Letter to the Editor: Thank you for support
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Appalachia is home to me. It is a place that holds rich history, beautiful natural resources, and a deep-rooted culture that is duplicated nowhere else.
A beautiful thing about our region is that we are all so closely connected to one another. The Mid-Ohio Valley has many bright, driven people working towards a better tomorrow. We also have our share of problems. Poverty, homelessness, deterioration of the family structure, substance use, mental health, and the stigma associated with all these things put a heavy strain on the hearts of many.
As a person who has struggled with many of these issues, I understand the challenges we face as a community in working to overcome them. Nov. 2, I stood before the community of Belpre and offered to serve them in public office. I sought to provide honesty, transparency, and accountability as a representative, while working alongside my neighbors to build a stronger, healthier community. Though I was not elected as a write-in candidate, 91 of the 200 votes cast were in favor of a person that has been to prison, struggled with mental health and addiction, and experienced homelessness.
They were also cast for a person that has a passion for helping others -- a person who builds meaningful relationships, promotes health, motivates others to do good, and celebrates the positives we achieve in our community.
To the 91 people in Belpre who chose to believe in a young man who sees the best in the future of the Mid-Ohio Valley, thank you. Thank you to everyone who recognizes that the challenges we face in Appalachia are real, among us, and cannot be ignored. I hope that my candidacy inspires others to step up and become leaders in our community. We get to choose what our future looks like, regardless of our past, and I am excited to continue working alongside you all towards the best future for the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Reed Byers
Belpre