Friday, November 15, 2002
In a leaderless party, one person stepped forward
EDITOR:
In the midst of a general lack of real Democrat Party leadership and political courage locally and statewide, it was good to see that Mahoning County Commissioner Vicki Sherlock proved to be a real leader.
The passage of the sales tax vindicated Sherlock's belief in the community being able to pull together in these difficult economic times and pass the local sales tax. Despite pressure by the chamber of commerce and other commissioners to impose the tax, Commissioner Sherlock trusted the voters and did everything she could to assure its passage.
Commissioner Sherlock's leadership was especially courageous given the anti-tax sentiment and the politically-motivated charges and misinformation against her generated by the Hanni/Belinky crowd. More serious were the unfounded charges against her by The Vindicator's political writer that were the result, of what everyone now agrees, was careless reporting.
Nevertheless, the ballot initiative was done to help to revitalize this community and, while taxing itself is not popular, it was a necessary step to stabilize the services that can serve as a foundation for economic development. The community owes Sherlock a debt of gratitude.
JOHN RUSSO and SHERRY LINKON
Youngstown
X The writers are professors at Youngstown State University and co-authors of "Steeltown USA: Work and Memory in Youngstown."
When will we ever learn?
EDITOR:
Now that the election of 2002 is over with the Republicans' historic takeover nationally, as well as statewide, I have some observations.
I believe that Mahoning Valley residents and voters must start electing candidates to office nationally, statewide and locally as it relates to the political party in power -- and right now that's the GOP -- in order to truly get something done for the voters and residents of the Mahoning Valley.
I believe the 17th Congressional District and Mahoning Valley voters demonstrated in this election that they have failed to learn a lesson that the rest of the country and the state of Ohio already understands.
WILLIE JAMES RICHARDS
Youngstown
Ryan was right choice
EDITOR:
This is in response to the Nov. 12 letter that chastised the voters of the Valley for not electing Ann Womer Benjamin to Congress. First I congratulate the writer for getting involved in a campaign, albeit for the wrong candidate.
He made the point that because she had a & quot;R & quot; after her name that she had no chance, yet in all of her advertising she never mentioned she was one of those. Billboard, television, and handouts never mentioned she was a Republican. Therefore that cannot be a reason to vote against her if she does not have enough pride in her own affiliation.
He mentioned that the Republican party is not just for the wealthy. Look at the tax breaks that President Bush is promoting. Over 40 percent of the breaks go to the top 1 percent. The push to eliminate the estate tax affects less than 4 percent of the population. Yet a two-income family will now be affected by the alternative minimum tax, the one in which he gave money back to corporations, retroactive to 1986!
I think that the voters of this Valley are ahead of the curve and can see through the rhetoric that is promoted by the Republican Party. Remember, they were the ones who funded the attack ads that used the 9/11 tragedy against Congressman-elect Ryan. I believe that Congressman Strickland and Ryan will give this area great representation.
TOM LAMB
Youngstown