Was there ever any doubt that the lackey-toads in the Republican Party would fall in line and do whatever their leader asked them to do? In this case it was a bill that sets our country back another $3.5 trillion. They had to buy Alaskan Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s vote with additional welfare programs for her state. I wonder if our senators gained anything for Ohio or will we just be used to pay for Alaska’s new welfare programs.

— Cortland

June 21, 2025, another date in infamy.

— Warren

To all the Sound Off writers who wrote about the parade for the 250th anniversary of the Army, do your research. This parade was first being planned under the Biden administration. It was to celebrate the Army, nothing else. If you can’t enjoy celebrating the Armed Services, maybe you have a problem — not the rest of us.

— Hubbard

I am interested in information on the 36% revenue that the city will receive from a marijuana dispensary. I am not concerned with one coming to the city; it does not affect me directly.

The revenue collected from the dispensary, speed cameras and the Ohio Lottery should be quite a considerable amount. My first thought is it may add a couple more police officers. Maybe some goes toward city workers to keep streets clean, animal control for stray cats, parks and recreation? I am really not sure. I do know Ohio Lottery is supposed to help fund schools, but yet how much does your local school get from your property tax (A LOT) just saying …. I would like to see some of the plans for extra income.

— Girard

The library in Youngstown says it can lose $500k in this year’s new state budget and it will affect everything, including Poland fix (fear-mongering). They have MILLIONS in the bank and a local property tax just renewed that generates MILLIONS yearly (the sky is falling). I love libraries and can’t help but feel they will survive just fine. ALL public entities NEED to learn to trim down NOW! The property tax amendment is not going away.

— Girard

Most Americans understand deporting immigrant CRIMINALS. What is not understood is not only deporting immigrants here for many years, many born here, working and contributing to society, but the horrific and vicious beatings they are receiving in the process. If you haven’t seen the video of the father of THREE U.S. military personnel, you must watch “our” government at work. Who are these men who are beating people senseless? It is inhumane and violent and a sad commentary on our country.

— Liberty

There would not have been a penalty harsh enough to have been given to the evil person who committed arson then lured firemen to the scene only to murder them! How could anyone even think of doing such a heinous act? Committing suicide was a coward’s way out of an inescapable fate. Good riddance.

— Warren

HEADLINE READERS BEWARE. They can be misleading. A judge did not “DONATE” (front page headline) or “CONTRIBUTE” (Orchids and Onions) $100,000. He transferred the money from one of his Court’s accounts to a different Court’s account where the money could be better utilized. He should be commended for this action, but not praised for a donation. The bigger question is how many dollars are left in the account and how many dollars do other courts have available that are not being utilized?

— Howland

What is wrong with people who abuse animals? If you can’t take care of a pet, don’t get one! There have been too many senseless cases of animal neglect that have resulted in deaths. The people responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law…and even beyond! There is no excuse for such atrocious behavior.

— Warren

If someone doesn’t get a hold of the Secretary of Defense’s ankles and get him pulled out of that crevasse (pronounced (kruhvas) soon, he may be too far in to ever get him out.

— Cortland

Talk to ANY elected official that’s been in a political position for more than 20 years. What do you hear? Belittling and demeaning of residents or they’re regurgitating stories about “past grudges” with surrounding townships. One such story was repeated in front of Kimberly-Clark reps. at a City Council meeting. Absolute embarrassment! No decorum. No professionalism. Signs of declining mental accuity. Been in office TOO long. Time for Term Limits.

— Warren

California Rep. Lateefah Simon (D) lashed out at GOP reps for quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Really? Perhaps it is time we examine who is really guilty of perpetrating and promoting racism and divisiveness.

— Warren

Do you ever remember a President of the United States using the F-word during an interview on television? I don’t. Well, Mr. Trump did (won’t even call him the president). How disgusting is that? He doesn’t deserve to be called the president.

— Champion

For 15 terrible years Dems just dealt with Trump’s awful lies about everything from Obama’s birth certificate, Mexican immigrant crime rates, his friendships with Epstein and Weinstein, because this was only America’s domestic dysfunctional system. However, when our sociopathic leader lies to global leaders about economics and geopolitical negotiations, we are doing permanent irreparable damage to our national standing in the world.

— Warren