Do you love your freedom? Be sure to thank a veteran

Do you love your freedom?Be sure to thank a veteran
EDITOR:
This Veterans Day, let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air and on foreign shores to preserve our heritage of freedom.
Since the end of World War I, Nov. 11 has been a day of special observance for Americans -- first informally, later as a ceremonial Armistice Day, now as a designated legal holiday renamed Veterans Day in honor of all ex-servicemen and women.
This year, Americans engrossed with current casualty lists from Iraq and the fate of our embattled troops there have reason to remember the long list of American defenders from Bunker Hill to Korea and, now, to Desert Storm and Iraq.
In all, since 1776, some 60 million men and women have participated in this nation's great battles at home and abroad. To them -- all our compatriots who served -- we extend our thanks and praise. We owe them for all our days of peace, freedom, national security and the preservation of our American heritage.
This Veterans Day, the public is urged to join the United Veterans Council and members of the VFW, American Legion, Korean Veterans, U.S. Marines and Vietnam Veterans who will conduct the traditional Veterans Day services at 11 a.m. in the rotunda of the Mahoning County Courthouse.
VINCENT J. DORIA
Youngstown
Another veteran's plea
EDITOR:
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is a day our nation sets aside to honor men and women who served in our nation's Armed Forces both in times of war and in times of peace.
It is incumbent upon each of us to pause and to reflect, in our own way, the tremendous sacrifices veterans have made to preserve our way of life.
Veterans answered the call of duty when our nation needed them. They served in very extreme climates, hazardous terrain and in difficult circumstance not because they necessarily knew the reason why, but because they knew it was their obligation to do so.
Many veterans still carry the physical, emotional and spiritual scars of war.
This Veterans Day please find room in your heart and whisper a prayer for them.
God bless our veterans. God bless America.
ROBERT M. OSTHOFF
Ellsworth
X The writer is quartermaster of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Meander Post 9571, in Ellsworth.
Cutbacks at MetroParks hit those who provide the most
EDITOR:
It was Oct. 31 -- Halloween -- and the Grim Reaper, Susan Dicken, and her henchman, Tom Bresko, made their rounds to the Mill Creek MetroPark offices, chopping employees who provide essential services through Mahoning County's best feature, its park system, It was a trick on all the tax levy paying residents of Mahoning County and especially no treat for the people of Struthers.
The person who has been the Naturalist/Park Manager at Yellow Creek Park in Struthers for over 11 years, Helena Uber, was informed that her full time position was being cut to a part-time position, with an hourly wage decrease, loss of all benefits and loss of housing, thus eliminating the on-site presence in the park.
In the Nov. 4 article in The Vindicator, Carol Potter, MetroParks director of development and marketing, stated, "What we're trying to do is stay within our budget: not spend more than we bring in." Was the tax-paying public ever made aware of the park's budget difficulties prior to the cutbacks? I think not. Cutting employees who provide direct services to the taxpayers of Mahoning County was the only solution that the park board could come up with? Times are tight for everyone. However, could not the burden of the financial problems be borne across the park system instead of by a few? The employees whose hours were cut were not offered other options. It is also important to note that no cutbacks were made in administration, only in the employees who directly serve the public.
As you read my signature to this letter, you will say this is a mom who is supporting her daughter. You betcha! However, I am also supporting the good of the community. That fact is that Yellow Creek has become a safer place due to the on-site presence of the park manager. The fact is that educational programs are provided in Yellow Creek and also taken into the schools. The fact is that in the first six months of this year, 3,201 students from Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties participated in park programming at Yellow Creek Park. The fact is that Yellow Creek hosts a Fishing Day, a Harvest Fest, the Ohio Wildlife Series, night owl hikes, concerts, children's summer camps, tennis camps, and other public programs too numerous to mention here. Whenever I am in public with the Yellow Creek park manager, children run up to hug the "park lady," parents stop to talk, praise is given about the latest programming. The Yellow Creek park manager, has been a part of the community. She knows the community; it knows her. She works well within the community and its structure. She is as much a part of Struthers as the Yellow Creek that runs through it.
When MetroParks Director Susan Dicken lowered her ax, she stated that she had the full support of the MetroParks Board of Trustees. Did she have the support of the community, the same community whose support she would seek for a tax levy? If you support keeping the park manager at Yellow Creek in her present position and in her current location, please let your views be known. Call the park offices (330) 702-3000, attend the board meeting Nov. 12 at the farm offices at 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road (Route 46), write letters.
NANCY UBER
Struthers
Ruling on funding for courtsputs power in wrong hands
EDITOR:
The recent articles regarding the county budgeting process and the expected shortfall between the tax revenues and the requests by the department heads points out the mentality of those who run for political office at all levels of government.
It's not that they aren't in touch with reality but that reality for them is nothing more than raising taxes to quench the ever-increasing thirst for more. Take Judge Theresa Dellick for example. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that courts can dictate their funding requirements and that whatever body is the budgeting arm of government has absolutely no recourse but to supply that amount. This ruling is very dangerous in that it removes all incentive for the courts to become efficient and frugal. They can demand as much as they want to the detriment of the rest of county government!
I can imagine a day when the only thing that gets funded is the courts, and every other office is forced to shut down. The commissioners eventually will have no other options but to increase taxes. Leave it to lawyers to figure out a way for the system to benefit them at the expense of others. Is it any wonder that the legal profession is one of the least respected?
BILL JOHNSON
Boardman