Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

Why does Mill Creek MetroParks have a $130,000 secretary at its board meetings? His name is Aaron Young. The MetroParks executive director should be sitting at the table with the board of directors and listening to the taxpayers who pay his salary. Is this a conflict of interest? I hope the two new board members do not let Mr. Young control them like the last five.

-- Canfield

My fellow Republicans: what will it take to admit that we were / are wrong ? Our president continues to reshape and change our democracy with calculated moves / decisions made for his own profit / gain and persona. He changed the picture frames of all past presidents (with golden frames) and his personally-distorted engraved plaques below them. Refuses to insert Biden's picture because Biden beat him in the 2020 election. Is this beyond a narcissist? Trump was impeached twice. We had the majority and acquitted him.

-- Campbell

My wife and I just booked a reservation in Washington, D.C., when the beautiful cherry blossoms will bloom the first weekend in April. We can't wait to see them along with the Trump Washington Monument, the Trump Lincoln Memorial, the Trump Smithsonian Institution, the Trump Capitol Building and the Trump Arlington Cemetery, among other sites. By the way, we are flying from Cleveland either into the Trump Dulles Airport or the Trump Reagan International Airport.

-- Boardman

My main concern with the new Ohio real estate taxes is whether they will primarily benefit the wealthy at the expense of public services. This sounds too much like Trump's big beautiful bill scam.

-- Canfield

If porch piracy in the U.S. is a $15B loss to consumers as they say, the authorities should release the homeowner in Atlanta that shot two crooks and found the solution to the problem. It should be that once someone enters your property intent on criminal activity, their rights no longer exist. With video proof of a theft or assault taking place, go ahead, shoot. The homeowner should be required to share the video and drag the useless carcass to the curb. No need for counsel on either side and problem solved.

-- Columbiana

Don't believe for a minute that Trump's second presidency wasn't the culmination of a systematic, gerrymandered, voter-suppressed stolen electorate taken slowly over time the last 45 years -- lock, stock and barrel -- by the biggest thief and thieves there are: Trump and the old established Reagan right-wing billionaire movement, buttressed by the corrupt supreme court and recent cult-driven Republican Party. If you think Trump is a buffoon, think again. He's perhaps the most talented, sophisticated, sick-minded criminal in U.S. history.

-- Boardman

The disparity in payments of Trump's "Warrior Dividend" ($1,776) and the $50,000 signing bonus for his ICE secret police is not so offensive as his belief he can buy patriotism. But, what the heck, it's not his money, it's $74 billion of your taxes going to ICE. The lesser amount is an insult to the honor of our forces, true patriots, who are not beating up citizens or threatening war, but keeping peace at a price that may be their lives.

-- Canfield

I love it. Four kids, nine grandkids all entering schools able to read and now I see the schools are figuring out what we knew and did years ago -- PHONICS and word building. Defining and using those new words in a sentence for content etc. THE BASIS FOR LEARNING. Who Knew? It seems the schools of education did not. lots of us parents did,

-- Girard

Jacketless Jim Jordan is grilling Jack Smith behind closed doors because the light of public scrutiny is anathema to GOP Trump lackeys. Jimbo won't show his evidence of wrongdoing by Smith because there is none. Smith will be kept from showing proof Trump was co-opted by pal Putin's help in the 2024 elections and Jordan's evidence-free conspiracy notions about 2020 will be pushed as truth.

-- Canfield

Every Star Parker column is about the same, blacks lost their way because of the Voting Rights Act; integration and less church-going increased their divorce rates and it's the left's fault; the pre-1960's were better and all we need to do is let the rich get richer and we'll all be better off. Maybe one day she will write about how 250 years of religion finally freed blacks; or how the war on drugs tripled the number of blacks imprisoned; or how over 30 percent of prisoners have mental issues.

-- Campbell

Isn't it ironic that a draft dodger is getting to honor the US Navy? Arrogant Donny never ceases to amaze with his opportunities to bring praise to himself (i.e. renaming the Kennedy Center, having massive pictures of himself on government buildings, accepting a phony "participation trophy" peace award, etc., etc.). When will the MAGAs wake up!

-- Youngstown

Letters to the Editor

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The shiny newsletter we just received from Mahoning County gives the following confusing statement: "Ohio law prevents automatic tax increases when property values rise, keeping levy collection steady." In 2024, my real estate tax bill increased $557 from 2023 due to the property revaluation. It was very much "automatic." Instead of what was printed, the space in the newsletter could have been better utilized explaining property tax legislative changes on the horizon and whether or not the governor has given them his signature.

-- Poland

Now the president is on a domestic speaking tour saying affordability is a Democratic hoax. But when I go to the grocery store and look at my bill, it's not a hoax; it's my reality. When I get my heating bill, that's not a hoax; that's my reality. It would be nice if this president forgot about making himself look good and told us how his administration is working to help the average American afford the necessities of life.

-- Youngstown

Trump has an interesting solution to higher prices. He says to pretend they don't exist. It's a hoax, a hallucination . That means all the yes men under him, congressmen, senators, and the like, won't address the problem. That would be saying Trump might be wrong. Wake up, Mahoning County, you've been played. Trump is too busy meddling in every other country in the world to worry about you. He values a peace prize far more than lowering grocery prices. These guys have got to go!

-- Youngstown

The letter suggesting to take online courses from Hillsdale College to save us from becoming ignorant was amusing. Hillsdale is known for its rigid ideology, lack of viewpoint diversity and is firmly in the MAGA-sphere.

-- Poland

Your columnist of Dec. 3 did his best Trump imitation by attacking the left. His argument was that a man who was released 72 times and then killed someone is because the left wants to end systemic racism. One has nothing to do with the other. If it did, then the right should be blamed for Columbine and Emanuel AME, the mass shootings in the Wal-Mart in Texas, the Buffalo mass shootings, Sandy Hook, etc., since young men committed these crimes. The truth is that there are many sick people in this country.

-- Campbell

Pete Hegseth behaves like an insolent 3-year-old pretending he didn't break the cookie jar despite the crumbs stuck in his hair product. He's so tough he uses assassination terms straight out of gangster flicks like "Goodfellas." It helps him earn his bones with Don Taco, though it would put him in jail if not for the Don's control of DOJ rubber stampers.

-- Canfield

It's kind of sad that many people are making fun of Donny because he had trouble flipping the coin at the Army-Navy game. Be reminded that he has a debilitating condition (BONE SPURS!) that gave him a draft exemption. I am sure that was a factor in his poor coin flip.

-- Youngstown

I am a life long (60+ years) Democrat. I worry and wonder -- what does our party stand for? Leaders of our party constantly criticize everything about our country, especially President Trump. Do we have any plans, programs, or ideas that will make our country better?

-- Boardman

Did anyone else catch the MCCS ad that has a young child halfway hanging out of the front passenger window in a moving car? Aren't children, especially young children suppose to be buckled in the back seat? How did nobody catch this or do they this is OK? Troubling, as Children Services is suppose to be looking out for a child's best interest.

-- Youngstown

Well "TACO Donny" has done it again. After constantly preaching that his tariffs are great for our economy, he cancels tariffs on coffee and other mundane everyday things and, to top it off, he just wants to give farmers billions of dollars in assistance. In other words, due to voter discontent, he now admits that tariffs caused all these problems. I guess all that really matters to him is that his poll numbers are in the tank. PS -- The war in Ukraine that he was going to end in his first 24 hours is still going on (in spite of his siding with Putin). Hopefully we can all survive this clown show.

-- Youngstown

Having the new bus load of new recruits being former federal employees is in very poor taste especially at Christmas -- plus not the least bit funny.

-- Youngstown

Unlike the person who wrote in last week about not liking the paper delivered in the afternoon, that I don't mind. After all that is how it always was when we had paper boys / girls. My complaint is why do I not get a paper sometimes when I don't get mail. I have actually missed an obituary because of this. If this is my only option other than traveling to the store every day to purchase one, then please make sure it gets to my mailbox. This includes holidays observed by the USPS. Why should we get our paper a day late?

-- Boardman

Trump has demonstrated, almost daily, that he has no domestic, military or international policy expertise. His comments about the Reiner murders show he is concerned only about his own reputation. When will any Republican stand up to him and actually represent their constituents?

-- Canfield

Our President of the USA: Total lack of humanity in his response referencing the horrific / tragic circumstance of Rob Reiner and his wife. Reveling, shocking and disgusting! I cannot fathom anyone that could defend it.

-- Campbell

It is difficult to believe we have a president that is so callous, so disgusting in his selfness, that he would criticize a murder victim, and then make it about himself. He is fooling no one except those who are still enamored by his persona. He is a vile classless buffoon, a total disgrace to our nation. This administration is a mess!

-- Liberty

Letters to the Editor

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Killing people, destroying drug transports, threatening a foreign dictator, where drugs are going all mean nothing to 47. They just distract from his true concern, which is a river of cash flow not reaching his pocket. Maybe his pardon of a convicted head of a huge narcotics cartel will ease his anxiety.

-- Canfield

Why a global search to replace Louis A. Zona? He was an art teacher in New Castle before he became an excellent director of the "American Art Institute" founded by local businessman Joseph Butler. The Butler has become world- renowned using local people. I say keep it local and narrow the search down to at least an American!

-- Poland

Just wanted to let you know how much we miss home delivery of the paper. There was no explanation? Only one day notice! We realize that the newspaper industry has to make drastic changes just to stay in business. It's just not the same to read it at 2 or 3 p.m. when the mail comes. I had to go out and buy an iPad!!

-- Canfield

So now Donny wants to cancel all of the orders he thinks Biden's Autopen signed. Does this mean he personally signed every pardon handed out to the Jan. 6 rioters?

-- Youngstown

To those fearful drivers who ventured out on Tuesday morning, only to drive 15 mph to 5 mph and therefore impede the flow of traffic for those of us who know how to drive in such conditions, please … for the love of God, stay home and off the roads.

-- Canfield

In a recent interview Donny's "eye candy" spokesperson was reminded that Donny said many times that he would end the Ukraine war in his first 24 hours. She responded that the 24 hour statement was merely an "exaggeration." Isn't exaggeration a polite way of saying LIE? Just asking for a friend.

-- Youngstown

Trump is considered a good politician, charismatic, able to entice followers to his bidding, but he will always be a bully, a liar, a person who cares for no one except himself. All politicians have their 'dishonest times', we know that, but he does whatever he likes with no consequences, forever defying laws and judges. He has instilled a fear in this country that is rampant. His cruel and abusive rhetoric has put people in terrifying jeopardy; he just doesn't care.

-- Liberty

The Vindicator poll question on 12-5-25: "Does the Trump FBI merit praise for its arrest of pipe bomb suspect? " The Trump FBI? Maybe send this to Trump. He'll give The Vindicator a classic GOLD medal of excellence award with his face engraved on it. Gotta love it.

-- Campbell

Pete Hegseth (aka the "Crisco Kid" 'cause he's slick as the hair under his lid), is now playing defense 'cause he's useless at guer. Like the Orange Menace, he eagerly finds a fall guy to blame when he's out of his mind. Pete's blowing up speed boats out on the sea, while his boss deports grannies and sets drug felons free. Follow the money.

-- Canfield

Battery plant article about UAW blaming GOP and credits for layoffs was interesting, yet lacking. What was not mentioned is that in Michigan several new battery plants have been canceled. I looked out my door today and saw: 5 pickups, all gas; 4 Kia SUVs, all gas; 3 sedans, a hybrid, the other two gas! The rest were all gas. Watching the cars on the street I saw NO EVs. Is it possible the layoffs are due to LACK OF DEMAND because we want gas cars and trucks? GOP and credits have little or no connection to the layoffs.

-- Girard

Letters to the Editor

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47 says he's shutting down immigration from over a dozen minority countries because a National Guard member was shot and killed. Her death is horrible. But would he stop immigration from Italy if the shooter was Italian, or England if he was British, or German or Russian, or Hungary if he was Hungarian, or from Canfield? Of course not. One individual doesn't represent an entire group of people. This is his bigotry showing and an excuse to disparage people of color.

-- Campbell

In the last several years, all the delays you've experienced for bridge and road work are our tax dollars at work, Look around -- it's a good annoyance!

-- New Springfield

Recent polls and elections show that increasing numbers of Americans are favoring socialism. This is a system where the government controls the means of production and is against the free market and private ownership of property. Many of the immigrants that poured into the U.S. were fleeing socialist countries. We should be thankful for the great country we live in. Don't let the freedom we have slip away to the false promise of a better life under socialism.

-- Poland

Chaos and corruption abound in this administration. 47 nominated the most unqualified, incompetent persons to his Cabinet, only those who would be submissive to him. Sadly, Republicans yielded to confirm these same poor nominees. Now we are witnessing the horrible consequences. From the DOJ, the DOD, the FBI, the Intelligence, and HHS, the qualified experts were purged. This resulted in vacancies or more appointed incompetents. There is a "BRAIN DRAIN" in this administration. Do your research, be a CRITICAL THINKER, CALL POLITICIANS and VOTE to preserve this DEMOCRACY!!!

-- Canfield

Recent polls show the American people think everything is getting unaffordable and they're struggling to get by. I have a question, if things are so bad in your everyday life, how did Black Friday sales hit record highs? People need to live within their means so they can afford the everyday costs of living. And remember, prices are high now because of the 21% inflation under Joe Biden. It takes a lot longer for prices to come down once they're up.

-- Hubbard

I recently looked online and found that in no states in the USA do Catholic churches prohibit a viewing in the church. One of your readers posted "Because it is now a "Social Occasion and must be enforced." These days, visitations at the funeral home are also turning into "Social Occasions" as compared to years ago. I wonder about the "real reason" Bishop Bonnar made this decision?

-- Canfield

Due to health issues, I was unable to attend last Saturday's playoff game against Yale. It was disturbing to watch YSU give up 29 unanswered points in the second half and lose, 43-42. They almost did the same thing at Northern Iowa. When I proudly wore my YSU sweatshirt this weekend, I was often asked "How could they blow a large lead?" BECAUSE THE COACHING STAFF SUCKS! They should know how to make adjustments. Both the offensive and defensive coordinators should know what to do and not sit on their hands

-- Boardman

With no facts, 70 people in boats leaving Venezuela have been murdered by this administration because they "think" they are "allegedly" running drugs, YET, Trump pardoned the former Honduran president from his drug trafficking charge in the U.S. Pot/kettle. Trump pardoned a private equity owner who had just started his prison term after bilking people out of over a billion dollars. Trump continues to pardon the "unpardonable," those who have committed the worst crimes against humanity.

-- Liberty

To the Mill Creek Park Save the Deer supporters: NO KILL = STARVATION, A SLOW HORRIBLY PAINFUL DEATH. Let me ask you: How long will you fight a fight that no one will win , especially the deer?

-- Cornersburg

With the cold weather, stray cats will be looking for food and shelter.PLEASE do not turn them away. Bring them inside or at least provide a warm place with plenty of food and shelter. By taking a cat in doesn't mean you have to keep it. Contact a shelter or foster it until it can be re-homed. You may be its only chance for survival. All animals deserve the best chance and compassion.

-- Poland

Pete Hegseth irrationally reacted to an ambush of two young National Guards by illegally sending more troops to D.C. He was backed by fellow Fox News alum, Jeanine Pirro, who responded to a question "Why were they there?" with her portrayal of an outraged coffee grinder deflecting the question. Then, the aptly nick-named "Cash" Patel, sans evidence, blamed this tragedy on the previous administration. Because a grifting charlatan in the White House used them to distract from his failures, one young life ended and another forever changed.

-- Canfield

Trump's 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine equals the white flag he wanted to wave earlier in Putin's

invasion. It provides the same outcome. 47 should quit his Ozymandias-like construction projects, his ruinous tariffs, his wars on science, free speech, health care, women, anyone browner than his spray tan and his threats from lawsuit to death for any who disagree with his pay-for-play bargaining. He soon will find it's a colder world, even in Mar-a-Lago, without allies. Vote him out!

-- Canfield

Our clownish health secretary has unilaterally changed CDC website language to state CDC does not support vaccines because there is "no scientific evidence they do not cause autism." He claims this is "gold standard science." By that fact free standard, Moms Across America can't be proven not to cause the

condition.

-- Canfield