Family appreciates support during search for justice

Family appreciates support during search for justice
EDITOR:
The Clemente family would like to thank the many people who were involved in the murder case of Susan and Lisa Clemente. Ken Bailey and Jeff Adler who were the Mahoning County prosecutors during the trial; detectives Phillips, Kotouch and Norris from the city of Struthers who were involved in the case back in 1989; Judge Krichbaum the presiding judge and the many jurors who convicted Steve Vrabel; Luwaynne Annos, the special prosecutor from Trumbull County; Karin Ho and her staff from the Victims of Crime in Columbus who did a wonderful job protecting us, counseling and directing us every step of the way from the clemency hearing until the execution; Henry Appel and Tim Prichard from the Ohio Attorney General's Office in Columbus for their hard work. Also, the staff at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville for guiding us and making us feel comfortable during this very emotional time.
A special thank you to our many family and friends for all their love, prayers and support these past 15 years. We could not have done it without you. This execution was somewhat of a closure for us, however we will truly never forget Susan and Lisa.
To the people out there who do not believe in the death penalty and think that it is a horrible way to die, no, it is not. The victims die a horrible death, they are the ones who suffer, especially when they know they are dying and there is no one there to help. Susan and Lisa died a horrible death. Steve Vrabel just went to sleep; he did not suffer at all. Do not judge us when you do not know what we have gone through in the past 15 years and what we shall continue to go through.
It has been a long 15 years and we apologize to anyone that we may have forgotten to thank.
LYDIA CLEMENTE KOTOUCHand the Clemente Family
Poland
Help Lakeview students reach their potential by passing special levy
EDITOR:
As the ministerial association of the Cortland/Bazetta community, we write to encourage passage of the Lakeview school levy on the Aug. 3 ballot. We are concerned for our students, our community, and the future of education in general. We realize that we live in very trying and maybe even frightening times and face many uncertainties, including the state of the world our children are inheriting, the stability of our economy, and our own financial security and insecurity. One thing, though, is certain, and that is that we want our children to find their way in life, to be the best that they can be. For that to happen, they need a good education.
We are blessed with a very fine school system in this community and our children are provided with the opportunity to obtain an education that will be a solid foundation for whatever career they choose to pursue. Lakeview High School was ranked "No. 1 Overall Public High School in Trumbull County" for 2004. We know that the criteria for excellence in Lakeview schools must be maintained but cannot be without the passage of the 7.8- mill emergency school tax levy. This 7.8- mill levy includes renewal of a 3.5-mill emergency tax levy and the passage of the proposed 4.3-mill emergency school tax levy.
The shape of our children's future and the world we are all living in is being formed now. Please take time Tuesday to go to the polls and support our Lakeview school system by voting "yes" for the passage of this emergency school tax levy.
The Rev. RON BIEHL
Harvest Christian Assembly
Cortland
X The writer is president of the Lakeview Outreach and Fellowship and signed this letter on behalf of himself and seven other clergy members of LOAF.