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Government center plans hold promise

Western Reserve Port Authority leaders and Mahoning County commissioners have earned a fair share of kudos for their action last week toward constructing a shiny new $60 million county government center in the heart of downtown Youngstown. If all goes well, and we pray it shall, their productive partnership will create a win-win-win for the county and the Mahoning Valley. Mahoning County residents will win through centralizing key operations and services in one convenient, efficient and welcoming space. Downtown Youngstown will win through a potent shot of revitalization via the ...

Gunfight at Trump’s OK Corral

A most American of movies, “Gunfight at the OK Corral,” is a morality tale about what happens when intimidation goes unanswered. The Clanton gang marauds through Tombstone, flashing their guns and humiliating townspeople. Feeding on fear, their bullying escalates as decent people avoid confrontation and outrageous behavior becomes routine. But the moment comes when Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and their allies finally call the Clantons’ bluff. They order the gang to put their guns down. The Clantons refuse. The gunfight erupts, and it doesn’t end well for the Clantons. Set aside ...

A Republican wants to raise taxes

Congress is debating major funding bills that would avoid another of those phony government “shutdowns” now scheduled for Friday. One sticking point is that Democrats want to either defund ICE or greatly reduce its budget even though it is following the law in arresting and deporting people from other countries, some of whom have committed crimes while here. Adding nothing positive to this debate is Mitt Romney, the former Republican nominee for president in 2012. In a lengthy letter to the editor of The Wall Street Journal, Romney seems to be channeling Democrats when he writes ...

Check to see if you still have unclaimed funds

Looking for something to do while snow, ice and frigid temperatures have perhaps kept you home for more time than you’d like in recent days? It could be a good time to check out the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds website. According to a recent report by the Akron Beacon Journal, the state still holds more than $4 billion in dormant bank accounts, utility deposits and uncashed checks. That’s a huge chunk of YOUR money just sitting (virtually) in Columbus. And remember, if you don’t claim it after more than ten years, you run the risk of it being used ...

How do we tell the emperor he no longer has any clothes?

MIKE: I hereby call to order the first annual meeting of the tripartite national commission to discuss with the emperor his recent garment shortage. As you all know, of late, the emperor has been a bit, let’s say, confused and has on one or two occasions, only, but still, he’s appeared to have ventured out of doors ... inappropriately attired for the weather. MARCO: He’s been naked, you mean. KAROLINE: Marco, please. Let’s not repeat the fake news being spread by disgusting domestic terrorists who are relying on the biased testimony of their liberal eyes. I have seen the ...