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EDITOR:
I would like to respond to an Aug. 14 letter in which the writer listed his reason why Youngstown is a “dying city,” particularly his assertion that there is no quality entertainment in the city. When was the writer last in the downtown area? I can think of at least a half dozen restaurants and clubs in or near downtown Youngstown that are thriving and offer not only quality food and atmosphere, but also great local bands from across the Valley. There’s also the Youngstown Symphony, the DeYor Center, and the Oakland Center for the Arts. Party on The Plaza continues to grow, and the Jonesfest music festival in June attracted thousands of young people downtown to enjoy bands and performers from the area.
Another free music festival, Vexfest 5, took place yesterday with over 40 of the area’s best bands of various genres performing live. It’s time to shatter the myth that downtown Youngstown is unsafe, and that there’s “nothing to do in Youngstown.” If you can’t find something fun and affordable to do in Youngstown, it’s your own fault and no one else’s. I encourage everyone to set aside their misconceptions and preconceived notions of what Youngstown is all about. If they haven’t been there lately, think they’ll be pleasantly surprised.
“VIKING” JIM ALLGREN
Austintown
Kucinich and O’Hair; two peas in a pod?
EDITOR:
A couple of things have happened in the past week that have caused me to wonder if our political system is strong or if it is doomed to failure. The first was a recorded phone message from Dennis Kucinich asking me to depress “I” if I was in favor of impeaching the president. That happened to be the only option available from his phone message. I have no idea why I received this message unless it is because I am a registered Democrat in Mahoning County. My first question to Mr. Kucinich would have been to find out what grounds he proposed for impeachment. To the best of my knowledge the president has not committed any impeachable offense. I know Mr. Kucinich hates the president above all else, but with all the problems facing Americans why beat this dead horse?
The second thing that upset me was the endorsement of Barack Obama by Congressman Ryan in last Sunday’s Vindicator. How could he endorse a man who thinks so little of his country that he won’t even display the American flag on his campaign plane? What is that thing he has painted on the tail of his plane? He also does not wear an American flag pin on his lapel. He is out in the open about this but I wonder what else he has on his agenda. I do not want to see Air Force One with a Mexican flag or the flag of some Mideast country on it. This is America and there is a great majority in this country that is proud of it.
It is time that our government started governing according to the wishes of the majority rather than the disgruntled few. This all started with Madalyn Murray O’Hair and the ban of prayer in schools years ago and it is now time to stop it. Make America a country of the people, by the people, and for the people once again.
GEORGE GRIM
Boardman
Comments
This is what the writer really means in the second part of his letter;
The second thing that upset me was the endorsement of A BLACK MAN by Congressman Ryan in last Sunday’s Vindicator. How could he endorse A BLACK MAN who thinks so little of his country that he won’t even display the American flag on his campaign plane? What is that thing THAT BLACK MAN has painted on the tail of his plane? THAT BLACK MAN also does not wear an American flag pin on his lapel. THAT BLACK MAN is out in the open about this but I wonder what else THAT BLACK MAN has on his agenda. I do not want to see Air Force One with A BLACK MAN in it. This is America and there is a great WHITE majority in this country that is proud of it.
Please rest assured, I am a proud white American.
Ohhh my my. The narcissism of small differences an the folly of misinterpretation.
Part 1
Extortion! The city of Youngstown is using extortion??
Definition; 1) obtaining something by illegal threats: criminal law the crime of obtaining something such as money or information ( water ) from somebody by using force, threats, or other unacceptable methods
The city is not doing this, they just want to get paid for their water, and the facility that is maintains. They have provided this to the surrounding communities, they maintain the facility, they operate the facility, and when if needs repaired they will repair it. Youngstown has been subsidizing many surrounding communities far too long.
Definition 2) the charging of an excessive amount of money for something.
They are not charging excessive rates, Youngstown is just getting competitive, it is just more that others would like. Nobody likes cost increases, even justified ones such as this. Youngstown is finally acting responsible and not leaving this to the next generation. There are many places that pay these types of rates, and even substantially more. Mayor Jay Williams should be commended for taking a bold albeit unpopular position. This initiative will be good for the entire region if we are to compete is the global world.
Definition 3) the acquisition of something through the use of force or threats
This is a well thought out initiative, a plan that will help not only Youngstown but insure that our neighbors will have a good water supply going forward, all while providing for economic benefits for all. No force or threats, just a workable plan. The opposition just says NO! NO! NO! The proposition is out there for all to accept and decide. The short sighted legislators in our surrounding communities call it extortion, they know that it is unpopular and by opposing it may get them a few votes. They should take the high road and explain that while no one likes higher cost for “ANYTHING” this is reasonable, they should educate their constituency and explain the truth, without doing this the cost would certainly be greater than proposed by the YOUNGSTOWN initiative. An educated constituency can handle the truth. Instead, these short term thinkers would have you believe that they could build their own water supply and that they wouldn’t raise your taxes. Not only is that impossible and untrue, but in fact everyone in the regions taxes would go up to maintain a new facility, one that would not be needed if we just worked in cooperation and were honest with one another.
Part 2
Lastly it is apparent that too many people that don’t live in Youngstown, do not ever have a good word to say about Youngstown, only point out the deficiency of others plan without coming with one of their own, seem to have all the answers, much like we are all losers in Youngstown and should move out. Crime is high, this is bad that is bad, to them I say PLEASE look in the mirror. If you’re not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Why not just go away and let those of us that live and work here continue to work together and be part of the solution process.
This all didn’t happen overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight. But in the words of Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”
Please lets begin working together and fixing the great city of YOUNGSTOWN !