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Letters to the Editor

Religion

Dear Editor, For the sake of facilitating discussion in the public square, religion may be defined as “the authority or authorities one consults to define and answer questions of ultimate importance.” As such, everyone is religious even the atheist who is an authority or a god unto himself or herself.-Jn 10:30-39 In The Times Leader article, “Here’s how we can bring people to God and religion,” May 12, 2023, Dennis Prager cites John Adams’ quote, “Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” In ...

Helping animals at county shelter

Dear Editor, There’s been a lot lately re: Belmont County Animal Shelter. I am very happy as well as others a new building is in the works. The current kennels that house the dogs are certainly not safe for the dogs or staff. Plans of a new building have been spoken about for years. Plans for a new building were drawn up several years back. Why can’t they use those plans, find the property and let’s get it done. There have been a lot of cash donations of estates that can get it started. The five dogs that recently went to Canada is wonderful. I do not understand why no photos ...

Leave Social Security alone

Dear Editor, I am concerned about the fast-approaching federal “debt ceiling” crisis. For the first time in almost a century, Social Security checks might not go out next month. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s caucus is planning to hold a vote on a 320-page bill to indiscriminately slash federal spending. This bill includes a 22% cut for the Social Security Administration that would force office closures and longer wait times for benefits. They also plan to raise the retirement age to 70. Independent studies have shown that every year that the Social Security retirement age ...

Another Successful Jerry’s Walk

Dear Editor: On Sunday, April 30, 2023, Jerry’s Walk — Illuminating Suicide Awareness held its 7th annual suicide prevention Walk in St. Clairsville. The event is an opportunity to encourage an open conversation around suicide with a goal of removing the stigma attached to what is truly a public health crisis. That stigma results in silence that tragically causes so many who are suffering to avoid seeking the help they need and deserve. The Walk also allows those who have survived a loss to suicide to come together and offer each other support. Jerry’s Walk wishes to thank ...

Our leaders’ mental health

Dear Editor, With (President Joe) Biden announcing his re-election bid, we must address the elephant in the room. Why are we seeing so many leaders with challenged healthy brains? It is really becoming a major wonderment to me as to why so many political leaders are profoundly feeble-minded. Don’t get me wrong here in what I am saying. Even I am beginning to notice some minor cognitive problems as I age. My heart goes out to all who suffer from challenges involving health of the brain. But if someone is going to be a leader, they need to have the mental capability to fit ...

Senior Support Fair at the OV Mall

Dear Editor, The Belmont County Adult Services Coalition would like to acknowledge the hard work of everyone who helped make the Annual Senior Support Fair a success. Special thanks to this year’s Fair Committee chair and the committee who worked on the logistics that enabled us to offer a successful event for the community’s older adults and caregivers! The goal of the event is to offer the community an opportunity to learn about services and talk to agency representatives in one place. Many people in the community need assistance but they don’t know what is available. The ...