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Letters to the Editor

ODNR should protect public lands

To the editor: On February 26, Ohio proved once again that nothing in the state is sacred when it comes to making money from fracking. In addition to some Department of Transportation parcels, the 5-member Oil and Gas Land Management Commission (OGLMC) approved bids to frack Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, Valley Run in Carroll County, and Zepernick Wildlife area in Columbiana County. In some cases, the accepted bids were considerably “below market value” as noted by commissioner Warnock who voted against a bid of $500 per acre by EOG Resources, Inc. for a DOT ...

So where does the Columbiana County Parks Board go from here?

To the editor: This week’s overwhelming denial of the parks levy leaves the board at a crossroads. Despite the board’s hope that a countywide vote would secure its passage, the levy was resoundingly defeated. As a resident who voted against it, I offer some insights into why. To be completely transparent, I was briefly a member of this board. Columbiana County seems to overlook the tangible benefits of tourism. I’m not envisioning Carnival Cruise Lines docking in East Liverpool; I’m referring to the actual, measurable economic impact of events and attractions within our county. ...

Royalty payments benefit Ohio landowners

To the editor: Every month it seems another company is announcing a large investment in Ohio. It’s a great time to be in our state and clearly people are taking notice! Sometimes these big dollar numbers come with little impact on Ohioans everyday lives. However, a recent report by JobsOhio and Cleveland State University highlighted not only the $103.1 billion investment made by the natural gas and oil industry in Ohio but also $1.6 billion in royalty payments that has gone straight into Ohioans pockets. The report shows not only that the natural gas and oil industry crossed the ...

Sting operations hurting EP community

To the editor: The village of East Palestine is committed to revitalizing our community. The plans are amazing and I am proud of the efforts of so many striving for a better future. However, in the midst of all of this I must call to light my ongoing concern for the sex sting operations drawing offenders to our community. Numerous years ago, the Columbiana County Prosecutors Office was approached about creating a local pedophile sting program. We were against it. Reason being that when a pedophile takes the planning, money and effort to travel to meet his “prize” there is a lot of ...

Congressman working on rail safety

To the editor: I am the Congressman who represents folks in Beaver County, Pennsylvania—just across the border from East Palestine. My constituents, your neighbors, were also hurt by the Norfolk Southern derailment, and they expected me to do all I can to help.   That’s why I introduced the House version of the Railway Safety Act. The bill would add requirements for wayside defect detectors, increase fines for railroad wrongdoing, strengthen safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, require at least two-person crews on trains, and more. This measure is supported ...

Concerned about prescribed opioids

To the editor: Wellsville is one of countless communities here in Ohio that has been ravaged by the opioid epidemic. As a former member of the city council for nearly eight years, my colleagues and I worked hard to make sure folks had access to the services and resources they needed to beat their addiction. While these efforts helped, our region is still struggling to deal with the losses caused by this crisis. Despite the awful impact that opioids have had on our community, they continue to be prescribed at an alarming rate. This is especially true for our state’s senior ...