I am a former history teacher at Carey High School. I taught in Carey for 30 years, and during that time I witnessed the broad range of both supports and stressors that the students of our county experience. Though we are a rural area, our children still face pressures, stress, negative messages and exposure to losses and sometimes trauma.

As a business owner, former fireman on the Carey Fire Department and a current member of the Carey Police Department, I have seen the severity that mental illness and addiction has on our community. The loss of productivity and the impact on one’s quality of life are just two costs when these illnesses go untreated.

I support the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. The Board has provided levy funds that support our parenting program, The Incredible Years, and our youth mentoring program, The Way.

Dear editor, In response to the district newsletter, and the story about East and South School Elementary fourth-grade students ... I am proud and excited to hear that these teachers and kids have adopted the responsibility of learning about the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and putting the flag up and taking it down every evening.

I have worked in Wyandot County for many years. One of the greatest things about the community is the residents’ spirit and willingness to help one another in times of need, whatever that may look like.

During the time that I have been with the city of Upper Sandusky Police Department, I have worked closely with the mental health services to increase the quality of life for persons with mental illnesses as well as improved police response to incidents involving persons in crisis.

Dear editor, Even though I was born and raised in Wyandot County, I was apprehensive when Tom Schertzer recruited me to join him as a representative for our county on The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

Dear editor, When moving a loved one into an assisted living community, one important word that comes to mind is “trust.”

Carey Council approved Our Lady of Consolation School to have a silent auction for a ride in a village police car or fire truck as a fundraiser. This is the same Council (though a few members are new) that earlier this year removed prayer from the ceremony portion of council meetings for fear of potentially being sued.

I am going to try to let the locals know what my wife and I came across Saturday early evening. At around 6:30 p.m., my wife and I were having a picnic supper on a bench at Harrison Park.