Don’t miss this opportunity to decide who will make reproductive health-care decisions for you and your family. You must vote “yes” on Issue 1 if you want to make those decisions with the advice of your doctors.
Not voting or a “no” vote would impose barely communicated or poorly understood new laws already passed by the supermajority of the legislature and signed by the governor.
There are real problems elected officials are not addressing. Let’s demand that our representatives fix problems that really exist and stop trying to solve problems that don’t.
DARRELL OPFER
Oak Harbor, Ohio
Mr. Opfer was a state representative
More laws do nothing
Headline: “Biden urges GOP To pass more gun laws in light of Maine tragedy.” President Biden’s favorite game: Blame the Republicans. If he would sit down and read the laws already on the books, he would find there is no need to call for more law. It’s just another backdoor way of using a tragedy to attempt to disarm the law-abiding citizen.
LOU STEFANONI
North Toledo
Palestinians victimized
Why are so many people screaming that Hamas has started this “new” war? If Israel kills 1,500 Palestinians over a period of several years and imprisons far more without trial or even charges, does that not give the Palestinians the right to defend themselves? To kill as many Israelis and hold some in unjustified confinement, even though it is all done in one day, does not make it any more evil.
Our government makes a big deal out of Iran arming Hamas. I am relatively certain Iran has not given Palestinians fighter jets, attack helicopters, tanks, missile-defense systems, or any of the other advanced weaponry the United States has showered on Israel. This situation is pathetically lopsided enough in favor of Israeli aggression, now we are giving them even more military aid.
KARL PETERSEN
West Toledo
TPS needs high scores
Seventy percent of property taxes go to schools. Schooling is about higher education and being proficient in reading, writing, and math.
TPS wants a renewal of property taxes for innovation according to Superintendent Romules Durant. TPS students can’t hold a candle to those in the Catholic schools in terms of academics or scholarships. TPS teachers are paid a higher salary along with the perks than those in the Catholic school teachers, yet their students can’t compete with Catholic schools.
No property owner should vote for a tax renewal until TPS students can compete with the Catholic students.
MICHAEL SMYTHE
South Toledo
Where’s the proof?
I feel compelled to rebut S.E. Cupp’s assertion that the “Far Left” is anti-Semitic with two facts (“The far left has a serious anti-Semitism problem,” Oct. 28): 1) Disagreeing with certain Israeli government policies and actions does not equate to anti-Semitism; 2) Two wrongs don’t make a right.
JAMES FLETCHER
Sylvania Township
Plenty at stake
A lot of discussion about Issue 1 has focused on abortion, but that is only part of the amendment. The amendment also ensures access to contraception, fertility treatments, miscarriage care, and the right to continue a pregnancy.
I have received mailings claiming that we don’t need Issue 1 because miscarriage care is and always will be available. To see what could happen, look to Texas, where women were unable to receive miscarriage care because of strict anti-abortion laws.
People deserve explicit protection for how they become and remain pregnant.
KRISTEN GEAMAN
West Toledo
Restore safety to lake
Decades ago, I achieved my biggest childhood goal — I learned how to swim at Gem Beach on Lake Erie. Today, I’d be afraid to because of the toxic algae blooms ruining such pleasure. They are largely because of the sewage pollution from the factory farms dumping animal manure into the western lake watershed.
According to the Environmental Law and Policy Center, we need a strict permit to open another factory farm in Ohio, one that will restrict the number of them (there are 775), the number of animals they house, and how much manure they produce.
I would like to swim again in Lake Erie before I die. Let’s urge our lawmakers not to let factory farmers dictate the condition of our wonderful lake and recreational asset.
PATRICIA SCHNAPP
Fremont
First Published November 2, 2023, 4:00 a.m.
