Parents are more important to kids than schools, money

Parents are more important to kids than schools, money

EDITOR:

There is a continual barrage of news in The Vindicator of drive by shootings, murders, drug dealers, robberies, etc. Now we are reading about fighting in schools and that involves both male and female.

The answer that always comes forth seems to be money. Money is not the answer for every problem humans have and neither are the teachers and schools. Parental responsibility and involvement are the answer.

If you bring a child into the world it is your responsibility to raise that child until he or she is through school and of legal age. If you don’t think you’re capable of doing that, don’t have children. Raising a child means seeing that they get to school every day, have proper nutrition, proper clothing (not expensive), proper rest and be vigilant about who they associate with. Get involved in their lives whether they like it or not. Its your right. They have no rights. They’re kids. They don’t know what’s good for them. You’re the adult and you’re suppose to know. If you don’t, take parenting classes. God entrusted those children to you. Take care of them until they can take care of themselves.

Stop blaming everyone and everything for the way your children turn out. It’s your fault if you are abdicating responsibilities to someone else.

MARGARET HENNING

Boardman

Concert was not to be missed

EDITOR:

Russians, Italians and an American contributed to the season opening performance by the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra last Sunday afternoon at Packard Music Hall.

In a program generously sponsored by the Home Savings Charitable Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council, Susan Davenny Wyner, Music Director and Conductor, lead her orchestra in a potpourri of works before an attentive and enthusiastic audience.

Opening the concert was a late 20th century composition, “Remembering Gatsby (Foxtrot for Orchestra)” by the American John Harbison. Capturing the elegance, flirtatiousness and lilt of the time was no problem for the local band.

In a display of virtuosity, principal flutist Kathy Thomas Umble conquered the flute concerto of Russian Aram Khachaturian.

After a brief intermission, a talented Warrenite, soprano Charlene Canty, brought the audience to their collective feet with arias from Italian operatic composers Verdi and Puccini.

Closing out the afternoon’s presentation was everyone’s Russian favorite, a suite from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Ballet. Adapting to the cadences and rhythms of the melodic score proved no problem.

Susan Davenny Wyner’s conducting produces heat. She brings fresh definition to music making. Tying a foxtrot to a Tchaikovsky mazurka, in addition to being innovative, made sense.

What did not make sense was the dismal attendance. People, the orchestra needs you and you need the orchestra. A lot of hard work by many individuals and contributions by generous donors make concerts possible. The language of music speaks to us all. It plumbs the depths of our emotions and elevates us to the highest spheres.Dennis

Help yourselves by helping the orchestra. Encourage attendance.

STEWART I. MANDEL

Warren

X The writer is a member of the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra board.

Auto workers show concern

EDITOR:

This is an answer to the letter from the man stating auto workers whine. What he perceives as whining is concern for the future. My husband is a retired auto worker after working at Lordstown 30 years. The auto worker jobs were available to anyone when Lordstown opened. Anyone else could have had a job, there so don’t begrudge the auto worker what they have fought long and hard to maintain. We are fortunate to have a strong union looking out for our best interests. We are thankful every day for the pension and health benefits available to us.

Factories have closed due to outsourcing and jobs are being lost everywhere. The letter writer stated that he would give much more thought about the make of car he buys. Maybe we all could slow down the hemorrhage of factory closings and job loss by buying American.

I am sorry the letter writer lost so much, but why would he wish the same on his fellow workers?

SUSAN KELLY

Austintown

Enjoy a trip in Boardman

EDITOR:

Last Sunday at around 2:30 p.m., I took my third trip.

My first trip had been to Ireland, returning on Oct. 10. I then took a trip to Cook Forest, returning on the 14th. My third trip was on a speed bump at the Boardman Plaza, which resulted in a fall. Within 10 seconds at the most, five people came to help me.

Unfortunately I only knew one of the five and therefore cannot thank the others personally and am only hoping that this is printed in The Vindicator so they might know how very grateful I am for their support. To the gentleman who held my hand and wouldn’t let me get up until he knew that I was ready to get up; to the couple that went back into the store and replaced the item that had broken when I fell and would not let me pay them for it; to the young woman who bandaged my knees and head, and finally to the woman who followed me home.

We are all so quick to find the negative about our area or our lives, but on Sunday in the Boardman Plaza parking lot there was nothing but positive vibes. I also need to thank the Boardman fire and police departments for their quick response to a call that was made to them. Although I did not need their help, they were there within moments of being called. My eternal gratitude to my unknown caregivers.

NANCY EPSTEIN

Boardman

Elevate the discussion

EDITOR:

I went to the Web site to review the comments made by our residents through the forum you provided on your Web site relative to a question on passage of the requested 9.5 mil school levy.

I was appalled at the racist and bigoted commentary.

I am grateful for freedom of speech. I am grateful for this forum. I am grateful that I live in a country that guarantees my right to freedom of speech; even though it may be offensive to others. I am grateful that we are not yet reverting to the denial of that right.

However, I lived on the far East Side of Youngstown as a youngster when the KKK would ride down our dirt road in the Klan regalia on horseback. We would have to run and hide under the table in the dining room in fear. I remember when I had to board the bus in the front to pay (in Cleveland) then go out and board the rear of the bus for my seat. I remember the slaughter of Emmit Till; also those Freedom Riders’ murders and beatings. I participated in the Woolworth sit-in at the lunch counter downtown.

My spouse and I have been discriminated against many times in our lifetime. However, we never resorted to name-calling and denigration of other people. We simply moved on. My children have happily served in the Marines, the Army and the Navy. I fly a flag for all except the Army (I haven’t yet been able to find one).

If I can leave one small thought for your readers — it does not originate from me — but it says, “Small-minded people talk about people. Great people talk about ideas.” The Vindicator has given our population an opportunity to speak to an idea and question. It is so sad that many have chosen to use this forum for racist and bigoted commentary.

Perhaps one day this community can move from the seat of bigotry to the seat of concern for the benefit and welfare of others. We are all brothers.

DELORES WOMACK

Youngstown