Our lawmakers need to help schools or face voters' wrath

Our lawmakers need to helpschools or face voters' wrath
EDITOR:
As a taxpayer, a parent and a concerned citizen, I am writing this letter to express my outrage and frustration with the incredulous manner school districts in Ohio are being funded and not being funded.
My outrage and frustration stem from the standing method being used by legislators to generate and to allocate funds to school districts. At first blush, it appears to be an issue of inadequate funds when in fact it is a systemic dysfunctional legislative funding process that is the real culprit.
In all school districts, funding is a hot topic -- not so much because school district property owners do not want to foot the burden for quality education programs but because the funding process is intrinsically flawed. The Ohio Supreme Court feels this way too.
Another aspect of this funding issue can be traced to "unfunded mandates." In essence, the funding formula ignores funding for these mandates. Perhaps un-funded programs mandated by our legislators are worthy from an educational standpoint but are worthless from a funding standpoint. Unfunded mandates are a mandated budget cut in every sense of the word. Our district questions the legitimacy of such action.
Several weeks ago, the state superintendent of schools visited our school district. She made a parting comment to the effect that it is the local taxpayers' responsibility to ensure schools are funded properly. I agree with that to a point. Taxpayers have a responsibility in this issue, but so do our elected officials -- they have the responsibly to ensure school funding is done a professional, legal and fair manner.
It is up to us voters either to make our elected officials understand our feelings ands concerns about this issue of greatest importance or elect someone who will.
ROBERT OSTHOFF
Western Reserve School District
Levy Committee Member
Berlin Center
Don't wait; now's the timeto speak up about sewage
EDITOR:
The proposed dumping of raw sewage on a site in North Jackson presents a public health problem that can't be ignored. Are we as citizens content to stand by and be exposed to the same filthy and unhealthful conditions that faced towns and residents a century ago? Illness and disease associated with raw sewage strike quickly. There are over 6,000 known strains of disease-carrying bacteria associated with raw sewage. Also, the problems of its airborne characteristics are well-documented.
Never has there been a permit to dump sewage this close to a major water supply. Did the Mahoning County Health Department even consider the proximity of Meander Reservoir?
Common sense should surely enter into this situation. We all hold family and community dear, and our water and environment are the most important legacy we can leave our children.
I would hope that all elected officials would accept this responsibility of public trust. We as a caring public must voice our concerns to these officials. The potential for harm is very real and it stinks. Literally.
JOSEPH VANDEVENTER
North Jackson
Warren safety chief has sentthe right message to 2 cops
EDITOR:
Bravo to Warren's safety service director, Doug Franklin, who sent a profoundly humbling message to two cops (Hetmanski and Kistler) who have histories of violating the constitutional rights of citizens by performing unwarranted searches for traffic violations.
Can you imagine anyone experiencing this humiliation for allegedly rolling through a stop sign? How different does this make us from nations where human rights violations are common place?
Doug Franklin is not soft on officers who, most certainly, should know when they are violating the constitutional rights of citizens. The punishment fits the crime. The officers, unfortunately, are unwilling to accept their punishment. Where is their remorse or contrition?
KATHY ROSENTHAL HUMPHREY
Miami, Fla.