Don’t be fooled; vote no

Don’t be fooled; vote no

EDITOR:

As election day approaches, we’re hearing more and more about the need for the 9.5 mill “temporary levy” for the Youngstown schools. Don’t let the word “temporary” fool you. When the five years are up, it will become a “renewal”, and then a permanent levy.

By their own admission, the school board says the levy will not solve their problems.

How ironic is it that when the powers-that-be had their feet held to the fire they were able to make cuts of 36 percent and still operate?

We say, keep on making cuts — especially at the top — until you can live within your means. This should have been done years ago, instead of going deeper in debt with our money.

Where are the homeowners supposed to get the money for this levy? With home-heating oil fast approaching $3 per gallon, and propane and natural gas not far behind, we are all forced to tighten our belts again. This is on top of outrageous gasoline prices for our vehicles. A trip to the grocery store is a nightmare of sticker-shock. People are hurting, and just don’t have any more to give. We shouldn’t have to choose between warmth and food because the school system has wasted millions of our hard-earned dollars for more years than we can count.

We homeowners of Coitsville are especially opposed to this levy. We’re being held hostage by a school system that we don’t use, don’t connect to, and to which we have contributed millions of wasted dollars over the years. We can’t even entice people to our wonderful community because when they hear “Youngstown schools” they quickly lose interest. We all have a responsibility to get out and vote on Nov. 6. Don’t allow other voters to decide what happens to your property taxes. Get away from the TV for a few minutes and vote no on the 9.5 mill levy.

BERNIE and MARGE DESS

ANTHONY and SUZANNE MARTUCCI

Lowellville

Think about the children

EDITOR:

I have come to realize that I can’t just think about myself and how the levy will affect me. My focus, attention and opinion have changed from myself to the needs of our children and young adults, along with the basic needs of our community.

The future of our public school system is at stake and it is vital that we invest in, support and protect the well being of Youngstown city schools.

No longer can we think in terms of “I.” We must begin to think in new terms of “we” and “our.”

This is our community, these are our children, these are our schools. And this is our responsibility. Who will support our children if we don’t?

I will support the Youngstown City School District levy. Join me.

KATHRYN HAWKS HANEY

School board member

Youngstown

Protect the park board

EDITOR:

I believe that the people are not to be blindsided by the dictatorial precepts of the Youngstown council and its mayor. The administration seems to want the citizenry to believe that the changes council and the mayor want to make on the four charter issues will make the city a better place to live. They want control of the Park and Recreation Board by allowing them to appoint members (their friends) to the board, which will appoint the director.

The mayor would also be allowed to hire all permanent and part-time employees in the park department. Nepotism and political paychecks will again continue to flourish.

These changes in the charter are from the same elected officials (council) who have shown little, if any, interest in recovering city funds from one of their own for an unauthorized trip earlier this year and the use of a city credit card.

The voters of Youngstown should vote no on all four charter issues because the citizens of Youngstown deserve better representation, not dictatorial rule and more power by a few.

MICHAEL O’HARA

Youngstown