Excellent guest column on referees; wishing Grove City luck on hiring other officials
I just wanted to say what a well-written guest column I read about the referees that officiated the Central Crossing-grove City football game (”More must be done to protect referees”).
I just have one thing to say to the Grove City coaching staff: Good luck getting anyone to officiate your future home football games.
The Grove City athletic director should consider getting a new coaching staff, because the actions taken were very embarrassing for the whole community.
Ken Shepherd, Gahanna
Polio vaccine recipient wonders: Why fight one for COVID?
I have always considered myself very lucky — several of my friends growing up bore the crippling vestiges of polio. I was spared from that devastating disease because people in laboratories, led by Dr. Jonas Salk, developed a vaccine while I was a child and I got my shot, along with all my classmates, in school.
I can remember how excited everyone was. No more children would be crippled or killed. No more “outbreaks” would force the closings of swimming pools at the height of summer’s heat. We would be safe.
How I wish we could replicate those days. Instead we are forced to confront the insanity of people refusing vaccination that can save them and their children from deadly infection by COVID-19. What has changed in America in the last 70 years? Why are so many distrustful of science? How can we restore trust and rational thought?
I fear the unity and dedication we experienced when we fought to overcome polio is gone. I fear for the future of our people.
Ronald L. Solove, Columbus
Time has come for governments to enforce vaccine mandates
Enough is enough! It’s time to get dressed and go out and get those shots. Your behavior is endangering our lives as well as your own, and we can no longer let that happen.
You live in a democratic society, remember?
A democratic society is one in which a majority of the people get to decide what is best for all the people. So it is now time for our elected officials to enforce mandates to protective lives of all of us who are endangered by the few anti-vaxxers among us.
Our nation is truly at war. The casualties of this war now number over 700,000 men, women, and children — 250,000 more than all the soldiers lost in all of the wars we fought in the 20th century. And, unlike in those other wars, we have among us those who, at least in their behavior, appear to sympathize with the enemy.
Only widespread mandates can stop these “sympathizers” where they live. We must put those mandates in place now everywhere. Enough is enough. Ask yourself, whose side are you on?
Aileen Hall, The Plains
Judge O’grady won’t get Dem’s vote after treatment of employee
I have been a life-long Democrat – until now. This hasn’t been a blind, automatic decision, as I carefully read the qualifications for each candidate at election time. However, after just receiving the recommended Democratic slate for the upcoming election, I am appalled at the inclusion of Judge James O’grady for Municipal Court and cannot understand his backing by the party.
My concerns are based on a Sept. 18 Dispatch article (”Columbus taxpayers to pay $610K to settle two federal lawsuits“) regarding Judge O’grady’s despicable treatment of a municipal employee, Andrea Boxill, and the subsequent $210,000 settlement in that case, if the deal is approved by the City Council.
I haven’t heard whether the settlement was approved, but it seems as if this should be a no-brainer – despite Democratic control of City Council.
Nancy F. Beja, Columbus