County voters hash out political views

Ideastream hosts roundtable discussion at Sunrise Inn in Warren

WARREN -- The city is where the remnants of an industrial boom still line the streets, but Wednesday it became the focal point for a deeper conversation about politics.

In a town shaped by industry and the resilience that follows its decline, Amy Eddings of Ideastream Public Media hosted A Slice of Politics, a roundtable that aimed to amplify the concerns of a community facing uncertain times.

"The more I looked into Warren, the more it resonated with a lot of the stories of Northeast Ohio -- former manufacturing hub, declining population, declining jobs, city that's trying to reinvent itself, that is revitalizing its downtown," Eddings said.

At Warren's Sunrise Inn, Eddings gathered a group of voters for a candid and respectful Wednesday afternoon exchange about the upcoming November election.

The panel included Riley DeCavitch, 27, of Niles, a manufacturing worker, who identifies as an independent but leans left politically.

"I started out very conservative in high school, then leaned libertarian, but over time, my views shifted more to the left," DeCavitch said. She also mentioned the influence of her upbringing in a politically neutral household.

Julie Stout, 49, is a self-identified communist and she touched on the challenges of living in a politically divided household.

"My dad's a Republican, and my mom's a Democrat. I live with my dad, surrounded by Trump signs, and it's embarrassing sometimes, but it's my life," she said with a laugh.

Pastor Paul Ringold, 46, of Warren, an independent truck driver and pastor at Shalom Church of God, emphasized his frustration with both parties, but said he identifies more with conservative values.

"I'm a common-sense Republican. I don't just follow party lines. I look at what's best for my family, my community, and my church," he explained.

Meanwhile, Marwan Ali, 41, of Howland, is a real estate professional with Republican leanings.

"I was raised in a liberal, Democratic household, but over time, after joining the military and getting older, I started leaning more conservative. I had to make my own choices," he said.

After trading pleasantries over slices of Brier Hill pizza, the group had a discussion that reflected a shared desire for civility amid the partisan tension of today's political climate.

Ringold, though a registered Republican, expressed a preference for honesty and straightforwardness in leadership.

"I'm tired of all the rhetoric. We need someone who can just get the job done without all the noise," he said.

Stout, despite her Marxist ideology, noted the strategic necessity of voting Democrat in a two-party system.

"I vote Democrat most of the time because, let's face it, there aren't many communist candidates on the ballot. But sometimes I've even voted Republican in the primaries," she said.

A major concern for all, the economy, shifted the focus of the conversation. As an independent trucker, Ringold outlined the immediate impact of inflation on his trucking business.

"My fuel bill averages $1,000 a week, and my insurance just went from $1,600 to $2,200. It's hard to make ends meet," he said.

He also mentioned how insurance companies have taken advantage of the situation. "You really have to shop around. You can't just accept the first rate they give you," he said.

Ali expressed concerns about the real estate market and talked about how high interest rates are keeping potential buyers on standby, making it difficult for Realtors to sell homes and earn a paycheck. He noted that many clients are waiting for rates to drop before purchasing homes.

Additionally, out-of-state investors have been taking advantage of the market, making cash offers and further complicating things for local buyers. He likened the situation to the 2008 market, where investors were waiting for the right moment to swoop in.

Ali also discussed the impact of the pandemic, explaining how it limited housing inventory despite expectations of more homes being available. He pointed out that many properties in rundown areas are being listed with minimal effort because sellers know they will sell quickly. Ali takes extra care to research these homes to ensure his clients are well-informed and protected in the current market.

Stout, a former food service worker, shared her reality of being pushed out of the economy.

"I used to work at Taco Bell, making $12 an hour. Now, I'm unemployed, and my boyfriend, who used to make $17 an hour, is down to $11. We're struggling to keep food on the table, and we have to rely on food banks for groceries," she said.

The problems are only compounding for the Niles native.

"Our refrigerator isn't even working, and we're asking for non-perishable food items to get by," Stout said.

She also discussed the growing need for support, saying, "You drive around town, and you see long lines outside of churches, people just waiting for food."

DeCavitch, who recently changed jobs for better pay and insurance, shared her frustrations. "I loved my old job, but it was a small business with no insurance or benefits. My fiancee lost her government-assisted insurance after COVID, so I had to find a new job that provided coverage." She continued, "Now, I'm driving over 40 minutes to work, when I used to live just 15 minutes away. We're also trying to save for a down payment on a house, but it's tough."

The panel touched on controversial topics like tariffs and price gouging, with Ringold supporting tariffs to protect local jobs.

"I believe tariffs are necessary to keep jobs in the country. When Trump imposed tariffs, we saw a direct benefit in our area, especially in the steel industry," he said.

Ali also added, "I think people don't understand that as prices go up, wages should go up too. It's just common sense. If insurance, gas, and groceries are more expensive, why are we still paying people $12 an hour?"

Stout and DeCavitch had a different perspective, criticizing tariffs for hurting consumers. "Tariffs don't fix the problem if we don't invest in our infrastructure," DeCavitch said. "We don't even have the ability to make steel here anymore, so all we're doing is paying more for imported goods." Stout agreed, adding, "We know that the last time that Trump fooled around with tariffs, it hurt our economy really bad, and hurt the world economy."

As the conversation veered into local politics, the panel discussed the dysfunction within Trumbull County's government.

"We've had the same people in office for too long," Ali said. "I think the staleness is a bit of a problem. I think it would be nice to get a younger generation in, but it's getting them to run. One of the problems is the amount of younger people who are trying to get out of this area."

DeCavitch also said, "A lot of the main people who vote are the older generation, especially in local politics. We need to start teaching this in schools or talking to young people about how local government works."

Stout voiced her frustration with long-serving officials, saying, "I see the same names on the ballot, and they've done nothing to help people like me. Why should I vote for them again?"

The discussion ended on a hopeful note, with panelists reflecting on what they had learned from each other.

"I'm just glad we could have a civil conversation about these tough topics," Ali said. "It shows that even though we have different beliefs, we can still come together and talk things through."

"It was great to meet everyone and hear different perspectives. That's what democracy is all about," Ringold said.

Stout said she found the conversation enlightening, despite her earlier skepticism. "I never thought I'd sit at a table with a pastor and a real estate agent and have such an engaging conversation, but here we are."

"We might not have all the answers, but at least we're talking. That's the first step toward making a change," DeCavitch said.