Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

Smart housing policy builds strong rural communities

To the editor: Senator Moreno is right about one thing: expanding homeownership is essential for Ohio’s future, especially in rural communities. During my time on Wellsville’s City Council and Board of Education, I saw how a home provided more than shelter. Families who owned their homes put down roots, contributed to the community, and gave their children the stability they needed to succeed in school and beyond. But families can only build that kind of stability if the housing market itself is built on solid ground. We learned the consequences of weak foundations in 2008. ...

State Representative Robb Blasdel deserves praise

To the editor: As a mom, I’m constantly worried about what kids are doing online. Every week it seems like there’s a new app children want to download, and parents have no idea what half of them actually do or if they’re appropriate for different ages. Our State Representative feels the same way and is taking action! Representative Robb Blasdel, a mom of two young girls, knows how important protecting our kids online is and I am thankful for her leadership on this issue! I support the App Store Accountability Act, introduced as House Bill 226 and Senate Bill 167. This ...

Nancy Murray’s legacy lives on

To the editor: It’s been said that true leaders plant seeds for trees they’ll never sit under. In Wellsville, Ohio, the roots of recovery and resilience bear the unmistakable mark of Nancy Murray—a determined public servant whose impact still echoes through the streets of our village. I’ll never forget the moment I walked into her office in East Liverpool, petition for councilman in hand, asking her to be the first to sign after I decided to drop out of the mayor’s race. Without hesitation, she did. What followed was a long, hot summer filled with strategy talks and hopes ...

Veterans Appreciation Picnic a success

To the editor: The 22nd annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic was held Saturday, July 12th, in the Calcutta Square in Calcutta, Ohio with 650 veterans and guests in attendance. Two WWII Veterans, Roy Shetler, 99, of New Waterford, Ohio and Dohrman Rosenlieb, 98, of East Liverpool, Ohio were recognized. A picnic lunch was served to attendees and music was provided by Dave & Casie. The American and POW flags were presented “Special Delivery” via Jimmy Drummond and Padrick Carnahan from Skydive Rick’s Alliance Sport Parachute Club in Petersburg, Ohio. The Tri-State Burial ...

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 ...