Climate changes aren’t so sweet

Climate changes aren’t so sweet

The Vindicator’s article last weekend regarding the Boardman Maple Syrup Festival reported that the demonstrations would need to “get creative,” using water instead of sap, due to the premature warm temperatures. Sap runs earlier, has less sugar content, and disappears more quickly when the weather heats too rapidly. What was left unsaid is that this March warmth is most likely caused by anthropogenic climate change, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Maple syrup production is part of Ohio’s history. My grandfather collected sap from 900 taps on his farm, Maplevale, in Canfield, during WW I. Since sugar was being rationed then, he was able to earn a whopping $100/week on maple syrup production, and sent four girls to college on maple syrup profits.

Leading scientists, policy-makers and environment groups gathering at the “Planet Under Pressure” conference in London recently concur that the world’s temperature will most probably rise 6 degrees Celsius by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions are allowed to rise uncontrollably. Projecting forward, future generations of Ohioans will never be able to sample the sap from a sugar maple, unless we hold all our politicians, Republican and Democrat, accountable to the laws of physics, rather than their fossil fuel funders.

Susan Shamel, Bedford, Ma.

College athletes are underpaid

The topic of college ath- letes is one that has been discussed for many years. I believe college athletes should be paid. As a college athlete I feel like I am consistently looking for ways to afford food and other needs. Athletes around the country are feeling the same and coaches understand this.

From a college freshman football athlete’s standpoint, there are many reasons that we should feel the need to be compensated for our time and efforts. We put in 20-plus hours a week into practice, meetings and film. Than, we go out on Saturdays and perform for our school. After the game, the school makes large sums of money while we, the players, go to treatment and find ways to feed our hungry bodies. We receive $90 a week to pay for food while every other bill falls into our laps. We are unable to get jobs as we have no time in between class and football.

From the view of a sophomore or older football player there is a lot more they must do to balance their budget. They are given about $890 for about 10 months out of the year. The other two months they are on their own. They are paying for rent, food, and gas. The rent for an apartment in Akron is around $500 if you don’t want to live in Section 8 housing. That means you only have $390 for gas and food. If you have a car and live off campus than you drive back and forth everyday, which costs about $35 a week in gas, leaving you with about $250 for food.

As a college athlete, I feel that I am being ripped off. The NCAA is profiting off of the youth while we are risking injury every day. College athletes will continue to be searching for money while bureaucrats in the NCAA live above average life styles. The NCAA student athletes, including myself, are in need of payment. We are living off of the bare minimums.

Anthony Fox, Boardman

Bullying’s horrible consequences

I write to express our deepest sympathy and to extend support to the family of Austin Rodriguez.

As the current president of the Youngstown area chapter of Pflag (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians Gays and Transgender people) we are deeply saddened by the reported bullying-fueled suicide attempt of gay high school student Austin Rodriguez. Unfortunately, despite “Glee” and openly out celebrities, the reality for many ordinary young people is starkly different.

As a confidential support, education and advocacy group, we hear the tales of students ostracized and abused by peers. Even more disturbing are the tales of family rejection and abuse and ostracism by their faith communities who tell them they are sinners and no longer welcome at their church.

Pflag feels LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people deserve freedom from harrassment and bullying. We work to educate the school systems, parents and the community at large a on the tragic consequences of discrimination against LGBT people.

For more information about our free confidential support group meetings please contact HELP HOTLINE “211”.

Marguerite Felice, Youngstown

The writer is president of Youngstown Area Pflag.