'Amish in the City' should be revolting to all of us

'Amish in the City' shouldbe revolting to all of us
EDITOR:
A recent edition of TV Guide announced on page 1 a new television show that should cause a firestorm of revulsion from all of us who live among the Amish. I quote: & quot;Amish in the City (UPN, 8 p.m. ET Wed.) The real world meets the simple life in this new reality show that sends five Amish teens off to sow their oats in LA. Of course, the gig comes with a posh crib, funky roomies and a chance to offend a lot of people. & quot;
Imagine what would result if, instead of Amish, the show dealt with Jewish or Baptist teens? It would not even have gotten to the announcement stage, that's what. For starters, the blatant declaration that the "simple life" is something apart from the "real world" is totally twisted. We who spend time with Amish friends know full well that it is our society, not theirs, which is drowning in false priorities, false perceptions, false values. It is monstrous that these gentle people, whose authenticity shines through every day of their lives and whose only plea is to be left alone to follow the path they have chosen, should be held up so gratuitously to ridicule and derision. It is a monumental outrage that such a contemptible premise will be seen on national television.
A show centered on the deliberate corruption of teens from any culture to make them more like us should be smothered in its cradle.
BILL McLAUGHRY
New Wilmington, Pa.
Valley school levies needsupport of senior citizens
EDITOR:
I recently watched an elderly gentleman about my age (geezer) proclaim loudly on an evening local television news program that he planned to vote NO on a pending school levy in his rural district. His reason was that he lived on a fixed income.
My normally demure-during-news-time wife, Jane, spoke up from behind me. "That's a lot of bull," she said. "Someone paid for his schooling when he was young and nobody had a guaranteed income!"
Of course she is right. When we and that gentleman were in grade and high school, many of the property owners paying for the schools worked in offices and factories, but the majority were farmers -- folks who lived year by year depending solely on mother nature and hard work for good harvests and paychecks.
The elderly back then would sacrifice many hardships to get the young people of the area a good education. Their thinking was that education was the key to raising the living standards for the next generations. One has to wonder when that attitude changed.
I fully understand that the older generation fought the wars, built the roads and on and on, but they also bought homes for $20,000 that are now worth 10 times more. Elders in America enjoy the highest standard of housing, medical care and recreation known to mankind.
All in all, if one looks at the local restaurants, golf courses, theaters and malls, most Northeast Ohio oldsters are doing pretty well and should find some way in their hearts and wallets to support youngsters' education.
DAVID METZLER
North Jackson
Girard residents need to giveback by supporting schools
EDITOR:
In this letter I'm hoping to encourage voters to support school levies.
My children and grandchildren have received excellent education in the Girard School System preparing them well for college. I'm hoping the neighborhood children will receive as many benefits.
I attended school in the "good ol' days." Yes I learned my 3 R's with books bought by my parents. I walked home for lunch since there were neither cafeterias nor school buses. The only advantage to the last two items were no obese students. I remember a 16-year-old in my sixth grade as there were no classes for special needs students.
Let's grant our future students as much or more than we received.
EILEEN BOYEE
Girard
Warren has plenty of offer,but it needs renewal of levy
EDITOR:
What makes a community? This question has been asked by our citizens over recent years in the Mahoning Valley. Jobs have left the area, along with our children leaving to find employment in other areas of the country. To bring them back to Warren, we must, as a community, show businesses and industry that we want them to come here to work and grow, and that we care about their family's education and safety as they raise their children for generations to come. Two areas should come to mind in attracting business.
First is education. Recently, you passed a levy to build new schools for our children, providing a positive and new learning environment. I recently visited Warren G. Harding High School and saw firsthand the many advanced curriculums our schools have to offer the students. With a dedicated staff of teachers and administrators, they give our children the finest education in the state of Ohio. In addition, our athletic teams have put Warren back in the spotlight, and outside communities are watching our excellence on the field as well as in the classroom.
Second is safety. On Aug. 3, you have the opportunity to continue to ensure the safety of our citizens and show potential businesses we want them to come here to stay and be part of our community. Warren has fine and dedicated police and fire departments that serve and protect us everyday. We are the first responders and front line protectors in our community as you go to work in the morning and go to sleep at night. This levy renewal is vital for continued education, equipment, and manpower to continue to provide Warren quick response to your needs as the citizens that we swore to protect and serve.
Points to keep in mind for Aug. 3:
UYour current rate of 2 percent WILL NOT increase.
URenewal levy funds are dedicated EXCLUSIVELY to the police and fire departments.
UFunds are collected ONLY on earned income. It is NOT collected on Social Security, retirement or military benefits. It is NOT collected on investments, stocks and interest. If you do not have earned income, you do not pay.
UThe renewal is temporary and will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2007.
USince the renewal passed in 2001, the fire department hired 17 firefighters and reopened two closed stations. The police department has hired 14 officers who recently completed their first year of service. A civil service list has been certified allowing us to proceed in hiring 10 officers to keep the promise made to Warren citizens.
If anyone has any questions regarding this renewal levy, please contact me personally, and I will make every effort to answer your questions thoroughly. This is the time to help our new administration begin to lead this city into a future full of growth and opportunity. Vote YES for Warren Safety on Aug. 3.
BRIAN E. CRITES, president
Warren Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34