Those pro-fracking money-grubbing Dems; Vindy sensationalizes Ebola; Cleanups transform Y'town; Seniors, stop here for job guidance; Poverty report smears Y'town

Pro-fracking stand shows Dems are money grubbers, too

I am feeling really distressed. I recently returned to the Youngstown area, my hometown. I’ve been attempting to catch up on voting issues, etc.

When I read that the Democratic Party here is pro-fracking, I was absolutely shocked. Anyone with access to a computer knows the incredible harm that results from fracking, including damage to prenates and newborn infants. In addition, there is massive research demonstrating the harm to aquifers, to individuals and to animals — and to the Earth itself, including earthquake activity. We also know for a fact that the oil companies do not keep their promises — more jobs, money for land, etc.

Do you think it’s for no reason that oil company executives do not want fracking on their own land or that there’s no fracking in Washington, D.C.?

What on earth has happened to the Democratic Party? Apparently it’s as money-grubbing and careless about human life as so many Republicans.

Clare Puskarczyk Ph.D., Campbell

Vindicator stoops to sensationalist new lows in its coverage of Ebola

It has been dismaying to see that a publication “Chosen Best Newspaper In Ohio” is following such low standards in its coverage of the Ebola outbreak. The dissonance begins with the use of a red-ink-splashed graphic, employing bold letters up to two inches in height, that proclaims “EBOLA FEAR HITS OHIO.”

The raw claim is true in a narrow sense, but it is more likely to induce panic than to lead readers to a balanced study of the known and emerging facts. The vast majority of Americans face extremely little risk of exposure to Ebola infection. The sky is not falling, and leading the public to think otherwise is the moral equivalent of “crying ‘fire’ in a crowded theater.”

Journalistic obsession was particularly evident in The Vindicator’s Oct. 19 issue, in which content about Ebola was found on pages 1, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13 of the A section. There also was a locally written foxy pseudonews piece in the Oct. 18 issue.

Yes, mistakes have been made, but as the English writer John Galsworthy noted a century ago, “Beginnings are always messy.” People who had never heard the word “Ebola” a few months ago are now being pilloried by the press for not having a perfect plan for eradicating this disease up and running flawlessly. The world just doesn’t move that fast.

So, let’s stop hiding in a closet, get on with our lives, and make space, funds and respect available to the health-care professionals who are working diligently to put this monster back in its box and keep it there.

Robert D. Gillette M.D., Poland

Volunteer cleanups in Youngstown have been truly transformational

We have lived in the city on same street and same house for the past 47 years, enjoying being close to the university, museums, cultural activities and other amenities that an urban area offers.

We have also observed the changes. Most of the changes occurred with the transfer of housing to out-of-town buyers. Absentee owners may have had good initial intentions, but over time as the property remained vacant, vandals stripped the homes leaving an unsightly mess for the community.

Fortunately there are caring neighbors along with city workers who mow the lawns, thus offering pleasing improvements. Moreover, it was exciting to see that the city removed two unsightly properties this past year.

In addition, there are many volunteers in the community who care about the city by offering their time and talent by participating in United Way’s 2014 Day of Caring, teaming up with INDUCE and Green Youngstown.

More than 600 volunteers from 52 businesses and organizations participated recently. Our street was one of the streets they transformed. It was exciting to see the magic of the changes. Vacant houses were boarded with attractive art designs that camouflaged the vacancy. Shrubs were trimmed, lawns were mowed and debris was removed. It was a transformation of the neighborhood and a very positive experience for the volunteers, but mostly for the neighborhood. Thank you for your Day of Caring.

Don and Deb Mathews, Youngstown

Residents 55 and over seeking work should use agency’s services

There’s a place on Market Street that’s called Mature Services (Senior Employment) that is a partner in the Ohio Means Jobs program. If you’re 55 years old and older and having trouble finding work, and you really want to work, I would recommend you check them out.

They will help with resumes, applications, interviews, and basically everything you need to find a job. While doing so, they send you to a training site where you are paid while you look for a job.

Searching for a job is a full-time job in itself and at our age, we need all the help we can get. I am so grateful that I found this place and these wonderful people. I want to say thank you to Julie, Latasha, Michelle, Lydia, and all the people who helped me during my time there. I learned so much and I will always be grateful to all of you.

Jack Thomas, Struthers

Poverty report again smears mud on the great traits of Youngstown

The front page article titled, “Youngstown’s poverty rate ranks 6th worst in US” is another negative statement about our great city. There is no way that this study can be accurate especially since it was done by the U.S. Census Bureau. Did they look at every city in America? Did they take into account the cost of living? Did they visit every city to actually see the conditions?

Youngstown has a cost of living one-third that of New York City, where I lived for more than 40 years and is also one of the best places to retire. I have met people here who went to Florida and North Carolina and then returned here after realizing that all that glitters is not gold.

This city has been improving for years, and I have seen many improvements in the 20 years that I have lived here. People always say negative things about Youngstown, but they should go to The Bronx and the other boroughs of New York City and see what real poverty is all about.

We have many powerful churches that reach out into the community, a police force that is dealing with the criminal element, flourishing businesses that are exporting 75 percent of the goods they produce, community gardens, a Christian school which teaches morality and a government that is constantly trying to better the conditions in the city.

Recently my brother came from California and my sister came from New Jersey for our family reunion. They had never been here before and were impressed by our great Mill Creek Park, the Amish Valley Market Place and all of the great things to do here. The greatest resource of our city is the great people who live here who love and serve God and love their neighbors as themselves.

Leo Feher, Youngstown