Women in Athens County Survey question 6
What ONE thing do you think would make your life easier?
October 13, 2008
“Life would be easier if we weren't a bi-coastal family with members spread across the country from L.A. to Long Island.”
–Shawn Morris, 54, a retired registered nurse from Athens
“Affordable health care. I suffer from mental-health issues, as well as an enormous array of hormonal and sugar-related physical issues. My insurance company does not want to pay for anything, including the medications I need to be a functioning member of society. Never mind the fact that insurance costs so much. If I want insurance, I have to get it from public assistance. If I get it from public assistance, I need to apply for disability, which means I cannot work. It's sad to say that I have to choose between working and being healthy in all respects. I can either work and be unfit and a danger to myself, or be out of work, more economically (as well as mentally!) depressed, but healthy. It's a sad choice to make.”
–Caitlin Seida, 19, an artist from Nelsonville
“A housecleaner. I would be happier spending fun time with my kids, but I can't stand a messy house.”
–Niki Morris, 36, a non-profit program manager from Stewart
“A two-hour break everyday that was dedicated to relaxing (or doing whatever you wanted) that no one could interrupt.”
–Molly Smith, 18, a freshman at OU, from Athens
“To know that what we have worked for is going to be ours until we are ready to get rid of it ourselves. The not knowing if taxes are going to keep raising... groceries going up…being insurance poor ...gas going up and down, and up again. You said ‘one thing.’ Right now if we knew property taxes wouldn't go sky high. The more property OU, Wayne National Forest, etc. keep buying, the more our property taxes go up. Those groups are supposedly non-profit. When they buy property the county no longer gets the property taxes… So what would make our life easier? Lower property taxes and to not have to expect them to rise EVERY year. I must say, our problems in no way compare to families who have lost their homes, or mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers or sisters in the 'war'.”
–Barbara Six, 57, a business co-owner from Athens
“I don't want my life to be easier. I have a great life with Jesus as my Lord. God is always with me, as he has promised. Easier? No, I don't think so.”
–Jody Stickel, 55, a retired teacher from Athens
“Being 100 percent out of debt would make my life much easier. It would free up 100 percent of my income to build wealth and become a more generous person. If I was financially free (in other words, able to live off my assets without the need to work to bring in an income), I could devote 40 hours per week to work as a volunteer in an under-funded and much-needed community service-based position, investing in the lives of others, and making my city and my world a better place. That's my goal... What's yours?”
–Mary Della Harmison, 35, an administrative assistant for a financial and marketing director, from Athens
“More hours in the day, more time to study.”
–Emily Figliomeni, 18, a freshman at OU, from Toledo
“Seriously, it is transportation to Columbus and a Nelsonville bypass. My family travels to Columbus quite frequently and I worry about the dangers of the stretch of road between Nelsonville and the four-lane.”
–Lisa Eliason, 54, an attorney and chief Athens city prosecutor from Athens
“My life would be easier if I had a magical transporter. This way, I could visit my mom’s side of the family who live in Finland whenever I want, I could visit my boyfriend who goes to a different college whenever I want, and also, I could visit all the cool places in the world without having to deal with the unbearable cost of transportation…Whenever I want.”
–Clare Conway, an OU sophomore from North Olmsted, Ohio
“A time machine. I would go to two years from now and already have status in my new career.”
–Tiffany Teofilo, 26, an OU Ph.D. student and senior accountant from Athens
“Winning the lottery. Worry-free living.”
–Ginger Gagne, 44, executive assistant for the president of an IT company, from Athens
“I believe that finding alternate energy sources would make all of our lives easier. The reason being that we would no longer have such a dependence on oil. Without the sting of prices at the gas pump, more Americans would have more money available to them for other necessities. The new market would also create more jobs for Americans.”
–Catia Carter, 25, an administrative assistant from Athens
“More money. Sorry. Not very creative or entertaining, but I am single, I have a child headed to college, and I am nearing retirement. My salary is not increasing at the rate I anticipated, and I see my investments, which are earmarked for college and future income, declining in value, not increasing. While I am not struggling yet, more money would definitely make my life easier.”
–Cynthia Holliday, an OU university lecturer and administrator from Athens
“Wow, what a question. I would say long-term financial security.”
–Angela Anderson, 43, a professional fundraiser for education from Athens
“If my children would stop fighting and try to help me more. I don't think any explanation is necessary.”
–Lisa Carson, 50, an editor from Athens
“For everyone to view everyone else as equals. Social class, racism, sexism and bigotry are such barriers to everyone and everything. I feel that if everyone truly believed that everyone else had something great to offer, the world would be a much better place. If we all took time to listen and be heard, maybe things would be less stressful.”
–Laurie Gribble-McKnight, 36, a social worker from Athens
“The one thing that would make my life easier is to have more people truly practice living in community. It is pretty good here in Athens, but we all can do better on this one.”
–Frances Gander, an acupuncturist and tai chi instructor from Athens
“Universal health care and paying off my mortgage.”
–Linda Hiller, 53, a house builder and rental manager from Athens
“More time!”
–Susan Mitchell, 47, a marketing consultant from Athens
“Since I'm currently not working, this one is easy! A JOB!!”
–Cheri Johnson, 56, a psychotherapist from Athens
“One thing that would make my life easier would be to have more time in the day. Juggling all three jobs tends to run the daylight out quick!”
–Sherrie Norman, 40, a deputy sheriff, mall manager and retail manager from Athens
“It would make my life easier right now if I knew exactly where I was going to go and get a job at when I graduate in the spring. I also want to know for sure that I even get a job right out of college and not just be a substitute teacher.”
–Angela Haas, 21, an OU senior from Marion, Ohio
“My life will be easier as soon as all three of my children are in school.”
–Heidi Wilhelm, 39, a mom and birthing instructor from Athens
“More money, because you can live better with it than without it.”
–Laura Jordan, 52, a karaoke DJ from Albany
“I would like to have a housekeeper. It is difficult to maintain a house and work full-time.”
–Janice M. Wright, 54, a clinical supervisor from Athens
“My life is good.”
–Suzanne Borchard, 56, a children’s outreach coordinator from Athens
“EQUALITY. Judge a person on his or her ability, not his or her gender or skin color!”
–Tabitha Bond, 38, a business owner from Coolville
“Easier to obtain and more financially feasible child care. Who cares for my children as a working mother is one of the hardest decisions I've had to make.”
–Brandi Mullins, 34, an LPN from Athens
“Better law enforcement. I hate living behind locked doors and watching the idiots get away with anything they want in this community.”
–Sandy Griffin, 67, retired, from New Marshfield
“Personally, if we could afford a cleaning person to come and clean my house at least once a month, my life would be perfect.”
–Diane Scharer, 36, a stay-at-home mom from Athens
“My life would be easier if I didn't have so many student loans to pay off. I feel like I will never get ahead financially because my student loans are sucking me dry. I choose to work in non-profits because the work is very rewarding and I am making a difference.”
–Amanda Sharrai, 31, a non-profit program specialist from Athens
“More local and state public transportation. Trains in Athens — running to Columbus, Cleveland, etc. — would cut down on our time spent in a car (with usually only one person in it). It would help the environment, encourage me to get to know my neighbors, and save money on gas. It's a win-win thing. And yes, I'm one of those zany people who thinks if higher taxes mean helping myself and others live a richer life, I'm all for them.
–Becca J.R. Lachman, 28, interim assistant director at OU, freelance writer and composer from Athens
“I would like my husband and myself to be in excellent health, with no worries about doctors or insurance benefits.”
–Suzanne Fisher, 35, a recent ecotourism graduate of Hocking College, from Nelsonville
“Lower bills. Since gas went up, everything else did, too. So now I just wait for shut-off notice because I cannot pay my bills. It’s also hard to afford food, so now I see why they say the elderly have to choose either food or meds.”
–Billie Byers, 49, former junk separator, cashier, home health aide, wife, mother and homemaker from New Marshfield
“I feel as though universal health care would make my life easier. I know that Obama has been looking into this, and I think that it is a great. I believe that universal health care will one day help me in the future, and as for now, help many other people in this country who do not have health care.”
–Stefanie Dimofski, 18, an OU freshman from Gahanna, Ohio
“More hours in the day! There just isn't enough time to get everything done that I'd like to!”
–Betsy Gosnell, 42, in professional development, from Amesville
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