Youngstown SteelHounds should not be used as a political pawn

EDITOR:

Once again politics rears its ugly head and threatens to destroy something that was meant to bring fun and pleasure to the city of Youngstown, the Youngstown SteelHounds.

Those of us who attend the games as booster club members and season ticket holders knew something was afoot when we saw the team shop inventory dwindle down to almost nothing at the end of the season.

First came the trade of the league’s Most Valuable Player last year, then the release of Tim Sampsell — the voice of the Hounds — then came the departure of one of the key people in the hockey team’s front office.

The proverbial handwriting was on the wall. Despite reassurances by SteelHounds’ owner Herb Washington that all was well, it was rather obvious that his words were not matching the reality of the situation.

Now enter Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams for whom I have great respect. The lawsuit, Mr. Mayor, is not doing anything to calm the situation but is rather fanning the flames of ill will. As a hockey fan and member of the SteelHounds booster club, I think you should know how important hockey is to us and to the city of Youngstown.

The boosters put in countless hours supporting the team both in and out of season. They get the players’ apartments ready, provide goody boxes for the team while on the road, clean the team bus after road trips and make sure that Youngstown becomes the home away from home for the players, some of whom play thousands of miles from their home towns.

Please, Mr. Washington and Mr. Williams, do not use our team as the pawn in a political arena. Remember you are dealing with the lives and professions of these young men and their families.

Please remember, too, that we love our Hounds and would hate to see them leave or be used for someone’s political gain or vendetta. NANCY FAWCETT

Canfield