Alumni should take interest in Brookfield schools

Alumni should take interest in Brookfield schools
EDITOR:
Being a Brookfield graduate, I am very concerned at the direction the majority of the school board has been going.
It appears that two of the Brookfield school board members, Dean Fisher and Steve Varga, are anti-union and are trying to either wear down or break up the teacher's union.
Fisher was involved at one point in the negotiations between the school district and the teacher's union and voted against accepting the very same contract he worked on. He wanted to be sure Form 412 was signed verifying the money is there to cover the contract. Form 412 was signed off on. Where is his yes vote now?
I wonder if either of these two have a clue of what it takes to be on a school board and the duties involved. It would seem they do not, as they appear to be undermining the school system at every turn. Could it be that they cannot allegedly think for themselves and rely on Joe Pasquerilla, school board president, to think for them? Does Joe even have a clue as to his duties and what they job involves?
Their recent actions by not showing up April 5 for a meeting for negotiations cost the school district an unnecessary expenditure of precious funds as the attorney from Cleveland had to drive down for this meeting.
It is time for all of the good people of Brookfield to take back their school board and demand answers and action. The next school board meeting is April 21 at 10 a.m. It is also time for all of the alumni that remembers a kinder and gentler school board to show support for the teachers, students and community. Be there. I will.
JOHN M. KURILLA
Hermitage, Pa.
Condo story was unseemly celebration of extravagance
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to the article "If I had a million dollars" that appeared on B1 March 25 concerning a luxury condo in North Lima. The article focused on the many luxuries the home offered and the meticulous two-year planning that went into the building of the condo by a couple who already own four other homes and just plan on using the condo for weekends and as a summer getaway. They have yet to spend a night at the condo. The shower in the luxurious bathroom has been used once.
Considering the state of the Mahoning Valley regarding recent job losses and the concern for rising home foreclosures, not to mention the obsession by so many of our youth with materialism, I found the article very offensive. What on earth was the reporter thinking? Such extravagance should be a cause for dismay not something to celebrate.
What was most troubling is that The Vindicator found the story newsworthy. When someone decides to build a homeless shelter or a recreation center for inner-city children, let me know. A newspaper is supposed to be in the business of reporting the news, not feeding the egos of the rich and self-indulgent.
SUSAN SHERIDAN
Youngstown
Congress gallivants, we pay
EDITOR:
I am outraged by the story than ran the day after April Fools Day that showed what fools our elected officials take us taxpayers to be.
We taxpayers allow this self-crowned royalty (senators, congressman and others in Washington) to blatantly use the majority of their time and our tax money for travel, hotel, staff and food while they are off not doing their jobs.
We get very little for the cushy jobs these people have (and the salaries, benefits and retirements are outrageous). Many bills these people vote into law are huge, textwise, and most are not read and have amendments tacked on that shouldn't be. They are made law by people who are ignorant of what the bills contain.
Instead of the public standing in awe of people like Hillary Clinton raising 23 million for her campaign, we should be discharging them for not doing their jobs. Try not doing your work in the private sector and see how long you keep your job.
JOSEPH P. HILKO
Hermitage, Pa.