Behave as if there’s a war on

Behave as if there’s a war on

EDITOR:

Americans are whining about the rising price of gasoline. Justifiably so, but do they really feel that there’s a war on?

Some people are making a great sacrifice, while others are not. When the Pearl Harbor attack destroyed our Pacific fleet, we got into a real wartime frame of mind, and proudly got behind the effort. One of the most successful sacrifices we made to that war effort was to accept the rationing of gasoline. Our current gasoline costs are the result of the controlled foreign supply of oil versus our unlimited guzzling demand. The many suggested switches to alternative energy sources may be a promising solution, but require years to be of any help.

Meanwhile, the best temporary and perhaps almost immediate solution may be for our willingness to face up to the problem with another demonstration of patriotic sacrifice, namely some organized limits to our guzzling. Every little bit could make a big difference. Wouldn’t we be proud to sock it to those OPEC chiselers? Do you think Congress has the guts to risk it?

CHANDLER BERLINER

Canfield

LaBrae community take note: Band enriches lives

EDITOR:

The news that LaBrae may no longer have a marching band hit me like a blow to the stomach. It has been over 10 years since I graduated from LaBrae High School, but the memories of being in the band (for nine years) are never far from my heart. As a former band member, I know what current students will lose without the band program.

While financial concerns are always a factor in making decisions in schools, money should not be the leading consideration when those decisions directly impact children. Many students’ academic and social lives are tied to the band. Friendships begin in the band room and continue on the field because of common interests, shared experiences and the act of working together to achieve a common goal. The self discipline learned through music study and marching band carries over to other classes and throughout life.

The legacy Mr. Edenfield, the former band director, built over decades of teaching is one of not just music appreciation, but also self-discipline, respect, and the value of dedicating yourself to something bigger. The LaBrae High School Marching Band has been so successful, a pride of the community, because it is rooted in a set of values and skills that gets passed down from upperclassmen to new band members year after year. Any interruption in this process would take years to rebuild. The marching band has made an impact generation after generation on the community, not just on former members, but on the grandparents who come to band nights, on the parents drawn into the boosters club, on those people who take pride in this celebrated institution.

There are entire books written about the enormous value the arts have in education, but sadly these are often the first programs to go. One cannot strengthen a school district by eliminating one of its most fulfilling and important assets, one that invites the community into the school to take pride in our children who will hopefully keep marching to their own beat.

ANDRIA MORNINGSTAR-GRAY

Newton Falls

A word to autograph thieves

EDITOR:

My husband, Larry Duck, is not only superintendent of Mahoning County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities he’s also a huge OSU/YSU fan. Knowing that, I changed my work schedule on July 17 and headed off to Barnes and Noble for Jim Tressel’s book signing. What a great Christmas present this would be. The book signing was to be from 10 a.m. to noon. I was in line by 8:15 a.m.; wristband 300. While we were waiting there was the unexpected bonus of YSU players giving personalized autographs. A Barnes Noble employee took a photo of me with my camera standing next to Jim Tressel when it was my turn.

As I was leaving, I left my signed and personally autographed book lying on a table for only seconds while I asked some MRDD employees if they wanted to use my camera. The book disappeared.

No more book, no Tressel signature, no YSU personalized autographs. I had spent three hours waiting, plus the cost of the book, and had nothing to show for it. Holding back the tears, I asked a Barnes and Noble employee if they had more books. They did. I told her what happened to my already signed book. They were now giving out wristband 675 but I was going to stand in line again and hope that Mr. Tressel didn’t have to leave before signing my copy. As I was handed my purchase, the store manager took my book to the signing table so I wouldn’t have to stand in line again. What a wonderful act of kindness.

Whoever took my book which has four autographs in the back all “To Larry,” shame on you.

CATHY DUCK

Struthers

Be careful washing hands

EDITOR:

We all have grown up with the continuous warning to “Wash your hands”. We all know that washing your hands can eliminate or reduce the risk of contracting the simple cold, if there is such a thing, to the deadly infectious disease known as MRSA (pronounced ‘MER-sa’). But now, as if we need another scare to worry about, there is a warning associated with washing your hands in a public or work area restroom. The concern is associated with the open, refillable bulk soap public dispensers. Many are found in gas stations, restaurants, work places and other older public facilities. These are the units mounted on the wall, next to the sink. You pump out the soap, clean up and feel that you have done your required prevention duty.

But a recent study conducted by the University of Arizona showed that 23 to 25 percent of samples taken from open refillable bulk soap reservoir dispensers were contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria. Coliforms, illness causing fecal-based organisms, were found in 16 to 22 percent of contaminated samples. Even higher amounts of bacteria were found in similar dispensers used in health and fitness facilities.

By washing your hands with contaminated soap, and more so if you have abrasions or open cuts or wounds, you are at a risk of infection.

What are the solutions? Well, for the owners of the soap dispensers, it is recommended that you use the sealed systems. Sealed systems utilize refill cartridges that are sealed during the manufacturing process. These high-capacity refills are used once and then discarded when empty.

Studies showed that no pathogens were found in soap collected from sealed systems.

Personally, one can carry with them their own soap or sanitizer. This would ensure that your hands are clean, in a safe and healthy manner.

With all this said, let me close by saying, “Don’t forget to wash your hands”.

JOHN P. LESEGANICH, CPEA

Safety and Health Consultant

Canfield