Annan's role in Rwanda a betrayal of the innocent

Annan's role in Rwanda a betrayal of the innocent
EDITOR:
Your "uplifting" article, buried in a recent Vindicator, regarding Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan gives credit where credit is due. The world finally pays a full measure of respect to a great man "praised for his character and moral leadership," a man truly devoted to working for a more peaceful world.
This great honor is especially well deserved in light of Mr. Annan's courageous work as head of the U.N.'s peacekeeping efforts when he served as assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations in 1993 and 1994.
The article also demonstrates that the world little notes nor long remembers places like Golgotha and Gikongoro. Though separated by 20 centuries of stony sleep, the connection between the two is unmistakable.
Pontius Pilate presided over one, Kofi Annan over the other. And the $943,000 awarded to the U.N. and its Secretary General, equating to roughly one U.S. dollar for every innocent man, woman and child slaughtered in the Rwandan genocide, will, no doubt, wash many hands.
In times like these it is certainly comforting to learn of Mr. Annan's singular devotion to the cause of world peace.
J.R. REPUCCI
Austintown
Prison labor shouldn't replace regular workers
EDITOR:
It appears that several cities in Colum biana County have begun the process of hiring prison labor to sort their garbage. Once again our community leaders don't read the contracts or ordinances that they are asked to pass. And if they have, I'd like to know if they approve of prison labor taking jobs from private industry.
The Carroll-Columbiana-Harrison Coun ty Solid Waste District is asking communities to approve a doubling of the fees from $ 2.50 to $5 a ton. Hidden in this garbage is a proposal to build a $1.2 million recycling processing plant. The workers in this plant will be jail and prison inmates who will be given about $15 a week in compensation.
It doesn't matter that a company under contract with the district, which is only receiving about $1,500 a year in return, is currently doing this work. It's not costing us a cent and there are people who have jobs that feed their families at the company that is currently doing the work, but Mr. Chowdhury, district director, wants to cut these people out. By using slave labor, Mr. Chowdhury wants to pocket this money for the district.
So we put working people out of work, double our garbage fees, build a million- dollar pork barrel building, and adopt slavery. Which city councilmen say aye?
ALEX SNYDER
Columbiana
Lordstown officials urge passage of school levy
EDITOR:
As the Nov. 6 election approaches, we would like to address Lordstown voters about the request of Lordstown Schools for a 6-mill, five-year emergency tax levy.
As elected representatives, we are keenly aware of the schools' impact on the development of our village. Without a strong educational system, our village will lose its appeal to potential residential growth and commercial development. With this thought in mind, we are asking Lordstown residents to strongly consider voting for the 6-mill emergency levy that the school district is asking for.
The Lordstown School's First Levy Committee has been working hard to make every resident aware of the extreme financial situation they are facing. Mailers have been sent explaining the steps the board of education has taken to decrease spending while maintaining the quality of education Lordstown is known for. The recommendations from the State Oversight Committee and the Ohio Auditor's Office have been presented.
It is now up to the voters of Lordstown. We can continue to let our school finance destroy us, or we can choose to support our schools and more importantly, our children.
There are no quick solutions on school financing coming from state legislators nor windfalls in our future. Because of changes in Ohio law, village government's can no longer help with school finances. The need is urgent and very real.
Let us all support our village, our schools and, most of all, our children.
MAYOR ARNO HILL
Lordstown
X The letter was also signed by every member of Lordstown Village Council.