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Letters to the Editor

Lake deserves better

Editor: I am an East Palestine-born resident who has lived and worked in Africa and the Caribbean for 38 years. My employment was that of ecologist in national parks, forest reserves and private nature reserves. I worked developing habitat for mammals and birds and conserving trees, lakes and waterways. When I returned to East Palestine I worked for the city planting trees in three areas: the City Lake, the City Park and the then-developing Leslie Run estates. My grandfather took me to the City Lake fishing from the age of 6 years old and I continued to the age of 18 when I went ...

In Johnson he trusts

Editor: Your April 2 letter to the editor, signed by Jenny Rukenbrod of Lisbon, is the most unrealistic and subjective letter I’ve read in quite awhile. Calling David Johnson a “Ringmaster” is not only prejudicial but inflammatory. And then to remind us all that he and his family, who provided hundreds of jobs and security to the area over the years, had to depart the “circus” to handle his family business financial hardship was uncalled for. David Johnson has provided strong and dedicated leadership to Columbiana County. If she, Jenny, wants to complain, she should ...

Judicial etiquette

Editor: It is generally expected that there be at least some level of decorum and, yes, some honor on the part of a sitting judge’s campaign for election. Not so, apparently, in the case of the recent letter to the editor by the vengeful ex-wife of Judge C. Ashley Pike. More recently, there are now even threats of reprisal for those daring to call into question the judge’s public record. This is shocking. Yet none of this changes the central issues in this year’s hotly contested race for common pleas judge in Columbiana County. Frankly, it only serves to heighten the ...

Lofty standards

Editor: I am very disappointed in the front page story of “Man goes on trial for rape of a child,” and the disgusting lurid details used by your reporter. The vivid details of what happened was not necessary for all of us to read in your family paper. Are we lowering our standards to match what we have to watch on television these days that passes as entertainment? Freedom of the press is such an important part of our democracy and the responsibility of editors and reporters is second to none in protecting it. Keep your standards high, and certainly report the news without ...

He’s no Piker

Editor: One of the oldest political tricks in the book is the “bait and switch” personal attack. This campaign tactic is designed to take your mind away from the central issues of a campaign by assassinating the character of one’s opponent. Or, that of the political party backing an opponent. It’s best that “others” wage such an attack, though. This way there is at least the appearance that nothing underhanded and/or wretched would come from the mouth or the pen of the beloved candidate. Rather, let the attack come from some innocuous soul perhaps residing in another ...

Animal instincts

Editor: For over 25 years, I had a ringside seat in the Columbiana County Republican “big top.” Chairman David Johnson acted as ringmaster. Commonly in a bow tie and saddle shoes he “barked” instructions to the wide eyed attendees who paid the price of admission. Instead of popcorn and peanuts, excited men, women and children got hors-d’oeuvres, cocktails, coffee and soft drinks to consume as they awaited the main attraction. The Johnson family owned Spread Eagle Tavern was often the hosting venue where attendees could upgrade their experience by picking up the tab for ...