Now that more than three months of restaurant and facility inspections by the Ironton Health Department have been published, it is clear that some local businesses have much work to do.

These reports show that, while a variety of businesses do a good job and only reflect very minor violations, there are far too many that have critical violations that call them into question. A few restaurants are of particular concern.

These reports should be used as a barometer and a measuring stick for business owners to gauge themselves and improve any problems that may exist.

Although the newspaper had not published these for many, many years, this is a key part of our responsibility to the community.

Hopefully, this public forum will create some accountability as customers push business owners to a higher standard.

Many of the violations that are occurring are simply unacceptable.

The Tribune will continue to publish the city’s health department inspections and also seek those reports from the county agency as well as those created by health departments in Boyd County, Ky., and Cabell County, W.Va..

Restaurant customers and others have the right to know how establishments conduct themselves and the level to which they maintain necessary standards.

Getting a clean “bill of health” could go a long way toward improving a business’ public image and community standing.

Those commodities are priceless.