Judge's use of stereotypes unfair to Mahoning Valley

Judge's use of stereotypes unfair to Mahoning Valley
EDITOR:
I am writing in reference to the comments made by U.S. District Judge Paul R. Matia in the May 17 Vindicator story regarding the sentencing of Steve Almasy in the LaVilla sports gambling case. I am, quite frankly, offended at the comments made by the judge in this case.
As a life long resident and business owner in the Youngstown area, I know scores of legitimate businesses that are not connected to gambling or fireworks. Our community is very diverse on the subject of gambling. The state and federal governments have various levels of gambling that are condoned (such as state lotteries and casinos).
As far as fireworks, it is my understanding that the fireworks business is a legal activity in the state of Ohio. Why does this judge feel it is acceptable to include that particular business as an illegal practice in our city? Granted, our city does have its fair share of undesirable elements, but that share is no more than any other community, including Cleveland, where this judge is based.
The percentage of people who make up that undesirable element is a small percentage in comparison to the entire city. But for this man to express his prejudice toward all residents and businesses is ridiculous. Apparently he goes by the old adage that "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch."
The judge claims his "court wouldn't have much to do if it weren't for Youngstown." I'd like to see the percentage of Youngstown gambling cases that are actually on his docket in a month's time. I sincerely doubt that it is the number that he thinks it is.
Speaking as a business owner and for other business owners, we would appreciate not being stereotyped as the "shady side" of Youngstown, and be recognized as viable, legitimate businesses that have supported many families for many years in the Valley.
LEE JOHNSON, president and owner
Melmor Associates Inc.
Niles
No place like home
EDITOR:
I recently returned from a non-gambling week in Las Vegas, and as I pulled into my driveway, the sweet aroma of my neighbor's lilac bushes gave me pause to reflect and to count my blessings. Thank God I live in Youngstown.
I looked at my beautiful green lawn surrounded by lush vegetation and trees, and I said to myself, "Las Vegas doesn't have anything like this." True, they have scenic mountains-in the distance, but one can't live on a mountain. They live on postage stamp size lots comprised mainly of sand and stones, patches of the desert, with a lonely tree here and there. Grass is becoming extinct, its use as a lawn discouraged by city planners. Driving anywhere in Las Vegas is a traffic-snarled, time-consuming ordeal. The cost of housing is out-of-sight, and the miles and miles of new development homes look like rabbit warrens.
In contrast, in Youngstown's backyard we have the unmatched pristine natural beauty of Mill Creek Park, with its 2,560 acres of green hills, gorges, lakes, waterfalls, flora and fauna. We have beautiful auditoriums and art galleries, a major university, state-of-the-art health facilities, many challenging golf courses. We have the excitement of championship sports teams and we have a soon-to-be-cleaned river that just keeps rolling along through the center of town.
Like the rest of the Northeast, we enjoy the changing of the seasons too. Spring brings a burst of dogwood and flowering crabs along our streets and yards; our summers are mild and warm; in autumn, when the leaves turn, we are treated to a panorama of reds and golds and all colors in between; and the first snowfall of winter transforms our landscape into an enchanting wonderland.
It is interesting to note that Gen. Gjede, the retired former commander of the Youngstown Air Base chose to remain and live in the Youngstown area. A wise man.
DAN GALLAGHER
Youngstown