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Letters to the Editor

Wealth Inequality

Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, and higher education, a small percentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace. Hard work should provide stability and opportunity, yet many full-time workers live paycheck to paycheck. At the same time, large corporations and the wealthiest Americans often benefit from tax loopholes and economic policies that widen the gap between rich and poor. Historically, ...

Ohio deserves energy reliability

Ohio’s energy grid is under unprecedented strain, threatening the very foundation of our state’s economic stability. Energy is the lifeblood of Ohio’s manufacturing sector and heavily supports the state’s labor force. Resolving our energy crisis is a matter of economic security, and the recently announced acquisition of AES Ohio is a significant step. As a former Wellsville City Councilman, I have witnessed firsthand the energy challenges Ohio’s families and businesses face from rising costs and service inconsistencies. The outdated infrastructure of the grid poses a risk of ...

Donald Trump’s sockpuppets

I watch Republican candidate ads on TV; they tout Donald’s endorsement as if it were an answer to everything. My question is simple: why? Are they capable of standing on their own merits, or are they compelled to function as Donald’s sock puppets? Do they require him to babysit them or handhold them because they can’t govern with independence? And if they’re courting voters chiefly through his approval, what does that reveal about their judgment—or about their willingness to break with him when the moment truly calls for distance? What unsettles me is not merely branding; ...

Ohio shouldn’t weaken rules that protect annuity buyers

Anyone who has spent time in government knows the details matter. The difference between a policy that works and one that fails is almost always buried in the fine print. That’s exactly what I thought when I heard about a proposal now before the Ohio legislature. In Senate Bill 306, a small group of fee-only financial advisors is seeking a Fast Pass around Ohio’s consumer protection regulations so they can sell annuities in the state. This special interest group argues that because they are already legally obligated to their clients, Ohio’s consumer protection rules should not ...

Advice to the Salem mayor

Back in time, a Salem Mayor only had a term of two years. That changed in 1970 to a four year term. Surprisingly Dean B. Cranmer (D) already had accumulated 16 years of two year terms before he lost in 1970 to T. Emerson Smith, a retired grocer..who shortly later died in office and was law replaced by then Council President, Charles Alexander, a salesman who thus ended the business minded men in that office from thereon in my opinion, and the further development of Salem, and our starting point now because when “We” becomes ‘Me’ in that office, no good can come from that ...

Not voting for Leetonia tax increase

As a current resident, property owner for 25-plus years and an income tax taxpayer, I am concerned with paying high taxes to live or work in Leetonia. I feel that in the long term this will set Leetonia back for future growth and development. Leetonia is asking voters to pass an additional half percent income tax in the 2026 Primary election on May 5, 2026. This will increase your income taxes by $50 per $10,000 of taxable income. If your income is $50,000 you will pay an extra $250 per year. People are trying to find ways to reduce their tax liability, not increase it. They ...