Don't amend constitution to encourage tobacco use

Don't amend constitutionto encourage tobacco use
EDITOR:
I am writing in regard to Issue 4, which is a constitutional amendment. If it passes, it will trump Issue 5, the SmokeFree Ohio initiative that is also on the ballot. This will happen even if both issues pass.
Issue 5 defends your right to smoke-free air in all restaurants, public places and workplaces. It protects all workers, families, children and seniors from the dangers of second hand smoke. It is supported by hundreds of businesses and organizations statewide, including local boards of health and state public health associations.
One of the more troubling aspects of this amendment is that it would overturn 21 local smoke-free laws already in place, as well as superseding a number of other state laws and rules, including some provisions of the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code.
Ohio's Office of Budget and Management, as part of a fiscal analysis performed for the secretary of state's office, indicates that Issue 4 provides that no law shall prohibit smoking in any "privately owned facility that is not open to the public." As virtually all commercially licensed kitchens are considered off limits to the general public, this appears to provide for smoking to resume in areas where food is manufactured or prepared. It is hard to imagine that any restaurant patron would find this prospect appealing.
Keep in mind that it's not enough to pass Issue 5. Issue 4 must be defeated. Let's stop this unprecedented attack on food safety by taking tobacco off the menu and voting no on 4, and yes on 5.
RICHARD SETTY
Director of Environmental Health
District Board of Health-Mahoning County
Austintown
Last thing to be cut should be the police department
EDITOR:
Residents of Campbell, this election day you will be voting for or against an amendment to the charter in our city.
Without rambling on and on, let me just say "The very last thing that should ever be cut is the police and fire. & quot;
We have wonderful, fully trained, and competent police and fire departments in Campbell. Why in the world would anyone cut their forces?
If you are involved in a traffic accident, who will you call to write the police report? That is the very first thing your insurance company will want.
If someone is breaking into your home, "who you gonna call? Ghostbusters?" No, the Campbell Police Department. And they will be there to protect you.
Keep my words in mind this election day. You need the police department, and they are happy to be there to serve and support you.
EDWARD C. BRAINARD Jr.
Campbell
Ignore fear and smear
EDITOR:
I am an Ohioan, American and a former combat Marine. I am insulted and disgusted by the scare/fear/smear tactics the Republican Party is employing to garner votes in the mid-term elections. It worked against Sen. McCain (a fellow Republican) in 2000, Sen. Kerry in 2004 and was used against U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., when he criticized the Iraq war in 2005. Ironically, the aforementioned individuals are certified decorated war heroes. Our president, vice president and secretary of defense are not.
Our state and country have real problems. Forty-six million Americans with no health care, increasing numbers of unemployed, homeless and hungry individuals, education funding deficiencies at all levels, disintegrating infrastructure, attacks on the U.S. Constitution, monitoring what we read, write, watch, think and say. The list goes on ad infinitum.
The Republicans have been in total control of Ohio and in Washington (the Congress) since 1994 and the White House since 2000. And look at the chaos we have at all levels.
Our country was founded by brave and heroic individuals. Please do not betray their sacrifices and legacies by caving in to scare/fear/smear. We owe it to our previous, current and future generations.
Get out and vote.
RICK BERGER
Boardman
Construction in 3 districts would have wide effect
EDITOR:
The construction proposed in the Hubbard Exempted Village School District, the Niles City School District, and the Southington Local School District master plans will have a significant impact on the Trumbull and Mahoning counties' economy.
Notable highlights include:
The facilities master plans of these three districts envision a 3-4 year program with 142 million in construction spending.
Sixty-eight percent will come from the state of Ohio and 32 percent will come from the local bond issues.
The facilities master plans for Niles, Hubbard, and Southington will generate a tremendous economic impact for the area including millions in local household wages and salaries.
Business activities will be especially stimulated in construction, business services, real estate, and the service sectors.
City income tax will also be increased with the additional revenue from the construction of t
hese schools.
The three major construction programs are one way that the Southington, Niles and Hubbard School systems will have a positive impact on the local economy.
Most importantly is the positive influence for the 5,900 students in these three school districts who will be able to attend state of the art facilities.
Please consider voting for these three bond issues Nov. 7.
RICHARD J. BUCHENIC, Superintendent
Hubbard Exempted Village Schools
ROCCO ADDUCI, Superintendent
Niles City School District
FRANK DANSO, Superintendent
Southington Local School District
Animals deserve better
EDITOR:
I read with disgust yet another article of abuse and neglect of animals -- this time it involved horses at a "boarding stable." I wonder if these people get some perverse pleasure from keeping animals in fifth and starving them. Would Mr. Skelton like to be placed in a cramped, filthy stall-- standing in 15 inches of his own waste with nothing to eat? I strongly believe that anyone capable of the neglect and abuse of an animal has little regard for any form of human life.
I applaud those who rescued these horses and can only pray they will not be returned to Mr. Skelton. People who do these things do not miraculously change when caught, they simply work harder at concealing it next time.
We are long overdue for stricter laws and more severe punishment for these cruel acts.
SHERRY ROSS
Boardman
Just say, 'let's get out now'
EDITOR:
To begin with, our country is in worse shape that I have ever seen it.
We are spending 1.5 billion a week in Iraq and China is buying our bonds. We owe them trillions of dollars. They also make much of our goods. We are hurting. Our cities are hurting. Our schools are hurting. Our people and Iraq are losing many many people, and many injuries.
Democrats, be brave and say, "Let's get out of Iraq now."
T.L. WERTZ
Canfield