DEAR EDITOR:

After getting a laugh out of Rick Muccio’s great “snow blower” cartoon Monday, I have to take a few minutes to make a long-overdue observation: The readers of The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle are beyond lucky to have a local cartoonist. Even one who is part-time, but especially one with Muccio’s talent.

Far larger papers are dropping their cartoonists because cartoonists cost money — and they sometimes ruffle feathers.

For the Mahoning Valley to have access to Muccio’s wit, artistry and insight on weekends and occasional weekdays — like Monday — shouldn’t be taken for granted.

It’s nice to be able to write a letter about something other than the challenges our nation faces and just say thanks to Rick Muccio and to the Tribune and Vindicator for making us think and making us smile in a way that few newspapers do these days.

DENNIS B. MANGAN

Howla