Welfare of Austintown children still the goal

Welfare of Austintown children still the goal
EDITOR:
I would like to respond to recent letters on the editorial page regarding the defeat of the Austintown Schools bond issue. I believe that there are many similarities to the close loss of a bond issue and that of a close loss in an athletic contest. Following the loss in an athletic contest many fans and coaches will look back on a number of factors to give reasons for the loss. Examples would include a bad call by an official, a technical foul on a coach or player, a missed free throw or field goal at the end of the game. This is referred to as second-guessing or armchair quarterbacking.
The letters you have printed have attempted to identify reasons for the loss of our bond issue. I understand that in a close loss -- any close loss -- whether it be a political campaign, a bond issue campaign or an athletic contest, it is human nature to point fingers at what is perceived to be the reason for the loss. Some will point to a faltering economy, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, fixed incomes, resistance to increased taxes or endorsement of political candidates.
The bottom line is that, for whatever reason, the bond issue was defeated.
Just as when a team loses a close game, it is disappointing -- but a good team gets up, brushes itself off and refocuses on the ultimate goal. In this case, the welfare of the children of the Austintown community is that goal.
It is my hope that we as a community can put this loss behind us and work toward the passage of the bond issue in May.
The issue is not about wanting a new building, but about needing a new building. This is an issue that must be addressed by our community.
It is extremely important for our community's future, but more important, for the future of our children and their opportunity for a continued quality education.
RICHARD DENAMEN
Austintown
X The writer is superintendent of the Austintown Local Schools.
Public schools opposed by many in state politics
EDITOR:
The Constitution of the State of Ohio in Article VI, Section 2, states: "No religious sect or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of any part of the school funds of this state." Despite this Constitutional mandate, former Gov. Voinovich with the aid and assistance of the powerful parochial lobby "conned" the Republican politicians into violating the Constitution and diverted funds to his religious schools in the Cleveland area.
According to a recent Vindicator editorial, "The Legislature passes laws that facilitate the creation of non-public schools, formerly charter schools, now community schools. Many of them private for profit." The editorial reveals that 17 of the 25 politicians sponsoring these illegal acts accepted $1,000 to $5,000 from David Brennan, CEO of the White Hat Management Company, which controls many of these profit making non-public schools.
The Republican voters of Ohio should note that despite the deficit, Attorney General Betty Montgomery has retained the prestigious Kenneth Starr at his costly salary to defend the non-public schools against the public schools. The public schools must solicit private funds to defend themselves against this wrong and unnecessary challenge. Who are the active teachers supporting? How about the retired teachers? What is the position of the Ohio Education Association and the state board?
A vote for a Republican is a vote against the public schools. A Vindicator columnist proclaims, "Higher education gets little sympathy from the GOP." Voinovich for what he did to the public schools and what he did for his religious schools was rewarded by being elected senator. Now we have two anti-public schools senators from Ohio.
MELVIN S. FRANK
Poland
Animal shelters won't stop pet over-population
EDITOR:
The Ohio legislature, spearheaded by Sen. Tim Ryan, is seeking to provide increased protection for animals, bringing Ohio's humane laws ultimately up to the standards of other states -- an action long overdue.
However, while our legislators attempt to modernize humane laws, the public needs to look at some cold, hard facts:
UApproximately 8-12 million companion animals are relinquished to shelters and pounds nationwide every year.
UOne female dog and her offspring can produce as many as 67,000 puppies in six years.
UOne female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in seven years.
USixty percent of the dogs and 70 percent of the cats in pounds and shelters must be euthanized because there are no homes for them.
"Animal people" seize on those figures and argue that we must build more shelters and place more animals in homes, that we must "sell" people on adopting animals. Why?
Based on our experience and studies we have done, for every 100 animals placed in our area, 15 will become cruelty cases, 25 will either die of disease or injury while still young animals, 50 will be abandoned, surrendered to a shelter or given away as no longer wanted. Five will end up living off handouts and garbage, spread disease and eventually die a lonely, hungry death. Only five will end up in good homes where they are loved, cared for, spayed or neutered, and kept for their lifetime. Not a very good percentage to gamble a placement on.
Let's face it. In today's highly urban environment with its transient population, only the very few can provide good, stable, permanent homes for pet animals.
So let's stop promoting the placement of animals. Let's stop believing that every family should have a pet. Let's stop indulging in misplaced compassion, believing that the more animals a person has, the more he/she loves animals. Owning animals is an expensive and demanding activity. It is for the few, not the many.
JEAN M. KELTY
Youngstown
X The writer is the president of Animal Charity.
The spirit of giving
EDITOR:
I wish many thanks to Sharie who stayed to help when my car broke down on the east end of the freeway very near to Fifth Avenue in Youngstown. She then drove me to a phone for help. Her children were very friendly.
WILLIAM J. BEGALA
Youngstown
X The writer is 88 years old.