Letters to the editor
Fire companies need our help
This letter is intended to bring attention to what I feel is often ignored throughout the state, and that is the “volunteer” fire and rescue companies throughout. The key word here is “volunteer.” These people dedicate their lives and energy to serving the community at any time of the day. Whether it be at 5 a.m. or 10 p.m., my experience is that they show up quickly when a citizen is in need of aid.
I have been one of those citizens who needed the assistance of Jefferson fire Chief Joe Petek in Greene County and his crew more than once. In my 66 years, I have known all the fire chiefs and they are right up there with the current chief. These “volunteers” are not on any payroll but they show great professionalism and care. They recently responded very quickly to my mother-in-law’s aid. I read recently in this paper that the Jefferson company was the only one in Greene County that has certain life-saving equipment. I find this reprehensible, as there is no payroll expense and the equipment should be fully funded by the state. These volunteers shouldn’t have to rely on bingo or raffles for their funding.
There are many charities that need our help, but I ask that you consider helping your local community heroes first, as they are the first responders you may need someday.
We all seem to forget what a valuable service they provide to all of us.
Timothy D. Cottle
Jefferson
Paying the price for tariffs
It is hard to believe, but President Donald Trump once asserted that his idiotic and repressive tariff-the-world strategy would be so successful that it would enable the federal income tax to be replaced. Hardly.
Now, his tariff scheme lies in ruins and the president has been humiliated by court rulings which not only dismantle the program, but will enable those business entities that were subject to the unlawful and unconstitutional levy to receive refunds, a process which will be lengthy, unwieldy, and which will cause a huge amount of federal government employee time to be consumed. Naturally, the companies that were forced to pay the levy have wasted no time in asking for that money to be returned, likely with interest.
As usual, it is the everyday man and women who will take it on the chin as there is no provision within court rulings that will facilitate us being reimbursed for the higher tariff costs that we paid.
When Trump boasted of how wonderful tariffs would be, did anyone but his diehard sycophants believe him?
The Trump tariff taxes were about as successful as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, first pledging $2 trillion in cuts to federal spending, then $1 trillion, with the final tally amounting to virtually nothing.
Gee, thanks for everything you have done to shake things up, Mr. President!
Oren Spiegler
Peters Township
Where was coverage?
I opened my paper last Monday morning and was delighted the Observer-Reporter reported on the Wedding Cookie Table University’s 250th event at the Hilton Garden Inn. It was very well attended.
But there was another semi-annual event Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn. The Washington-Greene Counties Central Labor Council held its Labor Hall of Fame Breakfast honoring three of our most noteworthy inductees, Larry Markivich (posthumously), Mike Crossey, and Cecil Roberts, and in attendance was more than 250 people, including Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.
It’s unfortunate that the newspaper didn’t feel the breakfast was worth covering, even though the three inductees served their two counties for a combined total of over 145 years. I guess that isn’t as newsworthy as the cookie event.
Barry L. Andrews
Washington
The case for electric cars
As communities across the country grapple with rising fuel costs, air pollution, and the growing impacts of global warming, one solution is becoming increasingly clear: the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Electric cars offer a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. By producing zero tailpipe emissions, they reduce air pollution and improve public health, especially in urban areas where smog and poor air quality disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
When you factor in that EVs cost roughly 40% less to fuel, and with fewer moving parts, require about half the maintenance of internal combustion engines, eliminating oil changes and frequent brake replacements entirely, the total cost of ownership is now a clear win for the consumer.
Advances in battery technology have extended driving ranges, while the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure is making electric vehicles more convenient than ever.
Many governments and utilities are also offering incentives that make the transition more affordable for everyday consumers.
Owning an electric car is not just a personal choice, it is a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future. By embracing this technology, we can reduce our dependence on carbon dioxide polluting fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.
Ron Sadler
Washington