Deshler
Deshler, OH · Municipal
The Blade
DJs bring music, energy to Toledo-area polls
Election Day in the Toledo area had a lively soundtrack as DJs brought dance-floor favorites to polling locations across the region, including Miesha “DJ Lu” Ashford at Springfield High School. DJs at the Polls is a national nonpartisan initiative that aims to make Election Day a welcoming community celebration. “I hope they feel joy — I hope they feel welcome,” Ms. Ashford said. “I hope they feel like they’re part of something like a party, and that it makes them feel good.” As voters entered the Springfield High School polling site Tuesday, she played a variety of dance music, including “Get Silly” by V.I.C., “Electric Boogie” by Marcia Griffiths, “Outstanding” by the Gap Band, and music by Michael Jackson. Brandi Grover, who has three children in the Springfield district, appreciated the variety. “She had something for everyone. It’s been good for us out here. For people coming in, it kind of gives a more relaxed vibe instead of being totally stressed,” Ms. Grover said. DJs at the Polls is a nonprofit that aims to increase voter turnout among historically underrepresented groups, including people of color, young people, and first-time voters. In randomized controlled trials, polling sites with DJs at the
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The Blade
Editorial: Oregon’s data center development decision
Ballot Issue 25 puts Oregon at dead center in the national debate over data center development. Financial cable channel CNBC spent a day in Oregon recently highlighting a community crossroads decision with economic impact that will ripple far beyond our region. Read more Blade editorials After decades of planning for advanced manufacturing, a land purchase that more than doubles the city investment, and a 15-year payment plan in lieu of property tax that will provide both the city of Oregon and the school system more than $100 million, economic development success requires defeat of an ill-advised ballot issue attempting to block a data center. Oregon voters would be wise to reframe the question as a $230 million tax hike, as that’s the dollar amount that would be lost to the city and the school system, if Oregon voters negate years of city efforts and reject the deal with Vantage those efforts have produced. It’s a difficult year to win support for data center-driven economic development. Candidate commercials have flooded the air with anti-data center messages that is mostly misinformation. Electric rates are set based on demand in the 13-state PJM grid that serves Ohio. Oregon voters won’t save a dime