Attract and Encourage Businesses and Jobs

We live in a place with exceptional potential. So, why do I talk to worried people everyday? Why do I see empty houses?

The challenge is to get the “secret” of this great place out.

Some Ideas:

1. Promote, support, and expand efforts to go to trade shows and exhibits. Take advantage of a more complete and regional approach to sell our communities. Include Bettsville and Bloomville, Flat Rock, Attica, New Riegel and all our communities. Yes, Fostoria, too.

2. Research and take advantage of every economic tool available to us. For example, SEIDC, the Port Authority, and others are cooperating to put together a development plan that could lead to an infusion of energy into our economy.

3. Reuse the streets and buildings already in place to get the most out of our tax dollars. Research shows this is cost effective. It also saves valuable, irreplaceable farmland. Sprawl makes us all poorer if our towns and villages deteriorate.

4. Understand the tax laws better than other communities so we can tax smarter and fairer. Attend to detail and be more helpful, follow up, and pursue prospects.

5. Be open and transparent. Include all parties to address problems early to create an atmosphere of ownership and participation throughout the county.

With higher gas prices, economic chaos all around, our destiny depends on our being proactive, ready for changes, and using them to our advantage. Incentives from state and federal levels to create energy, information, and green technologies are available, more coming. We can research, incubate, and develop industries right here. We can start now.

Jackie

Do You Take Emergency Services For Granted?

Many firefighters and emergency medical workers serve in our county as volunteers. They make lots of sacrifices and are required to spend hours in training.

They are asked to answer calls day or night. How long can we continue to count on volunteers?

To serve our community, volunteers perform heroic deeds, save lives, and too often face horrific scenes.

These men and women deserve the best training, equipment, and support.

Thank you volunteers for your service.

Jackie

Safer Roads

"Seneca County has the highest per mile accident rate of any rural county in Ohio. It is in the top five for all counties in the state." (Advertiser-Tribune, June 3, 2008) Right now we are only getting 2% of the District 2 money. There are 8 counties in the district, including Lucas.

The cost of road materials and labor are going through the roof, but we are collecting fewer dollars since it is based on fewer gallons sold. And, we need roads to connect with major arteries to improve the economy.

ODOT told us that Super 2 highways make sense for us. They cost less than four lane highways, are safe and encourage truck traffic because they provide wider turn lanes. I will prioritize and lobby hard to get our fair share.

How can we work with state and local traffic authorities along with school and other government officials to improve driving habits?

Here's an idea someone told me today: Put warning "rumble strips" when approaching dangerous stop sign intersections.

We can't lose even one more person.

Jackie