As much as legislators protest to the contrary, the reality is that the areas that make the most noise get the most help.

Tuesday, January 04, 2000

As much as legislators protest to the contrary, the reality is that the areas that make the most noise get the most help.

So, when a tragedy comes along, like a road is in desperate need of replacing or an industry announces that it will close and take 600 jobs with it, unless someone jolts the powers that be in Columbus, the calls for help will fall on deaf ears.

Politicians at the state level might claim to be in the business "to help people," but the reality is that they are only interested in helping people who can get them re-elected. That is just common sense – no votes, no job, no matter how altruistic your intentions.

One of southern Ohio’s weaknesses over the years has been that the region does not do a good job of reminding the state power brokers that there are voters here, too. And voters don’t speak at the ballot boxes.

We are wooed when state officials come to town – even if only during their campaigns. The rest of the year, we don’t demand the attention we deserve.

Ironton’s recent news about the closing of Intermet-Ironton Iron is a legitimate reason to enlist a little elbow grease from the state, but without calls and letters to Columbus, it will go the way of the other projects – the back burner.

Letters and calls will remind Columbus that there are voters here, too, and that they are watching.