(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

May 2 is election day in Belpre. Voting is a fundamental process in a democratic system. Voting is your civil right and your responsibility. Voting is a chance for the average citizen to have a voice in the people who represent them or an issue of interest.

Some vote because they think their vote will count and make a difference. When election results are announced, the side with the most votes will be declared the winner by majority vote. This majority vote is so important, the Ohio School Board Code of Ethics states to “express my opinion or vote, but once the board has voted accept the will of the majority.”

Belpre school board members need to read their code of ethics. The majority of Belpre voters have been ignored by Belpre City Schools and our city’s highest office, again.

Does the minority vote run the City of Belpre? If so, that would explain the unpopular decisions made by a few in city government that are leading to higher city costs and reckless policy that is not supported by the majority of our community. If our community leaders reject the majority vote, the majority needs to reject these leaders in November.

May 2 will be the third time in a year Belpre residents will be tasked with voting on a never-ending school levy. Belpre City school treasurer stated in this newspaper “we had a large constituency come to us and say you’ve got to put this thing back up.” This “thing” is never-ending debt for our community. Our treasurer ignored the majority of his constituents last May, then he ignored them again last November.

It’s time for new leadership in our school system and in our city. I will not be supporting this levy.

Frank Meredith IV

Belpre