The Tribune Chronicle applauds all the local citizens who are running for elected office or are actively campaigning for or against tax levies and other issues that appear on the November General Election ballot.
It's disappointing that more people are not involved. There are too many uncontested races for important political offices and there are too many voters willing to cast a ballot for or against a levy or issue without sharing the thoughts behind their decisions. Worse, there are too many people not voting.
But the candidates on the ballot this season and those concerned enough about their communities to get involved in issues and levies have provided insightful information to stimulate public discourse. The Tribune Chronicle Editorial Board enjoyed the opportunity to engage these civic-minded folks in conversations about what's important for our community.
Those conversations led to the Tribune Chronicle's endorsements that have appeared in this space sporadically since early September. Voting season began Oct. 2 and concludes Tuesday.
In those editorials, the Tribune Chronicle encouraged voters to approve the local renewal levies that support schools as well as police, fire and road departments. The Editorial Board also advised caution before making decisions on additional school levies for Champion, Mathews and Brookfield.
A recap of the Tribune's other endorsements are listed below. Readers can also visit tribtoday.com, click on this editorial and then find links to all of the previously published endorsements.
Voters should remember that local replacement levies would result in tax increases.
Brookfield safety levy: No.
Champion fire levy: Yes.
Cortland police levy: No.
Hartford police levy: No
Hartford fire levy: Yes.
Howland police levies: No.
Howland fire levy: No.
Kinsman fire levy: Yes.
Liberty road levy: Yes.
Liberty emergency dispatching levy: No.
Newton fire levy: Yes.
Newton Falls police levy: No.
Warren Township police levy: No.
Weathersfield township levy: No.
U.S. President: Republican Mitt Romney over Democrat Barack Obama
U.S. Senator from Ohio: Republican Josh Mandel over Democrat Sherrod Brown
U.S. Representative, 13th District: Democrat Timothy John Ryan over Republican Marisha G. Agana
U.S. Representative, 14th District: Republican David P. Joyce over Democrat Dale Virgil Blanchard
State Senator, 32nd District: Democrat Capri S. Cafaro over Republican Nancy McArthur
State Representative, 64th District: Republican Randy Law over Democrat Thomas B.J. Letson
State Representative, 63rd District: No endorsement, Democrat Sean James O'Brien vs. Republican Patricia J. Paridon
Trumbull County Commissioner: Democrat Daniel E. Polivka over Republican John M. Hull
Trumbull County Domestic Court Judge: Republican Richard L. James over Democrat Sandra Stabile Harwood.
State Issue I: Yes, for a constitutional convention.
State Issue 2: No, for a new redistricting plan.