Letters: Group supports Akron's Issue 10; abortion rights; Madison Gesiotto Gilbert

Issue 10 is for a community of hope

On behalf of the Federated Democratic Women of Summit County, we express our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and community of friends of Jayland Walker. There is nothing more disconcerting than when we lose our moral compass and don't give a thought to human life. Can America recover from the myriad of incidents that have plagued our country over the past 10 years?

Who would have ever imagined in this 21st century that Akron, Ohio, would be in the center of an unimaginable wild, wild West shoot 'em up? Did Walker deserve to be slaughtered? It reminds us of slave/bounty hunters with a reward to bring them back "dead or alive."

Has the Akron Police Department lost its moral compass? Walker was someone's brother, son, cousin, employee and friend. No conversation will bring him back. It is our hope that the Police-Community Relations Charter Change will make for a safe community for all. It is vital that all Akron citizens vote for Issue 10 to effect the necessary change that will positively affect our community.

Dr. James H. Cone, in his book "For My People," asked a poignant question, namely, "Where do we go from here?" We ask the Akron Police Department, the mayor, City Council and Summit County Council and community leaders, "where do we go from here?" Will we live in hatred and continued provocation of evil? Or, will we find strategic, palatable ways to reconcile and live at peace with all men?

Let's borrow a campaign slogan from President Barack Obama — "Yes we can" — as we vote and support Issue 10.

Wanda R. Rookard, president, and members of the Federated Democratic Women of Summit County

Democrats support right to abortion

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled the Roe v. Wade decision that has given women the right to reproductive freedom for the past 50 years. The chaotic aftermath of that decision is already being felt across the country. It will get worse for women as the impacts of this ruling continue to be unveiled.

Regardless of how you feel about abortion personally, the government should not be the final arbiter of a decision that so intimately affects an individual woman's life and health. Women and the medical professionals dedicated to their care lost a vitally important freedom in that June decision.

With the current makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court, there is little hope for remedy there. Our best hope lies in electing candidates to federal and state legislatures, the governor's office and state Supreme Court who support women's reproductive freedom and will vote to uphold those rights. At this point in time, those candidates are all Democrats.

If you care about the loss of these vitally important rights, protecting them from further erosion and restoring those rights at the state level, vote for Democrats. This is the election in which voting Democratic up and down the ticket is the only way to restore hope for reproductive freedom for women in Ohio. Vote like your right to reproductive freedom depends on it.

Becky Weihe, Akron

Send Gesiotto Gilbert to Washington

Since President Joe Biden and Democrats took control of Washington nearly two years ago, everyone I know has suffered the consequences. Gas and grocery prices are through the roof. Housing has become even harder to afford. Our retirement savings are threatened. The reckless spending we’ve seen come out of Washington has caused the historic inflation every Ohioan is experiencing.

We desperately need new leadership in Washington to put checks and balances on Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi. That leader is Madison Gesiotto Gilbert.

Gesiotto Gilbert is a Stark County native who has always put our community first. She’s a new mom and small business owner who has signed both sides of a paycheck and knows how hard it is for small businesses to thrive when career politicians overregulate the private sector and recklessly spend taxpayer dollars, putting our country further into debt.

Gesiotto Gilbert will bring new, independent leadership and a fresh perspective to Congress. I hope you will join me in voting for her on Nov. 8.

Robert Ganser Sr., North Canton

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Group supports charter change on Akron police relations