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Truck stops aren’t what they used to be

There’s a new shopping option for residents of Belmont County. A new Love’s Travel Stops and Country Store opened just off Interstate 70 at exit 208 — Belmont/Morristown — a few days ago. I never imagined how popular a place I thought of as a gas station and truck stop would be. Love’s played it smart, setting fuel prices during its opening days considerably lower than those of surrounding stores. That got people to its pumps, then they went walking through the doors to the store. My husband, Mike, and I were among the local residents who decided to stop and explore the ...

You can have anything you want, if …

One of my mentors in sales was the late Zig Ziglar. I attended conferences where he spoke. I read his books and listened to tapes of his presentations (this was before CDs). I had never met Zig in person until my first National Speakers Association Convention in Phoenix. At coffee break I found myself standing next to my hero Zig Ziglar. To me Zig was like a TV, movie or rock star. I said, “Hi Zig.” He gave me a friendly, “Good morning.” We talked like I would to any of the other NSA member. He was a regular guy. I learned a lot about sales from Zig. He said, sales ...

Appreciating all that our region has to offer

Announcements about upcoming activities and events have gotten me thinking about some of my favorite things to see and do right here in Eastern Ohio. Specifically, the Captina Conservancy’s monthly hikes in Dysart Woods brought back some childhood memories. Like many people who grew up here, I visited the woods with Scout groups and 4-H clubs back in the day. But I also spent time there because my family and the Bartels family who lived there are served as caretakers were friends. My dad often took me there in the fall as well to hunt for nuts and hedge apples. Barkcamp is ...

Carbon capture and sequestration is NOT a climate solution

Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is a process which captures carbon dioxide from industry emissions and injects the CO2 deep into the ground via Class VI injection wells. It is an unproven technology at scale and relies on tax-payer subsidies to be affordable. Once again, marginalized communities of the region will be facing more pollution from this process and tax-payers will be footing the bill. One of many risks associated with CCS is potential leakage of carbon dioxide. These leaks would negate any climate benefits that CCS might provide, and have the potential to asphyxiate ...

Treating all Belmont County taxpayers fairly

Transparency, overused as it is modern political communication, simply means truth to me. So here’s the truth: East Ohio Regional Hospital faces major financial problems, including unpaid wages, potential outstanding public loans, and an outstanding property tax debt to Belmont County. As county treasurer, I only have control over the hospital’s real property tax debt. That said, as county treasurer, I was elected to do a specific job. One I often describe as a “glorified debt collector.” All property owners — whether individuals or corporations — must meet their tax ...

Setting an example is the only thing you can do

As a coach, in practice or a game, I take advantage of teachable moments to drive home a point or a behavior we want our players to repeat. When we won the 2024 State Championship after only winning one of our first 7 games, the first lesson was; Don’t give up on your dreams. The other lesson was; If we don’t adapt, change, and innovate we will be left behind. The coaches and the boys never gave up. There was a lot of hard work, change and innovation in the middle of the season that led to winning our last 7 games including the State Championship game and allowing only one goal. At ...