Strength of rape victim is inspirational example

Strength of rape victim is inspirational example
EDITOR:
I am writing to express my admiration for the young woman who was raped in August 2001. I can't even imagine the pain, indignity and terror she must have suffered at the hands of those animals.
It stated in Thursday's article that she has put many of her plans for life on hold because of the fear. I can understand that. For a woman, a rape is more than a physical assault, it is a psychological nightmare. Most men go through life never thinking twice about rape, unless it happens to a woman they love. However, every woman I know thinks about it daily. We lock our doors when we drive to work. We leave places in groups. We have our friends drive us to our cars, & quot;just in case. & quot;
The nightmare happened to this young lady. She did what she needed to do to survive. For that alone she should be admired. She could have just hidden that this had happened to her. Chances are these boys would have done the same thing to someone else. Instead, she stood up for herself in the only way she could and made sure these boys were prosecuted. That took courage. Surviving took courage. Prosecuting took courage.
They can no longer hurt her unless she lets them ruin her life. I know that she will find it in herself to not only go on, but to thrive. She is stronger than she realizes. My thoughts and prayers have been with her since the rape occurred. I will continue to pray that she can draw on her inner strength and one day live the life that she is meant to live. Not as a rape victim, but a rape survivor.
SHANNON L. MURPHY
Youngstown
Success of drug courts shows Issue 1 not needed
EDITOR:
The Oct. 19 Vindicator contained a small article acknowledging the 18 people who graduated recently from the drug court program in Mahoning County. As the article states, "Drug court is for first-time offenders charged with drug-related, non-violent crimes. It offers participants treatment instead of incarceration."
Where have we heard those words? Isn't that the supposed goal of Issue 1 on the ballot statewide in Ohio? Why do we need to amend the state constitution, bypass our judiciary system, and lose millions of dollars from our state treasury if we already have in place a system that works? Issues 1 is at best unnecessary and at worst a fraud. Drug courts work and are already accomplishing the goal of offering treatment to certain drug offenders and criminal consequences for others who choose to continue to break the law.
Support our local courts and substance abuse treatment centers. They are doing the work our community needs. Vote NO on Issue 1.
DR. and MRS. STEPHEN BAROLSKY
Girard
Open house at Babylon boggles the mind
EDITOR:
Re the story, "Strip club considers inviting ..."
No doubt many Austintown residents read with great amazement and anticipation the latest news from our good neighbors at Club Babylon. Attorney Scott Cochran now has propositioned our citizens, offering them the possibility of (free) visits to this local establishment to partake, we must assume, in the festivities which occur there nightly.
This is certainly a brilliant business initiative. Perhaps there are more intriguing enticements to come. Buy one, get one free. Senior citizen discounts. Family nights. Sponsorships for our local youth sports teams.
Who knows where this will lead us?
Perhaps if the township could attract a few more of these lucrative economic engines, we could forgo any more shrill debates over business parks.
J.R. REPUCCI
Austintown
Township trustees see benefits from sale tax
EDITOR:
The Green Township trustees are urging all registered voters in Green Township and Mahoning County to seriously consider a "YES" vote for the proposed 1/2 percent sales tax renewal which will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Examples of the cost to you, the taxpayer:
If you visit a restaurant and your check is $25.00, the 1/2 percent sales tax equals 121/2 cents.
If you buy a new television for $199, the 1/2 percent sales tax equals $1.
If you shop outside Mahoning County, you do not pay the Mahoning County sales tax.
A recent survey reflects 40 percent of sales tax dollars received in Mahoning County are generated by people living outside of Mahoning County.
Some, but not all, of the benefits Green Township has already received from the sales tax include:
$90,000 toward the cost of the Green Township Administration and Community Building
Sheriff's substation in Greenford
Seven miles of blacktop on Western Reserve Road and Lisbon Road
A 6 percent sales tax sounds like a lot, but keep in mind, 5 percent goes to the state of Ohio. Only 1 percent stays in Mahoning County.
This will not increase your taxes.
We are urging you to vote "YES" on the 1/2 percent sales tax renewal Nov. 5.
DONALD KUHNS, EDWARD J. SCHAEFER and GEORGE D. TOY
Green Township trustees
Lyrics of song stir the soul
EDITOR:
Anger, violence and war. These are the topics that seem to tear through the media in recent days. Movies, music and video games seem only to add to the amount of destructive force violence has in our society. Attempts at censorship and resolutions are only Band-Aid efforts to alleviate the problem. This problem is not a domestic occurrence. It is a worldwide epidemic. Psychologists and sociologists have studied the causes and effects of violence on society for more years than I have been alive. Yet, as the years roll on, violence in society appears to be growing.
I am neither a psychologist nor a sociologist, and I have not discovered the remedy for ridding the world of violence. However, I have come across a simple yet powerful message that might lead us in the right direction to obtain a more peaceful existence on this planet.
While sitting in church last Sunday, I pulled out the insert that was placed in our service bulletin. On it were the lyrics for the song "Let There Be Peace On Earth" printed in large letters. The words of this hymn struck me with such intensity that I could not ignore the feeling of concern welling up from deep within my soul.
"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be ... Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
Such a profound and empowering statement as this cannot, and should not, be kept quiet. You don't have to be a religious person to see the importance of this message.
Think about it for just a moment. What effect would there be on society if every member of this planet made a personal and conscious choice to become an ambassador of peace and good will? Okay, maybe I am a little too optimistic. Yet, even if a moderate number of people became champions to the cause, I feel that there would still be a positive effect on the whole population.
Share this letter with others, and help them to become peacemakers as well. Together we can make a difference.
BRAD MOISON
Youngstown