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Letters to the Editor

State rep should donate her salary

DEAR EDITOR: It was recently reported that State Rep. Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) told the Portage County Board of Commissioners that she believes “tax is theft.” If that is the case, can I assume Rep. Workman is refusing to accept her salary and state government-provided benefits? After all, these are paid for with those evil tax dollars. Rep. Workman certainly would not knowingly accept ill-gotten gains, would she? If, per chance, the representative has overlooked this detail, I would like to suggest that she start donating her salary to one or more of the charitable ...

Leavittsburg Dam really needs to go

DEAR EDITOR: I was at the Trumbull County Commissioners meeting today and I listened to others before I spoke. The Leavittsburg dam needs to go. This is the only dam that is being argued over with a pending lawsuit, a waste of taxpayer money. Everything that I heard from those who don’t want the dam removed came from people who are not experts. The money for the dam to be removed has been approved, and if this fight continues, that money could be lost. Of all the nine dams to be removed, this one is being fought over. The excuse that it will disturb or stir up the sediment is ...

Solitaire is the only game in town

DEAR EDITOR: Nations can be changed by strategy and long-term planning. This is what we’re beginning to see in our country. We see only one person at the top. What we don’t see is a shadow government, holding all the cards. Constructing the best instance would be the book by Richard Condon, a 1959 political thriller, “The Manchurian Candidate.” The novel highlights the dangers of blind allegiance and the potential for manipulation in the pursuit of power. The story is about the son of a prominent U.S. political family who is brainwashed into being an unwitting assassin for a ...

Trumbull’s financial woes self-inflicted

DEAR EDITOR: As a Trumbull County commissioner, I was the lone advocate for fiscal responsibility, budgetary discipline and strategic financial oversight. I consistently warned against unchecked spending, the rubber-stamping of funding requests and the failure to require financial forecasting to analyze impacts. Among my many recommendations, I urged the board to implement zero-based budgeting with quarterly evaluations and variance analysis, and to begin formulating the budget in the summer. Unlike traditional budgeting, which arbitrarily increases past expenditures, zero-based ...

PAIN Act alternatives can prevent addiction

DEAR EDITOR: In my years as a nurse working in a drug detox unit, I’ve witnessed both the crushing grip of addiction and the grueling journey of recovery. I’ve held patients’ hands through the agony of withdrawal, watched families struggle to support loved ones through treatment and seen the toll it takes on everyone involved. What makes this more troubling is how often these stories begin not with illegal drugs, but with a legitimate prescription for pain management. As someone who has seen the brutal reality of addiction up close, I know our best solution is ...

Safeguarding the children’s digital lives

DEAR EDITOR: As a conservative parent, grandparent and veteran who has sworn to protect our nation, I believe it’s time for our state to take a bold step in safeguarding our children’s digital lives. I urge the Ohio legislature to pass legislation requiring parental approval at app stores for teens under 16. This measure is not just necessary; it’s our duty to the next generation and a powerful tool to empower parents in the digital age. In recent years, we’ve seen the alarming impact of unrestricted access to social media and apps on our youth — along with the challenges ...