Letters to the editor: Mental health services improves lives
Mental health services can improve lives
As a probation officer, I make it a point to ensure that Fremont and Sandusky County residents have access to mental health and addiction services that will help better their lives and overall health. Access to quality mental health and addiction services is critical for our community. I see first hand how proper mental health treatment can help individuals live a productive life and keep them out of the local criminal justice system.
The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board ensures that our community has access to mental health services. These services are available for everyone, including our youth, veterans, elderly and first responders. I encourage the voters of Sandusky County to vote YES on the Mental Health and Recovery Levy on November 7. This renewal tax will ensure continuation of critical services for Sandusky County residents only. This ballot issue it's not a new tax, just a simple renewal. I am asking you to continue your support for local mental health services.
Please support the mental health and recovery levy by voting YES on November 7.
Markus Finley
Fremont
Sex sells, crowd attends library meeting
On Oct. 12, the Ida Rupp library meeting was packed. The topic was the library levy. Proponents consisted of those that believe the library should continue business as usual. Opponents, Clean-Up Ida Rupp, consisted of those advocating for age-appropriate content for children.
The hot button topic that evening was regarding explicit sexual content in children’s books. There was 100 agreement between the opponents and proponents that "No book should be banned." The difference of opinion? Proponents want sexually explicit books to remain in the children’s section; opponents want sexually explicit books be moved to an age-appropriate section. (More information is online at CleanUpIdaRupp.org.)
The main reason for age-appropriate placement of books in the library is to comply with Ohio Child Endangerment and Obscenity Laws. Librarians are exempt from Ohio Obscenity Laws. Therefore, librarians can provide (under the guise of education) sexualized reading material to children without fear of prosecution.
Clean-Up Ida Rupp supporters request age-appropriate control and placement of sexually explicit books. If the library management cannot do this, they don’t deserve your tax dollars and they don’t deserve your vote. The children deserve better.
Bob Pritts
Lakeside
Community should support Ida Rupp levy
I was incredibly disheartened to learn of the “Clean Up Ida Rupp” movement and their opposition to the library’s levy. As I read through their objections, I found their concerns strange (e.g., being concerned about a book’s referencing menstruation as “too adult”), fear-based, and in some cases patently absurd (e.g., stating that the availability of books — most in the adult section of the library — alluding to sexual acts would lead to porn addiction).
While Clean Up Ida Rupp claims not to want to ban books, adding hurdles to access critically acclaimed, classic books suggests the opposite. While I strongly disagree with their central premise, I also found it telling that the group had not used the library’s existing process to raise concerns about books with what they claim to be explicit content. It makes it hard to believe their efforts are rooted in good faith.
As a child, reading books from the library fueled my curiosity, helped me to answer questions I had, and exposed me to ideas and cultures I hadn’t encountered in my small, mostly white, conservative upbringing. I would not be the person I am today without the influence of that library, the books I read, and children’s librarians who nurtured my personal growth and interest in books.
As a child, I remember borrowing "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry — a book about the Holocaust —– from the library several times. I could have never imagined that some of the earliest moves of the Fascists would be repeated in my hometown 80 to 90 years later: silencing dissenting viewpoints; using fear as a tool to censor opposing ideologies; marginalizing non-mainstream voices as “other” — but here we are. Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to oppose groups like “Clean Up Ida Rupp”, and to support the free exchange of ideas.
Dr. Sarah Root
State College, Pennsylvania
Vote 'yes' on mental health issue
I am fortunate to serve on the local Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. The board’s efforts through advocacy, education, and financial support for local services is extremely important to our community. Mental illness and addictions are real — just like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Like other illnesses, treatment and support services can help individuals live a better and more productive life. The board is funding many local programs in Sandusky County that are very beneficial for individuals struggling with behavioral health conditions. The board has many partnerships with local first responders, the court systems, Department of Job and Family Services, and several other public and nonprofit organizations in Sandusky County.
Through these partnerships, the board ensures financial integrity and funding dedicated to local services. As a board member and a resident of Sandusky County, I am asking you to support the renewal of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Levy on Nov. 7. Your taxes will not increase, and this levy will support only services for Sandusky County residents. Please vote "Yes" on the Mental Health and Recovery Levy renewal on Nov. 7
Ruth Watson
Bellevue
Support the Ida Rupp Library levy
Libraries. Specifically, Ida Rupp Public Library in Port Clinton. For decades our library has provided exceptional services to our community in so many ways. One can always find resources they need in our library, whether it's learning new computer skills, finding the latest books, the ability to make copies or any multitude of services not mentioned.
I do not want a small group of people who have decided what is acceptable to decide what I may read or find in our library. They now say they want the books moved, only that’s not how they started. Ask who is in their group, they won’t publish names. If they do not like what and where our resources are located, then they can move on ... don’t use the library. Our young people are quite discerning when it comes to the resources they need access to and those not old enough have their parents and guardians to help them navigate the books and resources. Let them do their jobs!
To my knowledge, we don’t yet know who belongs to this group, yet they portray our wonderful library workers and volunteers as criminals. These are wonderful people who have provided unlimited time and service to our library and our community. Censorship has no place at Ida Rupp Public Library, period. Stop making our library into something it is not! Promote and support the efforts of those who work and volunteer at the library, and those who spend countless hours serving as board members.
I urge everyone to vote “Yes” for the Library Issue. We all need what our library continues to offer.
Gloria Denos
Port Clinton
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Letters to the editor: Mental health services improves lives
