Some aged, sage advice to ‘kids’ 65 and under

Some aged, sage advice to ‘kids’ 65 and under

In reference to your recent “100 Years Old and Counting” column, according to the World Future Society, we are in the early phases of a super longevity revolution that we might live to be 120 to 500 years old.

In my youth I don’t remember any healthy 85-year-old person but today me and my fellow 90-year oldies look at the 65-year-olds as kids. I’m looking forward to being 100 and maybe even 120, which might bring some positive comments from some to “Go for it”, even a few “Oh no, not you!”

It is quite evident that our present health and longevity have been brought on by embracing a healthy lifestyle and practices. In an attempt to further control health-care costs, we watch our diet, are faithful attendees at the “Y”, have regular health and dental checkups and stay involved with social, civic and church organizations.

In my 93 years, I have never been involved in a revolution, but perhaps me and my fellow 90-year oldies could go out armed with our canes, act like a bunch of fools, cause a traffic jam with our wheelchairs, demonstrate and be militant. But, thankfully our busy schedule, the justified afternoon nap and. above all, our dignity will not permit it.

As we attempt to help our spoiled Millennials, their life could be much easier if they would pay attention to us old geezers and heed our advice. We are deeply entrenched in living and will let you know when we are ready to give up our driving privilege. And if we want something special, we’ll buy it, and pay cash with your inheritance.

We oldies are still busy at the activity center. With new acquaintances, we play “hand and foot” a new card game (to me anyway) that stimulates the brain and then we exercise by playing two sets of pickleball. Then we exercise our minds by listening to a financial guy talk about our investments and debate on whether we should buy or lease an SUV or standard four-door old people car, Buick or Cadillac. Even Happy Hour has changed. We dumped our gin martini and switched to Beaujolais nouveau.

Most of our days are sunny and bright but there are times when we need special help from the One who has never let us down and who has never changed. Church attendance, stewardship and fellowship help lead us the most in our important pursuit for good health.

William W. Wade, Poland

Vote ‘yes’ on TJX zoning to avert dark days ahead

Recent headlines regarding the future of GM Lordstown as “Cloudy” gave me and many a cause to be concerned. Two shifts have already been canceled that left over 2,000 jobless. Even though production has restarted, that has not secured the future of this plant. If GM did close this plant, what impact would it have for the residents of Lordstown and the surrounding communities? Let’s name a few.

1. The loss of an additional 1,000 jobs or more at GM.

2. The loss of business and jobs for the subsidiary companies.

3. Loss of funding for the schools.

4. Loss of tax monies for public services such as roads, fire, police, parks, water and sewer.

5. Loss of property values.

How can we overcome this dismal forecast? One answer would be to allow new businesses into this village, such as TJX HomeGoods. Most people are aware that there is a faction that opposes this business in Lordstown. In part, they are saying that zoning is a factor and won’t support the zoning changes required for TJX to build here.

A claim of spot zoning is unfounded, in my view, because when checking the zoning map last week, I noticed that a great deal of the zoning for businesses (all classifications) is in the west side of the village – GM from the turnpike north almost to the space center where it continues north. Then south of the turnpike is the trailer park, which is a roadside business. This requested zoning change would be simply an expansion of current business properties.

Nestled in the southwest corner is a residential area, where some support the zoning to allow TJX to build and others do not. TJX is willing to put in a 300-foot buffer zone to alleviate any problems that might affect the residents of this area. TJX is adamant about this location and did, at one time, cancel the zoning request. The community rallied for TJX to reconsider and thankfully they did. As a past councilwoman for Lordstown for 19 years, I worked to better this community with water, sewer, parks and many improvements.

Please support and vote for the zoning changes in the special Aug. 21 election.

Mary Jane Wilson, Lordstown

West Siders want their water pipes fixed – now

My neighbors and I live on Cascade Drive on the West Side of Youngstown. On June 29, we had another water main break. That’s about 12 breaks in four years (between Arden Boulevard and Moncrest).

We need our water pipes replaced, not just here and there. Most of the pipes are over 100 years old. For the past two years, we have been promised to have them replaced. It is now August.

Four of the breaks have been in the past year and a half. The water company had to come out twice on the same day for one break.

We need our pipes fixed now!

Mary Ann Dubos, Youngstown

US Senate hearings are called for on immigration

In Nazi Germany in order to form a more perfect society, forced sterilization of what they considered inferior people was forced on the mentally handicapped, those with genetic disorders or just undesirables.

This also happened in the United States with the eugenics movement, a cruel byproduct of Darwinism. Of course, Nazi Germany took eugenics and their hatred of people to a radical point of genocide.

Our country’s recent policy (that thankfully has now ended) of forcefully removing children from their parents is a throwback to these dark days of fascism.

I believe Senate hearings are in order to investigate who was responsible for this policy and they should be forced to face the justice system.

Allan Murray, Youngstown

Aqua Ohio challenges critic of Campbell offer

The Aug. 5 letters to the Editor were especially frustrating, thanks to remarks from a self-described “organizing intern” from Chicago about Aqua Ohio’s recent offer to help the city of Campbell with its water treatment plant and distribution system needs. She represents a D.C. lobbying group that refuses to let facts get in the way of a chance to stir up controversy with misinformation.

As someone who was born and raised here, and as the area manager for Aqua Ohio that would lead Aqua’s efforts to help Campbell, the remarks pressed me to respond. Here are some facts:

Aqua’s offer to Campbell commits the company to make the continuous capital investments needed within the city to improve water quality, service reliability, fire protection and economic development as we do in the other 10 communities Aqua serves in Mahoning County,

Recently, Campbell raised water rates and Aqua Ohio’s local division lowered rates. Initial projections indicate that, should an agreement be reached, rates would decrease for the average Campbell customer by $10.34 per month.

The writer suggested that if Campbell partners with Aqua, local elected officials will relinquish their ability to regulate rate changes. Aqua has negotiated water and capital improvement rates with local elected officials for over 30 years. Furthermore, Aqua is regulated by both the Ohio EPA and the PUCO, which makes it more accountable for service standards and rate control than any government owned utility.

As communities across the state face financial, operating and environmental compliance challenges relating to their water and wastewater systems, all possible solutions need to be on the table. In some cases, selling the system to a regulated utility like Aqua is the best option.

Jennifer Coppola-Johnson, Lowellville

Jennifer Coppola-Johnson is area manager of Aqua Ohio.