Ohio
Gibberish vs. facts. Ohio senator would rather fight media than work for Ohioans.
Only ‘working’ around will of the people
“Ohio lawmakers work hard for $71K salaries they make,” March 28: State Sen. Steve Huffman attempted to answer facts with gibberish.
In his guest column, Huffman never disputes Thomas Suddes’ factual statement that 2023 was the least productive year for the Ohio General Assembly since the Eisenhower Administration.
He calls Suddes not “fair and fact based.” It is of note that Suddes not only used facts, but also praised the Assembly for writing a balanced budget and also mentioned that some people are members of the “less is better” group regarding political legislation.
Huffman mentions that legislators “are hardworking, have jobs outside the legislature and care very much about the state of Ohio, and the hardworking Ohioans living in their districts.”
More: Why paying Ohio lawmakers $140,000 plus a college football coach’s bonus could fix them
Senators didn’t pass legislation and more productive ones also hold outside jobs?
As for caring, why promote legislation in House Bill 68 so bigoted that even very conservative Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed it? Why deny any care (not surgery, which was never a factor) to suicide-prone LGBTQ youth?
I do not speak for Suddes, though I do enjoy his work, but my guess is that he is saying that it is not simply that the GOP legislators in Ohio do little, it is that they also waste time on negative legislation.
Instead, Ohio legislators could be solving gerrymandering, repealing the FirstEnergy tax money giveaway, fixing school funding to comply with the DeRolph ruling 27 years ago, or passing common-sense gun safety legislation that the vast majority of Ohioans want.
After that, it would indeed be time for the Legislature to rest, and time also for them to stop thinking about doing the one thing they do like to work on — working around the will of the people regarding the constitutional amendment re-affirming Roe v. Wade in Ohio.
Greg Ward, Dublin
Our pockets are being picked
“Ohio lawmakers work hard for $71K salaries they make,” March 28: Senator Steve Huffman’s petulant attempt to bring down “the media” and journalist Thomas Suddes only served to illustrate Suddes’ point: Ohioans get precious little—“a lot of mouth”—to address their most serious concerns. It’s admirable that the General Assembly names parts of highways for fallen soldiers and designates various days on the calendar for awareness of specific medical conditions.Nevertheless, Huffman’s boasting about GOP “tax cuts” ignores that state tax cuts routinely roll downhill to residents of Ohio’s cities and townships. And his pride in giving center stage to culture war issues to interfere in parental rights regarding their transgender children is embarrassingly misplaced.
Thomas Suddes: Ohio lawmakers make at least $71,099 each. What do taxpayers get?
If Huffman and his Republican minions want to show how hard they’re working, they should immediately repeal House Bill 6, which continues to pick Ohioans’ pockets despite the GOP bribery scandal.
And then they might start really earning their salaries and obey multiple Ohio Supreme Court directives to develop a way to fund schools through some other method than property taxes that are driving senior citizens out of their homes.But since the GOP hasn’t lifted a finger to do so for 25 years, we can hardly expect them to get to work on that. It takes so little effort to whine about “the media” reporting facts.Steve Abbott, Columbus
What do you think? How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch
World Central Kitchen tragedy wasn’t Biden’s fault
Re “He who controls the bullets,” March 5: In her letter to the editor, Susan McNally blames the Biden administration for the “bullets” in Gaza.
I, too, am a supporter of World Central Kitchen, but if they go into a war zone, where hostages are still being held and munitions are stacked in hospitals, they run a risk of their workers being in danger.
‘You are losing me, Joe.’ Biden controls the bullets. Must stop war.
President Joe Biden had nothing to do with this terrible accident. The Israel Defense Forces freely admitted that they made a mistake. But it’s a war zone, and WCK knows it.
Jose Andres, the founder of WCK, is wrong to say that the IDF targeted his workers.
And McNally is wrong to simplistically place blame on Biden.
Cindy Leland, Columbus
Piketon, Ohio (WSAZ) – Folks in southern Ohio are waking up to power outages and road closures.
Route 32 in Pike County is down to one westbound and one eastbound lane due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are also dealing with tree limbs on roadways.
The Athens County 911 dispatcher told WSAZ that it’s not believed a tornado touched down, but there is storm damage.
The dispatcher said storm damage from flooding and trees being knocked down has affected US 50.
Power outages are being reported in Athens, Pike, Vinton, Scioto and Meigs Counties and even as far south as Boyd County, Ky.
If you’re in a tornado warning area, you’re urged to get to the lower part of your home.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Clarence Burley, II, affectionately known as “Lil Man,” entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 60, at Summa Health Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Born on May 22, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio, Clarence was the beloved son of Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley.
He attended Ursuline High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.
Clarence was a hardworking and dedicated man who spent many years employed at Classic Optical Corporation as a Lens and Frame Specialist. Known for his skill and precision, he was recognized as one of the top lens shapers during his tenure with the company. He also worked for Goodwill Industries, where his exceptional work ethic earned him recognition and awards for outstanding service.
A devoted fan of the Oakland Raiders, Clarence enjoyed football, boxing, roller skating, and bowling. In his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer. He loved life and cherished spending time with family and friends. Whether enjoying a cruise vacation, visiting the lake to admire the water, debating sports statistics from A to Z, or simply sharing laughter with loved ones, Clarence brought joy wherever he went.
Known for his impeccable style, Clarence was often dressed to perfection. He was especially proud of his many Cadillacs, but none more than his beloved Cadillac Seville, affectionately known as “the baby caddy.” He could often be found cruising through the city, listening to music and enjoying the ride. His infectious smile, strength, humor, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
In 1999, Clarence met the love of his life, the former Cathy Winphrie. Their friendship blossomed into a lasting bond, and they were united in holy matrimony in 2015. Together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and cherished memories.
Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Cathy Burley; his children, Shannie (Meisha) Burley of Atlanta, Georgia; DeShawn Burley (fiancée Ziah) of Warren, Ohio; Eddie W. Matthews; and Montell Cochrane; his beloved grandchildren, Zaira, DeShawn, Jr., Deondra, Audrionna, Eddie, Jr., Quiara, Azel, Anyia, Marquel, Aiden, Adalese, Meadow, and Amatureas; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Eula Winphrie; brothers-in-law, James (Jamie) Winphrie and Timothy (Kori) Winphrie; sisters-in-law, Regina Winphrie and Azella Burley; niece Helleenia Winphrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley; his brother, Wesley Burley; and his grandmother, Carrie Davis.
Though Clarence’s earthly journey has ended, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind. His strength, perseverance, laughter, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8
A homegoing celebration will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church , a visitation with the family will be 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home. For additional information, please call (330) 743-4098.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A couple that was charged after investigators say they abandoned two dogs and a cat at an apartment in Warren entered guilty pleas in Warren Municipal Court this week.
Courtney Iser pleaded guilty to three counts of abandoning animals and two counts of cruelty to companion animals, and Isaiah Gilbert pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to companion animals. Sentencing is set for July 7.
The two were charged in May after the animals were found in unsafe and unhealthy conditions without food or water at an apartment on South Street SE. Police were called to the apartment on reports that the animals had been left without care. Iser was charged first, and Gilbert was charged a short time later.
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