Robert Pegues remembered as a leader and a visionary
Robert Pegues remembered as a leader and a visionary
EDITOR:
President Obama was a child when I was Superintendent Robert Pegues’ Supervisor of School/Community Relations in the mid-’70s. Like Obama, Pegues was a first: the first black superintendent in Ohio. Like our president, Bob was great man.
He strove to reach across racial and political divides, seeking unity and cooperation for the benefit of every single pupil enrolled in the Youngstown City School District. One of his dreams was to have established a music and arts high school at the old South High building that would have brought students from every corner of the city together.
Throughout his years as superintendent, he was opposed by racists and corrupt politicians, but he never lost his vision of excellence for the city schools. It was an honor to have been a part of his administration.
RON BARRON
Milford, Pa.
Ohio has bigger problems than minimum wage laws
EDITOR:
I had to laugh when I read a recent letter from a woman from Petersburg who blames all of Ohio’s economic woes on increased minimum wage rates. According to her, this is the catalyst for all the job losses in Ohio, along with increased prices in goods and services.
However, the only problem is that there was an enormous gap from 1997 to 2006 where the minimum wage stayed the same, at a whopping $5.15 per hour. During this time Ohio was still losing many jobs while prices climbed steadily.
I also have to cringe when people say minimum wage only affects kids working while attending school. The truth is there are many adults who try to live off this pittance.
Additionally, in this area, there are some factories that only employ full-time adult workers and pay them a “premium” over the prevailing minimum wage rate. This “premium” is usually 25 to 50 cents extra per hour while working the hell out of their employees.
One final note: I have seen small business owners who say that a minimum wage increase was overdue, but not the amount involved. It’s ironic because these same people always fought proposals to raise minimum wage during it’s nine-year stagnation. Even if the proposal was for a mere increase of 30 cents.
BOB LOCKIEL
Struthers
Give the court City Hall
EDITOR:
The problems with Youngstown Municipal Court can be solved. The way to solve this is to leave the courts in City Hall.
How many people work in City Hall that have nothing to do with courts? Move City Hall and everyone not involved with the courts, their desks, chairs and filling cabinets out.
That would leave the expensive courts, jails and the police there. Remodel the building to suit their needs.
City Hall can go anywhere at a smaller cost. This would save an enormous amount of money.
ROBERT SLOVKOVSKY
Youngstown