Janesville, Wisc., proves we, too, will survive

February 24, 2019

The similarities between Janesville, Wisconsin, and Warren are astounding — and in many ways, painful. With a 2010 population of about 63,000, Janesville, county seat of Rock County, Wisconsin, is slightly bigger than Warren. That midwestern blue-collar town also was home to a General Motors assembly plant, along with various other manufacturing facilities in past years. But when General Motors announced plans in 2008 to idle that plant — the oldest GM plant at the time — it was because consumer demand for large vehicles, including big SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe being built ...

Crowded Dem presidential race still growing

February 17, 2019

By my count, I see about 16 Democrats who officially have declared runs toward the White House — give or take a few. That’s not including the dozen or so others still testing the water. Among those remaining undecided are a couple close to home — U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Howland, and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Both would have strong liberal platforms, and each would focus on things like jobs, inequality, trade and immigration. Brown, like some of the other favorites for the nomination, I believe, could have a real shot at the Democratic nomination. Brown is among ...

Modern, urban commuters sure love to scoot

February 10, 2019

It was this past Labor Day weekend when my husband and I, along with some longtime friends who now live in Greensboro, N.C., and Atlanta decided, on a whim, to reunite for a weekend getaway. Someone suggested Columbus and quickly we all were in for an Ohio State football game. It was that weekend when I finally became personally acquainted with the 21st century motorized ride-share industry. (When I gleefully texted to relay the news to my 21-year-old son, he found great amusement at my thrill of having “Ubered” — from our hotel to Ohio Stadium — for the first time ...

Perseverance key in cleanup, development

February 3, 2019

It’s been more than 25 years since Ohio Leatherworks pulled out of Girard, leaving what has amounted to no less than an environmental nightmare. The cleanup, ongoing since the city took over the property in 2013, will take millions of dollars in federal or state grants, along with local matching money. And even before the city took over ownership, its first responders had become responsible for safety issues that included battling dangerous fires at the vacant structure still privately owned at the time. It took 20 years of litigation for Girard to acquire ownership — likely ...

Journalism basics include accuracy, context

January 27, 2019

Context is key. That’s among the first things young journalists are taught in J-School ethics classes. The lesson comes pretty much right after the importance of being accurate, fair and balanced. Sadly, we learned by coverage of last week’s viral videos of a Washington, D.C., protest, how quickly videos can be taken out of context – especially at a time when everyone has a cellphone camera and social media can spread accounts (often inaccurate ones) in a flurry. Add in national media’s race to be first in a 24-hour news cycle, and the risk of inaccuracy grows ...

Solutions that come with a little discussion

January 20, 2019

A lack of communication on the two sides triggered massive debate and many hard feelings. The public, especially, reacted with visceral anger. Given the events of last week, I could be commenting on the ongoing federal government shutdown that, after 30 days, is affecting all of us one way or another. Then again, I also could be referring to the removal of Warren police officer and school resource officer Adam Chinchic from a city elementary school after he ticketed Principal Carrie Boyer for repeatedly parking illegally in a handicapped space. In fact, I’m commenting on ...