Political truce sought in drug-abuse battle

An unusual plea went out to Ohio politicians last week:

Cut the politics — at least in relation to the state’s battle against drug abuse and addiction.

Signing a two-page “open letter” to the state’s candidates were five social-service leaders, including the executive director of the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“We urge all candidates to focus on solutions and avoid politicizing the serious issue of drug-abuse prevention and treatment,” the group said. “All too often, we have seen the polarizing, trivializing effect that heated campaign rhetoric can have on serious issues ... please do not turn drug-addiction prevention and treatment into a political issue that divides Ohioans or its leaders.”

Instead of partisan rancor, the group wants “unity and a thoughtful approach to this serious problem.”

Hocking Hills hikers are going to have to take the long way around to get from one side of the gorge to the other near Old Man’s Cave.

The picturesque 99-foot A-frame bridge connecting the rim trails will be replaced this year if the State Controlling Board, a bipartisan legislative panel, approves a $668,605 request on Monday from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Work is scheduled to be finished by Dec. 1.

Also, an old staircase leading into the gorge would be replaced with a steel structure.

The whole project includes “ecological site restoration.”

What ever happened to Ed FitzGerald’s request some five weeks ago for Auditor Dave Yost to excuse himself from conducting audits of Cuyahoga County? Nothing. Actually, Yost referred the matter to an internal review committee set up for such requests. He hasn’t yet heard back, but he suspects he is so far from direct involvement in the audit work that it won’t be a problem.

At issue is the auditor’s observation last month that findings for recovery can lead to legal action to recover funds from the personal accounts of public officials — in this case, officials in Cuyahoga County who are in charge of sending out absentee-ballot applications despite a new state law reserving that job for the state. The county’s tab is estimated at more than $300,000.

FitzGerald, Cuyahoga County’s executive and the Democratic nominee for governor, and others want Yost to excuse himself because his statements are “inconsistent with the ethical standards of a government auditor.”