Compassion should be a part of 'Redemption' discussion

Compassion should be a part of 'Redemption' discussion
EDITOR:
As a former resident of Ellsworth and citizen of a neighboring community, I was filled with great sadness after I read the recent article in The Vindicator about a group home proposed to be located in the township. The news article reported comments publicly made at a recent & quot;informational & quot; meeting convened by township residents and others to oppose the proposed facility for troubled teen boys. It also revealed that the owners of the aptly named Redemption House have been the recipients of telephone harassment and a threat to burn their house to the ground. One should wonder who is potentially more dangerous.
There were a few legitimate concerns expressed, namely a proper sewer system and adequate facilities being necessary for the safety of residents and neighbors alike. Also, proper licenses and credentials must be procured for the facility and staff. Everyone should rest assured that the State of Ohio and local governments have instituted codes, rules, laws, licenses, statutes and regulations to ensure that those standards are met and adhered to.
It seems that the loudest objections voiced publicly (and privately) are not related to the physical part of the project. Economic concerns, such as property values, cost of security, and the resources that might be needed to educate students with a troubled past appear to be the greatest concern. This is not surprising, as American culture has rapidly changed from a society where genuine love and concern for those in need has changed to one where self and material things are most important. The litmus test used to resolve difficult divisive issues such as these is usually decided by how something will impact us personally, rather than its effect on society as a whole. Perhaps this is why we have such a large number of troubled youth.
I am not suggesting that we are completely without compassion, as the generosity of Americans in the form of aid to victims of recent natural and man made disasters was substantial. But since charity begins at home, I would argue that genuine love for people is demonstrated by dedicating time, money and effort into transforming a diverse group of troubled young boys into responsible adult men.
GREG CALKO
Canfield
Why move from the city if urban problems follow you?
EDITOR:
I have worked hard my entire life in order to build my dream home in the great community of Ellsworth Township. My daughters (ages 10 and 15) enjoy many benefits and freedoms that will be robbed of them if "Redemption House" is allowed to exist.
With this home located approximately 300 ft. from my property, they will no longer be able to go hiking in the woods, fishing in the neighbors ponds, or even camp out in the backyard. I can't even let them play in the yard without being in constant fear for their safety. If I wanted this kind of environment for them to grow up in, I'd have stayed on the South Side of Youngstown.
BOB THOMAS
Ellsworth
City residents support effort to restore and redevelop
EDITOR:
Mayor Jay Williams was quoted in an April 2 Vindicator story that "eminent domain is a tool for progress." A couple writing a letter to the editor last Sunday certainly has a different view of the use of eminent domain. My hope is that negotiations between those letter writers and the city of Youngstown will result in a mutually satisfying agreement that will onto delay planned construction activity within the Lincoln-Rayen-Wood development.
Last Sunday's writers claim: "The plan has almost no local support." That may be true in their Boardman neighborhood, but the sentiment on the North Side of Youngstown regarding the restoration, rehabilitation, redevelopment and revitalization of the cultural center of the Mahoning Valley is markedly different.
I joined many of my north Side neighbors and other city residents on 10 different occasions last summer and fall campaigning door-to-door within neighborhoods throughout the city encouraging voter support for the mayoral candidacy of Jay Williams on the platform of implementing the Youngstown 2010 citywide Plan. The results of that election speak volumes for the support that exists for revitalization that will improve the quality of life for residents in all parts of our city and our suburbs too.
Thousands of Youngstowners participated in the development and support of the Youngstown 2010 Plan through neighborhood meetings and tow large gatherings at Stambaugh Auditorium. The Lincoln-Rayen-Wood Development District project is just one component of the citywide plan that is essential to the long-term viability of the city. The resident so Boardman may not be concerned about someday becoming citizens of East Cleveland or West Pittsburgh, but that certainly is not my vision for Youngstown.
TIM RUFFALO
Youngstown
X The writer is the proprietor of Printz Mansion, a bed and breakfast on Youngstown's North Side.
Take a lesson from 'click it'
EDITOR:
Bertram de Souza's May 28 column about "swarming" provoked some thinking on my part. Currently there is a national campaign, "Click It or Ticket," that permits police to stop your car for no breach of motor vehicle law, find out who you are, if you have insurance, if you are wanted, and then fine you for not wearing your seat belt. The public safety would be better served by doing the same to any individual wearing a "hoody" or otherwise obscuring their identity. The probability that a hoody is going to commit a property or violent crime is far greater than a driver without his seat belt on. Let's disrupt the criminal as soon as he steps in public.
Two suggestions.
One: Legislation that makes the obscuring of an person's identity a nuisance crime. Three individuals standing on the corner wearing hoodies has a more detrimental effect that the guy with the loud stereo. The hoodies are the dope men, selling poison and enforcing order in their territories with gunfire. Their "clientele" commits innumerable property crimes. The guy with the loud stereo is a just a a self-centered jerk. The police can do something about the jerk, but not the Hoody wearing gangsters. Give the police the tools to clear those corners.
Two: The merchants of Youngstown should not serve an individual obscuring his identity. If asked to lift my sunglasses, take off my ball cap or push back my hoody for the cameras, I have no problem with it. Who wouldn't want recorded on security cameras? Robbers, thugs and wanted criminals.
I voted for change this past election. I believe Mayor Williams and Chief Hughes are doing well in their new positions. But, respectfully, thugs are strangling Youngstown's neighborhoods. It is their job to tackle this.
DAVE SCHULTZ
Youngstown
What about next 100 years?
EDITOR:
I was most fortunate to be an audience member at the recent matinee performance of Ursuline High School's "Broadway on Bryson" -- part of the year long centennial celebration at Ursuline. As I watched scores of current high school students and several alumni sing and dance their hearts out, I wondered why the Diocese of Youngstown continues to withdraw its financial support of Catholic elementary schools that feed into Ursuline?
Nearly every single talented performer on Ursuline's stage was a product of a Catholic elementary school education before becoming an Ursuline student.
You get out of life what you put into it. Has the Youngstown Catholic Diocese wondered where Catholic educated youth will be 100 years from now? I know I do.
NANCY MANN
Youngstown
Flower thief: for shame
EDITOR:
I would like to induct someone into the Hall of Shame. Somebody took flowers from a window box on my Mom's grave at Ellsworth cemetery.
I hope that whoever did this knows that they ruined my Mother's Day. May God forgive them, because I don't.
Thank you to whoever put flowers on my porch. Not all people are selfish.
KIM EASTMAN
Canfield