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Letters to the Editor

Bill Johnson’s fraudulent, odious YSU reign continues

DEAR EDITOR: In 2023 I wrote a letter questioning Bill Johnson’s fitness to be YSU’s president considering his support for the Jan. 6 insurrection, climate change denial, opposition to gay rights and celebration of immigration bans. He became YSU’s president. Trustee Michael Peterson stated, “Congressman Johnson is a strong, innovative, servant leader who we believe will be well positioned to guide the university as we take charge of our future.” How has Johnson fared? Not well. Johnson and the board recently approved 3-4% tuition increases for students at YSU. Johnson said ...

GOP’s new state budget is not good for Ohioans

DEAR EDITOR: An open letter to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine: Well, it’s time to finalize the budget. But, perhaps not! Since the Republican supermajority ignores the Constitution every chance it gets, why not do the same? Ignore the constitutional June 30 deadline and send the whole thing back to the Legislature! Novel, eh? You’d be off the hook for a while! But, seeing as that is not likely, and in lieu of simply saying the entire budget sucks and does NOTHING but continue to restrict EVERY aspect of Ohioans’ lives, I list my major concerns: • FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NOT A ...

Ohio has many advantages regarding affordability

DEAR EDITOR: Regarding the letter questioning Ohio affordability, I have several comments. After moving to Florida more than 40 years ago, we have returned. Why? The cost of living there was, and is, out of control. My property insurance in Fort Myers was over $ 15K a year. (If you can get it.) Add to that $2K for federal flood, a must. In Youngstown my insurance is about $1,500. Florida has no income tax and county taxes are low per house value, but provide few services. (Our street, with average house value of over $1 million, had no sidewalks, no fire hydrants, no sewer system. ...

Disturbing hypocrisy from the Republican Party

DEAR EDITOR: Does anyone else realize the disturbing hypocrisy that is occurring within our government? They have taken away women’s rights to medical health services, banning Roe, while in turn killing children, using planned genocide!! The defunding of AID and IRC has taken away food and medicine from children starving, caused by drought, war and poverty. A child in the womb is considered sacred. However, once that child is born, it no longer is! Is it OK to not provide medical care and food to children and adults in need around the world and at home? Defunding Medicaid and SNAP ...

Declaration foreshadows the times in which we live

DEAR EDITOR: Thank you for publishing our Declaration of Independence. Of the bulleted grievances, and in my opinion of current events, they foreshadow the current “…Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” At least 17 of the founders’ grievances apply to Trump. Of course, they were produced by “…the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress, Assembled…” back when Congress had the spine to oppose a would-be dictator. Vigilance and involvement with government ...

Sound off!

No, The Biden administration did not plan the Army’s 250th parade. The army itself began planning a celebration for its 250th anniversary including a potential parade in 2023. The idea for the parade was presented to D.C. officials in April 2025. The Army’s 2024 permit application described a festival, not a parade, with a maximum of 300 military personnel and civilians in attendance. A separate permit for a much larger celebration was filed under the Trump administration in March of 2025. — Cortland Biden did a lot for all Americans. Check it out before criticizing. He did not ...