How did Jason Williams get a gun when it was against the law for him to be in possession of one?
Our government leaders legalized marijuana, and anyone can buy a gun with few restrictions. What a dangerous combination of drugs and guns.
Our society is in grave danger. Unless we try to curb gun violence, more young people will die unnecessarily.
A bright young lady with a fantastic future lost her life Aug. 14 at a Taco Bell drive-thru in Stow because a person who was possibly high on a drug, alcohol or marijuana had possession of a legal or nonlegal weapon. I’m sure we will see more tragedies like this in our society. Remember, this violence was NOT done by an immigrant.
We must have some type of federal gun control in order to try to protect our children and young people from gun violence.
When will Congress start listening to the voice of the people who want comprehensive gun control?
Williams had every right to take his own life but no right to take Ms. Keleman’s life. This was truly a tragedy for her family to lose such a beautiful, talented young lady who had a great future. I pray for her family. What a great loss to society.
I was in Florida when the Parkland shooting occurred. I attended many anti-gun demonstrations. After the shooting, our previous president met with members of the young people in the White House and promised gun reform. That never happened because of the power of the NRA lobbyists.
We the people must put pressure on our Congress to pass comprehensive gun control.
Helen V. Sanders, Akron
Pass redistricting reform
Most of us believe that the principle of “one person, one vote” should be honored in every election. Sadly, partisan gerrymandering has enabled some politicians to choose their voters and made the votes of some voters less consequential.
Fortunately, the Redistricting Reform Act of 2024 would set comprehensive criteria for congressional redistricting, including:
- Banning partisan gerrymandering by prohibiting drawing maps that favor or disfavor any political party.
- Ensuring compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Providing an explicit right for private citizens to file legal challenges under this law.
- Requiring that districts be drawn to represent communities of interest and neighborhoods to the extent possible.
- Barring people, legislatures, and states from asserting legislative privilege over lawsuits brought under the act.
- Setting clear deadlines for when maps must be enacted.
- Mandating that redistricting plans are subject to public comment in an open and transparent manner.
Crucially, this bill includes a specified private right of action. Without a private right of action, lawsuits may only be filed by the U.S. attorney general. The bill also clarifies the legal process by which voters and other litigants can bring lawsuits challenging unfair maps. Please urge your members of Congress to pass it.
Katie Fry, Akron
The coronation
I have always been a bit fascinated with the monarchy of Great Britain, as I enjoy the pomp and circumstance.
But I never expected it to take hold here in America, ever since George Washington refused to accept being king.
However the recent coronation of Queen Kamala has certainly changed that. I do hope the media and people that have accepted her with no vetting or press conferences knows what it is doing. God save the queen?
Randy Ley, Tallmadge
No empathy or compassion
So Sen. JD Vance prattles on about “childless old cat ladies.” It conjures an image of a pathetic old woman in a tattered long dress wearing a babushka living in a ramshackle house with 14 cats and old newspapers and magazines piled high in every room. What’s most offensive about his characterization is the presumption that childless women are miserable and have no stake in and don’t care about the well being of their country and fellow human beings. Ridiculous.
Here’s a question for you: What is the equivalent term for a childless male? “Confirmed bachelor,” of course. Now we see a distinguished gentleman in a smoking jacket and ascot sitting in his leather armchair reading Foreign Affairs magazine and sipping a brandy after dinner. Think Sherlock Holmes.
If procreation were the be-all and end-all, we might as well be cicadas, popping out of the ground every 17 years, living a couple of weeks and dying in our billions after making more cicadas.
It is sad to see a vice presidential candidate who has no empathy with or compassion for people who are not just like him — rich, arrogant and ignorant.
Chris Walker, Fairlawn
About the Stow levy
The Stow-Munroe Falls school board has approved placing an 8.89-mill, 35-year bond issue on the fall ballot.
Property owners are already paying over 60% of their property taxes to the school district. That $200,000 home the treasurer used as an example is already paying $2,646.74 in property taxes that go to the schools. Nine levies. Two of those levies are earmarked for permanent building improvements. The new field house received financing from the general fund, but the schools have been neglected for many years with only band-aid repairs being performed.
Enough is enough. The board of education should provide a more reasonable plan. Tearing down seven schools, repurposing another and adding $238 million to our tax burden does not seem like a reasonable plan.
Marty Simpkins, Stow
End gun violence
As an Ohio resident for over 40 years, I care about my state and the people in it and want to see an end to gun violence.
Reading the ABJ article, “Ohio among the top sellers of firearms in the US,” is very concerning in light of recent events against President Joe Biden’s predecessor.
My hope is that cooler and calmer heads will prevail and that Ohio candidates running for re-election in Ohio, and those running for president will ask for gun violence to stop and to have compassion for all of America’s citizens.
Watch the words and actions of those running for office and see if they show compassion for all people whether LGBTQ+, minority, immigrant, etc., as that is where their true character and heart lies.
While I am a lifelong Democrat, my hope is that those with differing views will agree that gun violence must stop, and we can return to the day when Democrats and Republicans work together for the common good.
Nancy Dollard, Lake Township
A word about lobsters
Red Lobster is closing another location in Ohio. Take this as an opportunity, an opening, and an invitation to try out some of Akron’s deliciously fantastic vegan restaurants (as well as tasty vegan seafood available at your local supermarket).
Lobsters are complex, sensitive beings who share many traits with you and I. These crustaceans can live to be centenarians. Lobsters have great memories, recognizing and remembering past acquaintances while using complex signals to establish social relationships. They also have elaborate courtship rituals. Females initiate relationships by seeking out the males with the best burrows in the ocean. And while they don’t use Tinder, they could swipe with either claw if they did; lobsters are sometimes right-handed, sometimes left-handed, and sometimes ambidextrous. They go on vacation, too, traveling up to 100 miles each year!
And, just like humans, lobsters have a sophisticated nervous system that enables them to feel pain. Lobsters suffer when torn apart or boiled alive. Every animal is someone. Please, go vegan.
Scott Miller, Norfolk, Virginia