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Letters to the Editor

The workplace perils of the H1-B Visa

DEAR EDITOR: In recent years, American workplaces have witnessed a surge in diversity, equity and inclusion, DEI initiatives and the hiring of human resource, HR personnel who emphasize these principles. These changes are often framed as essential to fostering fair and equitable workplaces. This “woke groupthink” mentality has companies favoring the employment of foreign talent, particularly through the H1-B visa program over American-educated workers, especially when it comes to STEM related employment opportunities. Many HR personnel have been indoctrinated at many Universities ...

Wish we knew then what we know now

Imagine that! A 2024 movie release named a complete unknown, starring Bob Dylan, as the prototypical, post-modern artist, appearing in the world at the moment when notions of an objective truth and artistic dogma were being blown to smithereens. The cast also included Joan Baez and Pete Seeger, two American folk singers, songwriters, musicians and social activists. Seeger’s music style helped lure Bob Dylan, to be a major figure in popular culture. A Pete Seeger 1963 song, “What did you learn in school today?” “What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of ...

Don’t forget original Leavittsburg dam

DEAR EDITOR: The dam at Leavittsburg has a sister dam about a hundred yards up river from the current dam. It is a stone dam built by Leavitt in the early 1800s. Those stones are worth keeping. They are cut in a stone mille, they have cut marks that are so rare today. The water has to be low and clear to see the old dam, it is about five feet down in the water. When they take out the hydro-electric dam, the old dam will be revealed — a future news story. LINDA KWALLEK Ravenna

The Year of the Snake, indeed

DEAR EDITOR: On Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump is scheduled to slither back into the White House. Nine days later is the start of the Lunar New Year that will be known as the Year of the Snake. How appropriate is that? It appears the universe has a sense of humor. MARTIN BRAMLETT Ravenna

Mayor Brown deserved award

DEAR EDITOR: An opinion letter published Dec. 28 about Youngstown’s mayor receiving an environmental award contains many inaccuracies with regard to SOBE Energy Solutions and its proposed pyrolysis project. In 2019, SOBE Energy Solutions purchased the defunct Youngstown Thermal business to provide downtown Youngstown buildings with steam heating and cooling using only natural gas, as approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). At the Public Utilities Committee of the Youngstown City Council on July 21, 2022, SOBE’s CEO David Ferro announced plans to expand ...

Sound off! Readers share their thoughts

“Newly elected county recorder files for bankruptcy.” I believe the only reason this person was elected was because of oversaturated campaign signs with the president-elect’s face. Trumbull County voted for the MAGA agenda instead of qualifications. Wake up, people. — Southington Let’s talk immigration of our forefathers vs today. What’s the difference? Our parents and grandparents were vetted and entered legally. That’s all we are asking. Bring your tired, your poor, in huddled masses. We will care for you. Just do it LEGALLY. They didn’t “work” at trafficking, ...