Administration makes us wonder

DEAR EDITOR:

We are all familiar with the line, “Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” but many do not realize that that famous line in our national anthem is actually a question.

Considering the destructive and incompetent decisions being made by our administration and the cowardly silence of our Republican representatives, it appears that the answer to that question is “NO.”

THOMAS BRENT

Struthers

Community School nearing reality

DEAR EDITOR

While driving down South Avenue on my way to work, I was delighted to see the ongoing construction at the Mahoning Valley Community School. It’s truly inspiring to witness the revitalization and purposeful use of a building that once sat vacant.

I strongly encourage the new mayor and his administration to tour this impressive facility and see firsthand the positive impact it is having on the city of Youngstown.

Congratulations to Superintendent Jennifer Merritt, her dedicated staff, and the Board of Directors for making this vision a reality.

CHRISTINE SILVESTRI

Youngstown

Editorial insulting to Poland Library group

DEAR EDITOR:

As someone who was committed to keeping the Poland Library in its current location, I was deeply insulted by the Vindicator editorial that espoused the opposite position. You categorized our group as “misguided” and “bordering on unhealthy.”

I have long believed that newspapers are important and to be treasured, as I feel about the Poland Library. Perhaps my attitude about newspapers is also misguided and bordering on unhealthy. After all, newspapers are also considered to be outdated, possibly more so than a less than 31-year-old building that has received many architectural accolades. A building that cost $7 million to build. A building that could be repaired and maintained and continue to be a jewel for the village, the library and the Mahoning Valley.

You also stated that we didn’t have a rebuttal for the library report. I thought our members presented a strong case to retain the current location. Did you bother to listen to them?

Part of me would very much like to cancel my subscription to The Vindicator. Another part of me continues to find value in newspapers. At this time, I don’t know which side will win.

CAROL McCOY

Poland

Poland Library fight is far from over

DEAR EDITOR:

Your editorial comment stating that members of the Poland Save Your Library group are “misguided and bordering on unhealthy” is both insulting and inaccurate. Much of the information in your editorial reads as if it was provided by the library.

Furthermore, we have been told that trustees on the library board were not even informed of the proposed relocation site until the board went into executive session. This would have prevented them from researching the proposed site. We are aware of several issues of the site that make it a poor choice.

On April 29 over 200 county residents filled the library board meeting room beyond capacity to show their desire to keep our library in its present location. Their presence and their voices were ignored by all but three of the board.

The vote has been taken but the final outcome is far from being over.

DAVE and JOAN SMITH

Poland

Due diligence done on Poland Library

DEAR EDITOR:

I am a resident of Poland Township. I am writing this letter to vocalize something I’ve been feeling after attending meetings and reading about the progress/planning of the choice between renovating or relocating the Poland Library.

Something I heard repeated by multiple speakers, politicians, committee members and residents is that they haven’t heard from anyone that they want the library to be relocated and that the Library Board is not listening to the concerns of the residents it serves. I wanted to speak to that — the idea that someone would reach out and ask for such a change.

I, and others who I imagine feel the same, would never say I wanted to see the library relocated; but that I want what’s best for the library and our local community. After reading and listening to all the research and investigation done, I felt that the Board had done its due diligence and took as much into account as possible. It seemed to me that there was a lot of conspiratorial and political anger directed at the Board for this hard decision they had to make.

I am sad that the current location will no longer house the library, and I hope to see that it can be saved and used as a focal point of the village for years to come. I very much understand and sympathise with those who wanted to “Save The Library.” However I believe, from all the information presented, that the board has made the correct decision. The Library is more than a building, and their job is not to save historical buildings, but to provide access and services to all those who wish to use it. I hope that the new location can better serve the community and that the historical location on Main can also be preserved and made into something new.

I felt that I needed to say this as I heard a lot of anger and ire for the Board and library system itself. I feel disheartened to hear threats to withhold tax levies and zoning permitting. I feel it disingenuous to say that all of the local residents were opposed to this action because no one came forward to say they wish for the library to be moved. I feel disillusioned by proceedings and that no local political leader or dignitary came forward to have a genuine discussion with people’s feelings on this matter.

SAMUEL DeCESARE

Poland Township

Library board made right call on Poland

DEAR EDITOR:

I attended the April 29 PLYMC board meeting to show my support for the library board, no matter which decision they made regarding the Poland Public Library building.

One phrase that was used a number of times was “do the right thing.” As an ordained minister in the ELCA who has worked with numerous congregations which need to make hard decisions, I have learned that phrase usually means “do what I want.” I wonder how many people left that meeting supporting the decision by the board because it was the right thing to do?

I regret not signing up to speak, because I would have noted that not everyone in that room supported renovating the current building for use as a library. Of those who did speak, I didn’t hear anyone address whether the current building was the best we could do for the library. I heard a lot of emotion and sentimentality but few facts. I also heard veiled threats regarding future support for PLYMC.

I left when the board went into executive session, so I was not there for the final action taken. However, I applaud the board for reviewing all the information before them and making the hard decision to relocate.

As I mentioned in a previous letter, I do not have the emotional attachment to the building that longtime residents do. I would urge those who are emotionally attached to take a step back and ask what a better use for the current library building would be.

JULIANNE D. SMITH

Poland

Just a thought on the chickens in Champion

DEAR EDITOR:

I grew up in rural northern Indiana. Around 1968 my sister won a Muscovy duck in a catch a greased pig contest. (A story for another time!)

As we lived in town and our grandmother had a farm, we took the duck to live on grandma’s farm.

Well, the duck kept relieving itself on the sidewalk leading into the house.

Grandma warned us and warned that the duck needed to stop.

We didn’t listen to Grandma.

Well, one day Grandma invited all the Grandkids for dinner. Roast duck was served.

Just food for thought

MIKE FLAUGHER

Hubbard

Judge’s drug court helps those in need

DEAR EDITOR:

A recent article regarding those running for Judge Durkin’s Common Pleas Court position discussed the Common Pleas Drug Court. Having worked in many treatment and specialty courts, I can appreciate the dedication and helpfulness these courts have on individuals, families and the community.

Judge Durkin’s Common Pleas Drug Court has served 1,600 participants, with a recidivism rate of just 9%. Not only is this impressive, but it is also astoundingly admirable.

I have never seen statistics from any for-profit or nonprofit drug treatment center publish their recidivism rates. I suspect that their rates are nowhere near the drug court’s rate.

Judges like Durkin, Sweeney, Douglas and Milich gave or give so much to help those in need. They are heroes to those they serve and those who work with them.

I wish Judge Durkin a happy retirement and thank him for going above and beyond his duties as a judge to help make our world a better and safer place.

ALAN J. NELIS SR.

Youngstown

On the train wreck and Trump’s tariffs

DEAR EDITOR:

I am still waiting for two checks. The first stems from the unsafe, hazardous toxic smoke from the train derailment affecting those who lived within a 20-mile radius of East Palestine, Ohio. The New York law firm representing the train accident case notified me by mail, asking whether I still lived within the 20-mile radius of the accident. I replied by mail confirming that I still live in Edinburg, Pa.

Second, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Republican Trump administration’s tariffs were illegal. Businesses large and small, as well as consumers, should receive a rebate, as groceries, utilities and gasoline — which surpassed $4 per gallon — skyrocketed before Trump’s second term and his chosen military conflict with Iran in 2026.

Why does America have jobs that American workers won’t do, and what happens to employers who hire undocumented workers for those jobs?

DAVID P. GAIBIS SR.

Edinburg, Pa.

Antifa: What it is and why it’s much needed

DEAR EDITOR:

First, a definition — Fascism: “A far-right, authoritarian and ultranationalist political ideology characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition and subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation or race. Emerging in early 20th-century Europe, it promotes national rebirth and often aligns with powerful business interests. Fascism also promotes a ‘leader cult’ and a belief in natural social hierarchy.” (Britannica) In this case, “natural social hierarchy” means white nationalism /supremacy.

Outside of Germany’s Hitler, Italy’s Mussolini, China’s Xi Jinping, Hungary’s Orban — now gone after a 14-year autocratic reign — Russia’s Putin, etc., just to mention a few current dictators. So, where do we stand on our own turf, here in America? Does anyone come to mind that fully completes that definition of fascist? Well, none other than 45 / 47, our very own unhinged president. He fulfills all the criteria exemplifying fascism and then some, especially those reflecting his malignant narcissism.

So, what does the term “Antifa” mean, and who might be the adherents of such a concept? Short for anti-fascist, it represents a loose, leaderless affiliation of left-wing activists. Lacking a centralized organization, Antifa cells tend to form organically, both online and offline. Its activists, in the case of our own country, are seriously opposed to Trump and his dictatorial oligarchy — those individuals currently holding political control and power over what should be an otherwise functioning constitutional government.

As such, the typical antifascist would be anyone dissatisfied with 47’s administrative lackeys — those that are draining the lifeblood from our Constitution. Antifa is not a terrorist group, as our unhinged “leader” would like the country to believe. Rather, it consists of individuals calling upon their fellow citizens to read the above definition of fascism and to conclude whether our executive branch in Washington fulfills the criteria. The sooner Trump and his sycophantic allies leave office, the better off all Americans will be.

TERRY CROGAN

Boardman

Religion and politics just don’t mix

DEAR EDITOR:

I’m sure many of you have noticed after a good rain, the globs and bubbles of oil or gasoline floating on puddles on the street or had to really shake that salad dressing before applying it. We all know that certain items don’t mix well. Water and oil, gasoline and fire, bleach and household cleaners, and for you, fashion-minded individual, black and brown or navy-colored attire.

There are, in my opinion, two items that truly don’t mix and should not be used together when one is seeking or requesting your vote or support for an elected, governing position.

Matter of fact, this separation is supported by our Constitution in the First Amendment via the clause that states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The separation of church, aka “religion,” prevents the government, or an elected official, from favoring one religion over another.

Fully understanding the separation, it bothered me when — and I’m sure many of you saw the recent AI-generated image of the president as the “healing power,” as God.

It was removed, and the explanation was that it was depicting a doctor, but we all saw and knew the intention.

I was then shocked and surprised, and I’ll admit it was a “C’mon, man” moment when I saw a local candidate running for judge with a poster showing him and in the background an image of “Jesus.”

I’m guessing he believes that he has the support of “Jesus,” and all of those who recognize the power, the beauty of “Jesus” should, rather must, support and vote for him, or, well, you know what can happen when you go against the Lord’s wishes.

Not only do I believe this type of action is used to manipulate, control or avoid accountability, but it is also simply wrong, an act of insulting, mocking and showing irreverence for God and any sacred entities, and I believe it is on the verge of blasphemy.

Run on your merits, run on your position and run on your past accomplishments, but leave your religious beliefs or your attempt to bring “Jesus” into the campaign out of it.

God bless America.

JOHN P. LESEGANICH

Canfield

I love reading the funnies

DEAR EDITOR:

When I opened today’s Vindy, I honestly thought I had opened to the funny pages. The first thing I noticed was where Ramaswamy wants to slash property taxes. Then Rulli, the do-nothing congressman, leads in funding.

Further inside, Trump bets tax cuts will please voters. Another article claimed Canfield Township plans a speeding crackdown. Simple observations — no taxes? Goodbye public schools and districts that are getting devastated by vouchers. Rulli leading in raising finances — for a guy who does nothing for Mahoning County and the Valley. And crackdown on speeding near and in Canfield — that is the norm going anywhere near Canfield. I do hate speeders!

The joke is again on us and the state of Ohio.

HAROLD WILSON

Austintown