Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

Hoping for a solution to the Poland public library quandary

DEAR EDITOR: Recently, someone asked me about the “Save Our Library” signs in Poland. This person wondered if the Poland library was closing. I explained that the signs were about the building that currently houses the library. The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County board is considering moving the library because the upkeep is expensive, and even if they were to repair it where needed, it would continue to be an expensive building to run. The Poland Library is not closing, although one option is to relocate it to a better-suited building. Being here only 16 ...

Sound off!

Trump’s post depicting himself as Jesus was blasphemy, no doubt about it. His explanation that he thought it was supposed to be a doctor is so unbelievable it can’t even be argued. So, MAGA, is your adulation of Trump so strong that you’ll still defend him as JD Vance did? The abandonment of ethical principles among this group is frightening. God have mercy on us. — Youngstown I believe Trump feels that $90 a barrel oil and a 1,300 uptick in stocks was worth his soul because he thinks his leadership starting a war was perfect to drive both numbers. It was not. He lost lives ...

Donald Trump’s threats to Iran are war crimes

DEAR EDITOR: On Easter Sunday morning, the president of the United States announced his intention to commit war crimes. That’s not hyperbole or partisan rhetoric. Legal scholars citing the laws of armed conflict, using the same framework American military commanders are trained on, confirm that deliberately targeting civilian power plants and bridges constitutes a war crime. Causing excessive suffering to civilian populations clears that bar. We called it a war crime after World War II. The label hasn’t changed. On April 6, The Vindicator ran the headline: “President ...

Vote for Shelley Pratt for county probate judge

DEAR EDITOR: On May 5, Republican primary voters will have to decide on who will be the new Trumbull County Probate Court judge. Shelley Pratt, an experienced Prosecutor and current Common Pleas magistrate is the candidate voters should trust. Magistrate Pratt was a prosecutor for 20+ years in both Ashtabula and Columbiana counties. During that time, she was involved in over 100 cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. In comparison, her opponent has 4. Shelley Pratt has argued before the 11th and 7th districts’ Court of Appeals. Shelley Pratt is a full-time magistrate who has involvement ...

Hanni’s judgment in signs, billboards is abominable

DEAR EDITOR: If these blatant, in-your-face actions demonstrate in any measure Judge Mark Hanni’s character and reprehensible display of judgment he certainly is beneath the honor of a seat as judge. If you have not yet seen the absolute abominable campaign signs and billboards you certainly have heard about them. Democrat turned wannabe Republican Judge Mark Hanni’s sickening display of graphics used sacrilegiously is highly offensive to all, regardless of religious affiliation or its absence. The depth of expressed disdain and indifference to those of faith, let alone to the ...

Short-staffed city police force deserves to be paid overtime

DEAR EDITOR: We have had the front of The Vindicator show the amount of overtime the police force has brought in over the past year. Do we want our city streets and homes to stay safe? If your answer is obviously yes, then do allow them to do whatever needs to be done. This only indicates to me how short-staffed our police force is. Working as an RN for 25 years, hospital nurses were short-staffed severely starting in the 1990s. There are many times working the night shift, that I could get double time, and even triple time. Let’s not forget that these service people need to ...