Is Ohio your paradise lost?

July 9, 2013

Most locals who hate living in Ohio are deceiving themselves. The psychological roots of their deception, like the roots of a weed, run about as deep as Eden and can only be dug out with persistent personal effort.The profound truth is that most human beings, in our base state of nature, are very fickle creatures; that's why we need an otherworldly anchor (faith) to transcend this problem. But have no fear in letting go of worldly anchors; true contentment is much more than a mere consolation prize for giving up on Carolina or California dreaming.How many times have you finally gained ...

Second Amendment key to Bill of Rights

June 28, 2013

Many people would assume that an instructor for a concealed carry class would be ex-military or law enforcement, and lots of them are. There is an instructor here in Trumbull County, however, who doesn't fit that mold.I recently took my concealed carry class at Eagle Creek Conservation Club from Pam Karousis. Pam's other job is nail tech; she owns Nail Designs in Cortland.So how did a nail tech end up becoming a shooting instructor?Pam shared her story with those of us who took her class.She had been shopping at JC Penney's at the Eastwood Mall. Her car had been parked close to the ...

Local festival season is upon us

June 21, 2013

June is almost over, and that means that the Trumbull County festival season is swinging into high gear. There have been several festivals in June, but it seems that July and August are peak time for churches, civic organizations and counties to hold their celebrations.I would be remiss if it did not mention our own great Trumbull County Fair that runs from July 9 through 14. This is a fair not to be missed for the many attractions and events it offers. There will be music (on the 12th Savannah Jack as well as a great girl group, the Redhead Express) and activities ranging from 4H ...

An unjustice that stinks

June 18, 2013

I recently met Barbara Glaspell of Cortland. She is a sweet grandmotherly lady, but in the eyes of the law, she is a criminal. She has committed the heinous crime of failing to connect to a private sewer extension as required by law.You may remember her story that was in the Tribune Chronicle a few months ago.In September 2011, Ms. Glaspell was notified that her neighbor had installed a sewer line within 200 feet of her house. She was now required by law to connect into that line and pay more than $16,000 to do so.Ms. Glaspell is unable to afford that cost, and so is at risk of being ...

Education system out of control

June 14, 2013

Just who controls the educational system in our country?Most people would answer that we taxpayers do. But do we really?Do you know anyone who thinks a youngster who brings a Lego gun the size of a quarter to school should be suspended? Or how about a day called ''gender bender'' when 5- and 6-year-old children are instructed to come to school dressed as the opposite sex? How about teaching children about Islam, but prohibiting the mention of Christianity?I could go on to cite one crazy idea after another that seems to permeate our school systems. One has to ask, is our educational ...

Audit should be next for Sunshine

June 11, 2013

It isn't often that I agree with the Trumbull County commissioners, but I am glad to hear that they have called for an audit of Sunshine of Warren Trumbull Area Inc.I am somewhat dismayed, however, that Warren Law Director Greg Hicks does not believe that an audit of a government-created corporation taking government funds is legal. This is at best unclear, so why not just ask for an audit by State Auditor David Yost to get his opinion?I am also disappointed that some on Warren City Council are satisfied with the limited information that Sunshine Director Anthony Iannucci has provided. ...