Boardman trustees are making necessary changes

Boardman trustees are making necessary changes
EDITOR:
Wahh, Wahh! You would think Saddam Hussein was running Boardman. There are numerous parts to this cry baby attitude by a few Boardman citizens protesting trustees Kathy Miller's and Robyn Gallitto's diligent behavior.
Let's start with Police Chief Jeffrey Patterson. When Trustee Elaine Mancini and former Trustee Tom Costello violated sound business practices by authorizing the purchase of police cars without having sufficient funds in the police department budget, Miller protested. Costello and Mancini overrode Miller's negative vote on the issue. Chief Patterson then proceeded to stick his tongue out at Mrs. Miller. Miller and Gallitto asking the chief to review what was on his laptop computer is just retribution for his insubordination to Miller. It is called politics.
Why was Miller prevented from attending the labor contract negotiations run by Costello and Mancini? Because Costello, Mancini and former Administrator Curt Seditz have been and were giving away the store and they were afraid Miller would break up the party. This is why Seditz is gone and the township is saving millions. Miller and Gallitto are doing the job they were hired to do; watch out for the taxpayers' wallet.
As to the proposed 2008 tax levy, in light of the economic forecast, no one can in good conscience ask the voters for a tax increase. Most taxpayers are under duress with the auto industry in trouble and the seniors cannot afford any more taxes. Estate taxes are not a stable and sound source of income. Depending on people dropping dead to add more slop to the public trough is not being fiscally diligent. It is voodoo economics at its finest. With the township's deficit getting larger by the day and the economic forecast getting blacker by the week, we can not ask the taxpayers for more money. Laying off employees to reduce the budget is not an option. The citizens deserve fully staffed departments.
Now add in the economic crunch that will hit the town economy by the reorganization of Delphi and GM. In addition to that, taxpayers will feel the pain directly as employees or indirectly as suppliers to the two. The downturn will take its effect on the businesses that have to pay the property taxes. Finally, the increased property taxes will drive prospective citizens, business and industries from the town.
A new direction is needed. Boardman Township is heading for a financial meltdown.
THADDEUS M. PRICE
Warren
American children are being left behind by Bush policies
EDITOR:
I read about a recent poll that found that 22 percent of the American people can name all five members of the Simpson Family on the TV show "The Simpsons." But only one person in 1,000 can name the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution -- and with just school children it's even worse.
The victims of this poor education are the students who aren't being given proper instruction about the meaning of freedom and the wonders of the American system they have inherited. Whatever happened to G.W. Bush's "no child left behind." Well, they are being left behind because Mr. Bush and his Congress had to take care of the richest 1 percent with a tax cut, plus he keeps asking for money to dump into that hell hole called Iraq. And he had to make cuts in the federal budget, which puts more of a burden on the states to come up with the needed funding to help the children of their local districts get a good education.
I just hope there are enough people out there who think that this administration is leading the country in the wrong direction. Most of our Congress members think that George Bush can do no wrong and can't use their own minds when it comes to crucial issues.
This election everyone has a chance to get this country back on the right track. The first priority is to get yes men and women out of there.
BUD McKELVEY
Hermitage, Pa.