States should lead drive for stem cell research

States should lead drive for stem cell research
EDITOR:
I read that California has passed a law allowing (even encouraging) stem cell research with the idea of finding treatment and even possible cure for some diseases that devastate our society. Diabetes and Parkinson's come to mind, for starters.
This California law was initiated to circumvent the ideology restrictions that George W. Bush has imposed on such research and efforts. I also read that John Ashcroft wants to try to thwart this initiative on "constitutional" grounds. Ideology should not be allowed to thwart efforts that could possibly benefit our society so greatly.
I am sure that thoughtful citizens and readers of this paper will agree that the California initiative is wise and worthy. I am trying to mobilize support to introduce such legislation in Ohio. I have written my state senator, representative and our governor, and urge others to do the same.
This should help, until the self-righteous ideological restrictions at the federal level can be reversed.
I write you as a concerned citizen, a physician, the close friend of a colleague with advanced Parkinsonism, and the grandfather of two girls with juvenile diabetes.
ROBERT B. McCONNELL, M.D.
Youngstown
Attend Boardman trusteemeetings and be amazed
EDITOR
I am writing this letter regarding what was witnessed at the Boardman Township trustee meeting on Oct. 15.
Residents of this community very much appreciate the opportunity to express our opinions and voice any complaints to the board of trustees concerning issues that we feel need immediate attention. Likewise, listening to the remarks of the residents allows the trustees to become aware of the concerns of their constituents, to search for solutions and to resolve issues. This type of dialogue should be a valuable tool in the decision- making process for the management of the township.
However, one by one, individuals presented very strong issues to the trustees concerning the proper enclosure of trash containers by business concerns and opposition to a new Super Sam's development and one by one were met with either the same old phrase used at meetings, "there is nothing we can do," or their presentations fell upon deaf ears. After the open public session was closed by Trustee Thomas Costello and the regular trustee meeting commenced, it became apparent that township residents were not allowed to speak or interject when an issue was up for discussion by the trustees and administrators. This was evident when I asked to positively interject on an issue concerning the Super Sam's development and was flatly told by Thomas Costello that my statement would not be allowed because it was a closed session. I appreciate the trustee's right to have a closed session, however, the rules of conduct should then apply to all present. A school board member in attendance was asked to speak in support of the opinions of Mr. Costello and Ms. Mancini who had an issue with the third trustee, Kathy Miller.
One very disturbing behavior observed from the meeting was the bickering of Elaine Mancini and Thomas Costello with Kathy Miller when she brought up some issues that were favorable to the residents attending the meeting.
I strongly feel the residents of Boardman must be aware of the strife and what is happening at these trustee meetings and invite all residents who are really concerned about their community and the future of Boardman to attend the next trustee meeting, which is 7 p.m. tonight.
DONALD J. WITYSHYN
Boardman,
Canfield residents should invest in the future today
EDITOR:
To the Canfield Community: The future is in your hands -- vote for the Canfield schools levy. Much of the future is not determined by accident; what we do today largely determines what will happen in the future. Carefully weigh any reasons you may have for not supporting the levy against the long-term benefits that you will receive by supporting education. Reasons not to vote for the levy should pale by comparison.
The importance of quality education cannot be overstated. Who is going to keep us safe and healthy in the future? Who is going to keep our economy strong? Who is going to protect us, feed us, provide jobs, goods and services? Who is going to invent new medicines and technologies to improve our quality of life? The answer lies in the schools -- it is the students!
How we handle this precious commodity will define our future. The schools foster the next generation of leaders, soldiers, scientists, engineers, teachers, public servants, medical personnel, and business entrepreneurs. If our future is to be bright, then we need to provide them with the tools that they will need to make this a safe and better world.
We must not forget that all roads to success pass through the schools. Nothing of value comes for free. Medical breakthroughs, engineering wonders, flourishing economies, and the electronics and telecommunications technology explosion -- all are products of the educational system. We would not have these things today if past generations had not invested in our schools. The small investment that you are asked to make today will pay untold premiums for you and your family for generations to come.
Please vote for the school levy, this is money well spent!
DAVE BLYSTONE
Canfield
A teacher's time is best spent in the classroom
EDITOR:
Although I have heard it said "it pays to have friends in high places" I never saw it demonstrated until the Newton Falls Exempted Village Board of Education meeting of Oct. 9. As a parent and taxpayer I was amazed to hear two of the board members lobby and pressure the rest of the board in an attempt to get them to agree to grant a teacher three days off with pay over and above the three days of paid, unrestricted, personal leave which is generously provided by contract to all teachers in the system.
This teacher is a board member in a neighboring school system and wishes to attend the Ohio School Board Convention in Columbus next month. One wonders why this teacher is not being told to use the three days of unrestricted paid personal leave provided in the teachers' contract..
I can assure you, having attended conventions for both union and school board, that neither convention is designed to in any way enhance the classroom performance of a teacher.
Having worked as a substitute teacher for the past 12 years, I can assure you that no substitute teacher, regardless of the amount of his or her effort, can ever fully replace the regular teacher. We, the taxpayers of the Newton Falls Exempted Village School System, are also being cheated. In addition to having to pay this teachers daily rate of pay plus retirement, we will also have to pay a substitute teacher's $70 a day plus retirement. One has to wonder how board of education members who just two short weeks ago complained of being broke cannot only allow but actually promote this type of absence resulting in this type of spending.
EDWIN BUCHANAN
Newton Falls
Zone change would alter Austintown forever
EDITOR:
At 7 p.m. Wednesdau, the township trustees will vote to forever change the identity of Austintown. Before them will be a plan to approve a zone change that will allow a 380-acre industrial park to be built in Austintown Township.
This park will make up 6 percent of the entire township, that doesn't even include the empty areas already zoned industrial. The park will border seven residential neighborhoods, and it will use one current dead-end street as a major thoroughfare. This will dump thousands of vehicles on a daily basis through a residential neighborhood and past the Austintown baseball fields, where thousands of kids play baseball every day.
This park will negatively affect all of Austintown Township. The Industrial Park will not contribute anything to the township except higher taxes, decreased property value, and increased traffic and safety concerns. First, they have absolutely no companies interested in moving in, and if a company would ever move in it would certainly receive a tax abatement, which would allow it to contribute nothing to the area for a decade! Even with no companies interested they plan on taking 10-15 years to fill this park, and that's if they can even do it! Any of the infrastructure improvements will be paid for with tax increment financing. Tax increment financing allows the county to borrow money for infrastructure improvements and repay the loan with money from real estate taxes. So if a company located in the park, in addition to the tax abatement, half of the real estate tax that should be going to the township and schools, will go to pay back the loan the county took out.
Homes in the seven neighborhoods that border the park total approximately $7 million in value. How much do you think their value will drop after a 380-acre industrial park moves in? I don't want the park, and I want three new trustees.
JAMIE WILLIAMS, Chairman
Austintown's Concerned Citizens