Ohio amendment to provide veteran bonuses is good idea

Ohio amendment to provide veteran bonuses is good idea

EDITOR:

The constitutional amendment recently proposed by Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray that would provide a service bonus for Ohio veterans of the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as for those who served during the Persian Gulf War is the right thing to do.

Ohio has a long tradition of honoring the sacrifices of Ohioans who served during major conflict and assisting them upon their return home.

This amendment provides for monthly compensation of $100 for veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq, up to $1,000, and monthly compensation of $50 for those serving elsewhere during these conflicts, up to $500. Family members of those killed in action would receive $5,000 in addition to any other allowable compensation.

Legislation authorizing the constitutional amendment was sponsored by state Sen. Timothy Grendell, R-Chesterland, and has received the unanimous support of the Senate. Now, it is being considered in the Ohio House. I hope our state representatives follow the lead of prior generations and their colleagues in the Senate and pass this measure promptly so that we, the people of Ohio, may ratify this measure at the polls this November.

We owe Ohio’s veterans a debt of gratitude. They deserve a modest service bonus in recognition of their service and sacrifice.

JOHN P. BROWN III

Lanham, Md.

X Brown, a Youngstown native, is AMVETS National Commander.

Time is running out on Mineral Ridge bike path

EDITOR:

The Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway is a 100-mile bike path that will stretch from Ashtabula Harbor to the Ohio River near East Liverpool. Portions of the path have been completed from north of Warren to Ashtabula, from Leetonia to Lisbon, and from Canfield to the Mahoning County line in Mineral Ridge. The 4-mile TruNiles Greenway portion of the path that will begin at the Mahoning County line and run parallel with State Route 46 through Mineral Ridge to Niles is stalled.

We are writing to encourage public officials to get the project moving again. The problem seems to be an aerial crossing agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad and an at-grade crossing with Ohio Central Railroad. Niles and railroad officials are currently negotiating these right of way issues.

Several projects in Mineral Ridge are awaiting completion of the path. One project is the renovation of the historic Mineral Ridge Mining Supply factory, which will house a bicycle shop and restaurant. Another is the placement of a historical marker to honor Mineral Ridge’s coal mining history.

We’ve been waiting for our bike path since 2003. Inflation is nipping away at the allocated funds, the price of asphalt is rising and our residents are missing out on a wonderful opportunity for recreation and exercise. We encourage public officials to act now and take advantage of this rare opportunity to improve the quality of life in our area.

PEGGY WILLIAMS, JUNE H. LUCAS, LINDA FERENCE and MARCI BUCHANAN

All of Mineral Ridge

X The writers are members of the Mineral Ridge Beautification Committee.

Homework helps prepare students for what is to come

EDITOR:

This is in response to the child in Canfield who wrote last Sunday saying children receive too much homework.

First of all, I am a high school junior who has received more homework than this child can even imagine. If he thinks that kids in the sixth grade receive too much homework, then he is in for a shock when he reaches high school and realizes that he’ll have to write research papers, essays, and time consuming projects. Don’t complain about homework in the sixth grade, which is practically nothing compared to the homework that high school students obtain.

Secondly, teachers do not give homework so that children will have to miss the opportunity of enjoying a day outside. They give it because they are required to do so. Also, teachers give out a lot of homework in order to prepare students when they reach their high school and college years. Homework gives students a sense of responsibility, something they will need as they go on to high school and especially college.

Thirdly, kids are not becoming overweight due to homework. They are overweight because they sit on the couch all day playing video games, watching television and eating potato chips. They choose not to go outside and it’s not because they have too much homework.

So instead of complaining that students have too much homework, realize that homework is needed to prepare students for the future. Two hours of homework is nothing compared to the seven or eight hours that some of us high school students put into research papers, essays, and projects. If we students didn’t have homework, we wouldn’t get any practice in the subjects that we are required to take. Life is not about fun and games and homework makes students realize that.

URSULA BUZZACCO

New Middletown

Treat Chevy Centre as you would any asset: sell it

EDITOR:

Youngstown has struggled for many years. Each step in progress seems to be met with another setback. It is very difficult to maintain momentum needed to emerge as a community viewed as a highly desirable place to live and raise a family. The time is right for the surrounding area to step up and invest in Youngstown.

There are many potentially profitable ways to invest in the downtown area. One example of a project in need of a boost is the Chevy Centre. The outstanding debt the city has incurred is hampering its success. My suggestion is to tie the Chevy Centre and all the available land between the bridges into a corporation. Then sell the corporation back to the public.

The object would be to raise about $20 million in the sale of stock. The Chevy Centre would then be run by stockholders. Since the debt would be retired, profits would increase. Those profits could then be used to develop the remaining land between the bridges. The city would benefit, the people would make some money and have fun doing it.

ROBERT G. MOSSMAN

Youngstown

Stop endless primaries

EDITOR:

We need a constitutional amendment to eliminate the insanity of this year-long presidential campaigning. The primaries should be held on the same day, putting an end to this interminable mudslinging and wistful list of political promises.

Then, maybe we could hear some real news.

JOHN K. HODGSON

North Lima