DEAR EDITOR:

With the Nov. 4 election approaching, and the mid-terms coming next year, I hope the voters will choose the most qualified candidate. One who will work for all of us.

Does the mayor of Youngstown deserve another term? He talks about continuing the good work he’s done, he cheerleads his own talking points, but there’s no substance. The Realty Tower was destroyed, and he acts as if it had not existed, despite its historical significance. Talk to any business owner downtown who will say he is tone deaf and has blocked progress, not facilitated it. No, he doesn’t deserve another term, time for a new mayor.

Mahoning and Trumbull counties went down ballot for Republican candidates. We have now employed unqualified candidates. The Clerk of Courts is an important position that oversees court records, titles, and passports. Both counties have woefully inept men in charge of these departments. The Mahoning County recorder is clueless about his duties, thankfully he kept his opponent, Ms. Palermo, so that office remains efficient. Trumbull County isn’t so lucky, they elected a bankrupt nurse for recorder.

The state of Ohio and the Republicans continue to ignore the will of the people. This is supposed to be a democracy. Gerrymandering, women’s health and marijuana initiatives are not being implemented according to the ballot language that was overwhelmingly approved by the voters of Ohio. Our voting rights are also under attack.

The super-majority Republicans are busy hiding and denying the FirstEnergy bribery scandal, yet Ohio keeps electing those involved, why?

Federally, our representatives in the House and the Senate are so busy promoting, defending and rubber-stamping Trump’s agenda that we the people are ignored and abandoned. Elected officials are supposed to work for us, we employ them and pay their salaries. Please take time to make sure the candidate you vote for is qualified and is working for all of us. We are surrounded by politicians that have no interest in serving the public. Let’s change that and vote in our best interest.

JULAINE GILMARTIN

Canfield