When summer lasted forever

When summer lasted forever

Growing up in Youngstown many light years ago was reality. It was when downtown meant real stores with escalators, lots of banks on corners and theaters playing Hedy Lamarr movies.

Home was where there was a front porch with a summertime glider — a dining room with a lace covered table centered with a bowl of fake fruit. Home had a garage that housed our two-tone green Buick that had once belonged to Uncle Ed. Home had a backyard with a tree for climbing and neighbors who never had first names other than “Mister” and “Missus.” Boys had red bicycles while girls had blue ones that came from Western Auto.

Dad could play “When it’s Springtime in the Rockies” on his harmonica. Mother could play ragtime on her piano and my live-in grandmother could veto anything that sounded like fun.

On Sundays church pews were full of men in suits and women in hats with veils who shushed children who were scraping their good shoes along the floor. It seemed like a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover.

Popsicles with the word “free” on the stick and Klondikes with a pink center were cause for celebration. These simple rewards made a good day even better.

So there I was — living large in Youngs–town and didn’t even know it. Now I do.

Jean Deibel, Canfield

Youngstown schools’ other story

Personally, I am sick and tired of hearing and reading about the dire state of affairs within the Youngstown City School District. I have been teaching in the system for 17 years and could paint an entirely different picture than the one that’s been painted thus far. As a teacher, I have done what was asked of me and then some as far as professional development, meetings and the “highly qualified” mandates are concerned. This goes for most of the professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. We have as a collective gone far and beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of our students.

I am proud of what I do and see my job as a ministry to the children of Youngstown. If I was in it for the money, I would have thrown in the towel years ago. Instead of cursing the darkness, maybe the critics should light a candle of support and cooperation and make a difference in the lives of these children. It’s easy to point the finger, but when was the last time you visited one of our schools to see the good things that happen there?

To judge what we do solely on one test is not only unfair but a bit shortsighted. The children in our charge come to school with much more than just educational needs. The teachers I’ve encountered in my travels go the distance to meet the needs of their students.

When I declare that I believe in Youngstown city schools, I am not just blowing smoke. All three of my own children have attended and two have graduated from the school system (Chaney ’01 and ’04). The youngest one is currently in 9th grade at Chaney High School.

Sure, the system has its share of problems — it’s not perfect. But instead of wasting time and energy finding fault with what we do, become a stakeholder and use that same time and energy to make a positive impact upon the lives of the children. They’re worth the investment.

Zane Pappas, Youngstown

Balance the budget the right way

Every faith emphasizes the importance of caring for people who are hungry and in need. We need to do all we can to help those who struggle to feed their family. Here in Mahoning County, the Canfield Fair has just reminded us that we live in a state where the agricultural industry provides a bountiful harvest, and yet the Youngstown/Warren/Boardman area has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country (The Vindicator, 9/4/2010).

Legislation to provide help is stalled in Congress because of resistance by fiscally conservative members (including Ohio Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-6th), who are fearful of supporting programs which might increase the federal deficit.

The deficit must be addressed, but it isn’t just or fair to balance the budget on the backs of hungry people struggling to feed themselves and their children.

Here in Ohio, more than 13 percent of households struggle to put food on the table, nearly 19 percent of Ohio children live in those struggling families, and more than 13 percent of people live below the poverty line.

We should urge members of Congress to do all they can to expedite the passage of legislation to preserve programs including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Child Nutrition Programs. This legislation must be acted on before the end of this year.

Elizabeth Wrona, Youngstown