Sunday, January 30, 2011
Let’s see justice done this time
Last September, Vivian Mar- tin was brutally murdered while showing a home on Nelson Avenue in Youngstown. Vivian Martin was a real estate agent and was preparing, she thought, to show a home to some prospective buyers. The charges have been billed as aggravated robbery, kidnapping and arson with death penalty specifications. In an attempt to cover up the evidence, the perpetrators burned the house to the ground with her in it. This malicious crime was allegedly committed by three criminally active white men; Vivian Martin was black. Two of the men are being charged with her death. As we have been made aware, this crime was premeditated. This sort of crime usually carries the death penalty.
I have to wonder if justice will be done. If a black person murders a white person most likely they will pay with their life, but conversely, whites do not receive the death penalty for killing blacks. I remind you of the young white man who burned down the house across the street from him killing an entire family of six. This was done over a cell phone disagreement. He was sentenced to life, but not death. At the same time a cold case involving a black man who strangled a white YSU student 20 years ago was sentenced to death. In both cases the defendants were proved guilty and should have received the death sentence for murder. In either case, justice should not be color blind.
I strongly agreed with Davida Brown, the daughter of Vivian Martin, that the trial should be held in Mahoning County, and foremost that there be a jury equally of blacks and whites who believe in the death penalty and believe that justice must be served as well.
Lance Smith, Youngstown
A child is not an adult
I am at a loss to understand why judges of Pennsylvania’s Superior Court may need months to issue a ruling as to whether Jordan Brown is to be tried as a juvenile or adult for killing his father’s girlfriend and unborn baby when he was 11 years old.
If judges who are given the power to dispense justice lack the wisdom to know when childhood ends and adulthood begins, then society better start to pray. If children who commit horrible crimes are tried as adults, is society prepared to allow children to have the same rights that adults have?
It is my belief that no matter how bright a child may be, they do not have the mental judgment that an adult has.
Instead of our justice system and society giving up on troubled children, we should concern ourselves with “why and what” would cause a child to want to commit a horrible crime.
There is no doubt that life is priceless and the loss of life by violence is senseless and tragic. But it is also tragic to deny a child whose mental ability was impaired any chance of ever having a normal life in society.
Just as a “mind is a terrible thing to waste”, the life of a child, even a troubled child, is worth saving.
Mary Lou Jurina, Youngstown
Why China is eating our lunch
After reading the letters in last Sunday’s paper, I have a comment.
On the Canfield reader’s observation that China makes nearly everything that most consumers buy: a more accurate statement could not be said. However one of the reasons China is eating our lunch, so to speak, can be related to the comment made by the Girard reader about her third grade child having too much homework. NBC News reported that a second grade student in China has the knowledge of an 11th grader in the United States.
Being a grandfather and knowing how tough the world is getting, our school children probably do not have enough homework and more importantly probably not in the right areas. China is raising more engineers than the United States, which should raise an alarm that our future could be getting worse.
My thought is that Americans get paid more to work than any other country, but that is why everyone wants to live in America. Our standard of living has to be higher than the majority of the countries like China, India, Iran, etc. I have seen photos of people in India who live outside of the large cities, and it sure seemed to be worse than anywhere in the U.S.
I know it would be nice if we could boycott buying any products that are not U.S. made, but doubt if that is possible. Most of us can’t afford to be selective and buy only American made and most of the products used are no longer made in the United States.
Buying from local family-owned businesses at least keeps the profits in the community, the large chains give money to our friends that work there, but the bottom line, profits leave the area.
Roger Galliazzo, Boardman
Wanted: advocates for change
If you have been concerned as a result of the recent Vindicator letters to the editor such as “Nursing home reveille played on bed pans” and the Hope House cover story on the plight of seniors and mentally challenged in our community, consider becoming a volunteer ombudsman — an advocate for positive change.
A program of the Area Agency on Aging 11, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties. We do that by working to resolve complaints about services, helping people select a provider, and providing information about benefits and consumers rights. Ultimately, we strive to enhance the quality of life and care of consumers.
Here is your opportunity to make a positive change in peoples’ lives and help address and change structures to better meet the needs of our community.
Many of us have personally experienced a loved one who may have encountered a less than pleasant experience in a long-term care or short-term rehabilitation stay in one of the Valley’s nursing facilities. Every individual has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. As an ombudsman, you will be called upon to help address issues brought up by nursing facility residents, families, friends, and even staff members.
After a comprehensive training program you will be certified and assigned a long-term care facility and visit at least one to two hours each week for outreach and facility condition observations. You will report complaints and your observations to ombudsman staff.
Ombudsman help those who often are without a voice to be heard. Humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer said: “Search and see where you might invest your humanity.” Why not invest it in making a positive change for those receiving in-home care or residing in assisted living and nursing home care? Why not become a volunteer ombudsman?
Brenda Burbick, the volunteer coordinator for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program at the Area Agency on Aging 11, can be contacted at 330-505-2373.
Maureen McCarty, Niles
Long Term Care Ombudsman, Area Agency on Aging 11
Pitch in and do some shoveling
To all the responsible peo- ple in our towns and cities: Since Ohio is now the snowbelt state, we as citizens should do what is right by shoveling our drives and sidewalks for those who can’t. And help the delivery people do their jobs safely.
Do you know an elderly person on your street? They probably could use your help in order to receive their hot meals or packages. Maybe you would even receive a dollar or two for your help.
Shoveling is not hard. It’s good exercise and you’ll feel better for helping others.
Nancy Ault, Boardman