Excellent schools reflect an investment by residents

Excellent schools reflect an investment by residents
EDITOR:
I want to address the emergency levy in the Champion Local School District. The school district has had no increase from the state during the past four years. During several of those years, the district operated using money from our past carryovers. Obviously inflationary increases have caused the district to spend more. The district has lost income because of students going to charter schools and loss of students through open enrollment.
The state of Ohio has failed to fund education, as it was directed to by many Supreme Court rulings dating back to 1997. Because the state has not obeyed the court, local districts have had no choice but to ask for more local support.
I realize that now seems to be the worst time to be asking for money, with $3 gasoline and uncertainty about Delphi. Do I worry about these things? Yes, sure. As a Packard retiree through GM, I think about this all the time. However I know I cannot do anything about what is decided and how it might affect all of us.
What I can affect is the future of our Champion Schools and our students, and programs that made us excellent three of the last four years. Yes, I sit on the board of education; the voters have allowed me to serve by electing me four times. I understand why we need this increase and I believe most voters understand how inflation has impacted education. I ask you to support Champion schools, to allow us to continue to keep the excellent rating we have earned two straight years. The state will not rescue us, it is up to us.
Good schools equal a good future for the community's children. Champion schools are the heart of the Champion community and the best way to protect property values in Champion.
ROGER L SAMUELSON
Champion
Special children and adults need MRDD's services
EDITOR:
I am writing in support of Issue 8, the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities renewal levy. A yes vote will not increase your taxes. It is simply a renewal of the levy that provides nearly 70 percent of the money needed to serve the mentally retarded in Mahoning County.
This renewal levy is important because millions of dollars have been cut in federal and state money to the MCBMRDD. The board has changed services and reduced costs to ensure that essential programs remain available. If this renewal levy fails, it will mean cuts in services at the same time the need for these services is increasing.
The board serves individuals from infants to seniors in all corners of Mahoning County, including older individuals who no longer have families and therefore nowhere else to turn. Youngsters like my four adopted children receive services from the MCBMRDD that are appropriate for their special needs and will help them become functioning adults.
So, please remember to vote on Nov. 8 and remember to vote YES for Issue 8.
SANDEE TIMMERMAN
President, MCBMRDD Board
Youngstown
Who says to vote no?
EDITOR:
Vote "NO" on Issues 2,3,4,5?
Let's look at a couple of guys who actively support the "Vote No" initiative:
One who pleaded "no contest" to enabling an individual who is currently under indictment for taking money from the State of Ohio; the other who lends $2 million dollars to a hockey team that will play in a facility on which the city still owes a $14 million dollar mortgage.
Governor Taft and Mayor McKelvey are two definitive examples of politicians who could be replaced by the bureaucrats they deride in their political advertisements. I guess the correct vote on Issues 2,3,4,5 should be a resounding Yes.
JOHN ZORDICH
Youngstown