Wednesday, October 8, 1997

THE POST

Athens, Ohio * An Independent Daily Newspaper * Ohio University

Editorial

THE POST

A housing shopping list

During the next few weeks, students will tromp up and down the hills of Athens looking for a place to live next year.

We at The Post, being the helpful group of people that we are, have a few things that you should look for in a house and landlord:

  • Walls, carpets and doors are always helpful. Windows with screens are cool, too.

    Paper sheets or beads do not count as doors or walls, nor does duct tape with plastic wrap count as a window screen.

  • Appliances that work are helpful; you shouldn't have to wait three weeks for hot dogs to cook.

  • A garbage dumpster or garbage service within southeast Ohio will allow you to live comfortably. The smell of month-old garbage makes off-campus living unpleasant for you and anyone within a three-mile radius.

  • It also is nice to have a landlord who allows tenants to hang things on walls using conventional methods, such as nails or double-sided tape. It is really hard to hang posters on the wall using a static field.

  • Blinds on windows help. But hanging them without using virtually illegal nails is impossible.

  • Water pressure in the shower is a definite bonus. You shouldn't have to use gravity in order to get clean.

  • Make sure the landlord doesn't have any stupid rules. Guests should be allowed to stay at your place for more than 20 minutes. We don't think that is asking for too much.

  • While you are looking, try for a parking lot or a landlord who spring cleans. The place should have a good place to dance and really should not be made out of balsa wood. This could be asking for too much.

  • Try to avoid asbestos and lead-based paint, too.

    Do not bail out on justice

    Ohio bail bondsmen might have a drop in business soon.

    A new poll shows most Ohio voters support House Joint Resolution 5, which would allow judges in Ohio to deny bail to any defendant who might be considered dangerous.

    Ohio voters will decide the fate of the proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution on Nov. 4. The amendment is sponsored by Rep. Jeff Jacobson, R-Dayton

    The Ohio Constitution states anyone charged with a crime is entitled to bail except in death penalty cases.

    We think this situation is potentially dangerous.

    Defendants who appear before a judge for a bail hearing are not guilty of anything yet. But this bill could allow a judge to deny bail to the defendant.

    The U.S. judicial system is largely based on presuming someone is innocent until proven guilty. Bail is a good example of this admirable belief.

    Judges shouldn't be able to deny bail to a defendant based on essentially a first impression.

    Denying bail asserts the judge feels the defendant very likely could be guilty of a crime, and it may influence how the judge runs the trial and how the jury views the defendant.

    The 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states Òexcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed.Ó The intent is that bail should be allowed. Judges have a lot of power as it is.

    Defendants who are freed on bond can assist in their own defense. This can assure that defendants are given proper trials.

    We encourage voters to oppose the amendment to the state constitution to protect their rights.

    Don't let first impressions get in the way of justice.


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