Judge, commissioner back showing respect to others

Let’s set a minimum respect standard at work, judge urges.

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The simple words “please,” “excuse me,’’ and “thank you,” go a long way toward achieving a respectful workplace environment, especially when they are spoken with sincerity, Judge Theresa Dellick said Friday.

“We have to say them like we mean them, because we do have to mean them,” the Mahoning County Juvenile Court judge told a gathering in the county courthouse rotunda. Judge Dellick said use of those simple words of respect is standard procedure in her court.

Using respect in the workplace as her theme, Judge Dellick was the keynote speaker at the county’s third annual Respect Day observance. The noon-hour event was organized by the Tri-County Family Violence Prevention Coalition to promote May as Family Violence Prevention Month.

“It’s amazing what those little words can do and how they open doors and how they change mindsets,” the judge told an audience of about 35 people. “Those words can change a meeting, a day, a person, or a life,” she added.

“Even if you don’t get respect in return, I’d say just keep trying,” the judge urged. “The more you give, the more you get back, so give it freely,” she said.

“Let’s have a minimum respect standard at work,” she urged. Such a standard will result in fewer conflicts, reduced stress and increased productivity, she added.

The next speaker, county Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti, said listening to what others have to say before expressing one’s viewpoint is a major part of showing respect for others.

“I’ve tried to do that every day as a county commissioner,” he said. “By doing that, you learn from what that person has to offer,” he said.

“We’re allowed to seek redress of grievances through our government, but if our ears are turned off and opinions aren’t going to be allowed, then it becomes a tyranny, and we do not have an open, honest form of government,” Traficanti said.

Traficanti was among a host of public officials from all levels of government who provided proclamations, resolutions and letters of recognition for Friday’s observance.