Swanton schools make a comeback

4/8/2006

Recently Ohio public schools have endured financial setbacks never before experienced. One of the first to experience these setbacks in northwest Ohio was the Swanton Local Schools. There were significant gloom and doom reports about the Swanton situation in the press at the time.

It is nice to note that not only has Swanton Local Schools emerged from fiscal caution but it can be reported that they are about to build a new "state of the art" soccer and track complex without any new tax revenue.

The Swanton community has rallied and raised more than $200,000 to supplement the school district to accomplish this. Interest earnings are up significantly on investments and the district's treasurer has found a way to save about $2 million for the district.

And let's not forget academics. For the last reporting period Swanton High School received an excellent rating on its test scores. Oh yes, and busing is back for the high school students next year. Quite a set of accomplishments!

Congratulations are in order for the school board, the administration, teachers, staff, students, and the community that so generously support their schools.

Neil Toeppe

Executive Director

Swanton Area

Chamber of Commerce

Recent introduction of electronic billboards, coupled with continuing use of rotating billboards proclaiming ProMedica's ranking as "No. 1 integrated health system," pose a safety hazard to drivers.

Displaying 10 to 15-second attention-getting messages, devoid of substantive health-related content, at strategic high-traffic locations has the potential for driver distraction sufficient to cause accidents.

This self-promotional commercialism by a "nonprofit" corporate entity does nothing to promote good health practices, preventive measures, or the benefits of early diagnosis, which are of primary importance to the public.

Useful health-related information presented through the media - print, radio, and television - represents a rational and safer approach, as well as more prudent use of financial resources.

The leadership and boards of directors of the competing health systems must recognize their responsibilities to community health and safety, and take actions to eliminate the dangers and adverse effects inherent in the competition-driven health care industry.

HOWARD S. MADIGAN, M.D.

Sylvania

"Let me know if you and hubby want to have a drink or dinner with Bernadette and I next week"?

Instead of "Bernadette and me"?

And he is so smart? I knew better than that in nursery school!

Lou O'Brien

Grand Rapids