Don’t blame Dr. Webb

Don’t blame Dr. Webb

EDITOR:

In the past we have heard complaints of Dr. Webb’s performance as superintendent of the Board of Education, and that is the right of every citizen to voice their opinion. In that vein I would like to express mine. The Dr. Webb I see is a lady who is dealing with a host of problems, many of which were there before she took office. I see a lady who is everywhere, meeting with politicians, parents, teachers, students and anyone who can offer advise and suggestions to better our school system. She continues to make cuts in programs and personnel wherever she can, without making the buildings a place with no substance inside for learning. This is a balancing act that is difficult to achieve.

At the same time there are cuts she cannot make. Union contracts have to be honored, when a door breaks it has to be fixed, when the roof leaks it has to be repaired, when the power goes out you need an electrician. These expenses are constant.

I am an old man and I don’t relish the idea of additional taxes, but when I entered the first grade in 1937 somebody was paying taxes for me, so I will support a levy to keep our schools afloat. I will also respect those who oppose the levy because some people will find it very difficult to pay an additional tax and they must vote according to their circumstances, but why do we have to pay all of these taxes when the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that the current system is unconstitutional? Because we have state legislators who are either incompetent, lazy, or inconsiderate or a combination of the three. Their attitude seems to be we can do or not do whatever we want, nobody can do anything about it. The people of this State deserve a lot better than what we’re getting.

The boards of education across the state that are having the same financial problems we are having should ban together and file a class action suit against the state legislators. When the judge tells you that you cannot sue the legislators maybe he will also want to know why it is taking 10 years to obey a court order that should have been settled in two or three. They took an oath to obey and support the laws of Ohio. Let’s have them explain why they have not. Enough is enough. We need answers to these pressing problems, we need action now.

BILLY ASH

Youngstown

A good first impression requires some cleaning up

EDITOR:

With the warmer spring weather, the time of year for neighborhood and community spring cleanups is upon us. It is always encouraging to see citizens’ interest in the broader community. Such cleanups not only provide a more appealing appearance, but also provide a unique opportunity for fellowship and neighborhood networking.

The Youngstown Streetscape project is a prime example of what could happen when people put their minds and more importantly their elbow grease to work.

As one approaches the Youngstown city freeway off of Oakwood Avenue, the hill area between the freeway and the upper fence is especially littered with fallen over trees, dead branches and way too much trash.

Our mayor has challenged all of us in the city and county to view the major thoroughfares into the city as entrance ways and doorways into our community. How many thousands of cars pass this area each day and see this clutter? Not a good impression. I would hope that a concerted effort between the Ohio Depart of Transportation and local litter agencies can address this highway disarray.

The Rev. EDWARD P. NOGA

Pastor, St. Patrick Church

Youngstown