Numbers don't tell whole story of a city's needs

Numbers don't tell whole story of a city's needs
EDITOR:
This letter is in response to the letter printed in the Oct. 13 Vindicator in which a Warren writer advocated that the city of Youngstown needs to face fiscal reality and cut its services based on the number of population it has lost. Let us look at numbers vs. reality.
In my opinion to base service cuts on just numbers is like determining if people should get life saving surgery based only on their age. It is illogical.
Yes, Youngstown has had a decrease in population. They have the vacant homes to prove that loss. In reality those vacant homes sit beside occupied homes and when they catch fire the fire department has three homes that are now at risk. The home that is on fire and the two next to it. With closed fire stations the harsh reality is that all three homes could be on fire before anyone could arrive to do anything about it.
A close look at the police arrest records reveal the reality that not just Youngstown residents commit crimes in Youngstown. The numbers say less people ergo less police but reality tells us that there is no drop in crime to justify a drop in police protection. The numbers say less people, less snowplow operators. Reality tells us that we cannot make streets in Youngstown disappear.
Businesses understand numbers. They love them. The reality is that the numbers the businesses will be looking at is potential losses due to reduced police and fire departments and the inability to send and receive inventory due to poorly staffed street and public works departments. The reality is that the number of businesses willing to locate in Youngstown with such a decrease in vital city services is very low.
As for the safety services trying to & quot;scare & quot; people to better protect & quot;overpaid and under productive positions & quot; I think not! What price do you put on a person who places his or her life on the line for others? What do you pay a person who crawls into a burning building or chases an armed criminal not knowing if at any moment it will be their families that have lost a provider, parent or loved one because they selflessly wanted to help others.
Criminals, fire, and weather do not understand numbers. They are reality. If we look solely at the numbers we miss the reality. If we look at them both we clearly see a need to invest in future of Youngstown. The sole bit of reality in Mr. Price's letter is that what happens to Youngstown indeed effects not only Warren but the entire tri-county area. Income tax increases can be taken back if the need no longer is there. Missed business growth due to poor city services cannot be recouped.
SILVERIO CAGGIANO
Mineral Ridge
If education is a concern, here's a meeting for you
EDITOR:
In 1997 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the present method of funding our schools was unconstitutional.
Currently, property taxes are used as a basis for funding. It is the over reliance on property taxes that the court based its decision on. The Ohio Constitution clearly states the state will fund a thorough and efficient system of public schools.
Ohio ranks 36th in school funding nationally, and the quality of education some of our students receive as they prepare for college is deplorable.
I say quality of education because the state is constantly under funding education and placing a heavy reliance on property taxes. Schools are forced to seek more levies and many do not pass. As a result programs and services are cut.
As a result there is animosity between school boards, residents and teachers. How long can we stand by and do nothing?
I believe we can do something. As a starter, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., William Phillis, executive director of the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy on School Funding, will speak at the Jackson Milton High School Gym. This meeting is open to all tri-county residents.
There are solutions to school funding problems and several states have adopted successful plans. Area legislators and school administrators have been invited.
Please take time to attend this meeting. As residents and taxpayers our concerns may play a part in advancing the futures of our children. I know of no greater achievement.
OLIN HARKLEROAD
North Jackson