ASHLAND — Always being told to boil our water

I got my bill from the Cannonsburg Water District. It had quite a bit of a rate increase.

I like water. I need water. I heard a man lost his house and animals in Boyd County because he did not have water or electricity. I have to have water to live.

My complaint is the same one I had a year ago: We are constantly on a boil-water advisory, sometimes for days after the problem is first detected.

I am very confused about the stories in the newspaper concerning water. Cannonsburg buys water from Ashland. Ashland sells water to Greenup. Or whatever. I can’t keep it straight anymore.

I know I pay for water and it seems like it is unsafe to drink about half the time. People get sick because they trust their water supply. We are not notified of a boil-water advisory until it is too late and we’ve already used the water.

Patricia Smith, Ashland

 

Why no choice for cable TV?

I have just moved back inside the city limits of Ashland after 11 years.

I called to have my only option for cable turned on, and have endured late arrival and hours of waiting for the already installed cable to be set up. They left a new line above the ground from my home to my art studio with the promise they would be back that same evening to bury it. Well, as this is written, it is nearly four weeks later and the line still is above ground. My elderly dog nearly hanged herself on the wire. Had I not been there she would surely be dead. Wires hang the dirt under the house; local stations look more like a freeze frame puzzle than a TV channel; an Internet that goes down at least twice a day; outlets that simply do not work, multiple calls for service; appointments delayed or simply not kept, etc.

 I was spoiled. For 11 years I had Armstrong Cable with 24/7 technicians who would come the same day and fix any problems. What a welcome back to the city. Why do we have no choice in cable here? Why can’t we get a better company to service our area?

Robin Hale, Ashland



Obama campaign deeper in gutter

With Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate the Republicans have effectively offered America a legitimate vision for the future. Unfortunately, the president's campaign has not only failed to match this with a vision of its own, but seems to actually be descending further into the gutter, if that be possible. A few examples:

Vice President Joe Biden told a group of Virginia voters, some of whom were black, that Mitt Romney wants to “put ya’ll back into chains.” Accusations of racism are often attempts by the accuser to conceal his own biases; in this case, see Biden’s former comment that he expects people of Indian heritage to be working in every 7/11 he walks into.

Additionally, an Obama superPAC ran an ad claiming that Romney is personally responsible for the death of an employee’s wife, who died of cancer. Nevermind that the man was laid off from Romney’s company many years after Mitt left, or the fact that the man’s wife kept her health insurance for two years after her husband was laid off, or the unfortunate fact that Romney does not possess the ability to cure cancer.

 Liberal Chris Matthews said that Republicans were out to “screw the poor.” Presumably Matthews views Obama as being kind to the poor because his policies have created a record number of them. Democratic Senator Harry Reid accused Romney of not paying income taxes for a decade, which is categorically false — but which, even if it were true, would put Romney somewhere between Tim Geithner and Al Sharpton.

Finally, President Obama informed America that “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that! Somebody else made that happen!”

How modest of you, Mr. President, taking credit for others' successes; now every business owner in America knows how Seal Team Six feels.

 Alex Barker, Lansing, Mich.



Governor to get survey results

Save Our Shawnee Forest thanks the 2,200 Scioto County fair-goers who took an interest survey asking how they use the forest, what they like about it, and what they want for it.

Many took the time to add comments which will be put on the website at www.saveourshawneeforest.org. The survey also can be taken online.

Youngsters took the survey with patient and caring parents helping the smaller ones. Unknowingly, they were practicing their penmanship.

Most people love Shawnee Forest and want it left alone for its natural beauty and opportunities for recreation, tourism and aesthetic enjoyment. Nearly everyone values the clean air and peace and quiet provided by the forest trees.

This fall the governor of Ohio will receive the surveys which also ask that he order Ohio stop the clear-cutting, which destroys trees. Results will be shared with other elected oficials and interested groups such as the Portsmouth-Scioto County Visitors Bureau.

Barbara A. Lund, Member, Save Our Shawnee Forest, Friendship, Ohio

Community lauded for its response

Being a stranger in an area is hard enough, but when you are in the middle of a medical emergency, it is a nightmare. My husband was working on a job site in Ashland and suffered a heart attack. The men on site were trained in CPR and action was taken in rapid response.

An ambulance from King’s Daughters Medical Center responded. The team at the hospital was phenomenal in its efforts to save him. I cannot give enough praise to the ICU personnel, Dr. Kimm and Dr. Paulus for their efforts.

The Hospitality House is so dedicated to the comfort and care of those far from home. They are a wonderful asset to any facility.

Around town the people of the Hampton Inn were so accommodating and understanding. Fifth Third Bank was helpful with out-of-state checks and the people of Ashland were so helpful and caring. Hugs were freely given from the doctors, from the nurses, from the people who genuinely felt the pain of a breaking heart.

The Community Hospice Care Center was kind and caring in the final hours of my husband’s life. The chaplains there made sure there was prayer every day and supporting words for a journey through the valley of the shadow of death.

Various churches made sure there were tasty treats available that seemed at the time to be the only food that had any flavor. There was lovely music that filled the hallways, sounding like the angels themselves were playing. That angel was Steve Justice, who brought the soothing comfort of music to saddened hearts. I also thank Robert Hickman for bringing dignity and professionalism to a very difficult situation.

Thank you, Ashland, for your big heart and support in an hour of need.

Ann Skibu, Santa Claus, Ind.