Send Struthers board a message; vote no on tax hike

Send Struthers board a message; vote no on tax hike
EDITOR:
I am writing in regard to the Struthers financial problems. These money problems are from mishandling money not from the state not giving us enough money, as it was said in the newspaper on Feb. 23. Who are we kidding? The money was spent irresponsibly by the board of education.
Yes, I want to point fingers because the board of education has let the taxpayers down and we are short money. Who is in charge of the money? I want he or she to be held accountable immediately. This should be very easy to solve. If my bank account is short $20, you bet I'll find out why. If somebody is overspending let's find out who and handle it.
Whatever the case, it might be we need to point fingers until the good people of Struthers have some answers. In so many cases like this one issues are swept under the rug. Welcome to politics. It's disgusting to me that Struthers, with brand new schools and wonderful teachers, now can't afford to keep them running.
So what are we going to do about this problem? Iif we vote yes in May on 8 mills and the previous money problems weren't solved, what makes us think this won't happen again. Taxpayers need to wake up and vote no on the 8-mill levy.
I would rather the state of Ohio run my children's school. Our kids will still get a good education.
I am proud to live in Struthers.
PEGGY SMITH
Struthers
Politicians better take note: there's a tax revolt brewing
EDITOR:
I am an angry taxpayer. Very angry.
Government, from the federal level all the way down to the local township trustees, must think the American taxpayer is made of money. Rarely a day goes by that some politician is not trying to come up with a different way to separate hard-working citizens from the money they earned.
This politician wants to add a tax on cigarettes. That politician wants to add a gas tax. Motel bed tax? Sure why not? Raise the real estate tax. Raise the sales tax. Enough is enough. It's time the government at all levels realizes that you have to live with the money you have. If that means cutting services so be it. If it means laying off employees, I feel sorry for them but, let them go. I'm sure they will find another job somewhere. I've lost jobs because of economic reasons and was forced to do just that. Those that remain can work harder.
Then let the employees that remain pay a portion of their health care just like the rest of us. Let those that remain take a pay cut just like private industry employees have to endure.
I'd like to remind all government officials, from the president of the United States on down to the trustees at the township level, you are all public employees. When the employer says, "enough is enough," you would be wise to listen. There is a taxpayer revolt on the horizon. But apparently you folks in government are just too stupid to see it.
TOM HALL
Lisbon
Fanatics are to be feared; beginning with Cal Thomas
EDITOR:
Columnist Cal Thomas has in the past criticized the Muslim community for not speaking out against the fanatics within their religion. After reading his recent column in The Vindicator I am compelled as a Christian to speak out against fanatics within my religion, starting with Cal.
For those who did not read the column, let me just say that it reflects his hatred toward and fear of Muslims and is among the most virulent pieces of trash I have ever read. (I've read some trashy stuff). Most of us believe that Christianity is not about hatred and fear but rather love and faith even though we sometimes (often) fail to live up to these beliefs.
Not being perfect myself I won't judge Cal, especially since I have no idea what's going on in that squirrelly little brain of his. I suspect a mood disorder.
JOHN ZEDAKER
Poland