OUR READERS WRITE...
Blames coaches for
SHS's lack of spirit
To the editor:
In following the SHS football and basketball teams over the past few years, I remember that when I attended SHS we had an very high school spirit as well as a community spirit. This spirit remained high during my years at SHS simply because our school fielded a very good sports teams on the playing field. Much of this spirit began with our coaches who instilled the spirit of SHS into the players.
Checking the scores of the teams, I get a very strong feeling that the school and community spirit is at a very low ebb. As I stated, it starts with the coaches and if they cannot fire up the players and community then the board of education should take another look and make sure that they have hired the very best.
During my years the athletic teams from SHS had quite a bit of respect from around the state -I'm not real sure that the respect is present now.
JAMES E. GARLOCK,
Parker, Colo.
Grateful for help
dealing with storm
Dear Salem News,
Thank you!
The storm is over but the after effects are still being felt.
We as a community and my family need to thank those who have helped us through the storm.
We want to thank the electric companies, their workers, and the tree trimmers who have worked so hard over time to restore our service.
To United School and CCCTC for opening up their facilities for those whose power was out for showers and a good meal, and for Giant Eagle for giving free ice and water.
Also, to anyone who helped this past week. Thank you so much.
Our power has come back on as of noon Sunday, one week later.
BILL and MARILYN WILLIAMSON,
Salem
Message for AT&T
users in Columbiana
Residential telephone customers in the Columbiana exchange need to know about a request made by AT&T Ohio that could allow its rates for basic local service and basic Caller ID to increase each year.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will decide whether AT&T should have the ability to increase rates without the oversight that currently protects residents.
AT&T wants the freedom to raise rates for six more of its Ohio exchanges, including the Columbiana exchange.
Under the proposed plan, AT&T could increase its monthly basic local rate by $1.25 each year and the price of basic Caller ID by 50 cents each year. AT&T already has gained this pricing flexibility for 155 of its other exchanges in Ohio.
The Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel, the residential utility consumer advocate, scrutinized AT&T's latest application and found it failed to meet statutory requirements that these local exchanges are open to competition and residents have reasonably available alternatives.
If the plan is approved, residential consumers who simply want basic dial tone service could see their bills increase while having few, if any, comparable choices. Customers need to be able to count on a reasonably priced telephone service, especially those customers who do not want or cannot afford a package of features or a cell phone.
The Consumers Counsel has opposed AT&T's request for pricing flexibility. We hope the PUCO agrees that AT&T should not be allowed to raise basic service rates.
JANINE
MIGDEN-OSTRANDER,
Consumers Counsel,
Columbus
Boardman resident
praises Timberlanes
I am a lifelong resident of Boardman and had never been to Salem before my current three-year employment with a wonderful chiropractor on South Lincoln Avenue.
Boardman is fortunate to have so many choices of fine dining, with Johnny's on Market Street being their best kept secret.
I have had the ultimate pleasure of dining at your local Timberlanes restaurant on six or seven occasions over these past years; and having dined there twice over the past week, I am puzzled as to why the place is not crowded.
The food is incredible! Mary, our server was equally extraordinary, professional, witty and competent. It is so important to patronize our neighborhood businesses.
Salem people, this is your town jewel! I urge you all to have a meal at the Timberlanes and support this wonderful establishment so they can stay in business and prosper.
MARIANNE ELISER,
Boardman
When are taxpayers
going to get a break?
To the editor:
When are the taxpayers going to get a break? Our taxes seem to go up and up, and we don't make any more money.
How can our taxes go up when houses won't sell for what we owe on them?
To make matters worse, many people don't ever pay the taxes they owe. I would like someone to tell us what is being done about this.
JENNIFER WOLFGANG,
East Palestine
You don't have to be
a teacher to teach
Recently I attended a volleyball game consisting of the school where I used to teach English.
Although I was there to enjoy the game with some former students, I was reminded of how we impact each other in life.
People do not have to be teachers in a school setting to pass on knowledge to others. I am reminded of those that have taught me many things, from my relatives and friends, to co-workers and pastors. I remember being taught how to perform, along with other business aspects in music, from the guitar player in my first rock band. I think back when he and I would sit around his house discussing music and philosophy. Years later, in another band, a guitar player gave me tips on my writing skills, since he was an English professor at a local university.
I think back to working at a television station, where a co-worker, who was younger than me, went out of his way to teach me how things work behind the scenes to make a solid program, from editing to choosing the right music to be played in the background. At the same station I learned professionalism from a freelancer, who took me under his wing and mentored me with his years of experience in the media.
Everyone is a teacher, from parenting a child, to having to train a new employee in the workforce. Not everyone has a degree in education, but everyone can pass on some sort of knowledge to another, no matter if it's part of a program like Big Brother/Big Sister, or just spending time showing a card trick to a younger relative.
I may not have been a great teacher in the classroom, according to my critics, but it's comforting to know that some former students use me as a reference when it comes to job resumes, or when they ask me to come see them play in activities. It is comforting to see my former students develop into the people they have become. My mother tells me that my grandfather used to say that "You never stop learning," and I have to believe that, no matter if you are the student or the teacher. My students taught me maybe as much as I taught them.
So no matter where you are in life, be comforted in the fact that you can be a teacher to someone and make a difference in someone's life.
LANCE LUMLEY,
Columbiana
Tired of McCain
using his photo ops
I am sick and tired of seeing John McCain appear at events wearing his Navy ball cap. Is he going to be just another "photo op president" like the one who currently occupies the White House?
McCain may have served his country once, but he has not served those brave men and women who he and the current White House occupant sent to a war of choice in Iraq.
What I am referring to is the fact that Senator McCain opposed the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 which President Bush reluctantly signed into law.
The bill, which Barack Obama supported, provides among other benefits to those who began serving on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001 (this would include Sarah Palin's son) "four academic years of educational benefits for an approved program up to the cost of the most expensive in-state undergraduate public tuition in the veteran's state of residence ...;" "a monthly living stipend based on housing costs of a service member of pay grade E-5 with dependents in the area of learning...;" "a $1,000 annual book/supplies stipend." (source: Wikipedia)
This bill passed in the United States Senate on June 26, 2008 by a vote of 92-6. Senator Obama voted in favor of the bill's passage. Senator McCain did not vote on the bill which he opposed. Instead, he was campaigning in Ohio on June 26.
Take off the ball cap, John. You are no friend of veterans.
JOHN T. DEFAZIO,
Lisbon,
A Vietnam era veteran
Kind words for those
helping her recovery
I got to experience my "Golden Years" early during my recent stay at Essex III while recuperating from a total knee replacement at the age of 55.
While my health insurance had only approved a three-day stay at the hospital following my surgery I knew I was not ready to be at home and care for myself. After much discussion my sister and I decided it would be best to go to a skilled facility in the area for more therapy and to be cared for. My sister placed a phone call to Essex III and by the day of discharge from the hospital I was comfortably in my room at Essex III by 8 p.m.
The Director of Nursing, Lori Rusyn, was there to welcome me and to assure I had everything I needed. I had a fear of the unknown but Lori and her staff changed all that for me. Lori and all of her staff showed me nothing less than dignity, respect and compassion through my entire stay.
This thank you extends to the therapy department as well. Michelle, Marsha, Amy and Holly who helped me to slowly regain use and strength and how to be safe with my new knee. I can't thank all of you enough.
To the remainder of the staff that I met during my stay and had an impact on my recovery: Nick Rusyn, administrator; nurses Tracie and Kim; social worker Peggy; STNAs Susan and Brad; and a special thank you to my roommate for all of her support, words cannot express how much each and every one of you were appreciated. I will never forget any of you and what you did for me.
I would like tell anyone who has placed a loved one at Essex III, they are being treated with dignity, compassion, respect and caring special hands.
I am now back home and receiving out-patient therapy with Ed Silverio. (He is the best!) and I am on the road to recovery.
My sincere thanks to each and everyone of you. It is good to know that Salem has this caliber of professional and caring individuals who work very hard to take care of us but rarely get recognized for their effort.
KATHY JO LEE,
Salem
