7/25/2010 12:00:00 PM Jackson Mayor Heath highlights Kasich's attempts to cut ARC
Photo By Steven P. Keller
Jackson Mayor Randy Heath held a news conference Thursday morning to express his concern over Congressman John Kasich’s previous actions to damage the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Thursday morning July 22, Jackson Mayor Randy Heath joined the chorus of elected officials from throughout Southeastern Ohio who have recently voiced concerns about Congressman John Kasich's numerous attempts to damage the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Kasich will face Ohio Governor Ted Strickland in the November 2010 General Election.
"The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has been an integral lifeline to the millions of people who have lived in the multi-state Appalachian region since 1965," said Heath. "It is difficult to comprehend how Congressman Kasich could find fault in a program whose main goal is to invest in infrastructure upgrades and spark job opportunities for Appalachian residents."
In 1993, Congressman Kasich proposed a budget plan that would have frozen funding for the ARC. He went one step further in 1995, when his proposed budget would have eliminated the ARC in its entirety. While those efforts were stopped, the budget that was later passed cut funding for the ARC's antipoverty programs in half.
References to those claims can be found in ["Cutting Spending First," Republican Members of the House Committee on the Budget, pg. 54, 3/10/93; Charlotte Observer, 3/22/95; Columbus Dispatch, 7/16/95; AP, 4/6/06; H. Con. Res. 64, Vote #81, 3/18/93; H. Con. Res. 67, Vote #345, 5/18/95; H. Con. Res. 67, Vote #458, 6/29/95].
Heath said in Jackson, the ARC invested in the Appalachian Highway (State Route 32). The highway, running through Jackson and stretching from Cincinnati to Parkersburg, attracted businesses and jobs to the regions since its construction.
"I could not picture the dire straits Jackson would be in without the Appalachian Highway and all the additional highway projects the ARC has invested in over the years," said Heath. "I am sure if you ask officials from major employers such as Bellisio Foods and General Mills, they might very well tell you that without the highway, their facilities would be located in regions where adequate highways were available."
Heath added the ARC has been supported by Republicans and Democrats alike.
"I don't feel anyone can question the commitment that Sen. George Voinovich has made to the Appalachian region, both through his support of the ARC and Ohio University," he said. "And the Appalachian Highway is called the James A. Rhodes Highway for a reason, because Gov. Rhodes always stood on the side of our region."
"Ohio is one of the most diverse and special states in our union. From the flatlands of Bowling Green to our rolling hills, we all have something valuable to contribute to the overall success of Ohio," Heath stated and added, "Leaders like Ted Strickland recognize the potential of these valued contributions that can make Ohio so great.
With Congressman Kasich, we can only hope that we will not be forgotten."
Jackson County Democrat Party Chairman, Rodney Smith, was at the conference and told The Telegram, "I am concerned about the possibility of Governor Strickland leaving office and having someone come in who has tried to eliminate the ARC."
Also in attendance was Tod Ralstin from the Ohio Democrat Party who has family ties to Jackson.
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010
Article comment by:
Paul Sites
If this commission has helped Jackson so much , why are we so " unemployed ?
And if the Commission was responsible for paying for the Highways around Jackso , where did all of my " Gasolene Tax go "?
And if so many jobs came here because of the Commission , where did they go , because there are fewer job now than when I came to town 50 years ago.
And one last think Mr. Mayor , what happened to the Railroad that kept trying to come to Jackson and bring Jobs................ ? ? ?
I don' t care about what political party it is , you cant spend money you don't have , or have any hope of ever paying back . My family had to learn this , and my State , and Federal Gov. need to learn this .
When are all ( local , state, federal ) governments going to take a pay cut ?
It starts by making a MOTION ..... I MOVE TO REDUCED OUR SALARIES BY 50 % ......
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010
Article comment by:
Jim Eaton
As a former resident of Jackson and Meigs Counties with periods of residence in Harrison and Tuscarawas Counties (all part of ARC territory in Ohio) I appreciate and will keep in mind Randy's warning. When I was on the staff of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Goverments Assn. 30 years ago we faced the same fight in the Reagan years. Now a new generation needs to be told about the work of ARC whose creators in Ohio cared much about their roots in the southeastern part of the state. Keep spreading the word and mobilizing.
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2010
Article comment by:
Dannie Crothers
For crying out loud Randy...Strickland has pretty much run the State in the ditch! Some of these old "Happy-Pappy" programs might have seemed to be good in yester year but times have changed and we simply cannot afford these types of programs anymore. Ohio has lost jobs, population and revnues. We must optimize dwindling tax revenues and fund priority programs...not the feel good programs. This is no reflection on you because there is no doubt about you wanting to govern Jackson as best you can. Just don't associate too much with Strickland because he'll drag your good efforts down. You're one of the few good Democrats that I would vote for.
