High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* Though those who understand the importance of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport may have rolled their eyes and done a little impatient toe-tapping when Air Wisconsin withdrew its service proposal bid and officials decided to rebid the matter rather than simply going with the next-lowest option already presented, it turned out to have been exactly the right choice. There are now three new bids under review to provide essential air service at the airport. Wood County Airport Authority members have what some may think to be better options to consider as they work toward a consensus recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation. “I think it is good we got the three proposals,” said Airport Manager Ben Auville. It is, and the revived process may yield even better service available to airport customers than would have been available before. Certainly there is reason, again, to be excited about the possibilities.

* It’s not always easy to watch how the sausage is made when we observe the workings of local government bodies, but one issue has focused Marietta City Council’s attention in a way that shows us what’s possible. Regarding work on council’s effort to address concerns over injection wells, Councilwoman Erin O’Neill is right: “The past couple of weeks have been a lesson in how local government is supposed to work for the citizens,” she said. “My actions here tonight reflect nothing other than my desire to speak out for my constituents who don’t otherwise have a voice …” Yes, there’s plenty of petty sniping, disagreement for disagreement’s sake, and forgetting they DO work for the people who elected them when it comes to all our region’s governments — from school boards and township trustees up to county commissions. But in this instance, Marietta council members appear to have worked together, followed the process and remembered their responsibility to their constituents. When citizens brought up concerns that required change to a resolution, council acted. While the nature of government and politics in this era makes it improbable that such momentum can be sustained or would catch on elsewhere, it is nice to observe while it is happening.