Even routine census sets off partisan fight

April 7, 2019

In one year, local workers and a “complete count committee” will be among those making a coordinated effort nationwide to ensure every single resident is counted in the 2020 national census. Required by the U.S. Constitution, a count every 10 years of “the whole number of persons in each state,” is used to determine things like the number of seats each state has in the House and how the electoral votes that decide presidential elections are distributed. To be sure, it goes to the heart of the U.S. political system. After nearly 230 years, the reasoning behind the census is ...

Very special sections in this week’s Trib

March 31, 2019

Despite the headline on the “TV Trib” inserted into today’s newspaper, let me assure you, dear reader, you have NOT entered “The Twilight Zone.” Yes, today’s TV Trib looks a little different than the one you’ve grown accustomed to, but I believe you really are going to like it. Enlarged by nearly 70 percent from the previous smaller booklet into a newspaper tabloid size, readers will be able to review their favorite TV show listings in a larger, full-color format. Now, let me assure you, we are very aware that change is not always easily embraced. So, that’s why ...

Let Trump’s love of Fox News work for us

March 24, 2019

If you’ve wondered how to get the president’s attention on issues near and dear to you, just ask United Auto Workers Local 1112 President Dave Green or former Ohio Sen. Capri Cafaro. They seem to have figured it out. Here’s a hint: Fox News. You know by now that President Donald Trump launched into a Twitter storm last weekend attacking Green by name and lambasting him to “get his act together and produce.” When I first read the social media post, I was dumbfounded. All I could think was: “Why?” Trump’s tweet said: “Democrat UAW Local 1112 President David Green ...

Sunshine week should trigger transparency

March 17, 2019

Warren and Trumbull County officials last week unveiled some 67 surveillance cameras they say will improve personal safety and provide evidence helpful in solving crime. But just as we continue to fight for the release of video from police body cameras and cruiser dash cameras, we foresee some new Sunshine law debate coming on. Is it just coincidence that last week also happened to be annual Sunshine Week nationwide, a week intended to celebrate access to public information? Already, Warren police are telling us that video access will be held very closely. Consider: The cameras ...

Do we really need a House vote to get along?

March 10, 2019

Much national media coverage in recent weeks has focused on the splintering of the Democratic Party in Washington and the challenges Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi faces in controlling her new younger generation of lawmakers, mostly women and minorities, who have demonstrated they are more eager to lead than be led. Undoubtedly, Americans (including myself) will find that story angle of great interest. But I have to ask, what have we come to when we need to pass congressional resolutions insisting that we keep our bigotries to ourselves and, well, be respectful to each other ...

GM-Lordstown ramps down, final Cruze on line

March 3, 2019

While it was not unexpected, the Lordstown-built Chevy Cruze still was noticeably absent from the large Chevrolet exhibit at this year’s Cleveland Auto Show that wraps up today at the I-X Center. The final Cruze to come off the Lordstown Assembly line moved from the complex’s stamping plant Friday, containing cardboard signs handwritten in black marker identifying the small sedan simply as “The Last Cruze.” The sad spectacle will mark the end of a 52-year era that we all wanted to believe never would happen. The freshly stamped metal frame next will move into the ...