Hello, My name is Kristina Eblin and I have started this petition to help our whole community and hopefully other communities that face the same issues as Gallia County Ohio. We lack the resources and technology in our county that the internet provides. So many residents here in Gallia County have zero internet options. A lot of residents of Gallia county are still not able to use their cell phones at their homes and there are several amount of dead service zones in our area.

With school approaching, this will not be a normal school year, and parents should be able to make the decision to homeschool if they wish. With the lack of internet some of these parents will be forced to send their children to school and worry even more than they already are. The rural counties of Ohio also deserve the same resources as Ohio's major cities or other counties that have these resources. Residents of Gallia County are hardworking tax payers too. If they are forced to send their children back to school because there was no option to homeschool it can affect their job performance, or those who will not be able to return to work will have no options to work from home either. In result will be lack or loss of income. This is a vicious cycle.

Every resident and child in Gallia County deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. Educators who could possibly have to teach from home need good qaulity internet. Some of our business areas do not even have internet options or it's an unreliable connection. A lot of employment applications are now only available online. Those with poor quality or have no service are not even able to shop online for groceries, products or anything. 

We should not be less of a priority because we live in a rural area. This is a huge priority for our whole county.

Please take a few seconds to sign and share this petition to get our county the resources we deserve and need. Even if you have cell or internet service please sign and share for those people who have poor quality or no cell or internet service. I'm sure we all know someone. 

We need internet providers for the whole county Improved working cell towers and internet service. Cell reception and internet service for everyone.

It's time our Ohio elected officials and cell phone and internet companies think about us too. This petition is the way to show those who can provide these services the numbers of people who do not have these essential services. 

Please sign and share. It takes all of us to create a change for our community especially during this time when it's much needed. The more signatures we get the more we will be heard! 

Sincerely, Kristina 

*updates* 

I reached out to our former Gallia County Commissioner Dr. David Smith who said the petition is a great way to show those elected officials in Columbus the numbers of people who lack internet access. They have no clue what is going on here in the county. He also gave me some names of some more important contacts to share our cause with. This was a priority to him when he was commissioner and that he is also concerned for our children's education and future. He is also going to sign this petition in support. 

I have emailed the offices of.                                           Governor Mike Dewine, Lt. Governor Rob Husted, State attorney general Dave Yost, Senator Sherrod Brown, and Congressman Bill Johnson that represents Gallia County Ohio. 

Change .org has reached out to me and supports this issue and feel that it's very strong and are helping me with ways to get this petition noticed by the right people in position to help achieve our goal. 

I received a call from the State Attorney General's office who agree and support this issue. They are also going to try and pass our cause on to the right people. They gave me some insightful advice as well. These are steps into being heard!