Since Lowellville appreciates sex offenders, send 'em there

Since Lowellville appreciatessex offenders, send 'em there
EDITOR:
While listening to a local radio talk show recently, I was shocked and appalled to discover that there are so many people in Lowellville willing to defend the teacher convicted of conducting a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old female student. The judge in this case received dozens of letters in support for this monster, while the child and her family have been approached on the streets, verbally harassed and called filthy names.
Are the residents of Lowellville aware that your councilman sent a letter in this animal's defense? Quotes from some of these letters included "he is a fine upstanding member of this community" and "every community needs a man like this." Obviously the letter writers cannot speak for the entire village, but the child's uncle reports the family has been forced to move out of their home! I certainly hope this was not the case and that nowhere in this wonderful country will we punish the child victims and support those who prey on them. However if the information is correct, then shame on you, Lowellville! If this person is what you consider a "fine upstanding citizen," "a pillar of our society," then you deserve him and many more just like him in fact.
Hey what a great idea! If your councilman wants them, let's give them to you. ALL of them! We can transfer any and all released sexual offenders from around the country to your little corner of the world. You can have an entire community of these "fine upstanding citizens," because nowhere else in this country wants them. Most communities fight to keep them out!
Now if only we can figure out a way to put shock collars on them and surround Lowellville with invisible fencing, the rest of Ohio and Western Pennsylvania will be able to sleep at night.
NANCY WOLLET
Salem
Education legislation meansnothing without fundingto cover additional costs
EDITOR:
I am a member of the Champion Board of Education and also represent Champion on the Trumbull Career and Technical Center Board. I want to begin by saying everyone in public education wants to be accountable to the public in all areas of education. We would like to see the public demand more accountability from charter and community schools.
Regarding the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the idea that no student is allowed to fail is a wonderful idea. No one can oppose this. In January 2002, the president and the Democrats in Congress shook hands and proclaimed the NCLB Act. The educational community across America joined in celebrating this historical law.
Much later, when the time came to appropriate money for NCLB, the war in Iraq was taking center stage, and Congress decided to put into NCLB about half of the original appropriation. This means that the states must make up the gap between the cost of NCLB and the federal share. Then add the fact that a lot of states are facing deficits, they cannot supply the money either.
The bottom line seems now that many local school districts will have to bear this cost. Locally, many schools are on the ballot seeking more money; some of this is because of NCLB and other expenses, including health care costs.
Republican Chairwoman Deborah Pryce of Ohio (a Champion High graduate) said this law will greatly improve education, but not overnight. I agree with Rep. Pryce, but only to the extent that the federal government plays a larger role.
Way back in the 1970s, the federal government promised to fund special education to 40 percent of the cost. In 2003, it pays about 17 percent or less.
ROGER L. SAMUELSON
Champion