Traffic enforcement should be uniform; when it isn't, driver must wonder why

Traffic enforcement should be uniform; when it isn't, driver must wonder why
EDITOR:
Some may call it "sour grapes," but hear me out!
In Monday's Vindicator I read carefully the article entitled "Youngstown traffic police" and cut out for future reference the side bar "Driving road rules." What caught my attention was that police officer Prest pulled over a car going 66 mph in a 50 mph zone. He states he usually stops drivers going 12 over.
He made his check with the index operator downtown and found the woman had a valid license and spotless driving record. "I'm going to give her a break," he said as he returned her license "She didn't realize how fast she was going. She had her seat belt on."
Flash back to May 2002. I am driving down Glenwood Avenue when I hear the siren and see flashing lights, and I pull over. I am going 47 mph in a 35 mph zone. I live on Lockwood Boulevard, a 45 mph zone, travel Route 224 almost daily, a 45 mph zone (40 in places), so I hadn't realized I was speeding. Mea culpa -- I should have known, so I was guilty as charged and offered no sob story. This officer also phoned in a check and found a 42-year spotless record in Ohio. I also had a 10-year spotless record in New York state. He stated since he had already phoned it in he had to write me a ticket. Officer Prest was able to let his girl go with a warning. It would seem the laws should apply equally to Youngstown and its suburbs. I paid my fine the next day -- $70 -- and raised no objection till now.
I'd like to think my 1924 birth date had nothing to do with it. There are some who feel seniors should quit driving at a certain age. But I feel testing, not age, should determine that.
SALLY WALKER
Boardman
Even a kid recognizes that discrimination is wrong
EDITOR:
I am 16-year-old sophomore at Jackson-Milton High School. I would really like to solve the problem of racism and discrimination against other races and religions around the country. I believe that it does not matter what your background is or the color of your skin. Whether you are Muslim, Hebrew, Hispanic, or African-American, everyone should be treated equally.
I am an Arab and I feel the discrimination is preposterous. Because of the horrific event of Sept. 11, many people changed their ways. I've realized that after the terrorist attack, our nation had pulled together and fought through the hard times. We had put aside our differences and came together in the time of need. I now understand more about the big melting pot that I live in. But I feel sorry for some of the innocent Arab-Americans who have been criticized and beaten up, even though they had nothing to do with the incident. For years now, the racist tension in the air has been circulating around the country. But there is no need for that, because we are all different and deserve the same amount of respect.
As an Arab-American, I see myself no differently than any other individual. We are all living, breathing human beings who came from every which place to make up the country we live in. Our ancestors had their religions, cultures and traits, which make up who we are now.
I think that group meetings and sessions should be arranged for the racist people who bring others down. Whatever your personal reasons are, I feel they should be solved by talking to diverse races and listening to their unique opinions. If some people took the time to do this, maybe they would learn something new and change their ways. Maybe this will prevent some of that hatred from turning into something else. After all, the country is called, the United States of America. We should all be uniting.
SHERENE JUDEH
Lake Milton