The story behind the story about loss of fair honors

The story behind the storyabout loss of fair honors
EDITOR:
I am writing this letter in response to the article on the front page of the Aug. 5 Vindicator titled, "No families to receive fair honor." That article has done a great disservice to a wonderful tradition that would have, and should have celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Canfield Fair this year, the Outstanding Families of Mahoning County. Every year since 1963, this honor has been bestowed on families for their exceptional service to the community.
The job of selecting families has been faithfully done each year by the Mahoning County Extension Advisory Committee, of which I am (or was) chairman. As of the first of this year, there was a list comprised of families to be considered for urban and rural families of the year. However, the county extension agent, who has only been on the job for a short while as office chairman, saw fit to dispose of the whole committee, less myself and the vice-chairman, without our knowledge. Some of the people on this committee had served for years. And now a priceless resource of history and information has been taken away.
Many of you remember and admired the late Darrel Bacon, my predecessor who worked tirelessly for many years on the extension advisory committee, the 4-H programs, and many others, to keep traditions like "outstanding families" alive. He'd be rolling over right now if he knew this had happened to the committee he selflessly served for so long.
There are rules for our committee on replacing members after two terms, but over the years in some cases, no replacements were made due to the fact that no one was interested in the job.
The people on this committee served Mahoning County for years with distinction, and for the good of all people who live here. And, by the way, it was all volunteer time. To release this whole committee all at once, and have no replacements, is a disservice to all the taxpayers of Mahoning County who supported OSU extension by passing the 0.5 percent sales tax last November. This committee advised the extension office on all the programs it makes available to all Mahoning County residents, for years. Until now.
So, the gist of this letter is to say to all those concerned, there was an advisory committee that could have chosen the outstanding families for 2003. And this program has not "run its course" as had been mentioned. But this committee was essentially "fired" just before nominations were to take place. And there was a list of names for consideration as outstanding family. But without a committee there was no one to nominate these families.
So, the Aug. 5 Vindicator article was totally incorrect.
AL LEONHART
Canfield
A deserved good riddanceto state STRS chairman
EDITOR:
As former chairman of the Ohio House Retirement Committee, I was delighted to hear of the departure of chairman Herb Dyer of the Ohio State Teachers Retirement System.
His actions speak for themselves, and to pay him $550,000 to get him to leave is unthinkable under the conditions that we now find the system. (Example: spending over $800,000 on artwork for their offices and during the same period requiring its members to start paying for their medical benefits). The board was wise to suspend the $14 million the board gave some of its management.
Years ago, because of pressure of the OEA, the board permitted its members to receive a check at Christmastime when the fund could not afford it. So the members should know what their elected board members are doing and why.
The vote was 5 to 3 with state Auditor Betty Montgomery, Attorney General James Petro and Susan Tave Zelman, state superintendent of public instruction, voting no. They should follow them up and have these monies returned to the system that needs it. Also, members of the Ohio Legislature have a duty to check on all state retirement systems before it's too late.
THOMAS P. GILMARTIN SR.
Youngstown