Surely Gov. John Kasich can draw an outline of the shape of Ohio. Without question the new governor knows that the state comes to a point at its southernmost tip.

If that is in fact true, then maybe the governor still needs a map to help find his way here.

One of the biggest fears about John Kasich was that he would return to the tried and true ways of past administrations that continually neglected southern Ohio.

Nearly four months into his administration, we have seen little evidence otherwise. Kasich may be trying to shake up the status quo in other aspects of state government but ignoring our region appears to be business as usual.

As far as I know, Kasich only made one visit to Lawrence County while campaigning and that was for a closed-door Republican fundraiser. The man has not made any true public appearances here.

If we can’t get him here when he wants our vote, then why should we think this will change after getting elected?

In the four months since taking office Kasich has been nowhere to be found in our county, although he did make a trip to the Portsmouth area. But the state of Ohio doesn’t stop at Scioto County.

Understandably the governor has a lot on his plate, trying to tighten the budget to overcome an estimated $8 billion deficit.

That is exactly why he needs to visit here and the hundreds of other communities like ours across the state.

The decisions the governor is making, or forcing state agency leaders to make, have a direct and powerful impact on the men and women of Lawrence County and Ohio’s other counties.

For better or worse, this is what the man was elected to do.

But the governor should see firsthand how his decisions affect us, the citizens and taxpayers of this state.

Good examples include the local impact of Senate Bill 5 and the planned closure of the Ohio River Valley Juvenile Correctional Facility.

Just looking at spreadsheets in Columbus is a disservice to all Ohioans.

Say what you will about former Gov. Ted Strickland, but he knew where Lawrence County was. Ted knew the people. Ted knew the needs. Ted knew what could be done to make our lives better.

That certainly doesn’t mean he addressed all of these things, but at least he was aware of them. Is John Kasich?

It seems a reasonable request for the governor of Ohio to visit all 88 counties in some designated time frame early each year.

Some would try to argue that he has better things to do, but I don’t buy that for a second.

What is more important than really understanding the lives of those who have elected him to lead?

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.