Metallurg Vanadium Corporation Receives the
 Eastern Ohio Development Alliance  (EODA) Excellence Award for Excellence in Industry and Commitment to Community
 

Adversity, Space says, brings out the best in America

JOHN LOWE/The Daily Jeffersonian

April 27, 2009

WALNUT CREEK — Congressman Zack Space, without minimizing the challenges of the current state of the economy, sounded a hopeful note Friday during the 19th annual meeting of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance.

“This is not the first time we have faced adversity in this country,” Space said. “Every time this nation has faced adversity of this proportion, without exception, what has been best about our country, our culture and our constitution has managed to shine through.

“I mentioned earlier my concern about the social reactions and the cultural reactions this country may take in the face of extreme adversity. That is an issue, the importance of which should not be understated.

“But I remain confident that what’s good about America — our tolerance, our respect for freedom and our understanding for the need to create opportunity for everyone — those fundamental values will shine through.”

Space spoke briefly about a number of topics, including Internet broadband access, health care reform, the economic stimulus bill, energy issues, global warming and his belief that Medicare and Medicaid need to be bolstered.

Also speaking was Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who reported on her office’s efforts to develop a new database — an index of social health indicators.

The late Donald Myers, former EODA president and director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, was remembered.

Capping the meeting was the presentation of EODA Excellence Awards for business and tourism.

Local businesses recognized were Metallurg Vanadium Corp. and the Ohio Bridge Corp. Elsewhere, Tomorrow’s Corner of St. Clairsville and Trumpet in the Land of New Philadelphia earned awards.