AUDIO ASSIST VERSION
Southern Ohio is poised for greatness. With an infusion of $34 million in state funds and a visit from Governor Mike DeWine, we stand at the threshold of transformative growth. Projects like a new amphitheater, improvements to Alexandria Point Park, and enhanced recreational pathways along the river should be a beacon of progress. These initiatives are meant to uplift our community, provide better access to high speed internet, create job opportunities, and preserve our historic downtown.
But this bright future is being overshadowed by a cloud of disappointment and disillusionment brought on by the very leaders who are supposed to guide us there.
Portsmouth City Schools has lost over $6 million—money that should have been used to educate our children and provide them with the opportunities they deserve. This is not just an unfortunate mistake; it’s a betrayal of trust. In addition, they are engaged in a dubious agreement with the Columbus City School system to take their severely troubled kids. They place them in secret group homes right under our noses. This creates more crime for police to handle and chaos for the neighbors of these secret group homes.
Then there’s the ongoing witch hunt against our municipal judges—a distraction that detracts from the real issues at hand and undermines the integrity of our justice system. Frankly, it was a ploy to reduce the number of municipal judges so the city would only need to build one court room in the new city building. A cheap shot and an underhanded use of the system.
And now, an inquest into the Economic Development office and the County Commissioners adds yet another layer of scandal to our local government.
These ongoing investigations into misappropriations of funds, shady dealings, and lost money aren’t just embarrassing—they’re damaging. They hinder our ability to collaborate with the state and secure crucial grant money. The truth is, nobody wants to invest in a community that appears to be toxic and dysfunctional on a fundamental level.
Grant writing is an arduous process that requires dedication, skill, and mind-bending tenacity. It’s a task that a few hardworking individuals undertake with the hope of securing funds that will benefit us all. Yet, these efforts are being undermined by the irresponsible actions of a few leaders who seem more interested in lining their pockets, and the pockets of their friends, than serving the public as a whole.
We have been planning and building a county that will attract tourism similar to Hocking Hills. The state believed in our ability to embrace that plan. The citizens and small businesses entrepreneurs are banking on that vision for the near future.
In the short term, these antics create chaos and mistrust. But the long-term impact could be far worse. We risk losing future funding, stalling important projects, and tarnishing the reputation of our community. Southern Ohio has the potential to be a shining example of what can be achieved when the state and local governments work together. But that vision will remain out of reach if we don’t hold our leaders accountable and demand better.
I have used the hashtag, Choose your Portsmouth for years. I believe that this is the perfect example of what the meaning behind that simple but very serious expression really means.
Our community deserves leaders who are trustworthy, ethical and committed to the greater good. The current scandals are a sobering reminder that leadership matters—and when it fails, the entire community pays the price.