Black Lives pin sentence reveals judicial problems

Opinion: July 31, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

The decision by a Youngstown judge to sentence a lawyer to five days in jail for refusing to remove a Black Lives Matter pin in court highlights the need for a sustained movement for racial justice, especially in our court system.

Judge Robert Milich ordered Atty. Andrea Burton to remove the pin, calling it “political speech” akin to wearing a button supporting someone for elected office. But Black Lives Matter is not a political slogan, nor an endorsement of a candidate for elected office.

It is a statement that Black Lives Matter in our daily lives, and a recognition that black people are systemically and historically denied the rights and privileges that every American should be entitled to.

Judge Milich’s sentence seems excessive in this instance. We have had police officers who killed a 12-year-old boy playing with a toy gun in Cleveland and served no time in prison or jail, and one attorney who dared to wear a Black Lives Matter pin who will spend five days locked up.

If that isn’t a stark visual about problems with our justice system and valuing black lives, I don’t know what is.

Mike Brickner, Columbus

Mike Brickner is senior policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.

Former Youngstowner laments state of gardens

I was born in Youngs- town, Ohio, and my memories of Mill Creek Park are many – the Old Mill with its waterfall, hiking trails, picnics, wildflowers, ice skating on Lake Newport and Girl Scouts day camp at the flats. In 1957, at a beautiful lookout beside Lake Newport, my husband-to-be asked me to marry him.

We moved from Youngstown in 1969, but we have returned often, and we have always visited Mill Creek. I have watched with much interest and special pleasure the development of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Over the years, it became a never-missed destination when we were in Ohio.

I have innumerable photos of the rose gardens, abundant with fabulous roses, and the magnificent annual gardens with their spectacular colorful plantings.

This year my visit to the gardens on July 3 was devastating. Many of the rose beds were empty or held only a few bushes. Annual beds were either empty or unkempt. I simply could not believe my eyes. What had happened to this treasure?

I asked questions and learned that Mill Creek MetroParks has new administration. I was told there have been staff cuts and that some volunteers have stopped working. What a tragedy!

I don’t understand how this Mahoning Valley jewel could be allowed to be in such disarray. It is my hope and prayer that the problems will be quickly addressed and solutions put in place before it is too late.

Carolyn McConnell Mondora, Fort Myers, Fla.

To cut deer-car collisions, it’s time to end hunting

Instead of reintro- ducing mountain lions to reduce deer populations and deer-car collisions, here’s a much simpler and more immediate solution: Stop hunting.

A Pennsylvania-based insurance company analyzed deer-vehicle collision data and found that the opening day and opening Saturday of deer hunting season are “[t]wo of the most dangerous days to drive.” The Missouri Insurance Information Service also concluded that deer-vehicle collisions increased during hunting season when terrified deer ran out of the woods and into roadways.

Hunting also actually increases deer populations, which increases the risk of deer-car collisions. In hunted populations, does are more likely to have twins and reproduce at a younger age. Immediately following a hunt, the spike in food and habitat availability can lead to a higher reproductive rate.

Simple, nonlethal deterrents such as warning signs, roadside sensors that trigger lights and whistles as cars approach to scare deer away, and laser beams that sound alarms to alert motorists to the presence of deer can reduce deer-vehicle collisions. And they do it without bringing in more animals who will likely also end up being victims of hunters, trappers, and ranchers.

Michelle Kretzer, The PETA Foundation

To end divisiveness in US, all Americans must unite

Both sides of an issue should be heard without the name calling. Whatever happened to “we agree to disagree?” Now, if you’re a Christian it makes you automatically a “hater”. Really? Is the LGBT community going to fight the terrorists alone, because 90 percent of Americans are Christian.

The world doesn’t spin around on a one-sided view of the issues. The mainstream media may spin that way. Hollywood may spin that way.

Many in the LGBT community aren’t remembering those who died. They’re pushing an agenda. Christianity isn’t going to go away simply because liberals and the LGBT community don’t agree with it.

If the LGBT community keeps Americans focusing on liberal issues, the terrorists are going to have a field day with America. President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the FBI will continue sitting around waiting for gun laws to pass.

Or is Hillary out of the country talking about “girl issues”? I don’t agree with her moral code for girls. I’m just saying the only way this nation is going to unite is as Americans.

Sylvia Koczwara, Youngstown

Garbage-can plan stinks

New garbage cans for the residents of Youngstown. Wow!

Mayor John McNally could have put that money to better use.

Wake up, mayor.

P.S. We all have our favorite garbage cans and didn’t need yours.

Elizabeth Dischiavo, Youngstown