Page 4 - The Buzz 04/03/2026

A4 | LOCAL NEWS The APRIL 3 - 16, 2026
Meet Laura Sirot, Ohio State Senate District Distracted

31 candidate BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ Driving: A

care and dependent care and free Continuing
high-quality education; to make sure Threat to Public
that our local farmers can afford to
continue farming; to protect our vital Health
natural resources; and to make sure BY ALEXUS MASTERSON, MPH,
that our taxes are fair and support FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES EDUCATOR
our local communities.” OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION,
“Muskingum County is experienc- MUSKINGUM COUNTY
ing many of the challenges shared
by other parts of SD 31, but to a
greater extreme. These challenges
include access to affordable health
care (including mental health), drug Distracted driving continues to
addiction treatment, and housing, pose a danger on America’s roads,
services for seniors, fair wages, and claiming thousands of lives each
support for the infrastructure of cit- year despite ongoing education and
ies, towns, villages, and townships. enforcement efforts.
My priorities will be to work with lo-
Laura Sirot is running for State Senate, representing Ohio’s 31st District.. Submitted April is National Distracted Driv-
cal communities and fellow legisla- ing Awareness Month; this problem
The general election will be here valued in our work by receiving fair tors to reduce the barriers to access- is widespread and very preventable.
before we know it, and the primary compensation. We want our farmers ing these resources. I will show up According to the Centers for Disease
elections are already almost upon and natural resources to persist into for you, listen to you, and work with Control and Prevention (CDC), dis-
us, with in-person voting taking place the future. We want real oversight you to make changes to improve tracted driving includes any behavior
on May 5. One of the names on this and accountability for the taxes we your quality of life.” that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or
year’s ballot belongs to The College pay, and we want those taxes to be Sirot will be continuing to make
of Wooster educator and mother of fair.” “I am running for office for my connections with all voters regard- mind away from operating a vehicle—
two sons, Laura Sirot (D). Sirot is children, the students I teach, and less of their political affiliation. whether texting, using a navigation
running to represent District 31 as a all current and future Ohioans in our “Saying it is an uphill battle for system, eating, or interacting with
state senator. district,” Sirot added. “Ohio has the someone running as a Democrat in-car technology. These distractions
Ohio’s 31st District includes all potential to be a leader in compas- in this district would be an under- significantly increase the likelihood
or part of five counties, including sionate, caring, smart, sustainable, statement,” stated Sirot. “But what of a crash and can endanger not
Muskingum, the western part of and innovative growth towards the I’ve learned during the last year of only drivers and passengers but also
Guernsey, Tuscarawas, the bot- future. I want to be part of creating campaigning and listening to voters pedestrians and cyclists. Data shows
tom-left corner of Stark, and Wayne. that future.” is that people who typically lean Re- us that in 2023, 3, 275 people were
Sirot has lived in Wooster, Ohio for There are some key qualities and publican are feeling like they don’t killed in crashes involving distracted
15 years with her husband Pete and strengths that Sirot possesses and see themselves and their values re- drivers and more than 324,000 were
two teenage sons, where she works feels she can use if elected to be flected in current Republican lead- injured nationwide (NHTSA, 2026).
at The College of Wooster as a pro- the next senator for District 31, such ership or policy. We share so much Young drivers are at higher risk, spe-
fessor and associate chair of biology. as problem-solving, the drive to re- more in common with one another cifically teenagers and young adults.
As Sirot explains it, the research that search to find solutions, and the will- than the divisive, partisan culture This population make up the largest
she conducts at the college “relates ingness to listen to people’s input on would have us believe. And voters share of distracted driving involving
to understanding the reproductive key problems. are frustrated by this idea that every fatal crashes, which highlights the
biology of insect vectors of human “I am a problem solver, both in my decision is an either/or scenario, be- need for more education and posi-
pathogens and agricultural pests”. professional and personal life. As a cause it’s not improving their lives.” tive behavior modeling from adults.
Outside of her passion for her work professor at The College of Wooster, “My strategy to make this district Among the many forms of distracted
and family, Sirot is also passionate I research new approaches to control competitive is to connect with as driving, texting is the most danger-
about her community, especially in pests that harm humans. Currently, many voters as I can before Novem- ous. The NHTSA warns that sending
the areas of children and family ser- I work with students in Ohio to fig- ber. I’m realizing that the trickiest or reading a text for just five seconds
vices, sustainability, animal rescue, ure out new ways to control mosqui- part of that isn’t necessarily a voter’s
and science communication. toes that spread infectious diseases political affiliation, it’s the geograph- at highway speeds is like driving the
“I am the co-founder and co-co- and agricultural pests that destroy ic spread of our gerrymandered dis- length of a football field with your
ordinator of the Wooster Science crops,” Sirot elaborates. “The ap- trict. So I am working to build a coali- eyes closed. Many new cars and
Café (now in its 14th year), which is proaches I use every day at my job tion of volunteers to help bridge that smartphones now have features
a monthly forum for discussing sci- will help me to solve problems as distance and help me get the word that can allow you to put your phone
ence-related issues of public interest. your state senator. When I am trying out.” on “Do Not Disturb While Driving” or
We have served as a foster family to solve problems, I start by gather- “As your state senator, I’ll ap- your car alerts you when your driving
for Wayne County Children Services ing information. I put my research proach my job with the keen abili- pattern matches that of distracted
and adopted a child through foster skills to use and find out what we al- ty of a mother to identify problems driving. If there are teens in your
care. I continue to support their work ready know about the issue, includ- and my problem-solving skills as a household, take the time to highlight
as a Board member and through ing what is working and what isn’t. researcher to address them. When the importance of distracted driving
mentoring families and children. I Next, I seek out people with different I am elected, I will listen to anyone and how it affects them and other
have worked with numerous animal perspectives so that I can have a who wants to bring their concerns drivers. Practice safe driving hab-
rescue agencies in the area, both more complete understanding of the and ideas to me, and I will seek out its this April for healthy travel this
individually and with my family and problem and the impact of potential people with a wide range of perspec- spring!
students. Together with my students, solutions. Finally, I bring together all tives and life experiences. I will use
I have created programs for local of this information to take action and the information I gather from these
animal rescue agencies, such as create change. Like with those mos- discussions to make progress on Sources:
the K9 coach program, where I train quitoes and agricultural pests where pressing issues facing our district.
students to work with recent adopt- I am working to figure out ways to My campaign slogan is: Finding com- Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
ers of dogs on common behavioral keep the populations down without mon ground to work for the common (2026, January 28). Distracted Driving. CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/distracted-driving/
issues to decrease the number of using pesticides.” good,” said Sirot. “People are longing about/index.html
returned dogs. I am very passionate Some areas of focus for Sirot in- for leaders who put them above the
about making Ohio and the world a clude working on policies that bene- party, for leaders who will make de- National Highway Traffic Safety Association.
safer place for current and future fit everyday Ohioans. cisions based on evidence and com- (2026). Safety Topics: Distracted Driving.
generations,” explained Sirot. “Many of our current policies in mon sense. And that’s exactly what NHTSA. https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.
Sirot is running for the Ohio State Ohio favor corporations and su- my expertise and my integrity have gov/safety-topics/distracted-driving#4926
Senate because she wants to unite per-wealthy individuals over the prepared me to do as State Senator.”
Ohioans and address shared prob- needs of everyday Ohioans,” said The deadline to register to vote is
lems. Sirot. “The tax dollars that we pay April 6. Absentee voting by mail be-
“We have more in common than to the state should be coming back gins April 7, early in-person voting
what drives us apart. We are not on to support our communities. I would begins April 7, and election day vot-
track to leave Ohio a place where our like to work with our communities ing is May 5. Polls will be open from
children and future generations can and my fellow legislators to support 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on election BUZZ FACTS
thrive. We have real problems that and create policies that make life day. The general election will occur
we need to address together, across easier for everyday Ohioans, whether on November 3, 2026. For further The Buzz is woman owned.
party lines. We want our families they live in the more rural parts of our details, visit www.ohiosos.gov/elec-
and neighbors to be safe. We want state, the small towns, or big cities. tions.
strong public schools and libraries. This change can only come about if For more information about Lau-
We want to feel secure that we will we work to find common ground on ra Sirot, visit her campaign website, Summer
be able to afford and receive quali- important issues. My priorities would www.sirotforohio.org. She can also
ty healthcare, childcare, and elder be to make sure that every Ohio- be found on Facebook and Insta- Concert
care. We want to know that we are an has access to affordable health gram.

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public.
Zane State College Celebrates Community are City Tire Pros, Lepi and Associates
Realty, J&E Distributors, Patriot Com-
College Month in Ohio SUBMITTED | ZANE STATE COLLEGE panies, Smith Heating and Cooling,
Park National Bank, VFW Post 1058,
Federal Elite Heating and Cooling Inc.
Major sponsors include Moyer Group
Zane State College is joining com- ry, and Noble counties, we are pre- Ohio Association of Community Col- - Raymond James, Barnes Advertising,
munity colleges across the state this paring students for careers that mat- leges. “Our colleges serve as Ohio’s Coconis, Zanesville Steel, Hartman
month to highlight the essential role ter — right here in Ohio. When our top workforce partner and deliver Landscaping, North Valley Bank, Goss
that two-year colleges play in prepar- graduates succeed, our entire com- the best value in higher education,” Supply Company, APG Architects/
ing Ohioans for in-demand careers munity succeeds. Zaffini said. “They respond quickly Sands Decker, Muskingum Site Ser-
and providing an affordable pathway Each year, Ohio’s 22 communi- to employer needs, offer education vices, American Pride, Quality Care
to higher education. ty colleges serve approximately close to home, and create clear path- Partners, Paul Construction, BUDS Inc,
Community College Month, cele- 250,000 students. This includes ways into good-paying jobs or on to a Creno’s Pizza, Advanced Heating and
brated in April by proclamation of high school students earning college four-year degree.” Cooling Services Inc, Bayer Heritage
Gov. Mike DeWine, is an opportunity credit through Ohio’s College Cred- Ohio’s community colleges are Federal Credit Union, Oliver Billboards,
WHIZ Media Group, T-100 Radio, Kes-
to raise awareness about the eco- it Plus program, recent high school widely recognized as the state’s top sler Sign Co, WYBZ-FM, Visit Zanes-
nomic, academic, and workforce im- graduates, working adults, veterans, workforce partner and the best val- ville, Genesis Healthcare System, CA
pact of community colleges. career changers, and adults seeking ue in higher education, Zaffini add- House Music & WD Pump Co.
Community colleges are the back- short-term training to quickly gain ed. Through close collaboration with For more information visit www.
bone of American higher education, new skills or advance in their careers. more than 1,000 employers state- secrestauditorium.com.
and Zane State is no exception, said Students can earn industry-recog- wide, community colleges align ed-
Interim President, Joesph Keat- nized certificates, associate degrees, ucation and training with real-world
ing. Every day, we are transforming or begin a bachelor’s degree before job needs across healthcare, ad-
lives and strengthening our region. transferring to a four-year university. vanced manufacturing, information Made with
Through intentional partnerships The combination of affordability technology, logistics, and the skilled
with employers, healthcare systems, and workforce alignment sets Ohio’s trades 100%%
and community organizations across community colleges apart, said Avi To learn more about programs at local news.
Muskingum, Guernsey, Morgan, Per- Zaffini, president and CEO of the Zane State visit www.zanestate.edu.