Letters to the editor: Summit County Republicans, representative democracy, COVID vaccine
Party chairman creates confusion
The endorsement of Kim Hoover in the May primary by the chairman of the Summit County Republican Party was most unfortunate. Numerous fliers and literature suggested the Republican Party was endorsing someone against the incumbent Republican officeholder, Lisa Coates. Stow Municipal Judge Coates has been a faithful Republican for many years.
The confusion caused by the party chairman’s endorsement put a wedge between committed Republicans and the Summit County Party. It has now become obvious that the party chair did not do his due diligence when vetting Hoover (“Stow judge accused of illegal penalties,” Dec. 8).
Hoover's alleged tactics in collecting fines and court costs are disgusting. It is hard enough trying to get younger citizens to join the Republican Party without the party chair making such endorsements. I suggest Bryan C. Williams should do the honorable thing and resign as chairman.
Edward Davidian, Stow
Cherish a representative democracy
We have all heard the expression “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”
When our founders who represented 13 colonies that became 13 states wrote and signed the Constitution, they formed a government that can best be described by the following 13 words: “A constitutional republic whose constitution is based upon the principles of representative democracy.” The 12th word of that chain, “representative,” is currently the weakest link within the chain.
Voters are supposed to choose their representatives, but due to excessive gerrymandering, the opposite is far more common.
Although both parties are complicit, more Democrats live in urban areas and therefore become easier targets to victimize. Due to such geography as rivers, mountains and state borders, some gerrymandering is bound to take place, but most districts should be fairly round or square.
I support the Electoral College which tends to favor Republicans in presidential elections by a few percentage points. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's rigged, but to insinuate that the opposite is true because of fraud without proof is pure lunacy.
The three strongest links that define our form of government are the words constitution, republic and democracy. To infer that any one of those words is somehow incompatible with the other two is borderline treason.
I truly wish we didn't have so many representatives who are so fearful of the wrath of a former reality TV host who has all the charm of a carnival barker that they agree with his twisted definition of patriotism. We don't need any reruns of Jan. 6 by any party!
Michael J. Walzer, Akron
‘Personal choice’ can affect others
It is difficult to understand at this stage of the COVID pandemic how one’s decision about being protected from the potentially dire effects of a highly contagious virus could possibly be a personal one. The results of not being vaccinated have been obvious to all of us for more than a year: overwhelmed doctors and nurses; spread of infection to the most vulnerable; symptomless carriers unwittingly exposing others; and death.
It would be wonderful if those who see vaccines as a personal choice followed that decision with the personal responsibility of not traveling, making unnecessary trips, and/or going maskless. The effects of a personal choice have far-reaching consequences that are anything but personal.
Kelly Urbano, Akron
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Opinion: Remembering when Bryan Williams endorsed Kim Hoover in Stow
