Take steps to protect yourself and your neighbors

Take steps to protect yourself and your neighbors
EDITOR:
I'm writing concerning the 83-year-old man who was attacked as he was entering his home. He ended up shooting and killing his attacker, but as far as I'm concerned, the attacker was responsible for his own death because of what he was doing at the time. Had that man not shot him, he might have ended up as the victim himself. It never makes me feel good to know someone died, even while committing a crime, but I'm sure there will be more such happenings as people buy guns to protect themselves.
I don't know what the answer is, but we can do some things to lessen the chance of being a victim. We need to always be aware of our surroundings and anyone near us or approaching and if they make us feel uneasy, try to avoid them. Always be careful when getting out of your car, check out where you are parking to make sure no one is just hanging around. Daytime doesn't make us safe from crime so always be aware. If you must go out at night, try to take someone with you. Always keep your car doors locked and try to drive in the inside lane, the curb lane makes you more vulnerable. Keep your house doors locked at all times and never open your doors to anyone you do not know for any reason.
Keep an eye on your neighbor's homes and who is in your neighborhood. If you see someone that looks suspicious call the police. If they are just walking or there for an innocent purpose, they should not mind being stopped. I know I wouldn't be.
BETTY FORD
Youngstown
Police chief sees need for mental health levy
EDITOR:
In Columbiana County, we are fortunate to have many high quality services to help all of us in times of need. None of us can predict when we will need help dealing with a problem in our lives or in the lives of our loved ones or friends. As a member of law enforcement, I have seen first-hand how the services supported by the Mental Health and Recovery Services levy have helped the community.
Through our levy support, a "safety net" is there:
UWhen we have emotional, personal, or family problems, are grieving, or thinking of suicide
UWhen our young children and teens are unexplainably depressed, angry, or upset
UWhen we are unable to go to work or school because of emotional problems
UWhen we need assistance in helping others we encounter in the course of our jobs.
I cannot stress enough the importance of the 0.3-mill levy that will be on the ballot Tuesday. I know as a police chief in Columbiana County how important the counseling center and all the other programs the levy funds mean to all the law enforcement agencies in the county. We often work with citizens who have mental illnesses or depression and whose lives depend on these programs.
Please support the 0.3-mill replacement levy for Mental Health and Recovery Services in Columbiana County.
JOHN M. SOLDANO
Chief of Police
Village of Leetonia
Historic moment faces voters in Jackson-Milton
EDITOR:
The Jackson-Milton community is facing potentially the most critical decision in recent history. If you are a voter in this district, you have been visited by a campaign worker or have been left factual information on your doorstep. Please be an educated voter Tuesday and understand that doing nothing about the condition of Jackson-Milton High School is not an option.
A "YES" vote for the 5.95 bond issue will mean:
UA safe new school for our children
UA new regional library
UNearly 5 million dollars provided by the state for construction
UThe possibility of a YMCA branch in our community
A "NO" vote against the levy will lead to:
U Spending millions of dollars to repair the old building
UThe loss of nearly 5 million dollars from the state
UAdditional students transferring out of our district
UDeclining property values
I understand that we are all overtaxed. However, the need for a new school is not argued by anybody and the opportunity before us has never been greater.
The facts and figures utilized in our bond levy campaign literature are all documented and verifiable. Be sure to check opposing campaign information for its accuracy.
I ask the residents of Jackson-Milton to look at the big picture and the impact of a yes vote Tuesday.
MITCH MASCIOLI, vice president
Jackson-Milton Board of Education
Park should use revenueto fix flooding problems
EDITOR:
Congratulations to Mill Creek Park now that they are fat, dumb and happy with their $1 million nest egg from gas well revenues. Now maybe they can act responsibly toward the communities and taxpayers that have in the past supported their tax levies.
How, you ask. Two ways: by dredging Lake Newport to mitigate flooding issues that have caused the park to have to repair roads as described in the article announcing their wealthy status and by using some of the "gold mine" to develop detention/retention facilities in the park area south of 224 dedicated to wild life not people, to prevent flooding in Boardman and down stream. This area is silted in and prevents proper flow of storm water. The trees are dying and falling over from root rot and saturated soil further impedes the flow of storm water and compounds silting. These conditions are major factors in Indian Run flooding that Canfield trustees are trying to stop. But they can't stop it if the park continues to act as a blockage to proper passage of water.
It is time for the county commissioners and other local public officials of the effected communities (principally Boardman) to get involved and demand that the park board be held accountable and take action to correct the conditions under their control that cause the flooding. Their lack of concern and maintenance of the water ways through this little used and neglected portion of the park is definitely a major component in flooding in the areas surrounding the park. Fellow victims of this correctable problem should speak up and maybe reconsider future support of levy requests by a board that is wealthy and as of now nonresponsive to the community.
Mill Creek Park gives the impression that they can't be bothered with doing their fair share to prevent what they see as "not my problem" outside their active park area.
DANIEL VICTOR BIENKO
Canfield
You'd miss the library
EDITOR:
Please consider voting "yes" for Issue 9 Tuesday. The reality of not realizing how important something is until it's gone applies to Issue 9. The public libraries are a place where people of all ethnic, race, religion and resources meet together in peacefulness and quiet respect. It's a place where doors of opportunity open to all who enter. It's also a place adult and child grow in knowledge in a safe and pleasant atmosphere. Librarians lead children from one adventure and experience to another. Fun is always happening at the local libraries. Libraries offer resources for family and student.
Again, please vote yes for Issue 9.
MARILYN ANN ROYAL
Youngstown