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Letters to the Editor

Social safety nets: Where’s the baby?

DEAR EDITOR: One of the most contentious subjects, somewhat aligned with politics, is the term “social safety nets.” Whether the term is a proper definition of the various assistance programs is arguable, but for now, we will stick with it and apply the acronym, SSN. Currently, there are over 80 federally and state-funded SSNs. Such funding is taxpayer money, thus the division of support. No industrious individual wants a portion of their hard-earned money going to someone else — someone they don’t know, someone who they may see does not deserve it, someone who they feel ...

Vote ‘YES’ on Issue 2, a renewal for MCBDD

DEAR EDITOR: As the mother of a 19-year-old son with multiple disabilities, I know how critical the right support system is — not just for the child, but for the entire family. My son Ryan attends Leonard Kirtz School, where he receives not only an education, but dignity, independence and connection thanks to the caring staff. The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services that change lives. More than 600 children have already benefited from early intervention programs that begin at birth, and support does not stop there. MCBDD extends care into ...

A child named Evan shall lead you

DEAR EDITOR: This story is worth sharing. After church this morning, a little boy and his mother wanted to speak to me. The little boy, Evan, handed me a $20 bill. He wanted to give our Save Our Library group the money to help keep our library in its current location. His mother explained that he comes to the library every week and cannot understand why it would ever be moved. I thanked Evan for sharing his money with us and assured him that we could buy three more signs because of him. Out of the mouths of babes … Thank you, Evan! JOAN C. SMITH Poland

Recognizing rights of those in long-term care

DEAR EDITOR: Every October, communities across the country recognize National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month, honoring the 1.3 million individuals who live in nursing homes, assisted living, and other residential care settings, while raising awareness of the rights that protect them. This observance serves as a reminder that residents deserve more than basic care. Under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Law, residents are guaranteed rights that uphold dignity, choice, and a meaningful quality of life — rights that do not diminish with age. In celebration of this ...

Trump and Hegseth serve citizens poorly

DEAR EDITOR: Just like Pete Hegseth, I too am a retired active duty Air Force Major. Hearing Hegseth talk to those summoned military leaders in the most condescending and demeaning manner sickened me to my core. With his words he unravels order and discipline, the hallmarks of military strength. He invites disgruntled members to disobey their superiors when they disagree with a lawful order. He invites open hostility toward minorities and women. When he proposed that there be no rules of engagement, I gasped. When he used the vulgar FAFO expression, I realized the military has a ...

Sound off!

A recent Sound Off writer complained that the proposed legislation to reduce property taxes for homeowners was unfair to nonhomeowners. That person stated that they purposely didn’t own a home so as.to not pay taxes. If so — unless that individual is homeless — they’d be paying rent to some landlord. If that landlord were decent, the property-tax reduction amount should be reflected in the rent. Here’s a suggestion: get a job, pay taxes, get the reduction. Maybe it’s time to dump the Dumpster. — Hubbard Trump has declared war on Americans. It’s what he calls “the ...