Ohio politicians address claims as Springfield is thrust into national spotlight

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WCMH) — All eyes are on Springfield, Ohio as millions of dollars are now being sent there to help with the Haitian migrant influx — and as political leaders keep the western Ohio city at the forefront.

“In Springfield they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” former President Donald Trump said during a presidential debate on Tuesday.

“I think we should take the word of the city manager and the mayor that they’ve found no credible evidence of that story, of Haitians eating pets,” Governor Mike DeWine said. “That information is now very, very public. So, I’m not specifically calling them up to tell them something that’s clearly very, very public. I think, again, we listen to the people who live in the community.”

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“The cultural difference and the fact that our community is having trouble assimilating 20,000 new residents in a town of 60,000 is really the issue that’s been brought up,” Kyle Koehler, former state representative and current Republican candidate for Ohio’s Senate, said. “And the president talked about things that weren’t part of the problem.”

“It’s outrageous on many different levels for the former president to make remarks on a national stage that he has been that is not properly vetted. He’s intellectually lazy in doing that,” Democratic candidate for Ohio Senate Dan McGregor said.

This comes as Attorney General Dave Yost has directed his office to “research legal avenues to stop the federal government from sending an unlimited number of migrants to Ohio communities.”

Yost said they are going to find a way to get this “disaster” in front of a federal judge and will exhaust all options.

“The problem is not migrants, it is way, way too many migrants in a short period of time,” Yost said. “The problem is a massive increase in the population without any communication or assistance from the federal government.”

Yost was not available for an interview on Wednesday. DeWine said Springfield is facing issues and need remedies for things like access to healthcare and driver’s safety. Koehler said part of the issue he hears most about from residents is road safety.

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DeWine said on Tuesday that he sent more law enforcement to that community to help with that issue. But Koehler said it might be worth taking it a step further and changing the state law. Right now, anyone over 18 does not have to take driver’s education to take a driver’s test and receive their license.

“You don’t have to take the classes. You don’t have to do anything other than take the permit test and then take the driving test, which only lasts a few minutes,” he said. “We need to change the laws so they’re fair, so that anyone over the age of 18 who’s going to take their driving test for the first time has to take some classes.”

Koehler said the spotlight on Springfield right now is “not the way we wanted to be brought up,” he said while the city is experiencing “massive growing pains,” they are also experiencing a “renaissance.”

“Springfield is growing. We have the jobs,” he said. “That’s why they’re coming here. And we appreciate that, but we need help trying to assimilate 20,000 people.”

But others said the national spotlight on Springfield and the migrants lends itself to other issues, like an evident lack of resources and what some consider poor federal policies.

“My office has received several calls from Springfield residents. I’m pleased the Governor’s office is working to help alleviate the additional demands on county and city resources,” Senator Bob Hackett (R-London) said in a statement. “This is a perfect example of the Biden administration’s open border policy that first overloaded resources in New York City and Chicago with thousands of migrants. What did they think would happen in a town the size of Springfield?”

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McGregor and Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 38th House district Desiree Tims said the rhetoric about migrants can be harmful.

“It takes away their dignity. It takes away their humanity. And it doesn’t do anything to bring our community closer together,” Tims said.

Tims said it is normal to talk about policy issues like immigration, but said this conversation takes it to a new level.

“I think it’s normal to talk about policy issues,” she said. “What is abnormal? What has been abnormal since Donald Trump entered into this political sphere is the coupling of racist rhetoric, a coupling of division, hatred.”

“I am deeply offended by the incessant and defamatory remarks former President Trump makes about my country and in this case about Springfield and Clark County,” McGregor said. “His remarks are defamatory precisely because they are false.”

However, there is agreement on both sides of the aisle that help is needed.

“I think any time they’re going to pour into a local community, those dollars are always welcome. However, I think we have to make sure we’re talking to local officials on the ground,” Tims said. “What does the mayor of Springfield want and need for the Springfield community? What are members around the community of Springfield, Clark County, actually saying?”

“(Springfield residents) are not anti-Haitian. They just are seeing problems. And they want elected officials, they want all of us to do everything that we can to alleviate those problems,” DeWine said. “If we can help alleviate these challenges, then that natural welcoming, that we have as Midwesterners and Ohioans, that will continue to take place.”

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