Peace Mountain serves entire community

3/5/2001

As a new employee of the Peace Mountain Foundation, I felt compelled to write. After reviewing numerous items pertaining to the proposed site of the mountain, including various Blade articles and renderings, there appears to be an erroneous concept. The mountain is not considered a monument, nor is it solely a “gathering place for peace and contemplation,” although there will be a room for meditation within the conical-shaped structure.

Peace Mountain will contain 4,000 square feet of office space where diverse groups will occupy space and form a Peace Council within the mountain. Children will come to the mountain on field trips to explore the different cultures, ethnic, and economic groups of other children to learn about the diversity of people.

Peacemaking skills will be taught as well as physical activities taking place such as a race to the river and climbing the mountain. The mountain could also serve as a labor/management negotiation center, a religious or secular retreat center, or for special events (i.e. weddings and receptions). The mountain would serve as an additional “icon of sorts” to enhance the greater Toledo area. This will be an active mountain, where much activity will take place daily, with its doors open to the public seven days a week.

The YMCA of Greater Toledo, ChildCare Branch Services, is currently teaching peacemaking skills within their seven Y centers. Childcare providers were trained in conflict resolution and peacemaking skills through the Peace Mountain Foundation.

DIANA L. HARMON

Director

PeaceMaker's Program

Peace Mountain Foundation

To those who say we do not need a larger police class, consider that many of our present officers are contemplating retirement this year. The present class will not even make up for that number.

Since Nov. 28, The Blade has published crime reports with the following statistics: robberies 89, burglaries 802, larcenies 310, crimes against children 6, and these are only the reported crimes.

To those who are to determine the size and frequency of our police classes, pay attention.

A. WIETRZYKOWSKI

San Paulo Drive

I hope the anti-Reagan letter writer turned the page and read the article about President Reagan being rated as one of the top three presidents ever.

As for President Reagan being a union buster, I wish there were more of them. Granted unions were needed and were great at one time. However, they have grown to be too powerful. Now they only fight to retain jobs for those that don't deserve to have them in the first place.

An employer would never fire someone who gives 100 percent and generates revenue. I am speaking from personal experience. I worked a union job and all I got was a deduction on my paycheck for union dues. Then I worked a non-union job for 25 years. I am now retired and receive a very nice pension, health benefits, prescription drug coverage, and a life insurance policy from my non-union employer.

Also while I worked for this same employer I frequently was granted time off with pay to attend to my ailing mother. That was in addition to my four weeks vacation (with pay) and my five sick days with pay each year.

I'm sure the letter writer considers himself a Christian, but I wonder if God does. We Christians are supposed to have compassion for and forgive each other. So let's show some compassion for an ailing President Reagan and pray that God keeps him in His care.

BEV LAKE

Oregon

Recently, in a New York Times full-page advertisement, a white-coated doctor, with a Delta Airlines tag above his head reading “I love architecture (I live in Toledo)” is portrayed. Immediately The Blade sent out reporters to determine our reactions.

Obviously the uninformed Delta officials that approved the ad have never been here. Had they visited the Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Zoo, our beautiful libraries, cathedrals, churches, and the Valentine Theatre, this ad would never have been placed.

Was the ad offensive? Not really. I do find it offensive, however, that while some Toledoans are proud to call Toledo home and work hard to make it a better city, others lack pride in Toledo.

Uninformed ads that refer to Toledo don't upset me, but Toledo-area citizens who thoughtlessly run down our community offend me deeply.

Let's get behind northwest Ohio with commitment and pride.

CARLETON S. FINKBEINER

Mayor

City of Toledo

I commend Phineas Anderson for his timely, thoughtful, and illuminating Saturday Essay, “Black History Month is for whites, too.” His objective appraisal of the significance of white privilege and the value of Black History Month was a poignant piece of discourse long needed.

This essay helped to remove many of the blinders that obscure the vision of those who have the power to do more to help heal the racial divide. This article was a large missing piece of the puzzle which, when it comes together, will solve the racial divide that exists in America and in many other parts of the world.

JAMES E. CARLISLE

Harmony Lane

The problem of smokers in restaurants is to a great extent a matter of lack of courtesy and consideration for one's fellow diners. These are qualities that most smokers lack. In most small restaurants, even those that have separate areas, I am subjected to the smoke. The smoker has not asked if I mind the smoke.

To my mind that is the same situation as if I took off my shoes and socks and stuck my smelly feet under a smoker's nose. After all, I have a “right” to enjoy being barefooted.

The big difference, of course, is that my toes are not toxic.

HERB ZIEMAN

Eton Road

Circumstances surrounding the recent burial of our brother, J. Michael Foy, at a local Catholic cemetery have really put to the test our faith in the Catholic Church. Mike had not made any plans for his burial prior to his passing, so as his surviving siblings, we made them for him. The cemetery we chose was the same one in which our parents are buried.

A close friend of the family offered a plot next to her mother's grave that her father had purchased at the time of her death in 1961. The cost of these two plots at the time was $165. Because her father chose to be cremated, she offered his plot to us with the thinking she could help us out and save us some money. The cemetery director informed her she had to sign the plot back over to them so they could resell it to us at today's price of $800.

A bit distraught? You bet we were. But what were we to do? Unless you pay the full price up front that day, a hole is not dug to bury your loved one. Yet, as of today, the $35 refund that the cemetery said our friend is entitled to has not been received. She also was a bit distraught herself when the cemetery director asked her what she did with her father's remains and what was her future intentions for them.

This was absolutely none of his business, and a complete invasion of her privacy. The lesson to be learned here is this must be where the term “turning over a profit” comes from.

KATHY JAMES

Rossford