Aug. 20, 2019
The Bryan Times,
My granddaughter and I went to the movie The Lion King Last week. I had seen it before years ago but this time it struck a nerve. It is the old cliche of a power struggle as Scar manipulates the rule from the much loved Mufasa and the rightful would be king Simba. Under Scar’s rule, the jungle becomes barren and the inhabitants are fearful and disillusioned. The hyenas, whose bellies are never full, roam at will scouring the jungle for prey. As it goes on, Simba comes to the rescue and all ends well.
We here in Williams County looked for our superhero to help us in stopping a private individual from selling our water to municipalities East of us but no one with any power rose to this occasion. All we heard was “there is no law against this …”
Article I, Section 2 of the Ohio Constitution states that all power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for our equal protection and benefit, and we have the right to alter, reform or abolish the same whenever we deem necessary. This is the reasoning behind the charter and it has never been hidden as there was plenty of information through websites and public meetings.
No businesses or individuals stepped forward with a solution and even our own state Representative, Jim Hoops, inserted language into the budget bill as to not recognize ecosystems and the protection thereof. There is nothing in the language to prohibit the large scale commercial withdrawal of groundwater … only laws after the fact if there is a problem. Also the charter does not change the structure of government here in the county except to give rights to the people to vote on issues that affect them by going through the proper procedures. The comments that have been made as to not being able to take a cup of water on an airplane is the lengths that some people go to spread fear and distrust.
The Lion King dramatizes the Circle of Life and it shows how deeply we are all connected with nature and with one another. The fate of our children, grandchildren and planet Earth depends on decisions we make now.
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. People of the county need to have a voice and a vote.
Rosemary Hug Bryan