Dear Friends and Citizens of Logan County,   

As I set here in the early morning after the election, I want to express some of my concerns and thoughts that are keeping me from a good night's sleep.

I am looking at these thoughts not as a Republican, Democrat or Independent, but as a son of a WWII Vet, a Vietnam Vet, husband, father and grandfather and most of all a proud American.

I have been blessed to have been born in this great and exceptional country of the United States of America. This is a country of freedoms and opportunities equaled by none. A country where I was taught by loving parents about religion, work ethic and the fact that I could succeed by working hard and making intelligent decisions. I was also taught early on that making bad decisions had consequences. I was also taught love and responsibility for our country. These are lessons taught by most all parents regardless of political association. We all want our country to be the best it can be, not only for us but for future generations. We all hope and pray that the freedoms and blessings that our forefathers provided for us will provide a safe, happy and successful life for our kids and grandkids. Yet we do not seem to be able to elect representatives to government that secure those hopes. Why? We only seem to elect those who care more for themselves than for us and more for their careers than for serving their country. Why? I can only look at the last four years and wonder how we were led to $16 trillion in debt, how we have had freedoms taken from us by our representatives enacting laws and regulations and by judge decisions that disregard our Constitution, the same Constitution that was designed to protect us from the government. I see a Christian nation founded on Christian principles being oppressed more and more in schools, at work, by government and in our daily lives for political correctness. I see schools and teachers being required to act as parents and used for social and political teaching rather than teach the skills needed to be successful in the future. I see our great country that was once the hope and leader of the world being laughed at by dictators and enemies when once we were respected for our goodness and feared for our power. I see our country never being energy independent because of laws and regulations that do no let us use the resources God has given us but requires us to buy from countries that hate us. I see a country of hardworking God-fearing Americans with no jobs, on unemployment, food stamps and other kinds of government support, not because they want to be but because our government has put them there by their policies. I don't believe that any American wants to see this but yet we cannot elect people that agree with us? I truly believe that when over 50 percent of our working population must depend on government for food, housing, health care and many other programs to survive, that our country as we know it will be gone.

No doubt you can see that I am very fearful for the future of our country. We are told that everything will be OK and that we can solve our problems if we only pay a little more taxes. That is not the answer. Look at Europe where taxes are being raised higher and higher and it cannot fix their problems. Is this the kind of freedom we want? The kind that requires us to work for the government and not for ourself and family? That is where we are headed. We can no longer vote out of office officials that lie, cheat and buy votes using their policies and our tax money? This is not the future I want to see. Going down this path will lead to a USA that has far less freedoms, is weak financially and militarily with a much lower standard of living for future generations. Is this what any of us want? Who do we have to blame? Only ourselves. This is why I cannot sleep tonight and I wonder how many of you are having the same thoughts?

I pray that once again we become a Christian USA and are proud of it. I believe that is the only hope and change that will make a difference.

Dale King
Bellefontaine

It's when our church groups park their cars on the parking lots, decorate them and pass out candy. It is a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treat. There is free hot dogs, coffee and hot chocolate. There are games and lots and lots of candy, all free. Last Wednesday night, the First Church of God had its annual "Trunk or Treat," but because of the terrible weather we had outside, it was held inside. Obviously we would like you to come back. We are in the soul-saving business.

In the newspaper we see politics, obituary notices, drug busts, accidents and advertising. It is nice when something nice happens in the community. We used to have a section in the newspaper that told when someone did something nice for someone. (Editor's Note: And we still do, Good Morning Good News that appears periodically on Saturdays).

My point being, all the above mentioned articles flood our papers every day. But I am here to tell you that there are good people in our community.

Our church was blessed to be so crowded we weren't sure we could get all the kids through in the two hours or not. We saw a lot of adorable costumes and some of the cutest babies ever. And our people were amazing. They worked hard for the glory of God, it just made me proud.

My point being is that we saw an amazing team of Christians working together to bring this event to any child that wanted to come. We had greeters, food servers, welcome center to hand out information about us, and tables and more tables down the halls with teams at their decorated tables passing out candy. I couldn't be any more proud of my church family, than I am now. It took teamwork and lots of candy to pull this off and we did so with an amazing style. The amount of work that it took all of us to set up, tear down and clean up was well worth it. We hope all who came enjoyed themselves.

I think it is time for all denominations of churches to step up and be disciples of God it speaks of in the Bible. If the polls are right, they say 87 percent of people surveyed believe in God and say they are Christians. I learn something every time I go. If you haven't "found" where you belong at, try our church, we have a great pastor and lots of dedicated people who work together for the good of our community.

Thank you Bellefontaine First Church of God for all your outreach programs. I don't know where I would be without your love and support.

God Bless You.

Alana Roberts
Bellefontaine

This letter is for the pathetic, low-life and loser who stole the 4-wheeler from my father.

I want you to realize that what you and your friends stole was not just a fun toy. You see my father is disabled and he continues to farm. His age nor disability stops him.

The use of the 4-wheeler was not only recreation at times, it was used for farming. It was used to pull wagons and get him back and forth to the fields.

Also apparently you have been on the property before your act of theft, otherwise his dog would have deterred you.

According to the investigating deputy - it looks like you rode it out to County Road 130 through my back yard. If I had been home you would have had consequences.

I am sure that this is not the first or last time you and your friends have stolen from hard-working people.

Most of us have a job to purchase the items needed for everyday living. Guess you and your friends were taught to steal the items you need to live. Get a job.

I am sure you and your friends have sold it, so if the money is used for drugs then you are pathetic, or if you use it for food, thank the farmer you stole from  - oh and yes you are still pathetic.

Hope you are aware of the following - "What goes around, comes around!"

M.J. Royer
Bellefontaine

I don't know if I am more upset or embarrassed.   

My bank offers 24-hour check protection in the case of an overdraft.

I have used this option many times.

I have direct deposit for my pension check on the first of every month. So, on the last day of the month I usually pick up my prescriptions, get a few things at the grocery store and by doing so avoid the first of the month crunch.

Today, Oct. 31, was no different. I went to the grocery store, picked up a few things and my debit card was declined. (The total came too more than I had in my checking account but I was not worried because I have the 24-hour protection option.)

The cashier tried again, declined again.

I set my cart aside and went to the ATM machine at my bank. Declined. Thinking this may have been an effect of Hurricane Sandy. I went inside the bank. I told the teller my problem, she looked on her computer and couldn't understand the problem either. She called a supervisor who told me that the 24-hour protection was at the bank's discretion. This was news to me. This was the first time that this had happened. The supervisor gave me a number to call and I left the bank, went home and called the number. I was told that the 24-hour protection was at the bank's discretion.

So I said, oh, I see, it's 24-hour protection sometimes. I was never told this.

I don't understand how this can be advertised as 24-hour protection, when it doesn't apply all the time. I think this should be made known so that someone else will not be as embarrassed as I was, (just sayin').

Nancy Roellig
Russells Point

Each day in the U.S. approximately 100 people take their own lives, leaving behind loved ones to struggle with the loss, grief and all of those questions that begin with "Why ...?"

Worldwide approximately 2,700 people take their own lives each day, leaving behind loved ones to struggle with the loss, grief and all of those questions that begin with "Why ... ?"

Too often survivors of suicide loss believe the death of their loved one is somehow shameful or that they or their family are to blame. But research shows that more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying, although not always diagnosed, psychiatric illness at the time of their death, most often depression.

The holiday season can be particularly difficult for survivors. To help, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's International Survivors of Suicide Day will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, in more than 300 cities around the world, including here in Bellefontaine at the Hillcrest Baptist Church, 1505 S. Main St. from noon to 3:30 p.m. The program is also available on line. For more information visit www.afsp.org.

Mary Giannola
West Liberty

I am writing on behalf of the village of Quincy council. This article is just to remind everyone in the village of Quincy Corporation that we are a part of Logan County and village residents vote at the Quincy Community Building, 503 Carlisle St. in Quincy.

Village residents have two levies on the ballot this year. Both are five-year, 3.2 levies that are replacement levies and have been in place for several years. They are part of the base of operational funds in the village of Quincy. These levies each produce approximately $17,000 per year and support the General Fund and Street Fund. Small communities have lost so much state and federal funding and the basic support levies are vital to operating our communities.

The General Fund supports all operations in the village, while the Street Levy supports all aspects of repairs, matching funds, leaf pickup, snow removal and maintenance to the streets. These services are important to all village residents. I am asking for residents' support by voting yes to replace the levies for another five years. This will help provide street lighting, maintaining the parks, hours of patrolling, fire and rescue support and maintaining village streets.

Anyone with a question, concern, or would like to look at financial information should contact me with those issues and I will be glad to help and provide the most accurate information I can. I am in the office Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please remember this is for the entire village, our families, our neighbors, our friends and ourselves. Please support the village of Quincy and vote yes on the two levies on Nov. 6.

Sandra S. Ward
Fiscal Officer
Quincy

If you want truth, justice and equity, Bridget Hawkins for judge! Ms. Hawkins has been an active part of this community for many years. She is a self-employed business woman who is a true leader in her office, home and community. As a single working woman she raised her nephew from second grade through high school so her sister who was active in the military could serve her country. The well-being of the people and especially the children in our community has been her focus for many years. She has been a Boy Scout leader, foster mother, guardian ad litem and has served or is actively serving agencies in different capacities to help our community achieve its full potential and resolve issues. We don't need a commander in the courthouse, we need a leader! We need a judge that is in it for the people not the paycheck. Bridget is a leader who will move our court in a new and constructive direction to enable our citizens to be served in a proper and equitable manner.

Patricia Leslie
Bellefontaine