Printer addresses criticism of Mill Creek calendars

Printer addresses criticism of Mill Creek calendars

This is to respond to questions and misconceptions in a letter in Monday’s Vindicator about the Mill Creek Park calendar.

First, the calendar is not a publication of Mill Creek MetroParks. It is published by LanzScape Photography, Ltd., a small business owned and operated by the undersigned. While the calendar is sold in the Fellows Riverside Gardens gift shop and at the Lanterman’s Mill gift shop, it also is sold at many retail locations.

As to criticism that the calendar is printed in Korea, this is due to the cost of printing and the nature of the calendar. When it comes to printing such products, volume is a huge factor in cost. As the number printed goes up, the cost per item goes down. This calendar, however, is a specialty item of local interest. Being a calendar, it also has a “shelf life” of only several months. Consequently, the number printed is relatively low. It is not sold nationally in significant volume to absorb high printing costs.

Since I began publication of the calendar in 2008, I have solicited printing quotes locally and domestically, but the cost always far exceeds having the calendar printed overseas. However, I will certainly check again with local printers, including Community Corrections Association, before printing the 2017 calendar. If I can be assured of equal quality at a price that is reasonably competitive, I would love to print the calendar locally.

Nonetheless, the calendar still benefits the community. In addition to income derived directly by the MetroParks and Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens from selling the calendar at the gift shops, LanzScape Photography donates a percentage of calendar sales each year to Fellows. These donations have exceeded $6,000 since 2009.

Finally, as to criticism that the calendar should list holy days and holidays other than Christmas and Easter, what is actually listed in the calendar are all state and federal holidays and some traditional celebrations. If we were to include Jewish, Greek, Hispanic, and Chinese holidays and other celebrations, where would we draw the line? There are nearly 200 countries in the world and even more established religions.

C. Scott Lanz, Youngstown

C. Scott Lanz is owner and operator of LanzScape Photograhy Ltd. of Youngstown.

How ridiculous of Vindicator to equate gay and civil rights

This letter is to com- ment on the Sept. 14 edition of “Our Voice” about the jailed court clerk in Kentucky.

In it, The Vindicator said that Kim Davis is no Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King Jr. as some people have ridiculously made her out to be.

That is true, but at the same time, it is ridiculous when people compare the gay rights movement with the civil rights movement or with the women’s rights movement.

The gay rights movement would be more comparable to an incest rights movement or a polygamy rights movement.

It is also ridiculous when people compare the fight to legalize same-sex marriage with the fight to legalize interracial marriage years ago. Interracial marriage isn’t a perversion.

Saying it’s bigotry or discrimination to not let same-sex couples marry would be like saying it’s discrimination or bigotry to not let a man marry his sister or have more than one wife.

I’m sure what I’m saying is offensive to some people. But it’s no more offensive than some of the things people have said about people who are against gay marriage.

Steve Blessing, Warren

Visit with Kentucky clerk stained pope’s visit to US

As an observant and lifelong Catholic, I revere our Pope Francis along with most other Americans, regardless of their religion or station in life. That was evident during his visit to the U.S. last week.

However, I really got upset to learn of his “private and secret meeting” that somebody arranged for the pope with the Kentucky court clerk who has refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She has violated a federal court order and continues to be obstructing obedience to the law. It is, after all, the “law of the land”.

After this ill-fated meeting, she went public with her assertion that the pope “... has vindicated everything I have done.”

Despite the fact that the Vatican has discreetly declined to comment on the substance of the meeting, the underhanded motive of the promoters has been accomplished. In the guise of “freedom of religion”, the promoters “blind-sided” the pope by leading him into a hornet’s nest of major legal and political controversy.

Unfortunately, their overeager desire to make a point has probably marginalized his otherwise immensely successful trip.

Richard P. McLaughlin, Liberty

Joe Louis Teague will be missed in Youngstown

I would like to thank The Vindicator for the excellent article written on the late Joe Louis Teague. I had the privilege of getting to know him and his character was truly one of a kind.

I first met Joe while working at the plate mill at Sheet & Tube. At the time, like most of us, if not all, Joe was built like a brick shipyard. Our job required it, lifting iron eight hours a day. Twenty years later, Joe had gotten small, but not his spirit.

As years went by, I saw him go in countless times to court to defend others and defend himself. Sometimes, he would even go in without a lawyer and win. I even watched him run for office with all odds against him. He’d never quit; he always gave it his best.

From time to time, he and I would have some strong disagreements, but he never let it get personal. Well, except once when I was councilman and chairing a meeting in which I told him he was out of order and to sit down.His response to me was I know you were a golden gloves champ, but “I’m not scared of you.” I loved it.

Even as his health waned, he always remained a man who would look you in the eye, never back down from the truth, smile and still shake your hand.

I, for one, will miss him. Thank you again for giving him the respect he deserved.

Artis Gillam Sr., Youngstown