That is why Speaker Batchelder has won our respect and gratitude.
Early this spring, Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder visited The Call & Post to meet with our editorial board.
Chief among our concerns during this closed door session was the matter of redrawing Ohio’s congressional district – a process that would be controlled entirely by Republicans in Columbus.
We wanted to make sure that those with the redistricting “pencil” would preserve Ohio’s minority representation in Congress and to comply with judicial interpretations of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
As such, a stunning plan was implemented that would create a barbell-shaped district that would include most of Cleveland and then wind its way south to include predominately Black neighborhoods in Akron.
Without such a plan, Ohio could have lost its only Black seat in Washington.
And true to the word of Speaker Batchelder, this seat, presently held by U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge will guarantee that minority representation in the nation’s capitol.
It has been said that the “word” of a politician is “gold.” Speaker Batchelder has proven this point and we applaud him and his fellow Republicans for their actions in this matter.
We live in an age of partisan politics, divisiveness and political back biting.
That is why Speaker Batchelder has won our respect and gratitude.
As the Good Book says: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and silver.”
William Batchelder has proven that point in our estimation. His “word” is his “bond.”
