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Letters to the Editor

Why are Mahoning Valley leaders letting MCP die?

DEAR EDITOR: My heart hurts, and I feel so depressed about the world and all that is happening. We have our beautiful deer being made a mockery of by the underground that runs the Mahoning Valley. We can’t do a thing; we are only the owners and taxpayers. Some politicians join our group with pretentious interest and fake caring until they win their position and move on. Then there are the judges, even ones brought in, and attorneys who didn’t know their witnesses at a hearing. They were supposed to be sworn in when giving their accounts and truths. Yet upon completion, their ...

Sound off!

Your 1/5/25 publishing of “Ohio congressional reaction”—all Republicans—to the Maduro kidnapping is interesting. It illuminates the gerrymandered, voter-suppressed electorate of Ohio. The four quoted, Husted, Moreno, Joyce and Rulli, are all in lock-step with the Fuehrer. At least our government’s historic penchant, since WWII, of clandestine regime changes, by force, in countries all around the world, is no longer happening behind closed doors. And it also confirms that the inmates are now running the insane asylum. — Boardman Trump is hoping for a win-win with his ...

Mill Creek Park is in dire need of new management

DEAR EDITOR: We read that numerous roads and trails in Mill Creek Park are to be closed for years, (yes, years!) in an extensive program aimed at stopping the alleged pollution of the creek and its three lakes. As a frequent park walker, I am not aware of a situation that would mandate a program of this massive scope. Mill Creek already carries the effluent from the Boardman Sewage Treatment Plant as well as the far from pristine discharges of streams flowing into it from the east, west and south. And it flows into a river of questionable quality. This would seem to be a huge ...

Many priests are becoming overwhelmed, overworked

DEAR EDITOR: Recently the pastor of our Roman Catholic parish in Boardman, St. Catherine of Siena, resigned. The word was that the parish responsibilities overwhelmed him. It is easy to understand how that might be. It wasn’t long ago that three priests were assigned to handle the parish duties for St. Charles as well as the neighboring parish St. Luke, which was also his assignment. I don’t think his case is an exception. I believe many priests today who are well-meaning and dedicated are faced with much stress, the feeling of being overwhelmed and burned out by the ...

Rethink behavioral health: the advantage of community

DEAR EDITOR: Mental health services empower wellness, inspire hope and support compassionate care that meets patients where they are. Historic barriers like stigma, fear of judgment and limited access once kept people from seeking mental and behavioral health treatment. Today, that reality is shifting. Increased awareness, education and advocacy have sparked cultural change, encouraging more individuals to prioritize mental well-being. In fact, nearly a quarter (23.9%) of U.S. adults received mental health treatment in 2023, and young adults have led the way, with treatment rates ...

Mike Watson brought joy to Valley children

DEAR EDITOR: For over 40 years there was a very selfless, kind and very merry Santa, who has left us with heavy hearts. We lost Mike Watson, who has been Santa Claus in our Valley every Christmas season, listening to over 2,000 children’s requests for Santa’s presents every year. Naturally, 100,000 children over the years were delighted to hear the ”Ho-Ho-Ho” of a Santa gone way too early — who made children’s hearts light up and whose presence felt so special as he shared their secret requests. A gentle man who has heard the requests of kids — who would hear a ...