Every election is important so please don’t forget to vote. And, I hope you will cast your ballot for Greg Howard, longtime Meigs County resident, who is running in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District to win the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Bill Johnson in November.

Our democracy is being chipped away as big money floods the election process to influence legislation that favors the agendas of large corporations and billionaires — such as privatizing our schools, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, assaulting solar energy and denying workers’ rights, to name a few — over the needs and rights of ordinary citizens like us.

Greg, however, has studied the issues and has ideas for positive changes. His platform is specific and laid out for all to see. If you haven’t already done so, check out Greg Howard’s Blueprint for a Democratic and Economically Sound America on his website: greghowardforcongress.com.

Greg was one of the first no-till farmers in Meigs County. As his farming knowledge grew, he said, it became evident that chemicals are not necessary to raise a crop and indeed often have long-term negative consequences.

He saw this firsthand when he worked on hazardous material clean-up jobs in the past, many of which were pesticide related.

Today, some years after letting his land lay fallow for eight years, he and his wife, Gerry, farm organically, which means they use no pesticides, no antibiotics and no synthetic hormones.

While providing better food for themselves and their customers at the Athens Farmers Market, where they sell top-quality eggs, produce and sometimes chicken, they are also caring for their land and the environment. Even their chickens live healthier, happier lives.

What better candidate could you want to represent you in Congress? Greg lives what he believes. He is involved and has taken the time to be prepared. From his website, you know exactly where he stands on many specific and critical issues.

Can you say that about the other candidates? And he certainly will not sell out to “big” money.

I regret that I cannot vote for Greg myself.

 

Jane Richter

Athens