When voting, remember jobless

When voting, remember jobless

With all the levies, bond issues, and taxes on the May ballot in Liberty Township, Trumbull County and the state, how many, if any, will be passed successfully by the voter? Not only that, we do not know how many new taxes will be added on us by our friends in Washington D.C.

Trumbull County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. According to recent newspaper articles, we are averaging close to 40 home foreclosures a month. Many of our friends and neighbors, most recently G.E. plants in Niles and Denman Rubber in Leavittsburg not only lost their income but their health insurance and some even their pensions.

I am a retired 60-year member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union and have served that organization locally as a financial secretary and business representative. When levies were brought before us during the good years for school teachers, county and state workers etc, from 1950 through the 1990s, we did not hesitate to show our support for them. Without the Trumbull County Federation of Labor and the many unions and non-union employees the benefits these tax-funded employees enjoy today may not have been there.

Now as we enter the 21st century, many of these same men and women have lost their homes, hospitalization and even their pensions. Rather than take concessions, workers today would rather see their brothers and sisters laid off and join the unemployed. Just don’t cut my wages or benefits.

I have had only two small raises in my pensions in 15 years yet all my household expenses — taxes, food, hospitalization, you name it — have taken a big bite out of my finances with no end in site. Social Security has a habit of giving you a raise and then increases your Medicare to eat it up.

Two levies I am supporting are the Trumbull County Senior Services Levy and any levy concerning the public libraries.

When voting in the May primary, think of all your family members, neighbors and Trumbull County residents who have lost their homes, insurance and pensions and vote accordingly.

EDWARD J. TOCK, Liberty Township