LETTERS || South Side is neglected

South Side is neglected

As a resident, citizen, tax- payer, and voter in Youngstown, mine and other Youngstown South Siders’ sincere condolences go out to the victims and families of the most recent acts of violence and cold cases still left unsolved in our city.

The South Side of Youngstown was the bright spot of our city and county for over 100 years, and is still the largest part of the city. I believe there has been intentional neglect by our political, business, religious, social, and community leaders, organizations, and institutions. After a few decades of such intentional neglect, the South Side has become riddled with poverty, crime, drug activity, unemployment, joblessness, hopelessness and blight — more than most parts of Youngstown combined.

Yet when it comes to political leaders in our city spreading local, state, and federal dollars fairly, tax dollars go everywhere else in our city but the South Side. I and many others believe if we are going to solve the many ills that plague the South Side such as crime, all must put it on the agenda and stop playing politics.

Willie James Richards, Youngstown

Believe or not; it’s no joke

In response to the Sept. 23 let- ter about Stephen Hawking: The Big Bang Theory is not a “joke put out by the unbelievers in God” any more than Jesus’ resurrection is a joke put out by Christians.

Nobody knows how the universe began. Genesis is one theory, the Big Bang is another. Everybody is entitled to believe what they choose. It doesn’t need to be labeled as a joke. This world is full of many different beliefs. Are they all true; are any true? Who knows?

But, for me, the Big Bang or God is not a dilemma. They may be one and the same. It just might be that the Big Bang was the body of God exploding (my take on Gen. 1:1 and John 1:1-5)

I don’t know about Hawking’s belief or unbelief. I don’t know whether Moses or John are more believable because they are two of the many authors of the compilation called the Bible.

My belief is that nobody knows, nor can they. That makes me agnostic, not atheist. And I may or may not find out in due time.

Richard Fogo, Youngstown