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Letters to the Editor

Congress must fight for Dept. of Education

DEAR EDITOR: Donald Trump’s executive order to abolish the Department of Education — a direct attack on students, teachers and families — is illegal. Congress created the Department of Education; only Congress can eliminate it. But because Congress hasn’t stood up to Trump, critical programs that serve 50 million students will end — all so billionaires can keep getting massive tax breaks. That means: crowded classrooms where kids don’t get the attention they need; slashed funding for special education, leaving students with disabilities without essential services; fewer ...

Disrespect will have some consequences

DEAR EDITOR: I attended the April 7 town hall that U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli deemed a “pathetic spectacle.” The standing room-only event was evidence of this congressional district’s desire to be heard and acknowledged by their government officials. It is alarming that my representative has been unwilling to host a public forum to listen to the concerns of his constituents. What is unforgivable is the sarcastic and dismissive tone in which Mr. Rulli declined the invitation to attend that town hall. As a registered Democrat, I conduct due diligence on candidates and issues and ...

Why did West Branch move on from coach?

DEAR EDITOR: Reading the sports story on West Branch letting coach Walt DeShields go, and “wanting to go in a different direction,” after all of the success he has had was quite upsetting. My background in coaching at the high school, and college level almost spans 30 years. Not living up to expectations, or lapses in judgment makes it necessary to be let go, that is not the case here. Coach DeShields is really good at what he does, that is a fact, the truth. He has a long list of positive impacts in the West Branch community, and throughout the state of Ohio. Sometimes when there ...

Rulli is shirking his elected responsibilities

DEAR EDITOR: I suppose it’s somewhat fair for your editorial to point out that Rep. Rulli took the bait by replying to an invite to appear to the Walz event in Youngstown. His reply was pathetic indeed. But there is more to it than that. Those of us who want him to hold a town hall meeting with constituents are seeking to understand something more than GOP actions that are creating economic havoc, destroying savings or treating U.S. citizens with deportation actions. He’s avoiding having these events because he knows that what is happening is unpopular. His written responses are ...

NOAA plays a critical role in Ohio

DEAR EDITOR: I’m sure readers recall some of the most recent and devastating extreme weather events that have impacted our community, such as the tornado that tore through Route 82 and the Turnpike in April of last year. I remember getting a weather alert on my phone and rushing out of class to call my parents to make sure they were safe. The National Weather Service (NWS) has already confirmed 11 tornadoes in the state in 2025 so far. Tornadoes form quickly and are incredibly destructive; we’ve all seen pictures of overturned cars, destroyed homes, and telephone poles torn out of ...

Take down American energy roadblocks

DEAR EDITOR: Energy isn’t just about keeping the lights on — it’s about national security, economic strength and global leadership. Here in Ohio, our oil and gas industry has powered American prosperity and helped keep our allies secure. But Washington’s bad policies are holding us back. The past administration’s restrictions on oil and gas production, including a freeze on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals, have made energy more expensive. Europe turned to American LNG when it needed to break free from Russian gas — yet now, bureaucratic red tape continues ...