Many forest fires are taking place on government land

Consider this, 33 million acres of forest in California, roughly 57%, is owned and managed by the US Forest Service or federal Bureau of Land Management. The federal government also owns 60% of Oregon's forests as well. With these facts in mind, what is President Trump and his administration doing to preserve and protect these priceless natural resources?

Is he going to turn his back on this tragic life-altering event for millions of folks as he turned his back when it came time to speak truth to the American people about the severity of COVID-19?

Once again it appears the only interests Trump is concerned about preserving and protecting are his own. I suggest he get out and rake!

Leah Hanesworth, Columbus

Forests in their natural state are fuel for more fires

The massive fires in the West Coast states being blamed on climate changes reminds one of another, more definite possible cause: the spotted owl.

That issue of 20-25 years ago in the state of Washington was to save the forest environment of the spotted owl, which also turned out to decimate the lumber industry in that state and contributed to the forest conditions of today.

That effort led to legislation in Washington state and was followed in the other ocean- bordering western states. There were two main efforts: to save the forest for the owls and to return the forests to their natural state, i.e., without evidence of the hand or workings of humans. No cutting, no cleaning of the underbrush, no paths or roads or other signs of human development.

Thus, the thought that there are other solid contributing reasons for the current massive fires out west, if one gives a hoot.

Roger Williams, Columbus

It’s hard to vote freely and fairly in this state

Elections stopped being fair when gerrymandering began and now, thanks to the state controlling board, they’re no longer free (Dispatch article, Monday).

As I placed a stamp on my request for a mail-in ballot, I wondered about all who might not be able to afford 50 cents for a stamp. Kudos to Secretary of State Frank Larose for at least trying to keep them free.

Both Republicans and Democrats vote using absentee ballots.

I’m certain with all the money both sides are spending on campaigns, a request could be made of both to bear the costs of stamps for all.

Myra Stull, Columbus

Kenyon student workers need dose of the real world

I respond to the Tuesday Dispatch article “Kenyon College student workers looking to unionize.” Just as a note, the cost for a year’s education at Kenyon

is $73,000.

The article recounted that these workers were unsure of their jobs due to the effects of COVID-19. So what happened? A group of kids calling themselves “Young Democratic Socialists” (no surprise there!) banded together and called on the college to “guarantee compensation to all student workers for the time they would have been working that semester.” The college caved in to their demands and agreed to pay the students for not working.

The students involved called it a “wake-up call.” They realized that they can get paid for doing nothing if they organize; the next logical step is to form a union.

This episode, while meaningless on the grand scale, should be a wake-up call to the rest of us. It shows the mentality of these pampered kids and the environment at Kenyon College.

We have created a class of children who have a “the world owes me a living” attitude. This will play out in our world as they graduate and move into society.

It is frightening that people think it is their right to get paid for doing nothing. Young Democratic Socialists, indeed.

Michael Federer, Gahanna

Small-town profile was true to the people of the area

The Dispatch article about Jeromesville, Ohio, was very accurate about that small community (“Back home in Trump Country,” Tuesday). While maintaining our primary residence in Columbus, we purchased an apple and peach orchard there in 2002.

The local people have always been wonderful and very helpful to us. We recently added an Airbnb to our property and business has been great.

It is an area that people want to visit! Pam Dippold, Columbus

City charter amendment isn’t worthy of support

Vote no on Nov. 3 on the Columbus charter amendment (3501.11 G) Independent Civilian Police Review Board. This amendment has been proposed by a self-serving Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the inept city council.

It’s not clear how it would be implemented, what the annual cost would be, the composition of the membership, training of the board members and how the mayor-appointed safety director and proposed inspector general would function.

They state the details will come later, which sounds like the typical Democratic answer, like Nancy Pelosi: “Let's pass it and then we'll figure it out.”

Why doesn't the amendment include the investigation of all city departments, city administration and city council?

Donald A. Hochuli, Westerville

Financial literacy instruction must reach people sooner

The Saturday Dispatch article “Report tallies minorities’ financial woes” mentioned Black women who don’t finish college, women greatly impacted by COVID-19, women living in poverty and focus groups of women living on the West Side. That’s all well and good, but what is actually being done about the situation these women are in? It’s awfully late to be starting programs about financial literacy.

The article noted significant statistics about the financial situation between white women’s and minority’s households as shown by the Financial Empowerment Roadmap. The report identified strategies the city can deploy to address those issues and recommends programs that can provide access to several areas that would benefit minority women. There’s a wide gap between can provide and does provide. What does the city provide?

In 2019, Ohio adopted a financial literacy component in its state curriculum standards: “Ohio Revised Code (3301.079 (A)(2)) requires Ohio to have financial literacy standards and model curriculum for students in K-12. Financial literacy is a requirement for high school graduation; however, each district determines how best to meet the needs of its students to fulfill this graduation requirement. Some districts add a separate course as a local graduation requirement, while others integrate financial literacy content into a course that already exists. The goal of financial literacy instruction is to provide students with the knowledge they need to make a lifetime of informed financial decisions.”

Financial literacy requires reading and math, two fundamental skills for everyday life. If standards are in place for financial literacy K-12, as they are for reading and math, shouldn’t we expect more by 12th grade?

There are graduation tests for reading and math. Should there be a graduation test for financial literacy since it drives the quality of life after high school?

We can do more and we must do more to help women be ready for life.

Anne Gibson, Upper Arlington

Republican Party will rise again once president is defeated

I would like to see voters give the Republican Party a "timeout" this fall. This would give the party a chance to recover from its mistake of embracing a leader who combined incompetence with destructive prejudices.

There are decent people in the Republican Party, and they will recover.

Steve St. Martin, Columbus