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YOUR SIDE: The Readers Take Over

Helen Marie Potter Hayes a perfect fit as honored alumnus

To the editor:

Amidst pandemic chaos, confusion and discord — unanimity seems scarce. Not so with the selection of Helen Marie Potter Hayes as honored alumnus by the Salem High School Alumni Association. In this instance dissent is extinct.

Family, friends, educators, administrators, teachers, students and multiple civic and church personnel stand as one in not only agreement but as a vast totality.

Perfect sense. Perfect fit. Perfect timing.

The award bestowed on May 20 at the 136th annual reunion banquet will be a bold, public statement honoring the long, diverse career of this fine, professional woman.

JIM McNEAL,

Salem

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No More Campaign — You can become part of the solution

To the editor:

April of each year brings together two related awareness campaigns: Victims of Crime and Sexual Assault. The theme for the 2017 Victims of Crime campaign is “Strength, Resilience, Justice.” For Sexual Assault month it is “Engaging New Voices.”

Though these two campaigns are separate, their themes intertwine into a unified message: Victims cannot receive justice without the strength of the community. Victims cannot recover without our voices joining them in calling for justice. In other words, it takes all of us, working together, to bring about justice, healing, and change.

This is especially true of victims of sexual assault. While victim-blaming has waned in the last few years, it is still the norm for many people who consider the causes of sexual assault. Victim-blaming keeps victims from coming forward. Victim-blaming allows perpetrators to avoid arrest and prosecution. As a community, we need to challenge those who blame victims for sexual assaults. If there were no victim-blaming there would be more justice for victims of sexual assault.

Victims of sexual assault also need our help to reach the point where they can identify as a survivor of sexual assault. A better understanding of how trauma affects a person will help us. Trauma-informed counselors provide guidance along this healing path. Victims of trauma can overcome and recover, but it takes a lot of work and support from understanding family and friends. Will you be the voice of encouragement and support to the victims around you?

A shift in public opinion is also needed in addressing the problem of sexual assault. You can help make a difference in your circle of friends and office mates by challenging beliefs that uphold sexual stereotypes, victim-blaming, and excuses for sexual assault. A good way to begin is by supporting the No More Campaign. Dottie Kane is making her way around the county encouraging community members to post a No More emblem on their car window. This teal-colored circle is meant to engage conversation about issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. No More blaming the victim. No More saying “He was just sowing some wild oats.” No More “She asked for it!”

Dottie would like the opportunity to speak to your group about the No More Campaign. You can reach Dottie at the Catholic Charities Office by calling 330-420-0845. Leave a message and she will get back to you.

You can become part of the solution. Decide what type of community you want to live in: One that upholds justice, or one that makes excuses. Work toward becoming that community by using your influence. Together we can engage our voices and bring about strength, resilience, and healing.

NICKIE OSTICK,

Lisbon

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Salem Junior Mothers Club grateful for dance support

To the editor:

The Salem Junior Mothers Club recently hosted its annual Father-Daughter dance.

The members would like to thank Joseph Lynn Photography, Sara Baer, Salem Twin Cinema, Bailey Financial, Dr. Matthew Yerkey and Dr. Kevin Madjarac DDS, Aarrow Disposal, Bricker Photography, Towne and Suburban Reality, The Home Depot, Giant Eagle, Insta Copy, Fresh Mark and Walmart for their donations to make this successful event for the children of Salem.

NATALEE BUTA,

Press chairman,

Salem Junior Mothers Club

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Over regulation cripples the coal industry

To the editor:

It is misleading to say that coal is being replaced because natural gas is “cheaper.”

Were coal not crippled by over regulation, it is probable that coal, not natural gas, would be the least expensive option. If you tied his legs together and his hands behind his back, basketball star Lebron James would lose in a one-on-one against even me. Similarly, coal is not allowed to compete in a fair and open marketplace with other energy sources. So naturally it will often lose out.

Natural gas should be saved for applications it does especially well, such as: heating, cooking, transportation, fertilizers and in the manufacture of fabrics, glass, steel, plastics, paint, and other products. Using it for base load power generation is a waste when the U.S. has so much high quality coal there for the taking. Using gas for base load power generation is like a reverse Midas touch, turning gold into lead.

(I am replying to the column that appeared on your site at: http://www.salemnews.net/uncategorized/2017/04/theres-little-dignity-left-in-coal (Froma Harrop). Note: ICSC is not right wing (our participants come from across the political spectrum) and are not lobbyists or ‘shills’ for industry of any sort.)

TOM HARRIS, B. Eng., M. Eng. (Mech.)

Executive director,

International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC)

28 Tiverton Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K2E 6L5

Canada

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