Ads supporting Issue 3 are not to be trusted

Ads supporting Issue 3 are not to be trusted

I am concerned about the misinformation or twisting of facts being used to justify legalizing a controlled substance. I am a law-enforcement officer, and I’m not being paid to give my opinion.

What I do get paid for is doing my best, along with others, to keep drugs of abuse away from our children and our communities. Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance that has no medical purpose and is highly addictive.

If the Food and Drug Administration gives its approval to the current and on-going testing of investigatory drugs like Epidiolex or others, we can re-address the claim that marijuana is a medicine. Until then, it is a controlled substance that produces a “THC” high and not something a doctor prescribes.

The abuses of legal substances like alcohol and nicotine are not a justification to legalize pot. Marijuana is the first illicit drug our children use because it’s perceived to be less harmful, and it’s very available. Issue 3 calls for over 1,100 recreational marijuana shops where the drug will be sold over the counter. Imagine the news- paper ads, the Main Street USA signs and billboards that will pop up promoting these stores and this drug to our kids.

For those not aware, marijuana is already decriminalized in Ohio. Possession of less than 100 grams will cost you less than $150. That same amount in Colorado (over 1 ounce) will cost you a maximum 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Unlike what some ads claim, you don’t go to prison in Ohio for simple possession of marijuana. Less than 1 percent of Ohio’s prison inmates are in jail for marijuana offenses, and those are drug dealers, not users.

Law enforcement’s efforts are clearly focused on the heroin epidemic that is killing our community. Do not believe for one moment that marijuana offenses are our highest priority but understand that our heroin suppliers are also our marijuana suppliers.

There are no benefits to legalizing marijuana for recreational use as black-market marijuana will continue to flow, more of our young people will use, marijuana-related traffic accidents will increase, poisonings will occur, more dollars will be needed for addiction treatment and the list goes on.

Please be a “responsible” voter and say “no” to Issue 3, if not for the reasons I laid out above then because a constitutional amendment for pot reform is wrong.

Jeff Orr, Warren

Jeff Orr is commander of the Trumbull Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force.

Developmentally disabled need renewal levy to pass

As a parent of an adult special-needs individual, I am asking that the residents of Mahoning County support the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities 3-mill renewal levy by voting “yes” on Issue 6. The levy has been in place since 2000 and is needed for the continuation of programs and services. As a renewal levy, there will be no new taxes.

Our board of DD is committed to working within available resources for the operation of our programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The renewal of this levy is critical because of declining state revenues. Due to the state budget phasing out of the Tangible Personal Property Tax, MCBDD will lose nearly $600,000 per year. We have implemented many types of efficiency measures to stretch our dollars as far as possible. However, the maintenance of our programs is dependent upon the renewal levy.

Our program serves nearly 1,400 individuals by providing or funding the following services: transportation, residential, day programing, early intervention/help me grow, vocational services and education at our adult facilities and the Leonard Kirtz School.

Our staff is highly experienced and dedicated and is relied upon by the families of individuals who are served. MCBDD also supports the broad network of private providers in Mahoning County so that the individuals can choose a provider that best suits their needs and desires.

Jack A. Gruber, Ph.D., Poland

Jack A. Gruber is president of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Youngstown schools ought contract out some services

The Youngstown CITY School District wants voters to renew a $5.3 million annual property tax levy on Tuesday. Before saying “yes,” voters should ask the school district to pledge to save money by contracting out bidding noninstructional support services – such as cleaning, food service, transportation.

Some well-managed Ohio school districts already do this and save significant amounts of money. Michigan public schools made a big push in the last 10 years to save money outside the classroom so it could be spent inside the classroom.

Savings average about $330 per student in Michigan public schools when janitorial, food service and transportation are all contracted out, found a Mackinac Center for Public Policy survey.

Youngstown takes in more revenue per student than all but three of Ohio’s 610 school districts. Yet the poorly managed district, facing a state takeover, wants voters to renew a tax levy worth about $1,000 per student per year.

Maybe Youngstown really does need 80 full-time, year-round custodians getting paid even during summer.

Maybe this financially strapped school system really should pay 37 of its custodial staff more than $30,000 a year, 13 more than $40,0000 and two more than $50,000 (as the Ohio treasurer’s salary data base shows).

The responsible thing, for students and taxpayers, is for Youngstown schools to competitively bid support services to private firms that specialize in the work. Then, Youngstown educators should focus money and attention with laserlike precision on the district’s true mission: educating young people.

Tom Lampman, Columbus

Lampman is a William & Helen Diehl Fiscal Policy fellow for the Buckeye Institute.