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Letters to the Editor

Issue 1 more than about signs

To the editor: By now everyone has seen the Vote No on Issue 1 signs. But this requires more explanation than a battle to put out the most signs. In gerrymandering, districts are drawn primarily to favor one party over the other. In 2015 and 2018 Ohio voters went to the polls to amend the constitution to put in place several anti-gerrymandering provisions to make sure that communities, counties, villages, and cities couldn’t needlessly be split. Issue 1 says that every single district in the state of Ohio must be drawn to either be a Republican district or a Democratic district. ...

East Palestine: demoralized by the justice system

To the editor: Advocates across the country and locally have underscored the urgent need for a review of systemic environmental injustices that have played out in East Palestine, Ohio. The class action lawsuit following the February 2023 East Palestine, Ohio train derailment and Norfolk Southern chemical disaster should NOT set the precedent for future suits. This lawsuit is riddled with deficiencies and does not provide justice for the millions of people impacted by this incident. Residents of East Palestine, Ohio and close communities express deep frustration and a sense of betrayal ...

Vote ‘Yes’ to end gerrymandering

To the editor: Let’s be clear: If you, the voter, want to end gerrymandering in Ohio, vote YES on Issue One. Already you are seeing red signs around the area urging you to vote “no” to “end gerrymandering.” But this is nothing but a twisting of the facts by the Republican supermajority in our Ohio Statehouse, the Republican dominated Ballot Board and the Ohio Supreme Court — also Republican dominated —  that once again has totally and intentionally distorted the actual ballot language to confuse you. You, the voter, should be offended that they think you are that ...

Ohio Republican officials are inept

To the editor: Since 1992 the Republicans in Ohio have had 26 trifectas. This means that one political party holds majorities in both chambers of the state legislature (Senate and House of Representatives) and the governor’s office. The Democrats have had none. Ohio has had a few years of a Democratic governor and a few years of a Democratic majority in the House but they did not occur together. So we can safely thank the Republicans for Ohio ranking #36 in the country, making it one of the worst states to live in (according to a study conducted by US News and World Report in 2024). ...

How about drilling for a solution?

To the editor: As a lifelong resident of the Salem area, I have been concerned and upset with our city’s policy regarding water and sewer service for those who reside outside our city. I’ve resided in Salem (city or Perry Township) my entire life except for 10 years near the intersection of Slater and Tower roads. When we moved back to Salem we chose to reside on N. Union just north of the city limits, residing there nearly 50 years. I’m grateful for having city water and sewer service, and didn’t mind the 50 percent rate increase required to receive our service. What ...

Ohioans cheated, deceived by elected leaders

To the editor: A new record: twice in one week Ohioans were both cheated and deceived by their elected leaders. On Monday (August 12, 2024) Ohio’s Attorney General, Dave Yost settled with First Energy for $20 million. That is less than a third of how much First Energy paid in bribes ($61 million) to Larry Householder and other state legislators to give them their $1.6 billion bailout. All money out of the pockets of Ohio taxpayers. And Yost settles for a measly $20 million. Ohioans cheated again. On Friday (August 16, 2024) Ohio’s Secretary of State Frank LaRose wrote language ...