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Letters to the Editor

Salem appeals annexation denial

To the editor: It is highly ridiculous that Salem City Council, strongly led by Law Director Brooke Zellers and Mayor Cindi Dickey is going with yet another scheme attempt to gain township property —and this time against Judge Megan Bickerton’s accurate ruling and the accurate finding by Commissioner Michael Halleck based on the recordation of legal documents in the Columbiana County Courthouse. Perhaps the Salem city officials and their planing officer need a continuing educational course in document searching. In 1965 I was hired by the Salem City Municipal Engineer in the ...

Time to eliminate property taxation

To the editor: It’s that time of year and I just received my outrageous property tax bill (again!) of which 57% goes to the United Local School District. Never mind that 25 years ago, the Ohio Supreme Court held that the state’s public school financing system using property taxes violated the Ohio Constitution (DeRolph vs State) yet it remains in practice and ignored by politicians of both parties. Never mind that under current U.S. law, unrealized gains are not taxable. Why are property taxes the only exception? Never mind that the district looks to collect a more than $20 ...

Ohio Senate Bill 1 presents detrimental consequences

To the editor: I respectfully ask that you share this message with your readers. As a tenured professor at Youngstown State University, I emphasize that this letter represents my views alone, and it should not be considered a statement on behalf of my institution. If enacted, Ohio Senate Bill 1 or SB 1 will have broadly detrimental effects. There is a remedy: a petition for a referendum on SB 1 (see ohsb1petition.com). If we can get 250,000 signatures, SB 1 will be on the ballot this November. SB 1 requires degrees graduating fewer than five students per year be eliminated, ...

A message for the brass marker thief

To the editor: To the person who stole the Gold Star Mother brass marker from the New Springfield Lutheran Cemetery, do you not understand what you took? A Gold Star Mother is a mother who lost a son or daughter in one of the wars while they were defending and protecting our country. You took my Great-Grandmother Ida’s marker which I had just recently placed on her grave. Her son, my Great Uncle Gilbert gave his life for this country in WWII. Did you also steal the other 75% of veteran markers that are also missing? Do you not understand that all of those veterans served this ...

Don’t let Memorial Day celebrations take away from the somber remembrance of the holiday

To the editor: Hundreds of veterans and their families gathered all over the county to remember the men and women of our armed forced who gave the ultimate sacrifice. All veterans gave some but some gave all. Memorial Day is a celebration to remind us that we must never forget the high cost that was paid in order to establish and maintain our freedom and the liberties we all enjoy. The governor of the State of Ohio issued a directive that all flags be displayed at half staff until noon on Memorial Day. This is an honor that is granted limitedly because of the great significance that ...

Remember to think safety when boating this summer

To the editor: Summer is a great time to enjoy local waters. Whether you’re a boater, angler, or water sports enthusiast in Columbiana County, please remember to be responsible around the water. May 17-23, 2025 is National Safe Boating Week. The Safe Boating Campaign, led by the National Safe Boating Council, offers these tips for practicing social distancing and safety while boating: 1. Wear a life jacket. No matter what activity you have planned on the water, always remember to wear a life jacket every time you are on the water. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to ...