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Hovis is best choice in race for commissioner
DEAR EDITOR:
I am writing to share my firsthand experience working with Trumbull County commissioner candidate Michael J. Hovis. I have worked alongside Michael for more than 20 years, including approximately 10 years at the Bazetta Township Police Department, where he served first as my sergeant and later as chief of police.
During that time, I witnessed Michael's ability to identify challenges, develop practical solutions, manage resources and work effectively with employees, elected officials, other departments, and community members. Under his leadership, we accomplished significant operational and financial goals while maintaining a strong focus on serving Bazetta Township residents.
Michael consistently worked to build community trust and find creative ways to address local needs. Among the initiatives and accomplishments I witnessed were:
• Senior Watch Program -- Created with the Fire Department to provide additional support for senior citizens.
• Vacation and Business Spot-Check Programs -- Provided added security for residents and businesses.
• Year-Round Drug Take-Back Program -- Gave residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted medications.
• 12-Hour Shifts- As Police Union President, Michael helped implement a schedule providing 32 additional hours of full-time staffing without overtime, saving more than $80,000.
• Township Impound Lot -- Created a revenue-generating operation that helped offset the annual cost of a new police cruiser
• Safe Exchange Space -- Established a video-monitored location for online transactions and custody exchanges.
• Equipment and Records Programs -- Developed planned equipment replacement and oversaw the scanning and archiving of more than 50 years of records.
• Army Corps of Engineers Grant -- Secured funding that allowed lake-area patrols and brought approximately$7,000 annually to the department.
• Mobile Data Units -- Obtained a $5,650 grant for the department's first cruiser\-based mobile data units.
• Ohio Collaborative Standards -- Helped make the department the first in Trumbull and Mahoning counties certified under these community police standards.
• Forfeiture Funds -- Helped secure approximately $198,000 in forfeiture funds following a drug-ring investigation and convictions.
These experiences gave me firsthand insight into Michael's leadership, financial management, policy development, labor relations, and union negotiations. I also saw his ability to listen, consider different perspectives, and develop practical solutions while remaining mindful of taxpayers and limited public resources.
I believe these qualities and experiences are directly relevant to the responsibilities of a county commissioner. My support is based not simply on knowing Michael personally, but on more than two decades of working alongside him and witnessing his leadership and decision-making firsthand.
DEANNA LONGO
Bazetta Township
Vote Democrat to ensure brighter future
DEAR EDITOR:
The control of both the executive and legislative branches by the current Republican administration and Congress has accelerated a deeply concerning decline in our nation's foundational systems and global standing.
The relentless focus on deregulating major industries has dismantled decades of critical environmental protections, accelerating habitat destruction and leaving public health vulnerable to industrial pollution.
Economic policies favoring tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy have worsened wealth inequality, putting an unsustainable financial strain on the middle and working classes while ballooning our national debt.
The administration's isolationist foreign policy and erratic approach to international diplomacy have severely damaged our relationships with our global allies.
By retreating from international agreements, this administration has created a dangerous leadership vacuum on the world stage, allowing adversaries to expand their influence unchecked.
We urgently need a return to balanced governance that prioritizes long-term economic equity, environmental stewardship, and responsible global leadership.
Let's choose leaders who will defend our democracy and build a country that works for all of us, not just a few. Let's choose leaders who listen, who serve with integrity, and who will fight for the issues that matter: affordable health care, good jobs, strong public schools, climate action, and protecting our fundamental rights.
I encourage everyone to vote Democratic in this year's elections. Let's move our country forward with hope, with unity, and with a commitment for justice and opportunity for all.
Our future is in our hands. Let's make it a brighter one, together.
BECKY CONNERS
Niles
Stars and Stripes interference must stop
DEAR EDITOR:
It is my understanding that the Stars and Stripes operates within the Department of Defense but is editorially separate from it, and that the United States Congress safeguards its First Amendment protections. Why then are President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth interfering with the newspaper and its staff?
I believe it began in April 2026 with the removal of Jacquelyn Smith as the newspaper's ombudsman, who serves the readers' interests. More recently, three staff members were reportedly fired for insubordination -- for what? Telling the truth. Is nothing sacred to this government?
For years, I have trusted the Stars and Stripes as a reliable source of information. Soldiers have long depended on its independent reporting, and in a war zone, they need honest journalism, not propaganda. The paper has earned a strong reputation for keeping service members and their families informed and connected.
I first read the paper while stationed in Germany, often in places with little access to international news. It helped us understand what was happening in the world. Until I served in Vietnam, I took that access for granted. As part of a helicopter company, my crew and I usually had what we needed. The relatively secure camps that protected the helicopters gave us access to newspapers and mail. Foot soldiers in the field had few such comforts.
As the "newspaper boy," I collected copies of the Stars and Stripes and delivered them to the infantry soldiers during our supply runs. You can't imagine the smiles on their faces when they received those papers.
Now, it appears our government wants to control the narrative. I also worry because Defense Secretary Hegseth is attempting to eliminate its cartoons. Comic strips relieve stress, ease anxiety, and boost morale. Military humor has always belonged in this newspaper. World War II and Vietnam-era newspapers had memorable characters. How many veterans remember Nguyen Charlie? Have our leaders lost their sense of humor?
The Stars and Stripes needs to stay independent as it has for many years. Contact your politicos and tell them to leave the Stars and Stripes alone.
JOHN A. TROTOGOTT
Cortland
Catholic churches cartoon crossed line
DEAR EDITOR:
As someone who is relatively new to the Mahoning Valley, I look forward to reading The Vindicator daily. It has enabled me to know and appreciate our community. Likewise, I understand and appreciate freedom of opinion and expression. However, the editorial cartoon published for Saturday-Sunday, August 29-30, depicting tombstones for local churches, crossed over from social commentary into a deeply painful mischaracterization of our faith communities. These churches were sacred places where generations of families worshipped and celebrated their faith. They remain forever special in the hearts and minds of the faithful, and to reduce them to a symbol of death is most distressing. The living Church does not lie beneath a gravestone -- we remain alive and welcoming. Newly merged parishes have given life and vitality to this area, and this year welcomed more new people into the Church than they had since 2014.
I frequently remind our priests and parishioners that we must live in reality, and our reality includes shifting demographics, financial constraints and painful consolidations that may force the difficult decision to close a specific building. Such decisions do indeed engender grief and a profound sense of loss. Even more profound, however, is the inspiring and enlivening spirit of our clergy, vowed religious men and women, and our faithful who daily persevere in faith, hope, and love.
We have much to be grateful for in our past, and we have even more to look forward to in our future. Rear-view mirrors are important for driving, but they are always smaller than the front window. We are hopeful about where we are headed and confident that the best is yet to be. Our faith encourages our belief, "That All May Be One."
MOST REVEREND
DAVID J. BONNAR
Bishop of Youngstown
People are finally waking up to Trump
DEAR EDITOR:
Trump wants Greenland, Canada, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Venezuela, ( yes capturing Maduro was all about oil and not drugs) and to sell off parts, large acreage, of OUR national parks for both mining and developments, and I wouldn't bet against him being the recipient of money in these deals. He also thinks that renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario to America will actually catch on with both Americans and Canadians. Every day is something new to either whine about or claim is the best that only he can accomplish because he is the "best," Well, at "best,", he is a felon duping the world, the world that has finally started to catch onto him. But, please hurry.
These are deflections from his inability to control the outcome of this war as he just might not win this war, and he doesn't deal with losing ... ever. Most people know he is in the Epstein files, AND most people have a pretty darn good idea of his involvement. We know he is a felon and a crook, taking money hand over fist from Americans. He has failed to keep any promises to lower prices on just about every facet of American lives. He has failed Ukraine, and has watched while Gaza is left with nothing but rubble, leaving Palestinians with…well, basically, nothing. The number of lives lost in these wars is staggering, lives sitting on his shoulders, his decisions.
I think one of the worst parts of this presidency, and there are so many 'worst parts', is the number of deaths on his watch. He lied that only felons among the immigrants would be deported. Th e abuse these immigrants endure in these detention centers is appalling. And, this is our country abusing thousands of innocent people and entire families that have been 'captured, some already deported to unknown destinations, unknown futures, with thousands still in detention centers, separated families, and from their children. Children are the saddest victims. Children, as young as five were in court recently to answer if they wanted to self-deport. Children who were to answer yes or no to a judge, children who didn't understand the process, had no attorney. CHILDREN! There are almost 7000 children in detention centers. Who does this to children? Is anyone comforting these children; they will most likely suffer this trauma for life … if they live through it. Who would have thought our country would have come to this, a bully, bullying children, incapable of fighting back. Who can be so uncaring about human life, so trivial and evil as to not care, who just moves to the next deflection to try to control the next mess he has made, this same mess he will blame on someone else. Of course, he has had plenty of help, actually a lot from Hegseth, Miller, Vaught, et al. They planned ahead for this very situation.
There was a survey years ago that asked how many people thought they would make it to heaven. 70% answered yes. I really hope it is true. On the other hand I believe there is a very very warm place with an open door waiting for those who have contributed to this desecration of humanity, this casual horrific loss of human life.
On a positive note, if more people were as kind and good and caring as Dolly Parton, our world might be a nicer place. Rest in peace, Dolly.
JEANNE McDERMOTT
Liberty