Don't rush to construct community college in Valley

Don't rush to constructcommunity college in Valley
EDITOR:
Community colleges are wonderful entities, but I am not sure the Mahoning Valley should invest in the facilities, take the time, create the bureaucracy and spend the money to establish its own community college. The Mahoning Valley is more creative and innovative than that.
There are two programs already in place, successful, and underutilized. Working relationships with these programs should be investigated and partnerships developed before establishing a community college for remediation of students in theValley.
The first program is Adult Education Workforce Development at the county Career & amp; Technical Centers. Let me share what I've observed at the Mahoning County Career & amp; Technical Center: MCC & amp;TC is very community-oriented, and the Adult Education Department is a large part of that effort. They have developed new high quality programs in response to community needs and requests. All that needs to be done for new coursework to be created is to call the Adult Education supervisor, and that will set the ball rolling. Needs assessments are conducted, curriculums are developed, courses are marketed and then there is quality instruction. This instruction often leads to national certification. MCC & amp;TC's Adult Education Department may be a more cost effective way (for YSU and the community) to offer the remedial work that many students at YSU are judged to need.
The second program already in place is Adult Basic Literacy Education. ABLE is funded by Ohio's Department of Education, the Workforce Investment Act and is free to all Ohio adults. ABLE may be known to many as just GED preparation classes and that is what ABLE does well. But ABLE is so much more.
Speaking on behalf of MCC & amp;TC's ABLE Program, the staff would welcome the opportunity to help future (and current) YSU students. When students come into the ABLE Program, their abilities in mathematics, reading and writing are tested. Next, students are placed in a class that will best meet their needs, and a personal education plan is developed. Classes are held mornings and evenings at various sites around Mahoning County.
Let's look at alternatives in place at not only MC & amp;TC but also Choffin Career Center, Columbiana Career Center, and Trumbull Career & amp; Technical Center before re-creating what is already in place.
CHRISTINE M. ROSEBAUGH
Mahoning County Career & amp; Technical Center
Canfield
East Palestine, be wary
EDITOR:
I am finding it very difficult to understand why the City Council of East Palestine is considering repealing an ordinance, which has been in effect for the past 60 years, banning strip mining or mining of any kind within city limits.
There are many concerns from the city residents pertaining to the aquifer East Palestine gets its water from, not to mention the residents who depend on wells for their water source, regarding the possibility of contamination. I understand that there are many other factors that can cause contamination, but why add any with mining? The aquifer is at high risk, noted an EPA representative who gave a very informative presentation at the last council meeting. It was also noted in a water assessment report provided by the city itself.
A potential corporate center is also planned in the same area. Indeed, the city does need development, and that I understand. Why not start by doing something everyone can enjoy, not just a few?
I sincerely hope city council will seriously consider all the issues before making a decision in haste. It will affect the city as a whole, not just the residents in close proximity of the proposed project.
DONNA McCONNELL
East Palestine
Do pro-choice advocateshide behind guilt, illusions?
EDITOR:
Why are women, such as the person who wrote recently, still referring to having an abortion as making a decision about "my body."
The fetus is a live individual called a baby, a child created by the union of a male and a female. Killing this child is none other than murder. If the same child is killed after it's born, such as cases in the news lately, the murderer is prosecuted. Take late-term abortions -- using the procedure of pulling the child out feet first to its neck, then piercing its head with scissors (extremely painful to the child). By law it's OK, because part of the child is not fully removed before it is killed.
I know a person who was prosecuted and jailed for years for performing abortions. Why was the law changed? Was it political? It seems so because the parties are divided on the issue. Is it more important than morality? Or was it due to a few atheists, who destroyed prayer in school and other religious activities and symbols. I truly feel sorry for the pro-abortion people. I think they know the truth, but for some reason they hide behind guilt, or ignorance or delusions.
Who knows?
PEG PETERS
Youngstown
Time for a reappraisal
EDITOR:
With the economy what it is, are the rates on property taxes set fairly? I came to Austintown in 1950 and have paid property taxes some 56 years on three different houses.. I have seen reappraisals and levies push taxes up, up and up. I know people are responsible for levies, but with reappraisals, people have no control over their taxes.
As we all know, the job situation has changed drastically. The economy is changing. There is a glut of houses for sale and automobiles, too. This is all over the nation.
I have friends and relatives trying to sell houses and some have lowered their price three times. In most cases, they still cannot find buyers.
I do think the time has come to lower our taxes. When you have to sell your house for less money, it is not worth as much as it used to be. If the selling value has dropped, the taxation value should drop also. Property owners, what do you think? Is it time? I think it is time to be fair to all taxpayers.
ANTHONY J. JACOLA
Austintown
Clarett takes a hit
EDITOR:
Hearing about Maurice Clarett's' latest arrest in Columbus on weapons charges, I've concluded that he is his own worst enemy. He never learns from his mistakes.
As for the new football team that Clarett is to play for, I have to agree with an earlier letter about the team name. It's atrocious. I thought we were trying to erase our former reputation, not encourage it. Surely, they can come up with a better name than the "Hitmen."
FRANCES WAGNER
Youngstown