LETTERS: Ex-Mooney principal thanked; Medicaid expansion hurts pharmacists; county health department disrespects environment
43-year educator views dismissed Mooney principal in positive light
I wanted to write and weigh in on the recent dismissal of Mr. John Young as principal at Cardinal Mooney High School.
As a teacher now in my 43rd year of education, I have worked for 18 different principals. I would think this would give my thoughts some credibility. As I observed Mr. Young through the years and listened to our grandson, his friends and many others in the Mooney family talk about the man, my respect for him grew.
In the late summer of 2011, I first met Mr. Young. Our grandson was a member of the football team and as I frequently watched practice, Mr. Young stopped and introduced himself. As is often the case, the first impression is very important. The handshake, the smile, the interest in my presence at the field all helped me form an instant positive feeling toward this man. Over the past 31/2 years, nothing has made me change that opinion; it has only been strengthened. Thank you, Mr. Young.
The football season of 2011 brought a state title to Mooney. Some of the players made a poor choice while celebrating the championship. Mr. Young’s dealing with this situation added to my respect of him. While he certainly did not condone the actions (which he made perfectly clear), he had his students’ backs. He stood in support of them and made sure they realized whatever penalties would be forthcoming, they were expected to respect the decision and accept them. Thank you, Mr. Young.
When our grandson graduated with the Class of 2013, I again saw the face of a man who was extremely proud of his kids. As the graduates received their diploma from Mr. Young and took their first few steps into the future, he beamed like a proud grandfather. Thank you, Mr. Young.
Clearly, Mr. Young and I are nearly the same age. Many days it is challenging to face today’s youth and lay out the rules, enforce them and maintain a fair and positive relationship. I have seen Mr. John Young do that and so much more. Thank you, Mr. Young.
Glen Windram, Leetonia
Pharmacist questions practices of Medicaid expansion in Ohio
Since the first of the year, many of the impoverished in Ohio have been fooled by our state government and big business regarding their health care access, specifically pharmacy services.
Government and insurance companies will tell you that they are working together while controlling the cost of health care. They are “working” together, and they are “controlling,” but let’s take a closer look.
“Working together” is taking the form of expanding the number of people eligible for Medicaid services (government’s role) then turning the huge amount of taxpayer money over to the insurance companies for them to “control” what is the proper health care for the Medicaid population (insurance’s role). Ultimately our governor is responsible to see that the Ohio Department of Medicaid operates in the best interest of the citizens it represents.
Furthermore, when insurer United Healthcare is allowed to create an extremely restricted network of pharmacy providers and eliminate pharmacies to control the market, they restrict access to life-saving and wellness maintaining drugs and services to the very citizenry that’s in extreme need.
Once the list of “preferred” pharmacies was made known, it is of little wonder that United Healthcare has negotiated a deal with certain chain drugstores. There are instances in our area where the “preferred” pharmacy is in Pennsylvania. Now that seems like a great idea, take Ohio tax dollars and support a national chain in Pennsylvania. Government and insurance companies expect the people with the least amount of resources to now travel as much as 10 to 15 miles to a covered pharmacy, all in the name of working together and controlling costs (profits).
Pharmacists take an oath to provide the best care while doing no harm to the patients. When the foundation of why we are here is undermined by government and insurance companies by dictating when and where and how much a person can be taken care of, we stand at a dangerous point where the professionals that are educated and provide the care matter even less than the people they serve.
All of our elected officials can choose to look out for us regarding health-care legislation, and we need to hold Gov. Kasich accountable as our elected chief executive.
Dan Wearsch, Canfield
Wearsch is a pharmacist at Canfield Pharmacy Care and a member of Valley Independent Pharmacies.
The Declaration of Independence lacks the force of US Constitution
This is in response to the writer who used what was presented as constitutional proof that U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan’s change of philosophy from pro-life to pro-choice is, in fact, unconstitutional. While I am no way taking a stance for or against either position on the abortion issue, I feel it necessary to point out a historical flaw in the writer’s argument.
She quotes “all men are created equal” as constitutional evidence that all unborn citizens are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, the document quoted and employed to advance the argument is not the Constitution, but rather the Declaration of Independence, which, while influencing the law, is not a binding legal document.
Therefore, while the letter’s logic might appear sound, it certainly cannot be used as verification that Rep. Ryan’s change of philosophy is unconstitutional.
Richard Gage, Struthers
County health department takes dismissive attitude on environment
I find it hard to believe that radioactive medical waste is the sole cause triggering an increase in radiation alarms at the Poland Township Carbon-Limestone landfill. The Vindicator article titled “No cause for alarm” (Jan. 31) addresses the radioactive medical waste as the sole culprit. What about the drill cuttings arriving at the landfill from Pennsylvania Marcellus frack sites? We know these drill cuttings contain radiation with long half-lives. Who is monitoring this dumping?
The owners/operators are seeking help for what? The article seems to suggest that the standards for oversight should be lowered to accommodate the inconvenience these alarms cause.
Fast forward to Feb. 10. The Vindicator editorial titled “County Health Board exhibits tone-deafness in giving raises.” The Vindicator’s opinion that a “reduction in the health board’s landfill inspections and a cut in the number of tests conducted on well water should be a cause for concern” is an understatement.
Indeed, this is a critical cause for public outcry particularly in light of the known environmental degradation caused by unconventional fracking. I almost leapt for joy after reading The Vindicator holds the Health Department accountable as an environmental protector whose entrusted capacity and scope must never be compromised.
Not withstanding the recent revelations of our Valley’s dismal infant mortality rate, our county health department has taken a cavalier and dismissive role related to environmental protection. Why not use the proposed health commissioner’s pay raise to hire renowned expert on landfill radiation Julie Weatherington-Rice (right here from Ohio) to assist in remediating landfill radiation woes.
We must remember that our health departments were created in response to environmental catastrophes caused by industrial dumping. Now our health departments turn a deaf ear to the alarms created by new industries with an even greater potential for human and environmental harm.
Kathleen Berry, Youngstown