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The incredible impact of our teachers

Editor's note: This column has been updated to correct the first name of retired Union Local High School teacher Donna Griffin. Her first name was inadvertently listed incorrectly in the original version. On Feb. 1, The Times Leader reported it was Ohio Township Day — an occasion set aside to recognize the importance of the township form of government, as well as the people who serve as trustees and employees of townships. That article, as well as the accompanying one that outlined the history of townships in Ohio, were a couple of my favorites so far this year. In compiling that ...

Ohioans must maintain their power over state taxation

There are many compelling reasons Ohioans should demolish any proposal to make it harder for them to amend their state constitution. The most logical and hard-headed: Maintaining their ability to influence how they are taxed. Since the 1850s, not including bond issues, Ohioans have decided more than 40 tax-related proposals to amend the state constitution. Since 1912, all have been decided by simple majority vote. The most significant, in terms of creating a more equitable tax system, were approved with less than 60 percent of the vote. Among them: On Sept. 3, 1912, by a ...

Washington must support U.S. solar makers, not China

President Biden is hoping to incentivize a major boost in American solar production. And thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits, domestic manufacturers are already planning billions of dollars worth of new solar investments in the United States. Unfortunately, the Biden administration may now be putting this investment in jeopardy. That’s because the president has issued an “emergency declaration” that allows Chinese solar makers to continue illegally avoiding U.S. tariffs. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress consider this a mistake—and have introduced a ...

Managing through illusion a poor practice

My friend Jon Petz is a business inspirational speaker, conference emcee and magician who lives in the Columbus area. His magic amazes me. I’ve been a few feet from him when he performed magic and have no idea how he does it. One of my favorite illusions is when Jon steps into a box in the middle of the stage. His assistant then collapses the box. Suddenly Jon appears in the back of the theater. I don’t know how he got there. It’s an incredible illusion. Jon and other great magicians entertain us with their illusions. Jon’s molecules aren’t being sent to the back of ...

Groundhogs: Pesky patterns and predictions

I consider myself to be an animal lover, but I have also concluded that the groundhog is the animal I love the least. My attitude is not based solely on my dislike for most of the predictions made by Punxsutawney Phil, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that little more than 24 hours after that famous rodent emerged from his Pennsylvania home and saw his shadow, the temperature had dropped to about 8 degrees Fahrenheit in Belmont County. Tradition says that when he sees his shadow, we are all in for another six weeks of winter. For me at this time of year, all that prognostication ...

Don’t let winter stop you from exploring

We all heard the groundhog loud and clear — six more weeks of winter! It’s February and freezing. And I’m over here just daydreaming of warmth, sunshine and starting to go a little stir crazy. If the winter weather has you feeling cooped up, too, here’s a cure to beat cabin fever: winter can still be a great time to experience the beautiful outdoors or the cozy indoors that Belmont County has to offer. Take a winter hike. Bundle up to stay warm as you head out in the fresh, crisp air. Winter hikes, birdwatching sessions, sled riding or building a snowman … Belmont ...