Every band had some fans who left the show early

Every band had some fanswho left the show early
EDITOR:
As president of the Poland Band Parents Association, I feel compelled to respond to the letter in the Aug. 31 Vindicator from an Austintown resident berating Poland band fans who need to "work on their manners" for leaving a band show early. As I understand it, this issue was also the topic of discussion on a local radio talk show as well (I'm guessing as a result of the letter).
First, let me say that neither our band parents' organization nor the band directors condone any fans' leaving before the last band performs. I can understand how leaving early could be construed as rude and inconsiderate. The fact is that each year, our directors request that those who buy tickets stay until the final performance of the evening. In many ways, the letter made some good points. In a perfect world, everyone would arrive early to see the "pre-game" performance and stay until the last note is played by the last band. The bottom line is that while we can make the request -- we can't tell them what time to get there, and we can't "make" them stay. Some people arrive late, and some leave early. Not all are from Poland.
I believe we have some of the most loyal and supportive fans of any band in our area. Our fans are very proud of our band, as I'm sure are the fans of all the bands represented at the band nights -- as they should be. Each and every band did an excellent job; however, I'd be willing to bet that the reality is that nearly every fan in the stadium was there to see "their kid" perform. That's not to say that they don't enjoy the other bands, but most of them (regardless of which band their child is in) were there because their child was performing -- not because any particular neighboring community band was there.
The letter asserted that "You [the Poland band fans] and you alone are notorious for this kind of behavior." Perhaps he didn't notice that there were fans of other bands that also left after their bands performed. Perhaps he doesn't realize that we require four chaperons to travel on each of our eight buses every time we go anywhere with our band, and that while our band is performing, they (along with the flagline moms, majorette moms, equipment handlers, etc.) like to sit in the stands to watch the performance, but then leave as the band is exiting so that they can resume their chaperoning duties.
To the best of my knowledge, our band is the biggest in the area at 300 strong. As such, it might stand to reason that there may have been more Poland fans there than fans from other schools, and therefore the blue and white may have been more noticeable than some of the other school colors leaving the stands. Apparently the writer didn't notice the couple of bands that began "packing up" during the Fitch band's performance, yet he somehow feels compelled to single out Poland as being mannerless, classless bad guys.
Let me reiterate that we too would like to see all marching band fans stay until the final note is played. I happen to agree that those who leave early (whether from Poland, Canfield, West Branch, Brookfield or Austintown, or any of the other communities represented by their band) are missing out on some great entertainment and music.
JIM PENNEY
Poland
Closing of Cushwa Centeris a loss to YSU and Valley
EDITOR:
I was deeply troubled by your article on the closing of the Cushwa Business Center. Most communities would cherish such an organization.
The Cushwa family provided not only financial support but also their name endorsement and their personal involvement. It's the latter two ingredients that made the Cushwa Center unique and irreplaceable.
A few scholarships are always good, but their economic impact will be very limited. YSU's failure to provide an environment in which the Cushwa Center could function is an indication of the work that is needed if it (YSU) is to have a positive economic development impact on the Mahoning Valley. In these times of state budget concerns, the downsizing of YSU is a real possibility. The Cushwa Center would have been a positive force to help prevent it.
DARYL MINCEY
Liberty