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Letters to the Editor

Union representation can help the underpaid

DEAR EDITOR: The Pennsylvania Republicans want to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $11 in 2028. For a 40-hour work week, that would be $22,880 a year before all required deductions. It tells me that greedy employers are paying employees $11 per hour now or a smidgen more in our 2025 economy. The Pennsylvania Republicans say $11 per hour is a “good start.” Can the Pennsylvania Republicans show consumers where all the “starter stores” are located? All American workers need to unite and organize, and join any American labor union. It’s your only path into the ...

Why shouldn’t priests be allowed to marry?

DEAR EDITOR: In 1984 I wrote this letter to the Catholic Exponent. I found it to be prophetic. An article “Priest shortage helps spur growth of lay ministries” may lead readers to think that the priest shortage does not have detrimental consequences on parish life. One must consider that the enrollment in seminaries has dropped two-thirds from 1964 to 1984. One priest of every three priests under the age of 50 during this same period has resigned to marry. (In my 1975 ordination class of 10 men, only one continues to be a priest. Five have died. Two left to marry. Two were expelled ...

Sound off!

Trump continues to channel Neville Chamberlain by appeasing Putin. As 47 couldn’t meet his “I will end the war in one day” promise, he’s moving to a piecemeal giveaway of what is not his to give. Domestically, he must have been distracted as he restarted his anti-voting machine rant. Probably missed his Newsmax friends paying up their $64 million fine for libeling a manufacturer of those machines when he lost in 2020. When you mislead or lie a lot, it’s tough keeping track of the fact checks on your deception. — Canfield It is sad that we have a president so shallow that ...

Don’t let health care tax credits expire

DEAR EDITOR: As a proud Republican, a lifelong Ohioan and an active member of my local Chamber of Commerce, I was proud to see Congress pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It was a major win for small business owners, working families and rural communities. But that win could be short-lived if Congress doesn’t act soon to renew critical health care tax credits set to expire at the end of this year. These premium tax credits (PTCs) help millions of Americans afford health insurance on the individual market. That includes self-employed folks, farmers, gig workers and folks who work ...

Libraries are more than just book lenders

DEAR EDITOR: I am troubled by some comments I’ve heard regarding the purpose of public libraries. There seems to be a perception that libraries should only lend out books. Once upon a time that might have been true. However, as our culture has changed, so has the needs of the public. When my daughters were young we checked out movies and magazines, as well as books. They had friends who were able to “hang out” at the library instead of going home to empty houses after school. A friend of mine who had moved and was still waiting for the moving truck to arrive was able to check ...

Lynn Maro must back words with actions

DEAR EDITOR: Reading WKBN’s news feed this evening, Lynn Maro, Mahoning County prosecutor, went on record, in her words, “There cannot be this Wild West on the streets ...” regarding uncooperative victims and witnesses. She needs to back her words up with action. Every day I read WKBN and The Vindicator, and it’s always the same. A plea bargain was reached for repeat violent offenders (i.e., felon in possession of firearms, felonious assault, etc.) Stop. Just stop, prosecutor, it is YOUR office that has made the corrections system a revolving door, yet your office ...