Letter to the editor: Republic Steel Corp. once was Stark's economic backbone

I was never happier than the day I was hired at Republic Steel Corp. in 1972.

Republic Steel, in those days, was the backbone of Stark County's economy. It was a huge American leader in the manufacturing of quality steel. This company supplied thousands of people in Canton, Massillon and the surrounding areas with the ability to put food on the table, purchase homes and send their children to college. My grandfather, dad, uncle, brother-in-law and father-in-law worked there, as well as countless friends.

I can't help but believe that everyone felt Republic Steel would be here forever, as it had been since 1920. In the mid 1970s, Republic became LTV after a merger with J & L Steel.

At this point, some cracks started to develop. Massillon's Enduro Division and Canton Berger divisions were sold. The slide continued until a Mexican firm bought the company, squeezed every nickel out of it and built a new factory south of the border.

I believe, at one time, one out of five people in Stark County worked or knew someone who worked at the mill. I, for one, can't believe that the government for decades has watched subsidized, cheap, bad-quality steel get dumped into this country and did nothing. Only in this country are foreigners permitted to buy us up, use us up and shut us down.

When you lose your ability to make steel, you lose your ability to defend yourself. We owe Republic Steel Corp. our gratitude for all it has done for us and our country during peace and war.

John McKelvey, Louisville

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: Republic Steel was Stark's economic backbone