjoy the golf courses when I go stay there. Hopefully some of the money can go toward getting the greens a little faster. Make America Golf Again.

Kevin Jennings, Columbus

Riot violence sets city back at least 10 years

I’m really puzzled by The Dispatch giving a thumbs up in Monday’s editorial to Dionte Johnson for not pressing charges against people (teenagers, supposedly) caught on video looting his store. Letting anyone get away with a crime does what? Allows criminals to think they can do it again with no punishment? These teenagers should have been brought in front of a judge and if nothing else scolded and the wits scared out of them so they would not do it again.

They should have had to do community service to clean up their neighborhoods. Discipline needs to be learned early in life or more problems occur.

Having driven through the area the day after that happened and almost puncturing every tire from all the glass on the road, I can tell you that this one act in our town has probably set our city back 10 years. From the negative publicity, fewer people will want to venture in from out of town to stay a weekend, shop, eat, etc.

Building values will probably go down, and business insurance will probably go up 20%. When the lease expires now, guess what happens?

Every decision has a reaction, and in the 34 years I’ve been working Downtown, this past year was the best economy it’s ever been.

Now in two shorts months that confidence is destroyed by these senseless acts of violence against innocent businesses and property owners.

Gregory P. Schenk, Columbus

Readers are thankful for some good news once in a while

I thank The Dispatch for sharing the terrific stories Tuesday about Karin Yoder, with her chalkboard and inspirational sayings, and Darnell “Superchef” Ferguson. As most readers probably prefer, it’s wonderful to read these inspirational stories of amazing individuals living right here in Columbus and a much needed respite from the gloom and negativity of the normal 24-hour news cycle of

COVID-19, Washington politics and social unrest.

Please continue sharing stories that inspire. Coverage that informs. Investigations that effect change and positive, uplifting stories of wonderful individuals living right here in Columbus.

Gordon Rahschulte, Westerville

Finally Trump wears a mask, but he should have done so long ago

After refusing for months to do so, President Donald Trump appeared in public wearing a mask as he visited military members in Walter Reed Hospital on Saturday. He should have done it months ago, not only to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and to set an example for the rest of the nation but also to make him more electable by hiding his assumed air of superiority.

Neal Snyder, Upper Arlington

Help is available for Columbia Gas customers behind on bills

Because of the pandemic, uncertain economy and loss of jobs, many central Ohio residents are having a hard time paying their bills — some for the very first time. Trying to figure out where to go for help can be a challenge all its own.

We urge Columbia Gas of Ohio customers to reach out to us now, before disconnections begin in August for customers who are behind on their gas bills. We can work with you on affordable payment plans and provide information on other assistance available — not just for utilities but other household expenses.

One of the assistance programs available is Heatshare, administered by the Salvation Army. They use money donated by Columbia Gas and its customers and employees to help eligible customers pay their Columbia Gas bills. Our customer care team can help you get connected to the Salvation Army or you can reach out to them directly.

More than ever before, we want to help our customers get through these tough times by providing solutions to what can feel like insurmountable problems. We’ll work with your budget and timeline so you can feel some financial relief.

Our customer care teams are ready to help at 800-344-4077 or through Facebook, Twitter or Nextdoor.

In addition to the Salvation Army, there are many other selfless organizations serving Ohio communities. I want to thank all the nonprofit organizations across the state that are stepping up to help those who are struggling.

As a company, we remain committed to continue finding ways to help.

Vince Parisi, President, Columbia Gas of Ohio

Training foreign scientists costs US in expertise, jobs

The United States should stop training Chinese citizens at our fine universities. This will cause marginally slower scientific advances, but the U.S. will be better off for it.

Why is this seemingly xenophobic action necessary? 1) Many Chinese citizens go back to China and work for Chinese manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies that compete with US companies. We are training them to take our jobs. 2) Others stay here and drive down the salaries of scientists that are U.S. citizens. 3) Some of them steal US intellectual property. The latest example was documented in the Dispatch’s July 10 story on Song

Guo Zheng’s theft of U.S. technology from OSU.

To be clear, this isn’t a matter of racial prejudice. I’d feel the same way if China was populated with Caucasians. I want America to lead the world in science, technology and standard of living.

Christopher Hawkins, Granville

Keep memorials that express our values; Columbus statue isn’t one

With the public statue controversies affecting central Ohio and our nation, let's recall the controversy that happened when former Gov. Johh Kasich successfully supported a Holocaust memorial statue on the Ohio Statehouse grounds. At that time, some questioned not the memorial but its placement at the Statehouse.

With the removal of statues of Columbus at the City Hall and Columbus State Community College campus, I say this: Public sculptures should express the values that the people uphold as ideals now and express for future generations. Remembering the Holocaust and memorializing its victims is appropriate at our Statehouse. The statue there of Christopher Columbus is not.

Chrstopher Columbus and his men embarked from Spain on a commercial venture to find a better route for spice trading. Instead, they found the New World, where Columbus subjugated the native people and stole their land for the enrichment of himself, his family and his patrons. He set a pattern of exploitation of weaker peoples by stronger ones that has persisted for 500 years in the Americas. Much of this 500 years has been an ongoing "holocaust" for many in North and South America.

David Lambert, Upper Arlington