Don't let casino dollars slip through Ohio's fingers

Don't let casino dollars slip through Ohio's fingers
EDITOR:
I find it hard to believe that in these times of financial hardships, at both state and local levels, that our governor, attorney general, and possibly our General Assembly could turn their backs on the possibility of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs coming to our community. All because it comes in the form of casino gambling. What is the lottery, instant tickets, Power Ball, bingo, and "night at the races?" I've seen people standing in long lines and spending their last dollar for that chance of winning.
The governor who received an "F" for his fiscal performance from the Cato Institute, needs to take a realistic look at our financial woes.
The millions of dollars that would be generated by a casino in the form of employee salaries, taxes, and revenue that come from people spending money in our community, far outweighs the weak excuses being given in the name of decency and morality.
Wake up. We are tired of hearing "we don't have the funds" or being strong armed by school boards, or hearing about having to cut safety forces to unsafe levels. Our roads are crumbling and our schools are falling apart.
Why let these needed dollars go to West Virginia or Canada or the states that do have casinos? We are not talking about building another Atlantic City, but a safe and regulated facility. This is a golden opportunity to help relieve the ever growing financial burden being put on ourselves and our community.
GARY MAUERMAN
Austintown
Give bus riders a shelter
EDITOR:
We manage the apartments across from Forum Health on Gypsy Lane. We are very bothered by the sight of people standing out in the snow and slush and bitter weather waiting for a bus. Recently, a woman who may have been pregnant was seen standing holding a newspaper over a small child as protection against the inclement weather.
We have tried for over two years to get the director of the bus company, WRTA, to put up a shelter, but it appears that while they can find thousands of dollars to paint pretty pictures on the front of the bus barn on Mahoning Avenue, they can't find $2,000 for a shelter for their clients.
Bus riders on the whole don't ride the bus because they want to, they ride because they cannot afford any other means of transportation, and while the director may feel (from the warmth of his office) that his job is strictly to keep wheels turning, perhaps a little more compassion for his customers might be in order. Perhaps a new director who would consider small, less expensive buses and provide more service for his customers should be considered by our next mayor.
GODFREY ANDERSON
Youngstown
School is a beacon of hope
EDITOR:
In their reflection of the closing of St. Brendan School, the writers of a March 8 letter wrote, "If decreasing enrollment is truly a reason, then why is the school with the lowest enrollment still open?"
Immaculate Conception, located in downtown Youngstown, is that school that they are speaking of. As administrator of Immaculate Conception Church, let me enlighten the writers and others as to why Immaculate Conception School continues to be a beacon of hope for the children of Youngstown.
Immaculate Conception has been providing a quality Catholic education to the children in Youngstown for over 122 years. Today, we continue to build upon our rich history, which allows students to grow spiritually, academically and socially. Though all of our children are not of the Catholic faith tradition, we continue to instill the values of the Gospel so that the message proclaimed may be modeled and lived.
I believe that it is our responsibility to educate the youth who are the future leaders of this great city. It is up to us to teach the necessary skills needed to be successful and productive adults as well as responsible citizens.
I am proud to be part of the Immaculate Conception School family and I am happy to announce that our doors will be open once again, in the fall of 2005.
Msgr. JOHN ZURAW, Administrator
Immaculate Conception Parish
Youngstown