Schools deserve credit

Schools deserve credit

EDITOR:

I am writing to you concerning your article last Saturday regarding the wireless Internet project in Columbiana County. Twice references were made to the 240-plus mile fiber optic network that connects the schools in Mahoning and Columbiana counties, and in both instances it could be inferred that this network was built and managed by either DRS or the Columbiana County Port Authority (CCPA). However, it is the public school districts in Mahoning and Columbiana counties, as well as ACCESS, a Boardman-based state agency whose assets are owned by the school districts, which deserve credit for this network.

Following an agreement in June of 2004 between the CCPA and ACCESS, the CCPA does own a completely separate portion, about a sixth, of this fiber optic network. Further, a 2009 agreement between the CCPA and DRS, did give DRS the ability to manage and market this portion of the network for commercial and governmental customers, while the remainder of the network is reserved for educational customers.

However, you need to go back to 2001, and give full credit to the individual school districts in Mahoning and Columbiana counties for the construction of this network. Without the support of these districts this network would never have been built. It was through their vision and a great deal of courage that the boards of education approved and funded this tremendous resource that is used by over 75,000 students in Mahoning and Columbiana counties on a daily basis. Today, this portion of the network is managed by ACCESS, and serves not only the school districts in these two counties, but also provides services for some parochial and charter schools, as well as Youngstown State University.

ACCESS, the CCPA, and DRS are strong partners in the management of this network, and continue to work on a daily basis to bring this “Jewel of the Valley” to educational, governmental, and commercial clients. We are excited for this wireless Internet project in Columbiana County, and will continue to give our full support to the CCPA and DRS for its successful implementation.

JOHN LaPLANTE

Executive Director, ACCESS

Youngstown

Don’t bank on good health

EDITOR:

As someone who has a chronic, potentially life-threatening disease, I understand that everyone is one medical crisis away from being wiped out. If you think you are immune (couldn’t resist this metaphor), you are naive.

If you are thinking that you have good health care and you don’t have to worry, you are also naive. The costs of health care are going up quicker than anytime in history, it affects everyone’s bottom line; personally or in the business arena. There will be more jobs lost, maybe yours. More will lose homes, more will be pushed into bankruptcy, while the insurance companies enjoy an over 400 percent increase in profits. They have a monopoly, that is why they are spending millions to influence votes.

They also have a campaign of fear, that is joined by the Republicans in Congress. The outcry was the same against Social Security and Medicare. If you think this is socialism, than join the fight to phase out these programs.

It is not the time to wait. I stand with President Obama in calling for Congress to finish the job.

JOANN L. AVERY

Youngstown