Couple commended

Dear Editor,

Bob and Robin Harper of Beallsville, Ohio, are a very community-minded couple.

Although they would never brag, or probably don’t even think twice, or realize it., Bob and Robin are a treasure to the town of Beallsville, the outside community, the friends who love them and eventually any stranger who crosses their path. They happen to own/run the town’s funeral home, (which is, of course, their income/business), but you would never know it. They show such a deep respectfulness, reverence, and sterling quality to each and every deceased person who utilizes their service.

They are an excellent role model and example of people who care about what/who they are with. I cannot name all the civic-minded organizations they belong to, or countless hours they spend in community service, or the people they have befriended or aided in one manner or another. But I can tell you that I am proud and thankful to know them.

It’s not generosity of money, although I’m sure they have given plenty for this cause or that. But it is the countless unselfish hours of work, dedication, and pure drive of love for their hometown that sets them apart. The have children who are like-minded, again from the good example they see. Everyone in town and around the area know of them and speak highly and only the best of compliments about them. They are humble, not attention-seeking, they do each and every thing (obviously) because they care about it, or someone.

They go above and beyond in helping, doing, giving, stepping out in faith and always thinking one step ahead of the needs of others. I am so sorry that I can’t even begin to explain what wonderful people they are and how they have helped so many in good times and bad times. All because they choose to.

Respectfully,

Bettie Jo Mellott

Beallsville

Where are critics?

Dear Editor,

President Trump is being criticized for pardoning former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The sheriff was recently convicted in federal court for a misdemeanor contempt-of-court charge related to his immigration patrols that focused on Latinos. Arpaio acquired a national reputation by taking aggressive action to arrest illegal immigrants.

On January 19, 2017, his last day in office, Obama pardoned 1,927 criminals convicted of federal crimes, including 504 with life sentences and one Army deserter, Bowe Bergdahl. According to Google, Obama has issued more commutations than the past 13 presidents combined.

The “First Pardon” of President Trump was for an 85-year-old man, with the president citing Arpaio’s “life work of protecting the public from the scourge of crime and illegal immigration.” Where are Obama’s critics?

W.J. Patsche

St. Clairsville

Comedy great lost

Dear Editor,

Sunday, August 20, 2017, marked the passing of one of the truly great comedic geniuses and icons of all time, the “king of comedy,”Jerry Lewis, at the age of 91.

For approximately seven decades, Mr. Lewis made his indelible mark as truly one of the most outstanding talents in the history of entertainment, starring on the stage (live performing), screen (motion pictures), and television.

In addition to his stellar career as a performer, Mr. Lewis displayed exceptional skills also as the director, producer and writer of many of his ultra-successful films.

Mr. Lewis first appeared on stage at the age of 5 and became a household name at the age of 20, when the iconic comedy duo of (Dean) Martin and Lewis was formed, first performing to rave reviews at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1946.

From the stage the ultra-successful comedy team of Martin and Lewis then enjoyed and extremely successful run in the motion picture business with such blockbuster hits as: “My Friend Irma” (1949); “That’s My Boy” (1951); “The Stooge” (1952); and “Pardners” (1956).

In 1956, Mr. Lewis began his solo career, starring in such wonderful and extremely popular films such as: “The Delicate Delinquent” (1956); “The Bellboy” (1960); “The Nutty Professor” (1963); “The Disorderly Orderly” (1964); and “The King of Comedy” (1983) to name but a few.

In addition to his unparalleled career in show business, Mr. Lewis had done great charitable work, most notably with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, serving as the host of their annual Labor Day Telethon for over four decades, from 1966 until 2011, raising in excess of $1.5 billion dollars for that most worthwhile cause. For his great charitable work, he was nominated to be a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 and was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2009.

Mr. Lewis, with his great talent, work ethic and dedication to the helping of others, has certainly helped make our great nation, and the world, a better place, and will truly be missed by the multitudes, as those such as he are extremely rare, indeed.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Richard Hord

Martins Ferry

Cooperate in Bellaire

Dear Editor,

I would like to respond to the ongoing editorials regarding the condition of the Village of Bellaire.

As the former village administrator, I have tried my best to stay out of things, and have been reminded by a current member of the administration that I take things too personal when it comes to the village, to which I replied, that I did not believe that he took things personal enough!

First, being a mayor, councilperson, on a finance position, or any administrative position in any of the villages or cities across the Ohio Valley is tough. It comes down to having the finances to accomplish daily operations.

Without having business or industry, you don’t have the tax base. You can only rely on the tax payers, or lessen or eliminate the service you provide.

As for the facts; I will be speaking in generalities, due to the fact that I have not attended council meetings, or, for the most part have not spoken to any Bellaire public officials regarding these issues out of respect to the current administrator.

With the ongoing editorials alluding to “perhaps” wrongdoing with past administrations or employees, and as I can only speak to my two years as the village administrator, I can attest that when I took over as administrator, the same problems existed as what is being discussed now. However, when I left office in March of 2015, the Enterprise Fund which oversees water, garbage, village buildings, sewers, and streets, had a $600,000 carryover. It was the General Fund that was always being critiqued, not the Enterprise Funds.

As to be fair, when I retired in March of 2015, there was still a great deal yet to be done. Council members should remember, we discussed many many times that if we could get the money truck to back up to our door, and drop off millions of dollars we could fix the problems. We knew what the problems were, but all cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix. We tried to live within our budget. By doing so, it took longer to dig out of the hole. Additionally, with the ongoing water/EPA issues in Bellaire, this continues to cause nothing less than a constant drain on budgets.

As for some of the statements coming from on council regarding billing, or how decisions were made, I must remind each of the old council members, most of you were on committees, or the old Water Board that received weekly updates on water, garbage billing and container conditions and rates from the Water Office, and you also were part of the past administrations that created some of the language being used to oversee these billings. Looking back, some of the current council members, spent many, many hours in the Utilities Committee meetings, discussing these same issues. They are not new, and I am sure if you go back and look at meetings’ minutes, this can be confirmed.

Moving forward, I do have concerns with what I read in the papers. There seems to be a great deal of passing the buck. The task in front of you is nothing different than you have faced in the past, but you have to work as a team! Trucks have been broken down, water lines have been broken, hydrants have needed replaced, and none of this is new. I appeal to each old and new council member, mayor, past mayors, finance persons, administrator and the people of Bellaire to come to the table with a plan. We had one- three- and five-year plans developed. These plans were developed by all village parties. When I read that you are waiting for outside organizations to bring you a plan, I am troubled. There is no one better than the current mayor, council, and citizens of Bellaire to develop your own plan, and try to live within your budget, or do what is necessary to survive.

As for the village finances, I have asked a few in the past on council, “Is it the revenue coming in or the expenses going out?” This has to be answered! As a reminder to council you approve expenditures or the paying of the bills. Be transparent with the people of Bellaire.

In conclusion, I wish each of you all the best. This letter was not meant to cause any trouble. Under my watch, the mayor and I tried our best to help and support the citizens of Bellaire. All I am asking is to move forward …. The past is the past, and as long as you dwell on it you will never move forward.

Dan Marling

Bridgeport