Sniping between educators doesn't help inner-city youth

Sniping between educators doesn't help inner-city youth
EDITOR:
Your Dec. 31 article reporting the Youngstown homicide rate was well written and certainly explored the many contributing factors to this problem that our community faces. The comments provided by Professor Pierce and the Rev. Alfred Coward accurately depict the many concerns that inner-city teachers and administrators face in our efforts to educate our students.
Sadly, the remarks quoted by Rev. Coward, though insightful, are potentially offensive to many inner-city educators. It's disappointing to learn of a fellow urban teacher referring to colleagues as "there for a job and they really don't have the passion to see a child succeed."
After more than 20 years of teaching in the Youngstown city schools, I find our superintendent, school board, administrators and teachers quite dedicated to their profession and educational ideals. Our administration and teaching staff are among the most positive and upbeat group of educators in the Valley. This attitude is readily perceived and quite contagious to our students and parents.
Certainly, every profession has individuals who lack the needed skills or dedication to perform in a manner consistent with their peers. However, his comments are unprofessional.
Urban schools have a wealth of critics who quickly point out our shortcomings. Although it's disappointing to hear these criticisms come from within our profession, the figures tell a better story. Our graduation rate has improved 12 percent over the last three years. Achievement test scores in 2005-2006 are meeting state standards and we expect to see additional standards met this year. These improvements are the result of dedication, hard work and a deep belief in the abilities of our students.
Obviously, there are factors in the community over which educators have little control, as the article aptly points out. Yet be assured, urban administrators and teachers share a passion to see a child succeed.
JAMES K. JARVIS
Canfield
Consider the alternatives
EDITOR:
The recent congressional election should remind all of us how fortunate we are to live in a country in which "the rascals can be turned out" when voters conclude that enough is enough.
However, the election results should also remind us that in due course the new set of rascals will also be turned out and replaced by more of the same from the political party most recently rejected.
It never seems to occur to many voters that there is a far better choice: The Libertarian Party, a political party dedicated to the American ideals of liberty, personal responsibility and limited government. The Libertarian Party is growing, as more and more voters understand that Libertarians will never steal from some citizens in order to buy the support of other voters.
MILTON R. NORRIS
Public relations chairman
Libertarian Party of Ohio
Canfield
Funeral brings memories
EDITOR:
As we said farewell to our 38th president recently, a story resurfaced in my mind of a time years ago when my father was still alive.
After the bombings at Pearl Harbor, two of my uncles joined the military -- one in the Navy, the other the Marines. In early 1942 my grandfather told my father to enlist in the Navy and to go watch over his younger brothers, thinking the South Pacific no bigger then their farm. My father was over draft age at this time and the oldest boy on a working farm, but he enlisted anyway and he did end up in the South Pacific.
When Gerald Ford became president, my uncle was reading an article in a magazine or possibly this very newspaper noting Ford's locations in the South Pacific with island names and approximate dates. My uncle called my father and told him that all three of them had been on those islands at the very same time, but they never saw each other.
I doubt Gerald Ford ever left the ship or even set foot on an island, but maybe he did. Maybe my father or an uncle saluted him in passing or glanced at each other from afar.
G.J. WITTENAUER
Poland
Why bother voting?
EDITOR:
"Get out and vote -- your vote counts. & quot; How many times have we heard that? Just about every election, I'm guessing. Well, folks, I'm here to tell you that the votes we cast don't mean a hill of beans.
In the 2000 presidential election, 500,000 more people voted for Al Gore than George Bush, yet because of the electoral college, Bush became president. So those 500,000 votes didn't mean a hill of beans.
Now the Columbiana County commissioners have taken it upon themselves to impose a permanent sales tax despite the voice of the voters. Time and again the majority of the voters in Columbiana County have told the county government "no" to more taxes and to live within the budget they have. Despite that, they went ahead and imposed this tax against the will of the electorate. A "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" apparently holds as much weight as that vote I cast in the last election.
TOM HALL
Lisbon
Phone thief knows no limits
EDITOR:
My son, who is 11 years old, received a Slice cell phone for Christmas. The intended purpose for a child of his age to have a cell phone was so he can get in touch with someone when he needed to. Whether he was at his friends house or at practice, we (his parents), knew he could surely get in touch with us.
On Jan. 3, my son went to the Victory Christian Center (The Riot) on McCartney Road. He's been going there for a few months now and really enjoys it. This particular evening, he had his cell phone with him (which I told him to take in case he needed me). He took off his jacket while playing catch, and when he was done, the cell phone was gone.
What kind of person would steal something from a church event? This really angers me. If you're going to church/-youth group you should know not to steal. His heart was broken by the time he got home. He was so excited when he got that phone and unfortunately, right now, I can't go out and buy him another phone.
I tried calling my son's phone to find out who took it but whoever did just answered the phone without saying anything and then just let it ring. I had the service suspended, so you may have a phone, but it's not going to work for you. To parents whose children attended the Riot that evening: if your child came home with a cell phone, know that they didn't "find it & quot; and no one "gave it to them. & quot; They stole it. Do the right thing and return the phone to the church.
The Riot is a wonderful place for children to go and learn about God and each other, but we parents need to help our children be decent beings as well.
MISSY VARGAS
Campbell
Follow U.S. flag etiquette
EDITOR:
As I drive around the Mahoning Valley, I continually see a sight that saddens me. I see United States flags being flown that are weathered and faded, not lighted at night and not lowered to half staff when ordered to be. Currently, our president has ordered all U.S. flags lowered to half staff for 30 days, until Jan. 24. This is in honor of President Ford who died Dec. 26. Yet, many of the flags around this area are not lowered. This shows a complete lack of respect for our flag and what it stands for.
There are many Web sites that spell out proper U.S. flag etiquette. One can also go to the White House Web site at www.whitehouse.gov to see when a half staff order is given. If one doesn't care to take the time to follow the rules, then they shouldn't be flying our flag.
As you drive around town, look at the flags being flown. Are they taken care of? Are they lighted at night? Are they lowered when they should be? If they aren't, I suggest you stop and let that business or resident know they should be following U.S. flag etiquette. If they are, stop and thank them.
DARYN TALLMAN
Boardman
Those who died in battle deserve same as a president
EDITOR:
I am a Korean War veteran and served my country with honor. Recently a former president passed on. All flags were flown at half mast, as is the case when any high ranking official, dignitary or politician passes on. A nation mourns.
It seems to me that when a service man or woman pays the supreme sacrifice, he or she is mourned only by family and friends. So, we at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3332 have been honoring them and their sacrifice for the past two years with our flag flying at half mast. We will continue to do so as long as they are sacrificing their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan for our freedom.
R.L. HANZES, commander
VFW Post 3332
Newton Falls