In just six months in office as Governor of the State of Ohio Scioto County has seen two companies preparing to move in and open or reopen shops in Portsmouth. The first company is Norfolk Southern Railroad bringing back the car repair shop that left many years ago. The second is a new electric company preparing a new building on the old Harbison Walker brickyard on Eight Street.
In the decades that Vern Riffe was the Ohio House Speaker, how many jobs did he bring to Scioto County? I can't think of nothing really big like Governor Strickland has done. With the exception of creating Shawnee State University to put up buildings as his personal legacy what did Vern Riffe do for the community? Even the floodwall mural shows Riffe with his personal legacy, Shawnee State University. Riffe should be shown as the man that did nothing to save our industrial base. Look at all the pictures on the floodwall that left the area under Riffe's watch at the helm in Columbus. It's not a pretty legacy to leave behind. He was really a disgrace for the entire community. I wonder why the floodwall mural doesn't say "convicted criminal, resigned in disgrace!"
Some may say that its because Strickland is the governor and he has more power. That is not true. The real power is with the Ohio House Speaker. No bill moves without the Speaker of the House giving it his blessing. So why did Riffe neglect his hometown area? It appears he did it to line his personal pocket.
Remember Riffe was one of the gang that was caught making deals that put illegal finances in his war chest. Riffe was indicted and pled out his case and then resigned in disgrace. Governor Strickland has had a reputation of working for the people and not for his personal glory. That's a big difference. Governor Strickland has not let power go to his head. Strickland has remembered his roots and openly embraced the impoverished few that still remain in the area.
Close to 200 jobs coming to the local area in the new governors first six months in office. So I believe it is obvious who cares more for the area: Governor Ted Strickland.
When you get a chance, send a note, email, letter or some form of communication to our new governor and say thank you. He deserves the support of the people! He truly is one of the people!!!! I think the Vern Riffe Country signs welcoming people to this area should be removed and replaced with Strickland Country. Remember, Riffe is a convicted criminal. We get bashed because of our criminal records even though we are just pointing out corruption in the area.
It is hypocritical to leave the Vern Riffe Country up knowing the welcome sign is from a well known convicted criminal. Then again, Portsmouth and Scioto County are controlled by unindicted felons so maybe the Riffe sign is appropriate.
John Welton (DD)
In the decades that Vern Riffe was the Ohio House Speaker, how many jobs did he bring to Scioto County? I can't think of nothing really big like Governor Strickland has done. With the exception of creating Shawnee State University to put up buildings as his personal legacy what did Vern Riffe do for the community? Even the floodwall mural shows Riffe with his personal legacy, Shawnee State University. Riffe should be shown as the man that did nothing to save our industrial base. Look at all the pictures on the floodwall that left the area under Riffe's watch at the helm in Columbus. It's not a pretty legacy to leave behind. He was really a disgrace for the entire community. I wonder why the floodwall mural doesn't say "convicted criminal, resigned in disgrace!"
Some may say that its because Strickland is the governor and he has more power. That is not true. The real power is with the Ohio House Speaker. No bill moves without the Speaker of the House giving it his blessing. So why did Riffe neglect his hometown area? It appears he did it to line his personal pocket.
Remember Riffe was one of the gang that was caught making deals that put illegal finances in his war chest. Riffe was indicted and pled out his case and then resigned in disgrace. Governor Strickland has had a reputation of working for the people and not for his personal glory. That's a big difference. Governor Strickland has not let power go to his head. Strickland has remembered his roots and openly embraced the impoverished few that still remain in the area.
Close to 200 jobs coming to the local area in the new governors first six months in office. So I believe it is obvious who cares more for the area: Governor Ted Strickland.
When you get a chance, send a note, email, letter or some form of communication to our new governor and say thank you. He deserves the support of the people! He truly is one of the people!!!! I think the Vern Riffe Country signs welcoming people to this area should be removed and replaced with Strickland Country. Remember, Riffe is a convicted criminal. We get bashed because of our criminal records even though we are just pointing out corruption in the area.
It is hypocritical to leave the Vern Riffe Country up knowing the welcome sign is from a well known convicted criminal. Then again, Portsmouth and Scioto County are controlled by unindicted felons so maybe the Riffe sign is appropriate.
John Welton (DD)
