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Orchids & onions

Editorials

ORCHID: To Jennifer Blomstrom of Boardman for her potentially life-saving gift of a kidney to longtime friend and Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree. Loree, who was diagnosed about two decades ago with polycystic kidney disease and today has only 18% normal kidney function, posted a lighthearted request on Facebook recently: “If anybody has an extra kidney laying around, let me know.” Sure enough, Blomstrom, who was born with a third kidney, quickly responded that she did have that extra one and would gladly donate it to Loree. Transplant surgery is scheduled for June 30. We ...

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Letters to the Editor

Again almost a full column in the Sunday Vindicator penned by a writer from Canfield preaching to all how the sky is falling, what politicians should say and how to run their campaigns. With all that wisdom one would think he would pick an office, run a campaign and get elected so he could change the world. There is more than one political view, and most people figure it out and keep it to themselves. TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) is real. — Salem War-time gas prices: Who said, “What goes up must come down”? Thank you, Donald Trump. — Hubbard Each Saturday when I read ...

Infighting among Trumbull Republicans on full display

David Skolnick

The dysfunction, discord, disharmony and division plaguing the Trumbull County Republican Party was on full display during its recent reorganizational meeting. Practically every person who spoke at the meeting either addressed the infighting that splits its members into two factions or got into arguments over it. But, at least for now, the faction led by Denny Malloy, who lost reelection in the Republican primary for his county commissioner seat, and political consultant Regina McManus controls the party as their candidates, most of them running unopposed, were elected to officer ...

Red Cross ramps up collection efforts as summer arrives

Editorials

There’s a lot to be cheerful about, as the end of the school year, warmer weather and the arrival of the travel/vacation season have most people in more chipper moods. But for some, summertime coincides with the “100 deadliest days,” the period from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day during which there is a dramatic increase in serious incidents such as car accidents, ATV crashes, sports-related injuries and other summertime activities. Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Ohio Valley called it “trauma season.” Meanwhile, Kesselring ...

Medicaid reform needs a scalpel, not a sledgehammer

Editorials

Ohio’s Medicaid system needs reform. Taxpayers deserve accountability and providers should be held to high standards. Fraud, waste, and abuse should be identified and eliminated wherever they exist. But if Ohio is serious about reducing Medicaid spending over the long term, policymakers must be careful not to confuse costs with investments. Many of the services currently under scrutiny are not driving future expenditures, they are preventing them. Home- and community-based services help older adults and individuals with significant disabilities remain in their homes instead of ...

Transparency in JobsOhio can only help

Editorials

King Bureaucracy and its robe of red tape aren’t exactly the model for how to get things done effectively and efficiently. But state government agencies are bound to operate transparently enough that Ohioans can SEE what they would like to improve. JobsOhio brags on its own website that it operates in the shadows, using public money. “We’re private, which means less red tape,” the agency tells prospective development partners. “We ensure your confidentiality and safeguard you from unexpected setbacks.” Given such a message, combined with JobsOhio’s mixed-at-best ...