Removal of painting shows Poland's disdain for history

Removal of painting shows Poland's disdain for history
EDITOR:
On March 21, 1984, I delivered personally to Poland Village Hall an important historical painting of The Old Dormitory, circa 1846, as it looked for more than 50 years while it was the home of my parents, Barnard H. Steinfield (1894-1984) and Bernice T. Steinfield (1894-1965) and the childhood home of their daughters, Janie and Barbara.
A handwritten note on the back of the painting reads thus: "Because this is the way The Old Dormitory looked in my father's more than 50 years of residence -- 54 altogether, the last 19 alone since the death of my mother -- this painting should hang in Village Hall. I am keeping Chet Hunt's original black and white sketch, and since neither my sister nor her children want this painting, also by Chet Hunt, I'd like to present it to the village on the condition that it never be sold but hung in the Kennedy House (now the Village Hall). My parents bought the house from Judge James B. Kennedy, and it is fitting that it remain there."
A few weeks ago there was a picture in the paper of an interior room of Village Hall showing a mantel above which hung a picture, definitely not the one I had given. Previously it had hung over the mantel in the office. When I called to inquire about it, no one had any idea where it was. It had been taken down -- not recently -- and had not been seen since.
At my insistence, a search was begun, and eventually it was found in the sun room, not on a wall but just discarded.
I have retrieved this historic painting. If the village ever wants it back, which I doubt, as it is obvious that history is of no consequence, (witness demolition of the William McKinley residence to make way for a parking lot and the destruction of practically every other historic building in the village) they can bid on it at the auction to be held at my death.
Because The Old Dormitory has been altered even more than it was by Panelmatic and has been gobbled up by the monster library, Chet Hunt's rendition of the way it was is even more important than ever.
JANIE S. JENKINS
Boardman
Letter writer predicted Ohio's malpractice crisis
EDITOR:
I'm not one to gloat, but I will at this point in time.
In the Jan. 8, 2003, edition of The Vindicator, you published a letter written by me with regard to the crisis in the escalating costs of medical malpractice insurance.
Here we are, about 16 months later -- all I have to say is, I told you so.
Due to the inaction of the public and our legislature with regard to serious tort reform, there are now 30 or so doctors in the tri-county area who are relocating their practices, shutting down, or discontinuing high-risk procedure because of frivolous lawsuits.
My prediction was true -- the snowball has bowled us over.
It is now time for a serious call to arms both from the consumers' and doctors' points of view through letter writing, public awareness, and contacting the proper legislative bodies to fix this problem once and for all!
Enough is enough. With the American Medical Association as having listed Ohio as being in a full-blown liability crisis, it's no wonder doctors are giving up.
BRIAN T. FIX
Youngstown
Where's the money going?
EDITOR:
I wonder if someone can research how much money we are paying in taxes from our real estate, license, sales tax, or any other taxes to keep our road and bridges in tip top shape? It seems like the only things getting paved in Youngstown and Mahoning County are some politicians pockets. Our roads are awful.
ANDY PAPPAGALLO Sr.
Mineral Ridge