DEAR EDITOR:

An open letter to the Mahoning County Commissioners:

I just now watched the video of your Feb. 12, 2026 meeting.

Janet Cobb and Chris Harris spoke eloquently about a problem that is a very relevant subject because the Mahoning County jail has received millions of dollars from the federal government to jail ICE detainees. They pointed out, correctly, that it was improper for the Mahoning County jail to release prisoners with no resources whatsoever into the city of Youngstown during frigid weather conditions when they were from Massachusetts, and had nowhere to get shelter here. These two men could have died from exposure if Youngstown citizens did not help them. Our people have morals and ethics, but apparently our local government officials, from what I have just seen, do not.

It is deplorable that the Mahoning County Commissioners cannot understand that our Mahoning County jail is being paid handsomely to house ICE detainees and should take responsibility for ensuring safe conditions for the release of these detainees.

I call for the Mahoning County Commissioners to immediately meet with Sheriff Greene and set up a much more humane system for handling these situations. As county commissioners you are supposed to represent the people of Mahoning County who are not in favor of the mistreatment of immigrants in our name.

Your callousness in disregarding the words of these two women is unacceptable.

LYNN ANDERSON

Youngstown