Racino owner rails against ‘money grab’; Shooting deaths were fault of Brown, Garner; Women need stun guns for self-protection; Church is no place for school concerts
‘Money grab’ forces racino owner to cut costs, explore legal options
On behalf of Penn National Gaming, operator of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, I am writing to express our extreme dismay with the recent actions of the Ohio Senate in singling out our company for a new tax increase.
What was even more disappointing was the active role our local Senate delegation played in this discriminatory and punitive action. Despite paying $150 million in unprecedented “relocation fees” to move our racetracks to Austintown and to Dayton, members of our own host community delegations led the charge against us, while the money they sought could have easily come out of the $150 million we already provided the state. Already, $2 million has been designated out of the relocation fees for Austintown Township to use on such things as fire and police services. This extra money grab, which will cost us at least $1.5 million, could not come at a worse time as we are just getting underway with a full year of operations at our new racetrack in what is a very competitive environment.
Penn National has been a strong community partner and friend of the Mahoning Valley. We fought hard to bring our $250 million economic development project to the Valley, generated hundreds of new local jobs, and are supporting numerous worthwhile charities and civic organizations.
Sadly, this unanticipated tax hike on our businesses will force us to have to find ways to cut local expenses, both operational and civic related. We will also be forced to explore legal alternatives on a bill that penalizes our company alone. Originally the tax bill applied to all but one of the state’s seven racetracks, but it was inexplicably pared down to target only our two facilities.
It is unfortunate that we enter this new year with a feeling of utter shock and betrayal at the actions of those with whom we shared the excitement of our grand openings only a few short months ago.
Eric Schippers, Wyomissing, Pa.
Schippers is senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Penn National Gaming Inc.
Brown, Garner have themselves to blame for losing their lives
After reading an article in the Dec. 5 Vindicator, I am confused. This is regarding the protest at the 20 Federal Place building in downtown Youngstown over recent police shootings. Protester Darrell Smith is quoted as saying, “There is no justice if a black man goes out there and does something; they’re going to go to jail. When are we going to get justice from somebody?”
Mr. Smith, that is the way it is supposed to be.
Michael Brown initially was stopped for walking in the middle of the street. He told Officer Wilson an obscenity in response. Then Officer Wilson realized that he was a suspect in the convenience store robbery. Brown then resisted arrest. What about all the grand-jury witnesses that many believe perjured themselves? That’s a crime.
In the Eric Garner case from New York, he also broke the law and resisted arrest. If neither of these men had resisted the officer, they would still be alive. Their crimes did not involve the death penalty, but their resistance resulted in it.
That is their own fault.
Stanley Rydarowicz, Youngstown
Women should arm themselves with stun guns, not pepper spray
In 2010, Grant Cooper was arrested in the murder of Vivian Martin, a local real-estate agent. Cooper lured Martin into one of her houses she had listed, robbed her, strangled her to death and set the house on fire. Cooper was charged with and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, aggravated arson, and kidnapping in connection with Martin’s death on Sept. 20, 2010.
Women, such as Vivian Martin, are easy targets for predators like Grant Cooper. It has been asked, “What more can women do to be protected?”
It’s common to see women carrying pepper spray on their key chains and in their cars to protect themselves, but according to Crime911.com, pepper spray is only effective on the face, eyes and nose. Owning a stun gun will be more useful for staying safer when alone.
Stun guns can be used anywhere on the body to stop predators in their tracks. Pepper spray may burn the eyes and nose, but a stun gun will deliver a high-voltage shock causing loss of balance and muscle control, and disorientation to the attacker.
Stun guns also can be used as a scare tactic. “If the attacker is threatening you, but is not yet in pepper spray range, hold your stun gun up and fire it into the air for one second. The bright flash of electricity and the sound of high voltage snapping between electrodes is usually enough to make a sane person take off running”, says Crime911. Stun guns are easily obtainable in Ohio and are legal to carry.
According to Ohio Handgun Laws section 2923.11 and 2923.12, most Ohioans may purchase, possess (openly or concealed), or use a stun gun for self-defense without obtaining a permit.
On school grounds and in courthouses, stun guns are strictly prohibited. Bringing a stun gun into either of these places is considered a fifth-degree felony and can be punishable by six to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,300 or both.
Also, if it is the intent to use the stun gun as a deadly weapon, it is considered a first-degree misdemeanor and is punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. If using a stun gun for protection, use it wisely.
Maria A. Thompson, Girard
Church is the wrong setting for public school’s holiday concert
Public school students should not be forced to perform their Christmas choir concert in a church setting regardless of tradition and the choir director’s demands.
When it comes to public schools, religion is typically kept out of daily rituals. The American Civil Liberties Union states, “Public schools themselves should not be in the business of promoting particular religious beliefs or religious activities and they should protect children from being coerced by others to accept religious (or anti-religious) beliefs.” While the ACLU protects students’ from freedom of religion, it is not designed to promote any education to influence a student or force them to partake in a certain religion.
In Florida, Barron Collier High has a tradition of singing in Moorings Presbyterian Church for the past 17 years, as they did last week. Parents are now rightfully speaking out against the matter. Even some students said they felt uncomfortable being forced to sing religious songs in which the director so chooses and believes in.
If those that disagree and feel that students should continue to partake in religious singing in a church setting under the order of the school’s choir director, then they should turn to a private school with a strong focus on religion.
Nikki Calai, Canfield