Give young skaters a break

Give young skaters a break

The neighbors who claim to want and deserve “peace and quiet” at a public skate park, do not understand that the children deserve safety and a place to enjoy skating. Without a park for the youth, they would be subjected to public officials reprimanding them for skating in the streets — not solely in business parking lots.

Displaying messages such as “Profanity Park” is not a proper way of getting positive feedback. The shame should be placed on those who are trying to take away what the city youth honor and have as the only safe place to skate. Teenagers use profanity regardless of where they skate or walk. Although it is inappropriate, I’m sure the complainers have experienced these actions well before the park opened.

Perhaps we all should watch the youth break bones on the cracked-up sidewalks. Better yet, the many streets without sidewalks would force them into the path of reckless drivers. The signs are “bullying” the children away from their only safety zone. Not all of the youth are troublemakers, and it is highly unfair for 8-year-olds to have negative signs glaring them in their faces when they are merely enjoying a scooter ride on a warm day.

The children would not necessarily be safe if the skate park was moved to the local park. The “older” youths tend to hang out there and more problems would be attracted. It only takes a few “punks” and negative neighbors to ruin what was designed to better our city.

Alexis Perry, Struthers

Congressman went extra mile

The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending held a hearing June 22 related to the subcommittee’s interest in the “Lasting Implications of the General Motors Bailout.”

As salaried retirees of Delphi we received some satisfaction when the House took up our cause by questioning senior White House aide and former auto task force member Ron Bloom over the 2009 rescue of General Motors.

As a constituent of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, I called his office for his support. Congressman Johnson did not just send an aide to the committee meeting, he asked for and was granted a seat on the committee. He actively took part in the committee’s questioning of the witnesses.

I was so never so proud of any congressman as I was of Bill Johnson.

James F. Senary, Boardman