Schools must be made far safer for children

Schools must be made far safer for children
EDITOR:
Correct me if I am wrong. Everyday America sends its children unarmed into potential sniper fire on the pretense of offering them an education. The person ultimately responsible for their safety is the classroom teacher who has been bound and gagged by parents, school administrators and misguided psychologists who have decided that every bad behavior deserves a letter -- ADD, ODD, ADHS -- not a consequence. Yet these same teachers, who are given no support, are expected to risk their lives for their students.
The best we can offer these children and their teachers is to hope someone tells on a potential shooter or, failing that, rush the counselors in after the shooting and extend our condolences to the families of the victims. Small comfort.
If the money, time and effort currently invested in the proficiency tests were spent on school safety, there would never be another shooting.
Our children and teachers are in danger and no one really cares.
When there is a natural disaster, the president declares a state of emergency and sends money to help the victims. Our nation's schools are in a state of emergency. We have a government that has more money than it knows what to do with. Why not offer police protection now and make phone lines available for counseling 24 hours a day so children can vent their rage before they reach for a gun?
Oh, and just a final suggestion to parents: Don't let the moment your child faces a bullet be the first time a prayer passes his lips. Pray now -- because the ultimate protection is divine.
SHIRLEY SHEMUNOVICH
Hubbard
Canfield girls deserved more than selected photo
EDITOR:
They say it is never too late to say "I apologize. I'm sorry." I think the people who are responsible for taking the picture, writing the article and for deciding to put the picture of Canfield girls basketball coach and the young team member on the front of the Sunday, March 18, Vindicator certainly owe an apology to them and their whole team.
I'm certain there is no one who wanted to win more than they did. Why wasn't a picture taken of them receiving the runner-up trophy?
Why wasn't it said, "We are proud of you, win or lose"?
They all needed hugs and pats on the back, not slaps. Shame on The Vindicator.
I am not a resident of Canfield and know no one connected to the Canfield schools.
ELEANOR REEDY
Youngstown
Austintown should offer proper fire protection
EDITOR:
As a tax-paying resident of Austintown, I am deeply concerned with the level of fire protection that is being provided by this township. Currently there are only two fire stations manned in Austintown, and they both are north of Mahoning Avenue. Furthermore, each station is staffed by only three firefighters. In the event one of the stations is responding to a call such as an auto accident, the township can only guarantee that there will be three men and one fire truck responding to a structure fire. I hope it's not my house burning.
In the past, the fire department has relied upon part-time people to respond from home, when available, to assist these trucks, but so far in the year 2001 there has been absolutely no part-time response to approximately 15 alarms.
During a fire at the Days Inn on March 7, part-time people did not respond at three of the townships fire stations. They have other jobs and commitments.
On March 1, a hazardous-materials spill occurred at the overpass to Meander Reservoir. Austintown Fire Department's Haz-Mat Team was summoned and no one responded. It took nearly one hour for the county team to respond. This is our drinking water.
It is my understanding that the township is now going to try to start a part-time ambulance service using general fund money and forcing Lane's Lifetrans, Pellin and Rural Metro to move elsewhere to do business. Maybe these trustees can afford to take this chance, but as a taxpayer I believe we deserve to have needed fire protection first.
LOU CHINE Jr.
Youngstown