Breaking News

Guest Columnists

R&D tax puts ‘Main Street’ in jeopardy

As members of MS Consultants, Inc. — an engineering, architectural and planning firm based in Ohio with projects throughout the USA — we’ve watched our work transform from blueprints to the essential infrastructure that powers our communities. But our work, like that of many other engineering firms across the country, is at risk thanks to a devastating tax change. Firms like ours play a vital role in setting the foundation for local development because we’re closely tied to the people and places where we work. We invest in our communities and have, in turn, seen them grow, ...

Business imitator must repay PPP loan

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to learn that the U.S. government provided a six-figure Paycheck Protection Program loan to a company in the United Arab Emirates, even though the company has no operations in Ohio. I guess none of us should be surprised that the U.S. government then forgave the loan. PPP loans were critical lifelines for companies that lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scores of Mahoning Valley companies are in business today because of the loans and the subsequent forgiveness for which many of them qualified. Unsurprisingly, in the rush to save ...

New YSU chief reflects on becoming a Penguin

Penguins are amazing. They’re agile and have excellent problem-solving skills. They’re active communicators, even using verbal and nonverbal cues in their conversations. And when dangerous winds blow that could divide their group, they take turns sheltering each other from the peril. No wonder Youngstown State University — where I’m about to start a new job as president — long ago adopted the penguin as its mascot. I spent over 26 years serving our country in the Air Force, nearly a decade as a successful small business owner and another 13 years in Congress. Whether ...

Newton Falls destiny is in citizens’ hands

Are Newton Falls’ best days in the past or yet to be realized? The power to shape the destiny of this quaint, picturesque town, located in southeast Trumbull County, lies with its citizens. For decades, primary indicators used to determine economic health of communities such as total population and percentage of owner-occupied homes have been declining in Newton Falls. Newton Falls’ population declined 18% from the 1970 peak of 5,378 residents to the 2020 U.S. Census population count of 4,557. Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau currently reports even though 91% of Newton ...

Johnson’s record worrisome for students at YSU

Congressman Bill Johnson becoming YSU’s next president has been a point of contention in the community. Frustration concerning the hiring of a politician, with highly polarizing political views, and absolutely no background in academia, is to be expected even if not unusual. Increasingly, ...

You should care about political pay legislation

As a Warren City Council member, I’m writing in reference to the planned referendum regarding the Nov. 8 council vote in favor of political pay raises. In general, I favor some small raises, particularly for city council members. However, the mayor currently makes almost three times more ...