DEAR EDITOR:
On behalf of the current and future participants of the Delphos Senior Citizens, Inc. and the Van Wert County Council on Aging, Inc. sincere appreciation is extended to the Van Wert County voters who passed the .2-mil levy on Tuesday which provides direct services to residents 60 years and older  in Van Wert County.
With the growth of the elderly population, there has been increased demand for the direct services our two agencies provide. With the passage of this levy, vital services such as transportation, assistance with Medicare forms, information and referral, chore and socialization can continue to be provided for our senior population.
The Van Wert County commissioners and the Van Wert voters are to be commended for supporting services that encourage independent living for Van Wert County’s older residents.
Sincere appreciation,
Joyce Hale, executive director
Delphos Senior Citizens, Inc.
Cindy Wood, executive director
Van Wert County Council on Aging

DEAR EDITOR:
Before it gets too late, I want to write to proclaim that yesterday Ohio voters defeated Issue 2 by a large margin.
That means Senate Bill 5, the current administrations attempt to  strip the collective bargaining rights of so many Ohio workers — including nurses, teachers, police and firefighters — has been repealed.
A decisive victory for middle class working families. But more importantly it shows what organization can accomplish — this is one victory that will resonate for years to come.
The work that was done earlier this fall (organizing, campaigning and financial contributions) resulted in protecting worker’s rights and, just as important, the right to vote early in Ohio.  
So, if you questioned whether an alliance of workers and progressives could prevail against the extreme attack on workers rights by the governor and his supporters — to those who said it couldn’t be done — the message sent was clear.
To the teachers, firefighters, police, nurses and other Ohio workers — well done.
One final word of warning. Remember that defending what you work and bargain for requires eternal vigilance. Corporations and big business will be waiting in the wings to fleece workers. You can bet the governor and his supporters will be back on the attack.  Having lost that frontal attack, they will certainly try again.
Clayton P. Osting

DEAR EDITOR,
On behalf of the members of Delphos city council, and the city administration, I would like to thank voters in the city of Delphos who approved the city’s request for a 4.05 mill renewal levy at the polls on Tuesday.
Your support is very much appreciated.
Funds raised by this issue will help to support services provided through the General fund for the 5 year period beginning in January of 2013  and will help your city deal with the prospect of reduced state support.
Sincerely,
Bob Ulm
Delphos City Council President

DEAR EDITOR:
Remember Kongsberg Automotive? 
That corporation is a vivid example for Van Wert County residents of the way corporate America has reduced the earning power of workers in order to increase boardroom profits. In like fashion, Governor Kasich touts Senate Bill 5 as a means for state and local governments to lower costs. Proponents of Senate Bill 5 know that they cannot displace jobs of local policemen, firefighters, nurses, teachers and county and city employees, so their plan is to severely restrict those workers’ rights to collective bargaining. The bill prevents public employees from negotiating any terms and conditions of their employment except wages. It denies public employees binding arbitration and makes it illegal for public workers to strike. 
It’s the Kongsberg, “take the reductions in benefits, or lose your job.”  
The governor’s battle cry emphasizes the savings available to local governments by legislating that public employees will pay a minimum of 15 percent of their medical insurance premiums.  Van Wert City employees currently pay 13 percent of their health insurance premiums; Van Wert County employees pay 12.5 percent, and the local school teachers’ payroll deductions for insurance premiums range from 10-20 percent. These facts reinforce the reality that the intent of Senate Bill 5 is to reduce the earning power of yet another segment of American workers.  John Kasich and his Lehman Brothers companions must be thwarted. 
Vote NO on Issue 2.   

Al Arnold
Van Wert

DEAR EDITOR:
Ohio is one of the 46 states on the verge of bankruptcy from irresponsible spending if we continue to travel the route we are going with public employee benefits (liability) and wages process and tactics.
Is it the taxpayer’s responsibility to pay for all your benefits? No. The public employees should pay their fair share, like pay for the days they don’t work, like teachers (70-78 days = 28 percent), firefighters (100-121 days = 33 percent) and police officers (25 percent) or privatize like Sandy Springs, Ga., or Mayberry, Calif., where they saved in excess of $5 million the first year and still had safe and sound cities.
Drop the union like St. Henry School did. The public employees should put their feet in our shoes and see how they like it. That won’t happen, will it? If Issue 2 is repealed, expect taxes like in Chicago — raised 61 percent and minimal staff.
Where does it say you need to be unionized? It doesn’t. Unions just cost taxpayers 27 percent more.
This is not a safety issue like the union say it is. The unions will lie and use scare tactics to try and get their way.
Ohio citizens, this is common sense. We are going to be in the red if we spend irresponsibly.
If you don’t have the money, you don’t spend it. It’s like trying to get juice out of a dried up orange; it doesn’t work. That is not the way the unions think; they just keep spending.
This is a money issue and what is best for everyone.
A local firefighter said we don’t need a union — just do your job.
I know numerous teachers in a private school who probably could have had a public school job but they chose not to. They do it because they love their job, not their benefits or wage.
Maybe the public employees should do the same and maybe we wouldn’t have Issue 2.
On Nov. 8, get out and vote.
Vote yes on Issue 2.
Mike Will