Sound off!
I was in Mahoning County government almost 30 years ago. Nothing has changed. We had the Sunshine Law requiring county business be discussed publicly. But nothing’s ever discussed in public at all. It’s decided behind closed doors, then paraded out in a public dog-and-pony show. And then we had the clear water task force aimed at attacking stormwater flooding into the sewer system causing foul basement backups. The same problem continues today. Nothing has changed.
Boardman
The real reason for speed cameras is money. Why would city leaders choose to punish those that cannot afford outrageous fines levied by this out-of-state company? Drivers speeding through school zones are a danger; cameras won’t slow them. They could speed daily and not know until weeks later when a ticket comes via mail. That’s supposed to save lives? Stop them on the spot, issue a ticket, and other drivers will see a marked cruiser, a proven deterrent to speed.
Austintown
Different life experiences form different world views. Collectively and in concert diversity provides a plethora of ideas and problem-solving options no one world view can. The rich source of ideas is applied by the private sector to product design, advertising, decision-making and problem solving. Biden showcases his administration’s diversity with gays, blacks, transgenders. But diversity is more than race and gender. Benefits of diversity are lost when there is no diversity of thought.
Canfield
I watched a show called “Accused” about tribulations and background of a troubled kid-turned-school-shooter. I could not help but think it could become copycat material. Unfortunately, I may have been right. In one scene, the kid was on a bridge holding a rock and dropping it on cars below. Sure enough, both rocks on cars and shootings like this have followed. Food for thought. We must find what is going on with younger folks.
Girard
The two mass shootings in California bring the total this year to at least 39 in 25 days. Why? I say follow the money. Who gains when people are fearful? More guns lead to more shootings, which leads to more money for gun manufacturers, NRA and some politicians. Why do they oppose gun-safety legislation? Just follow the money for your answer. We need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, extremists and the mentally ill.
Campbell
Guns reign strong — 38 mass shootings and killings across the U.S. in the first three weeks of January alone. They make headlines for a few days till the next one. Yet we still do nothing. We talk big and do little. We have an unhappy country, and it seems people are turning to guns to appease their need for reaching out, appeasing their anger and killing both children and adults, devastating families. Will we ever learn?
Youngstown
We see results of Speaker McCarthy striking a corrupt bargain in his desperate and nearly failed attempt to win speakership. The bargain required political vengeance to remove three Democrats from key House committees. There was no other reason to remove these highly qualified members from committees. This is just the start of the rein of the most ineffective speaker of the House in history. He will be unable to get any legislation passed.
Poland
Marjorie Taylor Green is no congresswoman. She seems better suited playing the last person at an NRA stag trying to cadge a free beer and a ride home. I hope she’s on the ticket as VP for 45’s next run. That much ignorance on one ballot might even open eyes of MAGA-ites.
Canfield
Sound off!
While you were watching football, the Youngstown State University men’s and women’s basketball teams were setting records of their own! Put on your YSU red, go to the games and be rewarded by outstanding performances of these talented athletes. They have earned our support!
Austintown
Wondering if Youngstown plans to clean up lower South Avenue between I-680 and the South Avenue Bridge. I’m embarrassed when driving there of what visitors must think! This is a main city entrance. Trash isn’t the issue; it’s property conditions. Pieces of heavy machinery are parked near the street, dumpsters and chain link fencing are around several businesses instead of more attractive fencing. A nice sign was erected there several years ago, but landscaping is embarrassing. It needs immediate attention.
Poland
The only time this school-zone speed limit should be enforced is before, during and after school hours, not at 9 at night. If I were driving home at 8:30 p.m. and was ticketed for driving at a normal speed through a school zone, then they’re looking at a lawsuit. The next thing I see happening is a class action suit for racial discrimination because of the placement of the cameras in the inner city. Only time will tell.
Austintown
If you don’t learn from past mistakes, you’re doomed to repeat them. We used to have politicians in Washington, D.C., called “Dixiecrats.” For decades these Democrats prevented 20 to 30 percent of their population from voting through biased laws. As a result, the South has the lowest wages, least educated, highest murder rates and lowest-quaity health care in the country. If this is what you want for Ohio, then allow our gerrymandered and biased laws to remain.
Campbell
My grandfather said, “Once you lie, you can never be trusted again.” The life of U.S. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is filled with falsehoods. I studied his career, noticing some breaks. Was this when he pitched the Yankees to the World Series? Or led the Packers to the Super Bowl? It’s sad that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and others haven’t called for his resignation. Grandpa had sayings about guys like McCarthy: “Some folks will sell the farm just to be able to buy a few cows.”
Boardman
The only place better suited to the skills of George Santos than the GOP House is the chief financial officer opening at FTX.
Canfield
A House bill passed that requires medical treatment given to a baby surviving an abortion attempt to keep it alive; 210 Democrats voted against this bill. This is sickening. This is murder. These Democrats are evil. There is no justification to vote against this bill. We must stop these radical Democrats. What’s next? If you don’t want your 2-year-old, you just have it killed? I can’t understand how people can keep voting for these evil, radical Democrats.
Hubbard
Trumbull County commissioners spent $183,000 of ARP funds on nickel-and-dime county maintenance projects, which should have been included in annual budgets. Commissioner Denny Malloy says the county has $30,000,000 in ARP funds to spend within a deadline. What is their plan? How will this windfall be spent to enhance county infrastructure and improve our business environment? Or will it be spent on a new toilet for the men’s bathroom? C’mon commissioners, release your plan and do your job!
Liberty
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“Sound off!” publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day — all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected “Sound off!” submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.
Limit “Sound off!” comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as “Letters to the Editor,” a separate forum that publishes Sundays.
Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking “Submit News” and then “Sound off.”
Sound off!
While Steve Kent is obviously aware of efforts to remove him as trustee, it’s apparent he would rather spend time trying to prevent those efforts rather than actually considering resigning. As if being criminally charged isn’t enough, Kent now has been outed publicly for this petty move. I’m grateful to these citizens for trying to achieve what is in Austintown’s best interest. I suggest Kent resign, and if acquitted, he can run again for trustee.
Youngstown
I will vote yes for sure on the Weathersfield tax levy if they stop using speed cameras. The funds from the cameras also need to be in the discussion about budgets. I am pro-police but very anti-camera, and I have no camera tickets.
Weathersfield
Yesterday I received in the mail four more COVID-19 tests, the second mailing of same in three months. I did not request these, nor do I need them. Who’s paying for this? Waste, waste!
Boardman
Kevin McCarthy will “look at” expunging impeachments of the failed GOP executive. Looking is all he can do because: Only courts may expunge criminal records and the author of the big lie was never convicted by a GOP-dominated Senate, though his impeachment is historical fact forever. Kevin’s primarily interested in hiding his party’s role in that history. The GOP now has more fringe than the entire cast of a Wild West show.
Canfield
We continue to have beautiful young people with bright futures killed in Youngstown and Pennsylvania. Now, a 6-year-old shot a teacher in Virginia. Are we so blind and our leaders so inept that we can’t take action to increase gun safety and improve mental health? Does everyone need a gun? With trauma from poverty and COVID, can’t we provide increased mental health? Why make it easier for everyone to have / carry a gun, like our Ohio legislators did?
Campbell
Fair-minded people agree a fundamental of our democratic republic is that no one is above the law. Taxpayer “Bill of Rights” published in the Jan. 8 Vindy includes the right to confidentiality, to expect their tax information will remain confidential, and the right to privacy that any IRS inquiry examination or enforcement action will comply with the law and be no more intrusive than necessary. Donald Trump is not above the law; he is treated below the law.
Canfield
George Santos is a liar. He stole an election with no truth. If a doctor, nurse, attorney or teacher lied about credentials, they most likely would be arrested. It’s well known and shameful that most politicians lie sometimes. Santos is a total liar in everything he says. He is making a mockery of our government, laws, Constitution and people of the U.S. Is there no law that will oust him before he does any more damage?
Youngstown
For years people have tried to find the words to describe former President Trump’s signature. We have all heard: unique, bold, unusual, flaunting, distinct and more. Now that the Trumps’ joint tax return has been released, we see how much Melania’s signature resembles the former president’s signature. Is that uncanny, amazing, weird, remarkable or what?
New Springfield
Have something to say?
Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.
“Sound off!” publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day — all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected “Sound off!” submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.
Limit “Sound off!” comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as “Letters to the Editor,” a separate forum that publishes Sundays.
Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking “Submit News” and then “Sound off.”