Jackie Fletcher

Blowing In the Wind

2008-11-14T14:15:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the League, Dale Arnold presented a program about wind power. It was open to the public. It sounds like Seneca County is a likely place to develop this source of energy. We're not talking about just "hot air". Some land owners have already been contacted.

Would you like to know more? Do a google or check out this website: http://www.ohiowind.org/

Jackie

THANK YOU

2008-11-05T09:04:00.008-05:00

Thank you to all who came forward to help and to wish me well. You are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Mr. Sauber for a respectful campaign, too.

All of you who voted for the Mental Health Levy showed that we do care about those who are troubled.

Campaigning is quite an education. I learned so much about and from the citizens all around the county. So many have lost or are losing those good jobs and now are having to settle for a job with no insurance and lower pay.

It really is about creating a government to represent all of us. It's hard to get out there and try to make a difference, but no one ever said democracy was easy. It only works if we all make it work.

Commissioners, I am counting on you to take advantage of the new opportunities through the Port Authority and SEIDC. Thousands of voters are expecting you to represent us.

I still have great hope for the future.

Jackie

Attract and Encourage Businesses and Jobs

2008-10-25T23:22:00.012-04:00

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?

2008-10-15T13:45:00.008-04:00

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

2008-10-14T15:56:00.005-04:00

"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

Reinvesting in Seneca County

2008-09-23T12:46:00.004-04:00

The Port Authority and SEIDC are cooperating to put together a development plan that could lead to an infusion of energy into our economy. This is an opportunity we must fully explore.

Using the infrastructure we have is a great savings of tax dollars. Streets, sewers, water, sidewalks, curbs, streetlights and traffic signals, fire and police protection are already in place.

Greater Ohio, www.greaterohio.org., along with the Brookings Institute has done research to show the advantages of reusing our assets to get the most out of our development and tax dollars. It’s cost effective and saves valuable, irreplaceable farmland.

We can choose people and buildings. Bringing investment dollars and reinvestment developers into our community will bring in local jobs and money that will circulate over and over in the economy.

The implementation of this plan can serve as a catalyst to set in motion further development, tourism, and advance the corridor between two colleges. Trust and participation can engender confidence and prompt more citizens to get involved. And, the tax base grows.

Can we give it a chance? My answer is yes.

Jackie