Opponents of animal shelter are blind to its benefits

Opponents of animal shelter are blind to its benefits

EDITOR:

I am writing in response to the article in The Vindicator on June 7, “Animal shelter plan protested by residents.”

It’s sad that instead of the community coming together to help a worthy cause, they are trying to stop the process on a great place and its need in society.

I live in Youngstown and have been to Alchemy Acres in Salem several times. My son even had all his birthday guests at his first birthday bring treats, toys, money, etc., for shelter animals. Alchemy was one of three we chose to give his donations to.

This is a fabulous facility, and the staff and volunteers are doing a great thing helping abused and abandoned animals.

We need more people like the Sacco family and their volunteers in this world. These people dedicate their lives and time to these animals.

In many bigger cities, people are all for the animal movement and are doing what they can do end the needless euthanasia and help as many animals as they can. It’s a shame we are still behind the times.

I would suggest the 40-plus people who signed the petition and who are bothered by the “noise” visit the shelter. See the great things they are doing for our community. Look into the animals’ eyes, and see their pain and know they need them, too.

Instead of wasting time searching for people to sign a petition to stop the facility’s growth, they should be searching for more volunteers and donations to keep it surviving.

Saving lives and helping animals in need are much more commendable than worrying about barking dogs. Invest $2.99 in some ear plugs, and help the cause.

I thank the Sacco family and all the people who support them for a job well done. If we had more people like them in the world, I believe we’d live in a much nicer place.

I read once, “Saving one animal will not change the world, but surely, for that one animal the world will change forever!”

ARLIA D. SLAINA

Youngstown

Medicare should delay home medical care reforms

EDITOR:

Medicare bureaucrats are rolling out a new “competitive bidding” program for home medical equipment and services that are required by some senior citizens and people with disabilities.

This sounds good. Who can argue with competition? But the way this federal program has been designed is a disaster — for patients, providers and taxpayers.

Home-care providers, disability organizations and a growing number in Congress know that this bidding program will stifle competition and put qualified home-care providers out of business. As a result, the program will reduce availability of care for seniors and disabled Americans who require home medical equipment and services, such as home oxygen therapy, power wheelchairs and hospital beds used at home.

While the bidding program is touted to save money, a true accounting would have to include the higher costs of delayed hospital discharges, more frequent emergency room visits and the impact of failed businesses and lost jobs in home care — the most cost-effective sector of Medicare.

Congress should delay this program for at least 18 months so it can review serious questions about access to care, quality and fairness.

DIANE VOLOSIN

Boardman Medical Supply

Girard