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Letters to the Editor

Mayor and public works chief in Youngstown should resign over handling of Realty Tower explosion

DEAR EDITOR: The May 22, 2025, Vindicator article where the National Transportation Safety Board suggests the gas company attempt to shut off the gas fell short is wrong: Dominion Gas followed proper procedure in locking out a pressurized gas line taken out of service. The picture in the paper shows a yellow circle around the key lock pin on the gas valve. This key lock pin can only be installed when the gas valve is closed. The key lock pin on the valve means the gas line is pressurized: PERIOD! During 1981, I visited the many basements and boiler rooms in the downtown area to meet ...

Sound off!

Total federal revenue for fiscal year 2025 is projected to be a record $5.2 trillion, with expenditures of $7 trillion. So we do not have a revenue problem. Members of both parties need to do what Americans across the country do and spend less than you make. So we can begin paying off the $37 trillion national debt. A debt for which we are paying a trillion dollars a year just in interest. — Austintown The U.S. House of Representatives just passed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” — a slapdash, trillion-dollar monstrosity that no one read and no one can defend. It slashes ...

McGuffey Reader can help today’s kids

DEAR EDITOR: Youngstown and Ohio face a persistent literacy challenge, with only 35% of fourth graders reading at grade level, and worse results among eighth graders. While new mandates focus on the “Science of Reading,” we should also consider proven methods from the past — specifically, the McGuffey Reader. Created by William Holmes McGuffey, a former Ohio University president, these readers shaped generations of literate, thoughtful and morally grounded citizens. For over a century, they formed the backbone of American education, selling over 120 million copies and teaching ...

Time for class: Driving 101

DEAR EDITOR: Summertime, more of sharing the roadways, time for a “Driving 101 Refresher.” Let’s begin with the roadway itself, its design, and more importantly, its markings. • Pavement Markings: Lines, arrows, symbols guide the drivers on lane usage, where to turn, go straight, or stop. Most ignored marking is the solid, thick strip informing drivers where to stop at an intersection. Turning lane stopping distance from the intersection is a little further back than the straight lane. The reason. Providing enough room for the driver turning into your roadway. We’ve all ...

Envisioning a healthier Youngstown

DEAR EDITOR: Youngstown faces a critical challenge to its future: limited longevity due to widespread chronic diseases. In Mahoning County, high rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity shorten lives and strain families, healthcare systems, and our local economy. Many residents lack access to affordable health resources, such as preventive screenings or nutritious food, which are essential for healthy aging. These barriers diminish quality of life and hinder Youngstown’s potential as a vibrant, thriving community. Without action, we risk leaving future generations with the same ...

Those in long-term care need support

DEAR EDITOR: May was Older Americans Month, a time to recognize and honor the contributions of our older citizens. This is also a time to reflect on how we can better support and protect them — especially the most vulnerable among us who live in long-term care facilities. One invaluable resource many Ohioans may not be familiar with is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at Direction Home of Eastern Ohio. The word “ombudsman” may sound unfamiliar, but the mission is clear: Ombudsmen are advocates for residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings. ...