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Letters to the Editor

A thanks to the dedicated public defenders

To the editor: A thank you to the attorneys who serve Columbiana County as public defenders. They are professionals who help to keep our local courts running smoothly. Without experienced and competent defense lawyers, our justice system suffers. Cases may be delayed and court dockets can become backlogged arguably resulting in a waste of scarce public resources. Public defenders not only contribute to efficiency, they aid in remedying situations leading to court involvement. Defense attorneys often are the ones who facilitate counseling or substance abuse treatment for ...

A gerrymandered law is not a solution

To the editor: This is in reference to your editorial (Nov. 8), “Ohio must renew attempts for fair constitutional maps.” A gerrymandered law can not fix a gerrymander problem. Perhaps it is better to have a computer draft a dozen maps, which are within legal parameters, and then have the selection commmitte choose one map for our representative districts. However, any such law must preserve judicial review for the programmers, for the program (or AI) and for the selection committee. Choosing our representatives is too important to leave them to the weathervane of ...

Passage of bill would impact peer-to-peer services

To the editor: Peer-to-peer services have grown in popularity in recent years. For consumers and many small businesses, cash has been replaced by the refrain of “I’ll Zelle/Venmo/CashApp you the money.” With platforms like Zelle, transfers can be done without fees, and funds are immediately available. For small businesses, the convenience and cost can’t be beat. Unfortunately, in Washington, DC, some senators have introduced legislation that would make these services a lot less convenient and, in some cases, more expensive. These Senators want to place burdensome new ...

Ohio energy keeping us warm

To the editor: As temperatures drop and winter sets in, we are all heading over to that thermostat. But many people have no idea the role Ohio’s natural resources play in keeping not only our homes but also homes across the nation warm and bright. Nearly half of U.S. households rely on natural gas as their primary heating source, and Ohio is no exception. Our state is a key producer of these vital resources, helping to meet the increased energy demands coming in the colder months. From heating homes to powering the electric grid during extreme weather, natural gas ensures that we ...

Be mindful of the risks for kids trick or treating

Forget about decades-old urban myths about razor blades and poisons hidden in Halloween candy, the real dangers tonight are more likely to come from inattentive drivers and children consuming candy that contains allergens. According to a report by The Hill, other risks include falls due to costumes that become a trip hazard (or reduce visibility), and candy that can lead to choking. Parents are advised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to feed children before sending them out for their candy, to reduce the chance they will snack on a treat that contains an ingredient to which ...

Ballot language can mislead voters

To the editor: By law in Ohio, no one can try and influence your vote at the polling place. Ohio Revised Code 3501.35 specifically says that, “During an election and the counting of the ballots, no person shall....Solicit or in any manner attempt to influence any elector in casting the elector’s vote” But this year, the State government is breaking that law right inside the voting booth. The ballot language for State Issue One approved by the Ohio Ballot Board and the Secretary of State is written in such a way such that most any reasonable person reading it would be ...