Letters to the editor
Protein, protein, protein … just stop
DEAR EDITOR:
Most fads are stupid, not the least of which is the excess consumption of unnecessary protein, and this fad has gone on long enough. Everywhere I turn protein this protein that, stop stop stop with this ridiculous protein craze. I am no scientist or dietitian (so they tell me) but my reliable instincts told me the average American overconsumes protein and this was demonstrably true per studies by Harvard and Johns Hopkins by 20-50 percent; so now, in case my unimpeachable instincts were not sufficient evidence for my argument, there you have it.
Let me say I am no arbiter of health; I enjoy tiramisu more than the next guy, but what I am the arbiter of is observation. I have encountered fast food restaurants with signs indicative of “healthy protein” plastered all over them, and I guess it attracts people for some reason. Eat a blessed egg and you’ll be OK. Seriously, some eggs, a piece of chicken, chickpeas, it is not hard to adequately consume protein; it really isn’t. There is absolutely no need for a high-protein hot chocolate, a product I did see in real life that almost sent me into a conniption. Who needs to be convinced to have one of the world’s most pleasant and enjoyable beverages? Not I.
Get out of here with your stupid protein in everything. Even protein bars themselves exist in a far too expansive market. I’m not entirely opposed to them but the amount of redundancy out there is unbelievable. I mean who is eating these bars of charcoal and sand? What we need to be eating is fiber; I know I do. A good prune keeps that peristalsis in order, something I too am guilty of neglecting. Please just eat some lentils and prunes — enough with this protein skullduggery.
JEREMY SANFREY
New Waterford
Casey’s Law is on the books for a reason
DEAR EDITOR:
I have an adult daughter who has been down the road of addiction. In fact there was a “Giving Thanks” article by Renee Fox in the November 2015 Thanksgiving Day Tribune Chronicle. As a parent, the article was to give credit to the EMTs and St. Elizabeth Hospital in bringing her back to life after numerous doses of Narcan.
This sad story didn’t end there. Jessica has become homeless and has had serious probation violations. I came upon a story of a mother in Kentucky that had an adult son addicted to heroin. This mother had no leverage to help her son until it was too late. After he died she brought forth in front of the courts to bring a law that would help parents/loved ones to prove that their adult loved one needed court-ordered rehab/mental health.
Casey’s Law is now a law in Ohio. However, it seems that the Trumbull County courts are not educated on Casey’s Law. I learned that you need to start with Probate Court. But when I did go to Trumbull County Probate Court they did not know about Casey’s Law. Really? Instead of the courts educating themselves, it has fallen on deafened ears.
Everyone just turns their shoulders instead of addressing the obvious law. I need help for my daughter. I want the local courts to be aware and apply Casey’s Law. If I can’t get help in Trumbull County, I will pursue every avenue to hopefully save my daughter. This letter is to help others in this situation.
LINDA DANN
Cortland
Trump is throwing our money away
DEAR EDITOR:
Donald Trump is now throwing the criminality of this administration right smack into our faces. Along with his insider trading, making over a billion personally already while occupying the White House, blowing gobs of money on absolute junk and gilded crap not only in the White House but around the DC area, (he can use all of the gold he wants, it does not breed culture) building monuments to himself with our money, and his pictures on DC buildings.
Trump is blatantly stealing money claiming he and his family and his criminal “‘friends” are owed for grievances. He wants one billion for the ‘extras’ in the White House, (remember this was to cost a $200 million dollar donation from pals) and NOW has had the audacity to claim money to pay for the ‘weaponization’ fund, to actually pay criminals for being criminals! Any criminal loyal to him in any way could get paid just for being a criminal! Do his voters not see the absolute horrifying criminality? Where are their blinders? Are they waiting to get on this payroll?
Every day is a new mess and he hasn’t “decided” in his words what he will do with his war. We are in a serious war with serious threats coming from Iran. Maybe bomb them, maybe not. Attack Cuba, maybe not. He seems not to know what is going on other than he wants what he wants. Well, I am sure a lot of Americans would also like some “extras,” but money is scarce for so many and Trump simply does not care. He is spending money like a drunken sailor on what he wants, not what we need, and needs should “trump” wants, all day.
JEANNE McDERMOTT
Liberty
Exit Graphite One, enter Titanium Valley
DEAR EDITOR:
Our Mahoning Valley should be disappointed because Graphite One is not going to construct a $1.4 billion complex in Weathersfield Township to process graphite for use in electric vehicles, etc.
However, the great news is that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that there is no “Brownfield Legacy,” requiring expensive clean-up. This site is as “shovel ready” as a “Greenfield” never-developed site.
This site is large enough to have held 88 buildings for Graphite One, and should become a multiple-occupant industrial park: acquired, financed, built, and managed by the Western Reserve Port Authority (WRPA.)
Contact our Regional Chamber of Commerce to conduct targeted marketing effort for this site to companies who manufacture products from titanium.
The Titanium Institute, has a directory of companies making products from titanium.
Literally down the road from the Graphite One site is Howmet Aerospace. They produce pure titanium and titanium alloys from titanium tetrachloride (aka “titanium sponge”) that is made from titanium oxide ore.
Between Howmet Aerospace and the Graphite One site are hundreds more acres of Industrially-Zoned, undeveloped “Greenfield” sites, with railroad access. Those hundreds of acres should also become a large, productive industrial park: acquired, financed, built, and managed by the WRPA.
Our Regional Chamber staff should confer with the extremely capable management of Howmet about who their customers are, and enlist their help in attracting their customers here, to Howmet Aerospace’s neighborhood.
Howmet’s customers would benefit from extremely lowered in-bound transportation costs at this Weathersfield site. Howmet would benefit by bringing their customers here, where they are not likely to stray away to Howmet’s competition.
There are only a few facilities like this producing pure titanium on our planet, and we have one in our Mahoning Valley.
Although we have this unique resource, we have not developed the secondary industries to process this raw material into finished products the way that our basic steel attracted steel fabrication plants and automobile production.
We offer everything needed to dominate the titanium industry east of the Mississippi River:
• An inventory of vacant industrial buildings and buildable sites,
• Extensive railroad and truck routes,
• A supply chain of industrial vendors with materials and equipment.
• An industrially trained workforce, with workforce training facilities.
The potential of the titanium industry as a driving economic force in our communities should prove to be as important as steel, aluminum, copper and other basic metals already have.
This is what I envisioned when I wrote my Tribune Chronicle column titled: “Time to build ‘Titanium Valley'” that was published by the Tribune on Sept. 29, 2011.
JAMES J. PIRKO
Youngstown
Trump’s rise and fall mirrors Ozymandias
DEAR EDITOR:
I recoil from the daily barrage of Trump’s self-aggrandizement — the ballroom, the arch, the Kennedy Center, the dollar bill, the passports, etc. Yet, I do find myself remembering a sonnet published by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1818.
I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said, “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone”
Stand in the desert… Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
How prescient this poem is for today! As it was for other power-hungry and arrogant rulers who found themselves without the legacy they so craved. It brings me comfort to know that someday we will be able to celebrate the demise of Trump’s regime and removal of the trappings of his hubris.
KATHY JULIANO
Medina
Supreme Court guts another piece of VRA
DEAR EDITOR:
The Supreme Court recently gutted another major piece of the Voting Rights Act, the civil rights law’s guarantee that communities of color have the right to fair congressional districts where they can elect a candidate of their choice. It’s allowing politicians to gerrymander people of color into silence.
Over the past two decades, the Voting Rights Act has gone from near-unanimous bipartisan support to the main target for politicians who don’t want to defend their policy decisions to voters — and Supreme Court justices willing to do their dirty work.
By the letter of the law, this case should have been a clear win for the pro-voter side. But the Court has abandoned its duty to enforce the Voting Rights Act — or defend basic civil rights.
This ruling will embolden those who prefer dictatorship to democracy. It must be a wake-up call that we can’t take a free and fair 2026 election for granted. So, we must demand that Congress pass new voting rights legislation. If neither the court nor our elected lawmakers will defend our rights, then it’s up to the rest of us to ensure power remains with We the People. Thankfully, Americans are rising up to do that.
CHARLOTTE ONDERICK
Stow
Letters to the editor
The South will rise again thanks to gerrymandering
DEAR EDITOR:
With the help of the Jim Crow cancers, racist Ku Klux Klan and a Republican Bush-Trump Supreme Court decision that gutted the American Voting Rights Act, mass gerrymandering across the Southern states and no Democratic representation in the state of Tennessee, the Confederate states will rise again with white, black, Latino and Asian slaves — “America in reverse.”
The Republican multibillionaire Trump administration is a divider, not an American unifier.
Remember this when you vote in the 2026 midterms and the 2028 general elections to protect the freedoms of our American democracy.
DAVID P. GAIBIS SR.
Edinburg, Pa.
Is Trump’s grip on his base finally starting to slip?
DEAR EDITOR:
The media have focused lately on the Louisiana Republican Senate race in which Trump-endorsed candidate Julia Letlow received the most votes in the three-person contest.
Current Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump during impeachment hearings five years ago, came in third place and will not be eligible to run in their two-person runoff election, thereby losing his Senate seat. Trump loyalists see this as confirmation of Trump’s continuing influence and power over their party, but, quite to the contrary, the real takeaway from this election is the continuing erosion of Trump’s ability to intimidate and control the Republican electorate.
Because Letlow received only 45% of the vote, the fact is (not fake news) that 55% of the Republican voters in the deep red state of Louisiana DID NOT vote as Trump instructed them to, and half of those votes, 27%, went to the candidate who voted to impeach Trump. While this certainly doesn’t mean that any of those voters would vote for a Democrat, it does send a clear signal that more and more Republicans seem to be disillusioned about Trump’s competence as president. And if Republicans are tuning out Trump, are independent voters far behind?
So, despite Republicans’ presumptive celebrations, this election is a clear indicator that there is still hope for America; a hope that our beloved nation can someday, in the not too distant future, be restored and renewed by an administration with integrity, honesty and dedication to the hallowed principles our Founders envisioned 250 years ago.
THOMAS BRENT
Struthers
Who will stand up to help protect our immigrants?
DEAR EDITOR:
While researching the plight of the immigrants, I learned that their detention is a money-making business for private companies. I learned that much more money exchanged hands than was even required for the purchase by the government for the properties intended for detention centers.
It appears that the more immigrants fill the beds and the longer the stay, the more profits. Follow the money yet again.
Many of these law-abiding individuals were plucked off the streets, out of cars, or from their jobs, and some from their homes (one even taken from his shower which was later proven a mistake). Many of these folks are contributing members of a community.
In many cases, parents and children are being separated from each other — some children are in detention shelters and some placed in foster care.What kind of medical treatment is available in these facilities? What kind of food is being distributed? Are there any counselors available to address the trauma that the detained have experienced? Why are congressional oversight representatives, whose job it is to visit these facilities, being made to jump through so many hoops to get in to check on the conditions?
There have been reported deaths due to homicide and lack of medical treatment.
It feels as if out of sight, out of mind. The rest of us don’t need to worry as long as we have our families and homes and jobs.
The Bible states that we need to “bear one another’s burdens.” What action does that mean for us? We call Democratic leaders and sometimes their hands are tied. Republican leaders are there to do President Trump’s bidding. Voting in November is the key answer and hopefully voting interference does not deter sensible leaders from getting into office.
CAROL FRIEDMAN
Columbiana
Supreme Court has betrayed the American people
DEAR EDITOR:
Our leaders, whether elected or appointed, are entrusted to carry out the will of the people — not seize power, take bribes and rule over us.
But the MAGA justices on the Roberts court have once again betrayed the American people, destroying the Voting Rights Act in a bid to lock themselves into power.
With their latest decision, the Roberts court is handing MAGA politicians the power to prevent black and brown people’s votes from counting so that their billionaire backers can control the outcome of our elections and decide our futures for us.
This regime wants to keep specific groups from voting, and the billionaire-backed MAGA justices are doing its bidding with their latest decision.
But the many can defeat the money by speaking up and coming together across the country and demanding our state leaders, from governors to representatives, keep their hands off our vote and not gut the voting power of black and brown citizens.
SIAN PETZ
Mogadore
Republicans taking money from public schools
DEAR EDITOR:
Republicans are once again taking from public school funding in order to subsidize private charter schools in many of our states.
The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) will allow conservatives a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for those who donate to tax voucher institutions.
All 50 state constitutions mandate that public school funding cannot be used to create or support private schools. Our Ohio Constitution states in Article VI, Section 2: “The General Assembly shall make such provisions, by taxation, or otherwise, as, with the income arising from the school trust fund, will secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state; but no religious or other sect, or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this state.” That constitutional requirement has been a part of Ohio’s laws since 1851.
But Republicans began funding private schools with public school money way back in the early 1990s, becoming common with Republican Governor George Voinovich.
Then the next governor, Republican John Kasich, expanded the practice of raiding public school money. Proceeds from the Ohio Lottery were diverted from schools into a rainy day fund, which these days is absorbed into the general fund.
Most recently, Gov. MIke DeWine, another Republican, supports Senate Bill 292, the ECCA, which will distract voters from noticing the monies that our state and federal governments will cut. They are slashing funding for research, data collection, immigrant students including English instruction, social support health care, and programs to help disadvantaged students get into college. Trump also wants to cut up to $8.5 billion in additional federal cuts through eliminations or consolidations.
It’s just another way that the Republicans are commandeering our taxpayer dollars. The tax credits will fund not just curricula but also textbooks, computer services, tutoring and school supplies. The ECCA, because it is financial in nature, could pass as a reconciliation bill and would then require just a 51-vote majority. That’s fine with Republicans who don’t care what voters want. When you write to our senators and representatives, they reply how proud they are to serve us, but they ignore what we want and obey only Trump.
Former Sen, Sherrod Brown can defeat Jon Husted at the polls in November, and Maria Jukic will easily replace Rep. Dave Joyce. Voters of all parties are uniting to take Congress away from the Republicans, who view our tax money only as fodder for Trump’s pet projects like ballrooms and golden arches. They treat us as if we are not equal to them and we have no say in decisions. I’ve had enough of them, haven’t you?
LINDA COCUZZI RICHTER
Niles
We are not united enough as residents of Ohio
DEAR EDITOR:
I am writing to you today because as you are aware we just had the primary elections and soon November will be here, and we will be voting again on different issues that concern us Ohioans. Well, I have a big issue with how corporate America won’t allow citizens of the voting class to stand outside their business and collect signatures for a potential levy that I am working on.
The levy is Protecting Ohioans Constitutional Rights and currently we have a big problem in the state of Ohio with our legislators all the way down to police officers getting away with illegal things when they are sworn in to uphold the law.
What can we do to fire Ohioans up and get them angry enough to want change? For change we need laws changed, we need the Ohio Supreme Court to see that with enough signatures we are wanting this to be added to the ballot and people to vote on this matter. The state of Ohio requires well over 400,000 signatures for our government to even consider allowing this on the ballot come November, and the signatures need to be submitted by mid-July!
Ohio has the 44- county rule which requires us out of 88 counties signatures from at least 44. We have become a complacent society; it is easier to go with the crowd than it is to be a part of the resistance and stand up for what is right amongst ourselves. I am angry as an Ohioan, especially when I know this levy will make huge changes among our local governments, even our state government.
Holding authorities accountable for their actions should not have to be a law when they are sworn in to uphold the law and treat people with respect and dignity.
Far too many “persons of the law” are often excused for their actions under what we know as Qualified Immunity and that dear editor is just wrong!! Please submit my email for citizens to contact me to sign the “Protecting Ohioans Constitutional Rights” jessmed1202@gmail.com. I will gladly meet them to sign the sheet!! Trumbull County WE NEED YOU!
I hope you post this and if not I will keep writing until you do.
JESSICA NEWELL
Newton Falls
Letters to the editor
Public library board should review costs
DEAR EDITOR:
I’m finding it difficult to believe you gave an orchid to the Library Board Trustees for its decision to replace the Poland Library building. You stated that this was a fiscally responsible decision. This is in direct opposition to what you reported in your article on the library board meeting.
You reported that Ted Downie, a local contractor that has built many local business’ buildings and has an outstanding reputation, pointed out that the estimates for the repair of the existing buildings and constructing a new building were not “apples-to-apples.” After this input I would believe that the Board would have pursued a further clarification of the cost estimates using Mr. Downie’s construction expertise.
It appears that the Board already had their mind made up and did not want to obtain an accurate comparison of costs. This would lead me to think that there was, perhaps, an intentional spin on the estimated costs of each. However from the board and Director Aimee Fifarek’s point of view — ” It’s just money.”
GORDON WILLIAMS, CPA (ret.)
Canfield
Put Poland library’s future on Nov. ballot
DEAR EDITOR:
Would the Library Board be willing to postpone its plans to move the Poland library until the Save Our Library Committee considers whether or not to place the ” Save Our Library Initiative” on the November ballot under Article II Section 1a of the Ohio Constitution?
They already have exceeded the signature requirements and have created a petitioners committee, which should be enough foundation for putting an issue on the ballot.
That would allow all of the voters in Mahoning County to weigh in on whether or not the Poland Library on Main Street in Poland Village should be shut down and a new library be built on Denver Drive.
JOHN S. LUCHANSKY
Boardman
PLYMC board made the right decision
DEAR EDITOR:
I commend the PLYMC Board for voting 11-3 to relocate the county library, located in Poland.
As the facts, not emotions, were considered, it was clear that the long-term financial commitment to continually maintain the current structure was not in the best interest of the library system or taxpayers. The board included intelligent members with experienced backgrounds that were appropriate to make a carefully thought-out decision for long-term sustainability and best use of our tax dollars.
As a Mahoning County resident, it was clear that the residents of Poland who fought and will continue to argue for its current location considered this structure THEIR library and not one that every single homeowner in Mahoning County financially supports.
I’ll remind Valley residents of the debacle the Oak Hill Renaissance Place has become, with its failing structure and our county offices moving out left and right. The three Mahoning County commissioners in 2006 completely screwed county taxpayers with the purchase of the former Southside Medical Center, committing our tax dollars to spend tens of millions of dollars to “fix up” the building, only for it again, in 2026, to continue to be a money pit, underutilized, and such that no county office wishes to be in due to the failing structure.
THANK YOU to the PLYMC board for having the foresight to move the library to a better-suited location and build a structure that will best utilize county tax dollars appropriately well into the future.
ELAINE JACOBS
Canfield
New pharmaceuticals really good for us?
DEAR EDITOR:
You see a new one every week advertised on TV. Crazy trade names, treating all sorts of inflammatory and other chronic problems. I noticed that they all end in “-umab.” I wondered why the product name, which is usually in smaller print than the trade name, were so similar? So, I did a search, and came up with a PDF page giving the rules for naming new pharmaceuticals.
The “-umab” means human monoclonal antibodies. They can take part of an antibody and insert it into another. It’s called, CRISPR, which stands for “clustered interspaced short palindromic repeats.” It’s altering your genetic sequences to achieve a desired medical outcome. I’m fine with that; it’s hard to argue with successful treatments. But, there’s a rub. There always is.
These “parts” that are inserted into human antibodies are not always human. They can come from mice, the crab-eating Macaque monkey, or “other” nonhuman sources. All well and good, but did anyone check with Mother Nature first? They are usually injections, given monthly, and are often quite effective in controlling, but not curing the problems. After all, the pharmaceutical industry wants lifetime patients, not cured ones.
There are many, many of these “new” antibodies, with research increasing as we speak. After all, they already have your DNA if you submitted a cheek swab to see what your origins are. Big money here, and the research and development (R&D) is expensive, and must be recouped in the price of the product. Nobody knows yet what the long-term effects are, kind of like the COVID vaccines. See the current list here:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_therapeutic_monoclonal_antibodies)
]So, I guess time will tell. I’m glad I don’t have rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, or lupus. Because if I did, my doctor would be saying, “Let’s try this.” And in a couple of months or years I would have a sudden craving for bananas, or an unusual appetite for cheese!
DONALD ALLEN
Boardman
On safe water, gratis from the Man in Black
DEAR EDITOR:
There was a time when nature handed us spring water from the earth. It was pure, as nature intended.
The industrial age severely degraded drinking water. Rapid urbanization and industrial expansion meant sewage, factory waste and toxins were dumped directly in waterways.
It peaked in the 1970s, before major environmental regulations. Studies found dozens of chemicals in drinking water, leading to the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) to address systematic contamination.
The 2020 President Trump administration’s “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” significantly weakened the Clean Water Act (1972) by reducing federal protections.
Johnny Cash’s song, “Don’t Go Near the Water,” which addresses environmental pollution, was released in 1974.
Don’t go near the water, children.
See the fish all dead upon the shore.
Don’t go near the water,
‘Cause the water isn’t water anymore.
From the fountains in the mountains,
Comes the water running cool and clear and blue.
‘And it comes down from the hills,
And it goes down to the towns and passes through.
When it gets down to the cities,
Then the water turns into a dirty gray.
It’s poisoned and polluted,
By the people as it goes along its way.
Don’t go near the water, children.
See the fish all dead upon the shore.
Don’t go near the water,
‘Cause the water isn’t water anymore.
I took my boy fishin’ to my old favorite fishing hole.
I had caught many a fish out of that deep, clear water,
From the time I was a boy like him.
After we’d fished a few minutes
He said, “Did you get a bite yet, Daddy?”
I said, “I think I got a nibble, son.”
“Me too,” he said
Then he said, “Daddy if we catch a fish can we eat him?”
I said, “Well, there was a time, son.
This water’s bad now and I might not be safe to eat the fish
But there was a time…”
… Don’t go near the water children,
See the fish all dead upon the shore.
Don’t go near the water
‘Cause the water isn’t water anymore.
PAUL LAWSON
McDonald
Gerrymandering at work in Mahoning
DEAR EDITOR:
Recent 2026 Primary elections exposed some county residents to how gerrymandering operates, some of the 15 Congressional district lines were last redrawn on Oct. 31, 2025, to allow politicians to choose their voters and to prevent voters with the freedom to select politicians of their choice; some voters were silenced in Districts 6 and 14. Is this a democracy?
October 2025 redistricting resulted in a new map for the 2026 elections, which is designed to favor Republicans in 12-13 of the 15 seats, though the “legal” split should be closer to 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats. Is this a democracy?
By looking at new Congressional district lines compared to the previous map, one can plainly see what the attempt is, to split communities and to pack other communities with citizens identified by their party affiliations. The GOP is in power and have “supermajorities” in both Ohio houses (Senate and House) AND the governor’s seat, so much power in both houses they can override any governor veto. Is this a democracy?
A little brief history since 2011 when “Bunker” maps were drawn following the 2010 census, Ohio Republicans drew new congressional and state legislative maps in a private hotel room, referred to as “The Bunker” resulting in a 75% Republican share of congressional seats despite a near 50/50 vote split statewide. Is this a democracy?
Citizens initiated reforms and voters approved constitutional amendments in 2015 for state legislative maps and 2018 for congressional maps aimed at reducing gerrymandering and increasing bipartisan cooperation in the drawing process. This is a democracy!
Despite the voter-approved constitutional amendments, state politicians chose NOT to follow the will of the voters, the Ohio Supreme Court struck down Ohio’s legislative maps five times and congressional maps twice in 2021- 2022, ruling they were unconstitutionally partisan. Is this a democracy!
DENNIS WINGARD
Canfield
Kudos to election game changers
DEAR EDITOR:
I want to give a shout-out to the Republicans of Mahoning and Carroll counties who, with strong moral fortitude, forward thinking and courage, voted for David “Chip” Comstock for the 7th District Court of Appeals. Both counties placed Comstock as the winner. He was not the only winner in these two counties; so was every Republican who voted for him.
We are well engaged within the Republican Party in a measurable struggle between the MAGA America First agenda and the good-old-boy establishment RINOs. The old ranks are struggling to keep the status quo political power webs intact.
Political power secessionism has been a long-term game of political chess, moving the same players from one seat to another. Do we really have career politicians because we as voters just don’t want to let them go? Or is it the case that once these politicians have seized the seat of power, the “gatekeepers” won’t allow their power hold to be taken away?
This past primary also had a very interesting data point. Namely, throughout Ohio the Democrat ballot of choice was notably higher comparatively. The continued analysis of the results and findings of such an increase will be very telling.
As expected, the office of governor and down the ticket will be the highest focus of campaign activity and news cycles. Among them will be the 6th District Congressional seat.
The Columbiana County Candyman, aka the Dark Lord of Salem, tagged Rulli as the 2024 Republican candidate to be pushed forward, forcing out Republican Reggie Stoltzfus, a former Ohio House of Representatives member.
Rulli has presented himself with several challenging roadblocks of his own making within Mahoning County in particular. Rulli’s lack of luster as a representative of the people has been held under scrutiny, and that scrutiny is not without merit.
Given the projected enthusiasm of the Democrat Party, Rulli and the Candyman, aka the Dark Lord of Salem, as the self-secured “Gatekeeper,” will once again have to work their craft to hold the seat.
In November, Rulli again may win simply because he is carried by an “R.” The remaining term of President Donald J. Trump pivots greatly upon the Republicans holding the majority of the House of Representatives.
It is problematic that we are all too often left with a choice of holding our nose to vote for a candidate to ensure the greater good for our country going forward!
MARK GUY
East Palestine
Our port authority is a wise investment
DEAR EDITOR:
Our Western Reserve Port Authority (WRPA) has a vital role in our region’s economic development, receiving about $76,500,000, encompassing more than 46 grants. WRPA is managing 120 parcels, over 18 sites, with 51 parcels in Mahoning County and 69 in Trumbull County.
Major WRPA projects include the Kimberly-Clark site development in Trumbull County, as well as the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission project.
I have recommended to Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell that the 21-acre “Chill Can” industrial site should be turned over to WRPA for improvements and eventual sale.
WRPA is accomplishing something that I foresaw years ago.
During late 2007, I was assisting the Trumbull County Planning Commission’s Economic Development Committee as a volunteer on its Facilities, Infrastructure, and Real Estate Subcommittee.
We were discussing the need for an entity to build and manage industrial properties in order to attract industries to locate in Trumbull County. We saw a need for providing move-in-ready industrial buildings, even using a business incubator development model.
My solution was to put WRPA into the economic development business by using its statutory powers as a port authority. Other sophisticated communities (including New York City) had been using their port authorities to develop and construct major projects, like the World Trade Center in New York City.
Originally WRPA was established in 1992* to relieve the City of Youngstown’s sole responsibility of owning, managing and subsidizing our region’s YNG airport. Their focus was solely upon the YNG Airport.
On Dec. 12, 2007, I presented this proposal to the WRPA Board of Directors.
My message was that WRPA’s purpose is not just “for the airport” but also for every community in our two-county region.
One of the WRPA board members asked me whether I had the agreement of the county commissioners and mayors for this proposal. I replied “Not yet” because I wanted to show it to the WRPA Board first.
Then I took it to the commissioners of both counties, as well as to several mayors and to Congressman Tim Ryan’s office.
After about a week, I received a call from Steve Bowser at the YNG Airport thanking me and asking me to discontinue presenting this proposal. The WRPA Board would take it from there.
Fortunately, the copy that I had delivered to Congressman Tim Ryan’s office had been read by the congressman. He then advocated for this plan and saw to it that the WRPA implemented it.
The results that WRPA Executive Director Anthony Trevena and his team are producing are what I had envisioned in 2007.
• Vindicator April 18-19, 2026
JAMES J. PIRKO
Youngstown
Assassination attempt at WHCA Trump’s fault
DEAR EDITOR:
Instead of blaming the Democrats for having “no idea what motivated the shooter” at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, read the manifesto from the shooter and point out the real reasons for the action he took, and put the blame where it belongs — on Trump’s destruction of America.
DONNA NASSAR
Sharon, Pa.
Not voting tantamount to complicity
DEAR EDITOR:
The recent midterm primary election has left me utterly confounded. I am not an optimist whatsoever, but even I am surprised and disgusted by the lack of Democratic Party primary voters in this state.
It is reported that of registered Democrats in Ohio, roughly 20-25% voted when you break it down by county. Not only is the lack of voting reprehensible, but likewise is the lack of desire to be an educated voter. Our inability to give up 10 minutes of our time to exercise a sacred right is a slap in the face not only to our fellow citizens but also to those all around the world who are not fortunate to have such an important right that we evidently take for granted.
I would more specifically like to turn my attention to Democratic primary voters in the 6th Congressional District, which includes me. I constantly hear from my fellow Democrats how awful Michael Rulli is for our district and his refusal to participate in any semblance of engagement with his constituents, an opinion that I share immensely. Well, congratulations, Democrats, because you’ve just reelected him after this embarrassment of a primary election.
In addition to Rulli, rising prices, foreign wars, illegal actions from the executive branch, and general disdain and terror at our current government are constantly gnawing at all of us and our daily lives, and yet somehow that isn’t enough. Not enough for us as a collective to take the initiative to elect a congressional candidate who is most qualified, rooted in our community, smart, relentless and deserving of our vote.
Any Democrat who complains about Trump and Republicans but can’t take the time to vote, and has the ability to do so, is complicit in this desperate and most urgent situation our country is in and should be ashamed.
JEREMY SANFREY
New Waterford
Letters to the editor
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