Fri Mar 12 2010
As you read this, someone is doubtlessly enjoying a much quicker drive on U.S. 24. That's because the newest four-lane stretch of the federal highway, from Defiance to just inside Indiana, is opening today.
Three years from now, the entire corridor from Maumee to Fort Wayne -- Fort-to-Port as promoters like to call it -- should be four lanes, bringing to fruition a dream that early promoters had long ago, but may have thought they'd never see.
Unanswered remains what the impact of this widened road will be. Some have touted the improvement as a down payment on local economic development, and certainly this will be a strong selling point for our area.
Others who hope for the above result caution that a four-lane road might make it easier to reach other destinations such as Fort Wayne and Toledo. Imagine, for example, how quickly one might reach the Fallen Timbers mall north of Waterville when the road is completely four lanes.
However, for all this speculation about economic development, enhanced safety already has a favorable track record.
The four-lane section of U.S. 24 between the Maumee River bridge just west of Defiance and Napoleon has been open for about one year. According to the Highway Patrol's Defiance post, that stretch saw only 14 crashes from From May 1, 2008-Sept. 30, 2009. During the preceding 17-month period -- when most of the stretch was still two lanes -- crashes totaled 69.
*****
Of the three Ohio ballot issues to be decided Tuesday, none has attracted more attention than number 3.
If passed, it would allow gambling casinos in four cities (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo), and would mean considerable funds -- through a 33 percent casino tax -- to local governments and public schools.
Because Ohioans have turned down gambling issues four times -- and the issue produces a variety of opinions pro and con -- predicting Tuesday's outcome is problematic. One clue, though, is recent polling.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, a recent Ohio newspaper poll of 687 voters shows the issue up 57-39 percent. This margin is slightly lower than the 21-point difference seen a month ago.
The opposition, led by TruthPAC, which draws considerable funding from MTR gaming chairman Jeff Jacobs -- owner of a West Virginia casino where Ohioans sometimes spend their gambling money -- concedes the issue is ahead, but not by that much. TruthPAC has told the Dispatch that its internal polling shows the issue up by seven points (49-42).
Voters will clear this up on Tuesday, but there's little question that Issue 3 has been treated as a high-stakes game.
Penn National Gaming and Rock Ventures, which would each build two casinos, have reportedly raised $32 million to promote their message; TruthPAC hasn't reached that level, but will still spend about $5 million.
*****
Claims of national news media bias have become so common these days because they're basically true.
Certainly, the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) and some cable channels like CNN provide a left-leaning slant. Likewise, Fox News provides an unmistakable conservative approach.
However, it was nice to see newsmen close ranks recently over the Obama administration's treatment of Fox, which it doesn't like much.
Last week, the Treasury Department planned to make administration official Kenneth Feinberg available for interview by every network except Fox. However, those other networks said they wouldn't participate if Fox couldn't come, and the administration backed down.
That shows that some still really do care about First Amendment rights.
(Todd Helberg is city editor and editorial page editor of The Crescent-News.)
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Crescent-News.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Defiance Publishing, LLC 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expresse written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expresse written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications