A year later, Youngstown remembers loss of officer

A year later, Youngstownremembers loss of officer
EDITOR:
On this day, the Youngstown community is reminded to reflect on one of the darkest days the community has ever experienced. It was exactly one year ago that the Youngstown Police Officer Michael T. Hartzell was killed in the line of duty. The sudden tragic death of such a fine young man brought many of us to our knees. Reflecting back since the time of Patrolman Hartzell's death have shown that many positive changes and many positive lessons have occurred in our community and the Youngstown Police Department.
We learned about Mike Hartzell the person, from his family, fiancee, and friends. It became clear that Mike Hartzell's many strengths and his outstanding character were learned and nurtured by his terrific parents, fiancee, and family. How strong his family has been over the difficult last year. Their family burden has been tremendous but they have not faltered. The Hartzell family and Mike's fiancee Stephanie have always said the right words and showed the right direction during this last year. Their actions have united us and helped us all to move forward. But we will never forget.
Mike Hartzell showed the Youngstown community what the word dedication and service meant, not only by his death, but by the short loving life he had. Let none of us forget Mike Hartzell sacrificed his life for the principle's he so strongly believed in. Mike believed goodness must go on and evil must be eliminated. Mike's actions many times spoke louder than his words. Mikes was a soldier in the homeland and his enemy was crime and evil.
Mike Hartzell's death also renewed in the Youngstown community and the Youngstown Police Department respect for one another. The Youngstown community by its actions showed in an overwhelming way just how much they appreciated the many contributions Mike Hartzell made to protecting them. Community respect for Mike Hartzell filtered into all operations of the Youngstown Police Department. This community respect was a very humbling experience for all Youngstown Police Officers. Community respect is something we as police officers try to earn and strengthen with our community every day.
Finally, I ask all who read this to take one minute today to reflect on Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell's sacrifice. We miss you Mike.
Capt. KENNETH CENTORAME
Youngstown
X The writer is president of the Youngstown Police Ranking Officers Association.
A call for slent majority to begin making some noise
EDITOR:
For years the loud and screaming minority have been sounding their horns before lawmakers and changing the shape of America. They have been marching in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, and nearly every large population arena in our land, singing displays of moral outrage before the moral majority and winning. Because of their loud outcry, lawmakers have heeded their howl and have passed laws to protect, sympathize, and even front their minority agendas.
It's now time for the silent majority, to wake up and get busy. With the advent of the Internet, one's representative or senator is but a few clicks away from receiving comments, opinion, and expectation of their support for a bill or issue. It is high time that the silent majorities pull away from the television, and take five minutes to get busy and tell the lawmakers what they want in our land, rather than to sit back and watch the nation continue to decay. Get online and tell your representative, senator, and state legislators what you think. Be counted and let them know of your expectations and how the outcome will affect how you vote. The voice of the silent majority can now be easily heard through the Internet!
Remember, the louder the voice, the more likely lawmakers are to abide. So scream loud and often and get the message of the majority before the ones who set law. Don't let the loud and screaming minority continue to win!
ROGER SMITH
Hermitage