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Be sure to keep score as Election Day approaches
DEAR EDITOR:
I know there is not a lot of interest in midterm elections, but there should be.
I know it's hard to pay attention to what they say and what they don't say, which makes me have to read between the lines. Keeping score isn't easy either. It's harder than calling balls and strikes. Dad rule (I was right).
It seems to me there is more at stake in this midterm than most.
Trump knows construction: 1) pour the footer, let it cure; 2) Build the foundation 3 or 4 courses at a time. Let that cure; 3) Finish the foundation, then build the house.
As a country, we have gotten used to instant gratification. In the real world, you can't just flip a switch to change things for the better. I'm not an economist or played one on TV, but it seems to me more manufacturing jobs paying decent to good wages would be a good start. I'm so old I can remember this as the Steel Valley, not the Rust Belt!
I read all these people griping about data centers. I Googled the noise. A steady hum of cooling fans seems less annoying than a ghetto cruiser with a boom box thumping down the street, rattling windows.
About the water usage, according to Google, most have a closed cooling system like the radiator in your car, truck or SUV. If there is the option to use a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, don't use potable water.
About electric costs, I'm confused. They want to ban gas stoves and water heaters as they close power generation plants. I was talking to a friend a while back, and he told me the Sannts Plant on state Route 7 south of East Liverpool was not only closed but gone! If we make more electricity than we use, it will be more affordable! If we have more decent-to-good-paying manufacturing jobs, one income could buy a house, raise a family and have more than one car. I believe that was called the middle class.
In closing, if the Democrats and commies take the house, we won't need The Amazing Kreskin to guess what will happen; there will be endless, unfounded investigations and impeachments AGAIN!
I don't understand why they want to take the Senate when they say they want to abolish it. I guess they want to pack the Supreme Court before they abolish the President, Senate, and Court.
TIM VAN DYKE
Struthers
Youngstown native Amy Acton deserves our vote
DEAR EDITOR:
As a physician in Youngstown, I have always believed that where you come from matters. It shapes how you see your patients, your community and the responsibilities that come with being entrusted to care for others.
That is one reason Dr. Amy Acton's story resonates with me.
Amy Acton is a Youngstown native. She grew up in our community, attended Youngstown State University and went on to become a physician and public-health leader. Her career has taken her well beyond the Mahoning Valley, but the values that shaped her here--education, perseverance, service and concern for people who are struggling--remain central to the story she tells about her life and work.
As physicians, we learn quickly that medicine is about more than treating an illness. We have to listen. We have to look at the circumstances affecting a patient's health. We have to rely on evidence while recognizing the very real human beings behind the numbers. And, perhaps most importantly, we have to serve people from every walk of life.
Dr. Acton brought that perspective to her work as director of the Ohio Department of Health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohioans saw her regularly communicating complicated public-health information to families across the state. Whatever one's political views, there is value in having someone with a physician's and public-health professional's experience participate in the difficult conversations facing Ohio.
Here in Youngstown, we understand both the challenges and the resilience of Ohio communities. We know what happens when good jobs disappear, when families struggle to get access to health care, and when talented young people leave because they don't see enough opportunity to stay. We also know the strength that comes from neighbors looking out for one another.
That Youngstown perspective matters to me.
As voters consider the candidates for governor, I hope they will look beyond campaign slogans and examine each candidate's experience, record, priorities and vision for Ohio. Dr. Acton's life and career deserve that same careful consideration.
For me, there is something meaningful about seeing a physician and public-health professional who grew up in Youngstown step forward to serve Ohio. Our community has given a great deal to this state. It is encouraging to see one of our own bring the lessons of this place into the statewide conversation.
ALEXIS SMITH, DO
Poland
Ex-Prosecutor Paul Gains backs Kulewicz for Ohio AG
DEAR EDITOR:
For 26 years, while serving as Mahoning County Prosecutor, I dealt with people who thought the law was something they could break, bend, or buy their way around. I saw firsthand the effect on the community when politicians succumb to greed and believe they are above the law.
When politicians in Columbus let things slide, Ohio goes downhill fast. We recently saw that with the FirstEnergy debacle where the energy company paid corrupt politicians millions for its own benefit at taxpayer expense.
The Ohio attorney general is the highest law enforcement officer in the state. The Attorney general prosecutes cases ranging from public corruption to violent crimes to crimes committed against consumers. Honesty and a firm belief in the Rule of Law are essential traits of a successful Attorney general.
That's why I support John Kulewicz for Ohio attorney general.
Over the years, I have watched and worked with John. He has won at all levels of our court system for decades, including in the Supreme Court of the United States. That experience is not created overnight -- it's the result of decades of hard work.
And, of most importance, Attorney Kulewicz has the integrity and belief in the rule of law, which enables him to make the tough decisions to benefit the people of Ohio over special interests, even when those decisions make powerful people uncomfortable.
Our next attorney general must be someone willing to follow the facts and the law. Our next attorney general cannot allow special interests to influence his decisions. This job requires someone willing to treat all people the same, regardless of their wealth or political connections. John Kulewicz has the experience, legal knowledge, integrity and intestinal fortitude to put the interests of the people of the state of Ohio above all else.
John Kulewicz will deliver for the State of Ohio.
PAUL J. GAINS
Former Mahoning County Prosecutor
Youngstown
Why is so much money wasted on political ads?
DEAR EDITOR:
The insane amount of money being wasted on the negative campaign ads we've been forced to watch for weeks makes no sense whatsoever. Does anyone in their right mind honestly believe that an attack ad against Husted or Ramaswamy would convince a Republican to vote for a Democrat, or an attack ad against Acton or Brown would move a Democrat to vote for a Republican? We all know that's not going to happen; the divide between the parties is deep and impenetrable; Democrats will vote for Democrats and Republicans will vote for Republicans.
So perhaps those ads are supposed to influence independent swing voters. I doubt they do. The very idea that voters consider themselves "independent" means that they are fed up with crap like these ads from either party and are trying desperately to vote for a candidate with character and integrity; candidates who want to focus on socially relevant issues and policies rather than partisan politics and political ideologies. If even half of the slander and smears in these ads is true, these people shouldn't be running for office, they should be running for the border. Enough already!
THOMAS BRENT
Struthers
Job-killing emissions repeal a losing issue for Husted
DEAR EDITOR:
Ohio politicians should follow a simple rule when casting votes in Washington: If it's going to cost working-class Americans their jobs, the measure is not worth supporting.
Sen. Jon Husted could face a vote soon that falls along these lines regarding the use of a clean emissions technology in use at maritime ports. This technology is deployed to reduce the amount of toxic smoke discharged from massive shipping vessels, many of which are owned by China, and keep the air free of cancerous chemicals for dock workers and the surrounding communities.
There is an entire industry built around servicing this emissions technology, yet a proposal in Congress would effectively outlaw its use at ports across the country, including Ohio. That's going to eliminate the jobs created by this technology and send its workers, many of them blue collar, to the unemployment line. Simultaneously, eliminating the technology exposes the rest of a port's workforce to dangerous emissions, which risks making them sick and reducing productivity throughout the shipping industry.
In an election cycle defined by economic anxiety, Sen. Husted can't afford to attach himself to this job-killing repeal of clean emissions technology. If Sen. Husted wants to be viewed as having Ohio workers' backs on the campaign trail this fall, he must vote against the attack on this critical port technology.
JOHN MORROW
Liverpool Township
Donald Trump should play a baseball game on the moon
DEAR EDITOR:
I commend Major League Baseball Commissioner Bob Manfred for dropping the preposterous idea of holding a game in one of our pristine national parks! If the current occupant of the White House insists on pursuing this insane notion, I would suggest that he annex the moon, build a stadium there, put his name on it, and throw out the first pitch.
After all, one sport (golf) has already been played there, courtesy of Alan Shepard in 1971.
Given the moon's lower gravity and lack of atmosphere, batted balls would go farther, crowd noise (including boos!) would be eliminated, and the scenery would be "out of this world." Perhaps 47's trillionaire admirer Elon Musk and his SPACEX could be induced to pay for the transportation of both teams, the umpires, and the President's entourage.
I would humbly accept all credit should this modest suggestion ever materialize.
STEPHEN HANZELY
Poland
Our priorities need an adjustment in Mahoning
DEAR EDITOR:
So it's all anyone can talk about! Levies for schools and first responders? Property tax reform? Sales taxes? Income taxes, everyone loves those! How about setting up a "Safety Inspection" on Market Street, Mahoning Avenue or U.S. Route 224 and fining every car with burned-out lights or distracted drivers? The community would be rich in no time!
That a community would even consider saving money at the expense of quality healthcare and good schools is shocking! Cutting first responder response time in an area where obesity, smoking and fatty food consumption is rampant hinges on criminal!
As for Ramaswamy being already so in control of the state government that he can command a gas-tax suspension with a phone call is frightening. If he becomes governor, watch out! At least Acton would have a Republican-controlled state Legislature to keep her in check. Young people need to get out and vote because the old people don't seem to care anymore.
STEVE SOLAK
Youngstown
Vote for Heather Fronk for Ohio's 58th District rep
DEAR EDITOR:
I would like to introduce you to my friend Heather Fronk, Republican candidate for Ohio House District 58.
Heather has overcome domestic abuse at the hands of a spouse, fleeing with her young daughter. She understands the challenges many women face and has shown, through her strength and determination, that it is possible to rebuild one's life, remarry, raise a family, and flourish as a self-sustaining businesswoman. She operates Clothed in Strength and serves as a role model for survivors of domestic abuse.
Heather is a community advocate who believes in showing up, listening, and understanding what matters most to the people she hopes to represent. Her mantra is "People Before Politics." She continues to attend meetings in Columbus and is committed to being accessible and involved in the community. She believes that being a representative means being present, hearing from people, and working to understand their needs.
Heather has met with developers and contractors to promote economic development in the Valley. She advocates for public safety, protection of victims, a lower cost of living and a reduction in the gas tax.
In a world of Artificial Intelligence, fake news and a lack of transparency, HEATHER FRONK remains authentic. Regardless of party affiliation, Heather believes in putting people before politics and in fostering inclusivity.
For these reasons, I proudly support Heather Fronk for Ohio House District 58 and strongly encourage my fellow citizens to do the same on Election Day.
DONNA BOAK
Canfield
October is Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month
DEAR EDITOR:
October is National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month, a time to honor individuals living in long-term care facilities and to call attention to their rights.
Residents' Rights Month is an opportunity to highlight the rights and well-being of residents living in all long-term care facilities. It is an opportunity to focus on dignity, respect and quality of life experienced by each resident. The federal Nursing Home Reform Law guarantees these rights and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity, choice, and self-determination. The law also requires nursing homes to "promote and protect the rights of each resident." Residents' Rights Month is a time to raise awareness of these rights and celebrate residents.
Residents have the right to self-determination and to use their voice to make their own choices. This year's Residents' Rights Month theme, Join Us at the Table, highlights the central role that food, mealtime, and community play in residents' daily lives. Food is essential to residents' health, providing the nutrition and dietary requirements they rely on.
But its significance extends beyond that. Food is comfort, culture, identity, and connection -- a daily experience that shapes dignity and quality of life.
Celebrate and acknowledge these rights by participating in Residents' Rights Month events and calling on your elected officials, community members, and local facilities to show their support by attending or organizing activities.
During Residents' Rights Month, we recognize our local long-term care Ombudsman program staff and volunteers, who work daily to promote residents' rights, assist residents with complaints and provide information to those who need to find a long-term care facility. In this area, the Ombudsman program serves Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. The Ombudsman can be reached at 1-800-589-5826.
As Direction Home of Eastern Ohio celebrates Residents' Rights Month, I encourage community members to connect with those they know who live in long-term care facilities, participate in Residents' Rights Month events, or inquire about becoming a volunteer long-term care ombudsman. Your assistance and attention help to ensure that the voices of long-term care residents do not go unheard and demonstrates to residents that they have not been forgotten.
THERESA KNAPICK
Director, Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Direction Home of Eastern Ohio
Youngstown
What is Trump's problem with freedom of speech?
DEAR EDITOR:
I would like to quote from Judge Andrew P. Napolitano's recent article on threats to freedom of speech.
"The freedom of speech and of the press is not a gift bestowed by a president, Congress or a federal agency. It is a natural right of all persons. The First Amendment does not create that right; it prohibits the government from infringing upon it. The ability to think, speak, write, criticize, ridicule, persuade, offend, dissent and challenge those in government is among the most fundamental preconditions of the exercise of human liberty."
Why is the president infringing on our right of free speech?
CAROL FRIEDMAN
Columbiana