I respond to Terry Smith’s op-ed (Athens NEWS, Feb. 25), wherein he mistakenly attributes a number of distasteful behaviors and associations to members of the Tea Party. It is abundantly clear he has not attended even a single Tea Party event but rather, seems to have relied entirely upon “reporting” of these events by traditional (read: mainstream) media outlets to form his opinions and views.

For four years I had the privilege of working with the staff of Ohio University Press to produce “Ohio University, The Spirit of a Singular Place,” a book commemorating the University’s 200th anniversary. During that time I began to see that, for audiences around the world, OUP is the university’s most visible face and the face that most widely represents its commitment to scholarship and creative activity.

Editor’s note: The author is assistant dean of recreation and wellness and executive director of the Division of Campus Recreation at Ohio University.

The recent Athens NEWS article “Students Crowd Baker Center to Discuss (Budget) Topic,” provided incorrect information regarding the proposed pay-for-play fee to support Ohio University’s Division of Campus Recreation. The article stated that “Intercollegiate Athletics was a hot topic of discussion” and then quoted me as saying “ICA is looking at several options to cut its expenditures and enhance revenues.”

As a woman, and as a feminist, I was incredibly pleased to read in this past Wednesday’s Post article that this year’s Student Senate is open to discussing a more inclusive Take Back the Night here at Ohio University. While I was unable to attend Wednesday night’s Senate meeting, where the topic was an item for discussion, I can only assume the conversation was productive and allowed for open communication on the topic.

It’s lunchtime and, like millions of American convenience-eaters, I’ll leave my desk and grab a cheap meal prepared in about as long as it takes to walk the half block to the place where I’ll eat it. The portions will be (dangerously) generous, and I won’t have dishes to do. We eat like this day after day, month after month, and we don’t think twice about it.

But, what happens when we do think about where, how and what we eat?

Anyone who knew Vera Smith knew that she possessed endless enthusiasm, a generous giving spirit and a passion for music. This especially applies to those with whom she sang. Vera, a choir director with seemingly boundless energy, served 20 years as the choir director for Athens Middle and High schools, over five years as the choir director at the First Christian Church and various stints as director of The Ohio Honors Chorale.

Wow! 25 years since the release of “Heart and Soul” – well actually “Mischief.”

It is difficult not to look back, especially when something is a landmark in your life. What made me first think about this was that this past year my friend Cathy Stewart was commemorating the 25th anniversary of her films “The Last Starfighter” and “Night of the Comet.” My thought was “Wow, ‘Mischief’ was released right after that, so its anniversary is coming up soon.”

It’s disappointing to see the Ohio University brass continually pitch for the Bobcat Lane curb cut into Richland Avenue. But then that’s what brass do – continually pitch and frequently disappoint.

Not only are the arguments in favor of doing so extremely weak and wreathed in smoke; the cut would undermine the safety of those whom they’re charged to protect.

Among the great frustrations of modern life, few rank as high as trying to reach a customer service representative for any of the various corporate or public entities that provide the amenities we enjoy in the 21st century. Our lives seem to evaporate before us as we wait patiently or otherwise for a live person to come to the phone. While we are waiting, of course, the company or public enterprise one is trying to contact has an automated voice droning on about other services they provide or ways to reach them via the Internet. Why they assume a customer, knowing he will face obstacles in his search for a solution via telephone, has not already tried all other options is beyond me. As for the alternative services, one announcement would be sufficient, but they must go on and on, repeating the message over and over until the live person arrives. We know how long that takes.

By Lenny Meyer

We are told throughout the campus of Ohio University that we live in an interconnected world where the health and well-being of one area impacts that of the other. I believe that. I believe that the same is true of the relationship between OU and the Athens community. I have often thought of this relationship as symbiotic, one in which neither could exist without the other. I have resisted those who make harsh judgments about one side or the other in the town-gown debate. In fact I have often defended OU because of what it has given to me and also because of the many great people who work there. I have always loved what the university provides for this beautiful part of Ohio.