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New relationships unlock efficiency

At the time of this printing, my administration will be starting its 20th month. To say we have been busy is an understatement. I have asked more of the staff, more of our attorneys, and more of our investigators than ever before, and I am happy to report to you that they have answered that call resoundingly well. In the last 19 months, the office has indicted more cases, filed more foreclosures, and assisted in more search warrants than any other time in the office’s history – and this was all done without excessive increases in manpower or the operating budget of the office. ...

First year as County Treasurer successful

They say time flies when you’re having fun! Tuesday marked one year since I took office as Columbiana County Treasurer. I thought it would be good time to reflect on this busy year and let you all know what has been going on. First and foremost, I corrected the property tax collection dates. From now on, they will always be in February and July. I know this caused some confusion, but it desperately needed to be fixed. I corrected this so that any future treasurer doesn’t take office the first Monday in September and have a full collection under way. That was the situation on ...

Europe’s energy crisis offers a bleak warning for the U.S.

If you think the worst of energy-driven inflation is over, you’re unfortunately very wrong. While prices at the gas pump have settled from mid-summer highs, electricity bills are soaring on the back of surging natural gas prices. Regulators, grid operators, and utilities are warning that the nation’s power supply is growing alarmingly less reliable. Europe’s energy crisis is pulling prices up and destabilizing markets everywhere. Since the United States is now the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporter, U.S. consumers are having to compete against energy-desperate ...

Conservative views cheered at rallies

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent appearance in the Mahoning Valley seemed more to tout his accomplishments or maybe set the stage for a 2024 presidential run than to help the candidacy of J.D. Vance, Republican Senate nominee. That’s not to say the rub from DeSantis at a rally that organizers said attracted 1,500 people to the Metroplex Expo Center in Liberty didn’t help Vance. It certainly did. To his credit, Vance took advantage of the opportunity and knew his audience. Vance went after U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, his Democratic opponent, in the congressman’s home ...

Aging is a natural part of life, and there comes a time when seniors require more help. Whether they become injured, ill, or develop dementia, they may need someone to assist with decision making and ensure their affairs are in order. This can be a challenging time for families, but advanced planning can make the process run more smoothly. There are a variety of essential documents that seniors should put in place while they are still of sound mind and able to make decisions for themselves. Make sure that documents are all together in a secure location where a trusted family member or ...

Congress must tackle permitting reforms for infrastructure

Inflation is wreaking havoc on America’s consumers, and the associated shortages and supply chain disruptions are driving prices ever-higher across the economy—especially in the energy sector. Among the most troubling roadblocks to alleviating this pain is America’s inability to efficiently permit new energy and infrastructure projects, including electricity transmission lines, pipelines, wind farms, and even the mines that are the leading edge of our industrial base. Hope springs eternal, however. As part of a side agreement to the Inflation Reduction Act—the Democrats’ ...