Students, go to school Friday
10/6/2010I am appalled that the group Concerned Citizens in Support of African-American Students is calling on Toledo Public Schools students to stay home Friday when a head count is taken to determine state funding (“Group led by ex-Scott coach wants levy defeated,” Oct. 4).
TPS stands to lose thousands of dollars in state money for each student who is not counted. Whether one thinks the upcoming levy is necessary or deserved, or whether improvements need to be made at TPS, to sabotage one of the main sources of public school funding is not only vengeful, truculent, and counterproductive, it is also incredibly shortsighted.
How does it behoove TPS students to reduce the amount of money that comes from the state? In its misguided attempt to teach TPS a lesson, this group is drilling a hole in an already leaky boat.
There are enough students who don't attend this once-a-year head count. The last thing we need is a concerted effort to keep more students at home.
I urge parents of all TPS students to make sure they attend school Friday so they can be counted.
Jeff Nelson
Founder
Save Our Scott
Robinwood Avenue
The Sept. 21 Readers' Forum letter “Give public faster inspection update” cited the length of an inspection report as a concern. The content of a report includes not only a description of the violations, but also the section of the Ohio Food Code that was violated and corrections necessary to address the violation.
The length of the report is not always a true measure of the safety and sanitation of a facility. The bulk of the report is an explanation, complete with instructions on how to correct violations. Some of the least critical violations require the lengthiest explanations.
In the case cited by the writer, all violations critical to public health were corrected prior to completion of the inspection. A reinspection was completed for the remaining noncritical violations within a week.
If violations pose immediate public health concerns, a facility cannot operate until conditions are corrected.
Our well-trained, highly educated, and certified staff works hard to ensure food safety. We will continue to strive to provide the best surveillance available, and to make this information available to the public as efficiently as possible.
Alan Ruffell
Director
Environmental Health Services
Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
North Erie Street
The suicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students in response to cyberbullying are a tragedy that needs to be addressed (“Rutgers memorializes student who killed self,” Oct. 4).
Students have a right to learn without being tormented by those who do not support their lifestyle. Students can't learn where they don't feel welcome or safe. Local school districts would be wise to create awareness programs and to take steps to ensure these students' safety.
Too often, administrators react inappropriately or not at all to complaints of cyberbullying. Increasing awareness can prevent future tragedies.
Every school's anti-bullying program should address sexual orientation and gender identity. The safety of our children should motivate Americans to refuse to bully.
Maria Contreras
East Benwick Road
At CedarCreek Church, lives are transformed by the power of God through his son, Jesus Christ (“CedarCreek festival is not religion,” Readers Forum, Oct. 2).
As for the letter writer's suggestion that Christians keep a low profile, how do you reconcile that with Jesus' teaching to “let your light shine for all to see” or his command to “tell everyone” about him?
Our mission is to help spiritually restless and unchurched people love Jesus, serve others, and tell the world about Christ.
Lee Powell
Senior Pastor
CedarCreek Church
Perrysburg
Everything about CedarCreek Church's celebration had to do with Christ. We celebrated 3,000 baptisms of men, women, and children who publicly stated that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior.
We celebrated thousands who have formed a relationship with Christ, and mission trips here and abroad.
We sang, prayed, laughed, cried, and rededicated our lives to Jesus Christ. I wish the letter writer could have been there.
Katie Boss
Genoa, Ohio
The phenomenal growth of CedarCreek Church is the result of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Much like the Apostle Paul, we have tried to find common ground with others to share the Gospel. Our mission is working, as an effective 15-year ministry locally, regionally, and globally proves.
Ask any of the thousands of people whose lives were transformed by Christ through our ministry, such as the single mothers who have had their cars repaired or who received a vehicle. In Honduras, we built an orphanage for children suffering from HIV/AIDS.
In Louisiana, we partnered with people devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At Mainstreet Church in Walbridge, we were involved after the June tornado.
At the celebration at Huntington Center, there were almost 6,000 people, each one a reflection of a life transformed by Christ.
Randy Whitman
Philmar Drive
As for the letter writer's claim about CedarCreek, I say: Amen.
Robin Enis
Western Avenue
I filed appeals for reduction of the appraised value of my home when Larry Kaczala was Lucas County auditor and since Anita Lopez has been auditor. I appeared before the Board of Review, and each time my request for reduction was granted. If friendliness matters, that edge went to the Lopez team.
Even as resale values in Lucas County have plummeted, Ms. Lopez has been speedy and generous at reducing appraised values. This has resulted in a shrinkage of the tax base on which county taxes are assessed.
While benefiting the public, this puts a hardship on other county and local offices and on schools that rely on county taxes. Higher millages must be sought to offset the consequences of a reduced tax base.
If Gina-Marie Kaczala is elected auditor, will she seek to avoid further shrinkage of the tax base by being less accommodating than Ms. Lopez has been on lowering appraised values?
Kurt Meyers
Schneider Road
A northbound section of McCord Road needs to be repaved because a vibrating roller used to compact the pavement caused an uneven roadway (“Final paving on McCord Road slated,” Oct. 1). This will cost another $90,000.
No wonder government is in so much disarray and we have such large deficits.
If a contractor does an unsatisfactory job in the private sector, he must redo the job at his expense. But if you mess up in government, don't worry, we pay you to redo the work.
Thomas L. Kalniz
Sylvania Township