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Letters to the Editor

You don’t have to sacrifice to pay for electricity

To the editor: Much has been said in recent days about the default, or Standard Service Offer (SSO) electric generation rate charged by our local utility, and FirstEnergy (FE) has taken shot after shot. FE’s rate change from 5.9 cents to 12.4 cents is in line with the other three electric utilities in Ohio: In June 2022 AES went from 5 cents to 11 cents, where it remains today; AEP was 7 cents in January, and is 12 cents now; Duke was 6.5 cents in January and is 10 cents now. It is unfortunate that some of our state representatives correlate the FE electricity supplier rates to ...

Concerned about the healthcare cuts

To the editor: As the former Mayor of Columbiana, and Current County Treasurer, I know that access to affordable, high-quality healthcare is essential for the well-being of our residents. However, I am concerned that recent legislation brought up in Congress threatens healthcare in rural and underserved communities. Specifically, I am concerned about cuts to the 340B program, which allows eligible hospitals to purchase and provide outpatient prescription drugs at discounted prices. In turn, the program lowers the cost of medication for patients and allows hospitals with limited ...

Cut the military budget

To the editor: Ohio Peace Council statement on debt deal cuts. Along strict partisan lines, the US House recently passed a draconian bill euphemistically called the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act,” which essentially is a declaration of war on America’s poor. Proposed are massive cuts in countless domestic programs badly needed by low-income Americans for survival. Though unlikely to survive in the US Senate, this legislative assault upon America’s most vulnerable populations sets the sinister tone for negotiations on the nation’s debt ceiling. Missing in those negotiations is ...

Ohioans have big decision coming

To the editor: Thanks to the passage of Ohio House Joint Resolution One Ohioans have a vital decision to make on August 8. This special election will determine whether the Ohio Constitution will be a contract between the citizens and the government, or if amendments to the Ohio constitution will continue to be a way to bypass the legislature. Constitutions are outlines of the government’s duties to the citizens and the limitations of the government’s powers. Constitutional amendments change the relationship between the government and the citizens, as well as the government’s ...

Not a big fan of Norfolk Southern

To the editor: Norfolk Southern or East Palestine? I don’t know who I feel more sorry for! NFS or EP? NS has spent a lot of money in EP for wrecking its damaged train in our village and we have spend a lot of money trying to fix up our dirty belongings. Neither one of us would be spending money if one of us had done the right thing! The things you have done to fix up your mistake may be good for some people, but not good enough for most people. Your latest ploy is to give us the old train station that NS left run down to make a huge eyesore in our town! I honestly think your ...

Port Authority draws praise

To the editor: In these trying economic times it is comforting to see our county’s Port Authority striving to assist local businesses in assuring they will remain competitive in our regional and national markets by recently awarding Maritime Assistance Grants totaling $1.6 million to two riverfront companies to extend their docks and erect new storage buildings. Over the past few years, I have taken notice of the myriad ways Port Authority CEO Penny Traina, her open-minded board of directors and their support staff have found creative ways to support our local businesses therefore ...