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Letters to the Editor

Rulli should not have hired Peppel

DEAR EDITOR: I am writing to express my deep concern regarding U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli’s (R-Salem) decision to hire Mike Peppel as the congressman’s new communications director. Peppel set up a charity, “Ohio Clean Water Fund” to raise funds for East Palestine residents affected by the train derailment pocketing more than $131,000 raised from over 3,000 caring donors. Peppel presented his “Ohio Clean Water Fund” as a nonprofit acting on behalf of the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley to raise funds. Second Harvest Food Bank did not give permission to Peppel ...

Distance yourselves from the bully

DEAR EDITOR: We all knew one growing up. The playground bully. We saw him pick on smaller kids after school or at recess. We saw him pull on girls’ ponytails. We saw him lift a pack of chewing gum at the drugstore. We saw him drinking beer behind the movie theater. He lied to our teachers. Once we saw him steal a bicycle at the park. He was not the sharpest axe in the shed. He would often cozy up to us; want to be our “friend;” to coerce us into joining him on his various adventures. But the wiser among us knew that hanging with him would only get us into trouble with our ...

A hard look at birthright citizenship

DEAR EDITOR: In Monday’s paper, there was a lengthy article written by one Mona Charen expounding her beliefs concerning birthright citizenship in the United States. It seems that her biggest argument in favor of birthright citizenship is the 14th amendment of our Constitution, which states “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Let’s look at this objectively. Are there legal ways to immigrate into the United States? Yes, there are, and the ...

Removal of dams along Mahoning has support

DEAR EDITOR: I am writing to share my insights regarding the planned removal of the dams along the Mahoning river. My family has deep roots in Warren, dating back to when my grandfather and great uncle established Thumm’s Tire Shop in 1909. Having been born and raised in Warren, I possess a profound connection to both the community and the river. I spent my formative years on the west side of Warren, working at our family business, Thumm’s Bike Shop, located on the bank of the Mahoning River. This river has always been a significant part of my life, providing countless hours of ...

Support universal free school meals

DEAR EDITOR: As a health care professional, father of two and volunteer with the American Heart Association, I am writing to urge Governor DeWine to prioritize the well-being of Ohio’s children by supporting universal free school meals. Our school-aged children represent one of our greatest resources. It is our collective responsibility to ensure they have the foundation they need to grow physically, develop socially and emotionally, and excel academically. Proper nutrition is a cornerstone of this foundation. Research shows that every dollar invested in school meals yields over ...

Time really is running out for America

DEAR EDITOR: People complain about “the system” all the time. Systems are only as good as those people in them, running them. The USA has a system that allows for the evolution of governing. The “system” of governing when this country was founded protected slave owners and slavery. This system of government also allowed for and created an end to that slavery. It simply takes the people being governed to participate in the system to make the change. Only those who participate in the system can change the system of governing in the USA. Since more people do not participate, the ...