“Clean Ohio, a program in existence since 2000, uses existing state funds to clean up the state of Ohio. The program’s renewal is on the ballot this Nov 4 as Issue 2. Clean Ohio is a state wide bond issue, which has $400 million, half of which goes to the clean up of polluted industrial sites, and the other half goes to conservation which includes preserving wildlife habitats, family farms and creating new recreational trails.”
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Clean Ohio, a program in existence since 2000, uses existing state funds to clean up the state of Ohio. The program’s renewal is on the ballot this Nov 4 as Issue 2.

Clean Ohio is a state wide bond issue, which has $400 million, half of which goes to the clean up of polluted industrial sites, and the other half goes to conservation which includes preserving wildlife habitats, family farms and creating new recreational trails. Steve Caminati, Executive Director of Citizens for a Clean Ohio, said.

Clean Ohio was first passed in 2000. Unlike some other issues who only help a specific group of people, Clean Ohio benefits everyone. An example of a time when Clean Ohio would help the public would be financially helping farmers keep their land for future generations to see. This not only preserves the beauty of Ohio’s rolling hills, but retains its soil, which is by far the state’s most valuable resource.

Also, the program cleans brownfields, contaminated soil from urban demolition.

If a new developer wants to go in there and do something to that building, what Clean Ohio does is it provide money to give them the incentive to clean that up, Caminati stated. A local example is Clean Ohio’s support of the development of Dave’s Supermarket. Before Dave’s was built, it was a pretty nasty area, Caminati said.

Clean Ohio gave money which helped clean that area up. Clean Ohio does not bail out polluters, but as soon as development is started in an area with some type of problem, clean up is required.

According to Caminati, the main program goal is to have projects all throughout the state and not just focused in the major urban or populated areas. 86 of 88 counties have received Clean Ohio money. Spreading the wealth among every county remains one of the chief goals of the organization.

The program’s renewal is on the ballot. If the renewal does not pass, the program will lose funding.

For those who may be a little confused about what Clean Ohio is, Caminati offers clarification.

Clean Ohio is the program, Issue 2 is the continuation of the program, and the campaign behind that are the citizens for a Clean Ohio, he said.

It (Clean Ohio) wouldn’t raise taxes. The state does this with existing state revenues, so taxes do not go up, Caminati said.

For more information on Clean Ohio visit www.cleanohio.org.

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