×

Orchids and Onions

l ORCHID: To participants in this week’s local International Day of Peace Celebration and Walk. Dozens turned out for the walk at Kent State University’s Trumbull campus to help foster peace on earth.

l ONION: To whomever took the time and trouble to compose and mail a fake letter to members of the Trumbull County Agricultural Society in an apparent attempt to sabotage last week’s election of new board members. The letter failed to accomplish its devious goal, but did cost fair board officers hours of wasted time explaining to angry members who received the fake letter. The election eventually took place successfully.

l ORCHID: To the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, or ASAP, and all those who assisted and participated in Wednesday’s drug take-back event in Trumbull County. Events like this help rid the community of unused and unneeded prescription medication and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

l ONION: To Keith Urso, formerly of Warren, for seeking early prison release because he thinks the 10-year sentence he got after his 15th drunken driving conviction is unfair. One of those charges stemmed from a 1982 case where a woman was killed and numerous others were injured. A federal judge disagreed with his argument.

l ORCHID: To the Bolindale Christian Church and Trumbull Business College for reaching out to needy members of the community to share important information on scholarships, grants and programs to help fund post-secondary education. As representatives put it, getting an education may help change outlooks and change lives.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

ORCHID: To all those who volunteered and attended the Fourth Annual Gala at the Kinsman House in Warren. More than 250 people attended the event this week to raise funds for the historic building that also houses the Warren Heritage Center.

ORCHID: To Brookfield School officials, who this week sought community input during the first of two community collaboration discussions. Only about 10 parents attended the meeting, but we are pleased to see the forum specifically seeking ideas on academics, finances, technology and more.

ONION: To Ohio Edison for improperly raising the electric rates of Dave Shaffer, who operates a small business out of his Leavittsburg home. The utility has acknowledged the amount of electricity used by the business was “incidental” and returned it to the original residential rate – but only after Shaffer put on a personal protest and got the media involved.

ORCHID: To Lordstown School officials for making a big deal out of Constitution Day Thursday because, well, it is a big deal! The school district invited speakers to discuss constitutional issues at a school assembly and offered voter registration for students who will be age 18 by Nov. 3, all in an effort to teach the importance of voting in a Democratic society.

ORCHID: To Champion Fire Chief John Hickey, recognized recently by the state for obtaining $500,000 in grants for the fire department in recent years.

ORCHID: To Western Reserve Building and Construction Trades Council President Don Crane for his role in promoting donations by the building trades workers and rallying them to donate time and skills to help others. Crane, council president for 12 years, was recently named Ohio director of the Regional Council of Carpenters.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

ORCHID: To all those involved in the smooth transition that merged the Warren 911 dispatch center with that of Trumbull County. There were no major hiccups, all those workers who wanted to transfer jobs were welcomed, and the result will include a significant cost savings for the taxpayers.

ORCHID: To Warren Township police for their handling of an incident last week in which an elderly man suffering mental health issues intended to engage police in a gun battle so he could die. Police handled the matter delicately, and no one was injured. Appropriately, the man was taken to the hospital for help, and police did not expect to charge him.

ORCHID: To the YWCA of Warren as it prepares to mark its 100th year anniversary. The Y has evolved greatly through the decades, but continues to meet many different needs of the community.

ORCHID: To Warren G. Harding graduate and former Ohio State football standout Maurice Clarett for turning his life around and sharing his message with anyone who will listen. After getting in trouble and serving prison time for robbery, Clarett now is hoping to positively impact the lives of others. This week he spoke in Columbus in support of state-led suicide prevention efforts.

ONION: To the callers who again reported threats at area schools last week. What was gained by this? In Warren, students were returned to school after a building search. And in Niles, all students now have the added inconvenience of carrying books without the aid of book bags.

ORCHID: To all those who took time this week to organize or take part in a remembrance of the victims and heroes who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We must never forget.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

ORCHID: To donors and members of the Lordstown SCOPE Center who recently made and presented 40 hand-made hats to cancer patients at St. Joseph Cancer Care in Warren. Ten members of SCOPE used yarn donated by the family of Sarah Kingsbury.

ORCHID: To members of the Warren Junior Women’s League and the Rosemary Flanagan Foundation for their efforts in raising awareness in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by placing teal-colored ribbons around Warren’s Courthouse Square Park this week.

ONION: To Holly Kahn-Webber of Niles, who improperly received nearly $100,000 in state assistance of income, food and medical benefits between 2007 and 2013. According to prosecutors, she signed documents twice a year claiming to have no income, which was not true. People like this, who bilk the system, are taking funds away from those who really need help.

ORCHID: To the planners of this week’s Lakeview Band Night. At the end, more than 700 musicians were on the field playing an awesome patriotic song that brought the fans to their feet. We are blessed with such talent in our area. (Submitted by a reader)

ORCHID: Also to planners and high school bands that participated in all the many band nights that have been held around the area this season. What a great way to showcase their talents and hard work as we head into the fall football season.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today