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PO Box 1008
Antwerp, OH 45813
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
Over the past few weeks the Paulding County Economic Development office has reached out to as many county businesses as possible. We want to make sure that every county business, regardless of how big or small, is receiving the latest communications and information from local health and government offices, in addition to the federal Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA information can also be obtained from your supporting financial institution. Our business list is quite comprehensive, but there are certainly businesses that may have been overlooked. If you have not yet been contacted, received information or have any questions or inquiries about county communication or federal funding, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office. The PCED office is here to assist and help you and your business be successful. We are all in this together. Together we can persevere. #Paulding County Strong
—Tim Copsey,
Director,
Paulding County
Economic Development, Inc.
Letter to the Governor from Senator McColley
Governor DeWine:
I hope you and your family had an enjoyable Easter. I am writing to echo the sentiment of my colleague Senator Matt Huffman in his letter dated April 9, 2020 regarding the reopening of businesses. I also would like to add a local perspective as it pertains to the 1st Senate District. While I am thankful for the leadership you have provided throughout these trying times, I believe there are important factors to consider that may differ across the state as we begin to evaluate the reopening of non-essential businesses.
Over the past week I have received numerous calls from concerned constituents. Many are small business owners. Many are simply concerned about the long-term impact of the shutdown of many aspects of our economy. Many counties in the 1st Senate District have only recently recovered from the economic losses of the Great Recession of the late 2000s. Now many in the District are gravely concerned over how long it will take to recover the losses from this shutdown and its collateral economic damages.
As you are aware, the 1st Senate District includes all or part of 11 counties in rural Northwest Ohio. Many of these counties have very low population density relative to the rest of the state. In most cases, this has aided in social distancing efforts that have resulted in very low per capita case counts relative to the rest of Ohio. In fact, 7 of the 11 counties are in the bottom quarter of the state in confirmed COVID-19 cases per capita, 10 of the 11 are in the bottom half and all are well below the statewide average. Of course, these constituents also understand the importance of being safe and exercising effective social distancing. Therefore, I strongly believe that the reopening of non-essential businesses, subject to social distancing guidelines, could safely occur in rural Northwest Ohio.
I completely understand that concerns will remain over the transmission of COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. Clearly, your swift action prevented Ohio from seeing the high case count that many other states are now grappling with. Ohioans appear to have taken the social distancing guidelines set forth by Dr. Acton and yourself very seriously. I am very confident they fully understand the seriousness of this pandemic. I also believe they will embrace the necessary precautions to ensure its transmission remains as limited as possible after our lives begin to return to normal. I urge you to consider the perspective conveyed in this letter. I also respectfully request that you share plans in the near future that detail how and when non- essential businesses will be reopened and that those plans offer more local flexibility for those areas that are not affected as much as others.
Thank you for your consideration
Sincerely,
—Rob McColley
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Antwerp Citizens,
As we all experience this new lifestyle, many of us are watching more television or reading more. My home is no different. Due to this, my husband and I have viewed many clips about our everyday heroes who are in the forefront of the pandemic. What an excellent way to remind us that there are so many exceptional people in our world. I pray for them everyday and hope you are doing the same.
I have personally had a similar experience. For the preceding week of Easter Sunday, we heard repeated requests on various media outlets that all area churches were asked to ring their bells at noon on Easter.
My husband, George and I, drove to town about a half hour before and parked close to the Antwerp Fire Station. As noon approached, we were excitedly waiting. Sure enough, the Antwerp Presbyterian Church on River Street shined through. The beautiful sound of the bells rang right at noon. I was so touched and proud (I think a guy named Larry and a couple of angels were pulling the rope).
My late mother, Ruby Berenyi, had proudly attended that church for many decades. I know in my heart and with my faith that my mom was smiling at that moment.
Shout out to Antwerp Presbyterian Church for sounding out concern, unity, love and faith in God and also in humankind by that blessed ringing. You are a precious example of community love.
—Rebecca Geyer,
Antwerp, OH
