Remembering good times

Remembering good times
EDITOR:
On a recent Friday night, a local establishment in Youngstown shut its doors. About 1,500 people, both young and old, paid tribute to Bobby D., a man who opened a small restaurant on South Avenue several years ago.
Throughout the years, Bobby D's clientele grew, and he eventually opened a larger restaurant with an attached entertainment facility. He had several local bands play, and the amazing thing is there was never a cover charge. The other amazing fact is that Bobby D. always took time out of his busy schedule to greet his customers and share stories.
It is sad that another business in Youngstown has closed, but the good times he provided will live on in our memories.
During the event, he hinted he was taking a break from the restaurant and bar business, but that he might come back. I know I speak for many, and hopefully if he does, he will move to downtown Youngstown and become part of the renaissance.
Atty. LOUIS SCHIAVONI
Boardman
Charity begins at home
EDITOR:
Members of Youngstown City Council and state Sen. Bob Hagan are talking about what the Youngstown area can do for the people of the hurricane area.
I do feel for these people, and its really bad losing everything and yes they need help, but before they bring these people up to our area and start giving these people homes and shelter, how about giving our homeless people shelter and our children in the Youngstown and surrounding area food?
If they can open Cafaro Hospital and Southside Hospital for shelter for these people, why can't they do it for the people here? What about the people in Columbiana County who are still trying to recover their losses? Why isn't anyone helping them? You want to give jobs to someone how about giving jobs to our own people?
I've lived in this area all my 60 years and I've worked here for years till my health no longer will let me, but yet I can't get any help at all. I can't even afford my medication that I need. But, hey, who cares.
But let's bring more people from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana up here and give them jobs, homes, money, food just so the world can say, "Oh, didn't Bob Hagan and the commissioners and council members do a great thing."
I say charity begins at home.
PHYLLIS STRONG
Struthers
Pass the hat at the game
EDITOR:
Due to the catastrophic calamity of Hurricane Katrina, it is proper and necessary, at this time, that acts of giving emerge all over the country.
Some Florida colleges have asked their season ticket holders to drop a $10 check in the Red Cross basket as they pass through the gate at the football game.
Last weekend in Parma, Ohio, the football game between Padua and North Olmstead High School, the fans dropped $1,500 in the Red Cross basket. The school or schools matched it to make a total of $3,000.
Because we are a "giving" area it would be proper for the different boards of education of the Valley to permit the Red Cross to collect donations at the weekend football games, asking for a $5 check per family or group.
For those who happened to be in the scope of Katrina, the experience will remain forever an ugly, sad and an everlasting nightmare.
ANTHONY E. CRISH
Youngstown