Letters to the Editor

I wish to take this moment to recognize the Madison Messenger for the diligence and commitment in covering local events throughout Madison County and, in particular, the article “British Invasion hits Mount Sterling” that appeared in the July 21 edition.

During the presentation at the Mount Sterling Library, my brother David Timmons and I discussed such bands as The Rolling Stones, Freddie and the Dreamers, The Animals, and The Hollies. We attribute much of the success of the program to the publicity provided by the Messenger’s coverage and the support and dedication of the library staff (Director Heidi Fletcher), Mount Sterling merchants (who donated prizes), and the Mount Sterling Community Museum staff (Director Denny Morris).

The Mount Sterling Library and the Mount Sterling Museum are offering exciting programs for children and adults, and both entities have exciting plans for a vibrant future. However, help is needed to see such things as increased services and programs and an expanded and renovated Mount Sterling Library/Museum to fruition. These plans can be implemented through support from the community.

    John Timmons
    Rock Hill, S.C.

Letter: Mt. Sterling library needs 1-mill levy

As the chairperson for the Friends of The Mount Sterling Public Library, I’m writing in support of the 1-mill levy for the Mount Sterling Public Library.  

We are so privileged to have such a great library in our community and in our Madison Plains School District. The library, in 2007, is still operating on the same dollars from the state that they were in 2001. They have made cuts in staff, hours and books while at the same time faced unprecedented growth.

I know I enjoy the library, and my grandchildren enjoy all the programs offered. Please support the Mount Sterling Library and vote for the levy.  Let’s keep a good thing going.

Linda Clemans, chairperson
Friends of Mount Sterling Library

Letter: MP schools make kids top priority

First, let me thank everyone for their outpouring of support and dedication to our school district in the past several months.

We have endured ups, and downs, sometimes more than our share. But when the dirt meets the road, as always we pull together to benefit our main purpose. That main purpose is doing all we can for the benefit of the children in the Madison-Plains district.

On Nov. 6, we will need your support once again. Two renewals will be on the ballot at that time:

1. A renewal of the 8-mill renewal which expires at the end of the calendar year 2008. This is money used for day-to-day operating costs for the district.

2. A renewal of the 2.5-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy. This allows us to maintain our facilities, purchase new school buses and other school equipment.

Please note that these are renewals. We are not asking for new money. This is what is needed to continue to operate at this time.

A person once made the statement that they had no children or grandchildren in the district, so passing school levies was not that important to them. However, please keep in mind that the students we educate at Madison-Plains may someday be your doctor, lawyer, health care worker or other public servant. We want them to have the best education money can provide.

A former administrator once made this statement: “Madison-Plains is one of the best kept secrets in the state of Ohio.” Our dedicated staff, supportive parents and each individual student helps make Madison-Plains what it is today: a rural school district that supports our kids in trying to succeed to the best of their potential.

Please go to the polls on Nov. 6 and vote “yes” on both renewals—not because I’m asking you to but because all students need your help and support.

Linda Blankenship, president
Madison-Plains Board of Education

Letter: Businesses help school

I’d like to publicly thank Gehres Landscaping Co. for all their hard work this fall. Thanks to them, Plain City Elementary has new boxwoods, rose bushes, grass and a blue spruce I can’t wait to see decorated at Christmas time.

Over this past weekend, a crew came in to clean out the perimeter fencing on the playground as well. What a wonderful gesture to support the schools! I can’t thank them enough for stepping up to complete work that I do not have time or extra funds to do myself. I know this is a small community, so it makes me feel good to see support from area businesses.

Last week’s Walkathon to raise  money for the school was supported by area businesses, as well. Lovejoy’s Market donated snacks for the walkers as they finished their laps. McDonald’s loaned us water coolers for drinks, and Jan and Tony’s has agreed to help with prizes. Both the London and Marysville Wal-Marts also donated gift cards for prizes.

Without the support of local business, we would be hard-pressed to offer the things we do.

    Kelly L. Hicks, principal
    Plain City Elementary School

Letter: Levy a small price to pay

I am writing to ask for support for the London Public Library levy of 1.2 mills on Nov. 6. Passage of this levy will allow our library to maintain operations at current levels. Let’s not go backward.

If your home is valued at $100,000, this levy will cost $36.75 per year. A dime a day is all it takes to make this happen. That’s a small price to pay for all the great services offered at our library. What a bargain!

Please join me and vote “yes” for the library.

    Jim Roddy
    London

Letter: Library is great asset

I write in support of our excellent public library and the replacement levy on which we residents will vote in November.

Choosing to lived in this area, when retirement granted us the opportunity to decide where we would enjoy the winter season of our lives, my spouse and I have found Madison County, London and Choctaw Lake delightful. Among the many amenities that sustains this delight is the London Public Library, which we use extensively.

Our experience with the library during the past four years is that the staff is hospitable, gracious and always willing and able to respond to every request. Additionally, the library is exceptionally clean, well maintained and up-to-date in available books and other resources. While it might be possible for long-term residents to take this community asset for granted, please know that we relative newcomers have been quite surprised with and very impressed by the library. We count it among the several key reasons we delight in living here.

Therefore, we will vote for the very modest replacement levy, and we urge our neighbors to do likewise, not only because the library deserves our support, but also because this community can ill afford not to support such a superb community asset.

    C. Joseph Sprague
    London

Letter: Ag ideas aid economy, environment

We’ve all heard the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack sells the family cow for a pocket full of “magic beans,” and the family goes berserk. After all, there is no such thing as magic beans.

Yet when you take a look at the innovations being made here in Ohio, you have to admit that soybeans come pretty close. Ohioans stand to gain a great deal by increasing our use of agricultural products, and the success with soybeans could be the tip of the iceberg.

For instance, soy biodiesel is one of Ohio’s leading alternative fuels. This soybean byproduct can be used in any diesel engine without having to make any modifications. The result is an affordable, cleaner burning fuel that helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Ohio facilities have the capacity to produce over 60 million gallons of soy biodiesel per year.

Soy ink is used in 3,000 newspapers and 50,000 commercial printers nationwide. Soy-based toner aids in recycling paper as it is easier and less costly to remove than regular toner. Methyl soyate is a low-cost substitute for petrochemical solvents used in degreasers and paint strippers.

The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) has received royalty checks for its years of investment in soy toner research, and most recently received royalty checks for soy powder coatings and soy plasticizer. OSC was also part of the $11.6 million grant awarded to The Ohio State University, with Battelle, to create the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center.

Ford Motor Co. recently debuted its “Model-U” vehicle, an eco-friendly prototype. It features seat cushions that use soy-based foam and a soy-based plastic tailgate. At the 2007 Farm Science Review in London, the Ohio Soybean Council displayed the Model-U to showcase the versatility of soybeans.  Ford’s soy-foam seat technology, created with Lear, will be incorporated into the 2008 Ford Mustang.  

Soybean products are environmentally friendly. We need to support an increase in the use of all agricultural alternatives, such as soybeans, corn and wheat, because they benefit Ohio farmers and our state’s economy as a whole. Governor Strickland’s first budget provides $4.5 million for alternative fuel programs, including E85 and soy biodiesel.