Sense of entitlement is in eye of the beholder

Sense of entitlement is in eye of the beholder
EDITOR:
This is in response to the Jan. 14 article, "Panel Wants Personnel Changes" at YSU. In particular the quote from John Habat, vice-president for administration, who states that the deeper reason for the strikes of August 2005 was "an aggressive resistance to an administration that was trying to change an environment and its philosophy of entitlement." As a 23-year veteran classified employee of YSU, I do not feel entitled to anything but the opportunity to do a good day's work for a fair wage.
In order to be hired at the university at the time, it was necessary to take a very competitive civil service exam and score extremely well to even be considered for employment. The exams were given several times a year to groups of applicants over the course of most of a day. I was also told that if I did not score in the top three out of all the many applicants that I would probably not be hired. Fortunately I scored in the No. 2 spot and was eventually hired, but not until I had been called back for three separate interviews. Keep in mind that this was for an entry level clerical position. This process took about eight months.
Contrast that with the way that Mr. Habat obtained his position -- by knowing the right people and bypassing the search procedure altogether -- he was handed the job outright. Those in authority at the university, with the full cooperation of the board of trustees, also passed a rule that allows them to do the same thing anytime they see fit, which they have used and will continue to use to fulfill their own agendas. I believe that this is also known as cronyism -- the type that runs so rampant in our nation's capital these days. Now, who do you think has the sense of "entitlement" here?
Given just this one fact, the question ought not to be "Why are labor relations so bad?" but "Why shouldn't they be bad?" Where there is no fairness and accountability, there will be no good relations.
LEANA FABRIZIO
Youngstown
Sometimes a dog's life is nothing to be envied
EDITOR:
A few days ago I witnessed a dog tied to a doghouse in the New Waterford area. There were no visible signs of food or water, and though the dog was standing, it appeared to be hunched over as if not able to stand up properly. This could be arthritis from lying on the ground for years or extremely matted fur making it painful to stand erect.
The doghouse appeared too small for the size of the dog with no sign of straw or any other form of warmth inside, and no cover over the opening to keep out the elements. I learned that food and water was "dumped" twice a day. Also, that the dog had been tied to the box for years.
It might surprise these pet owners to know that the dog probably gets thirsty more than twice a day; that the dog actually gets cold just like we do, gets sick just like we do, and surprisingly enough, gets lonely just like we do. Again, it raises the question I can't stop asking, "What is wrong with people?" I wonder how they would like to spend their entire life in solitude tied to a box not big enough to stretch in, with 20 feet of chain, if that, struggling to keep warm in winter and cool in summer, while you wait for food and water. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year until you die. Sounds real pleasant, doesn't it?
The ignorance and cruelty of people never ceases to astound and sicken me. The inhumane treatment of these precious creatures never ceases to make my heart ache.
SHERRY ROSS
Boardman