We Can Do More
As I watched on television last week children running from their school, crying, frightened, ambulances carrying away wounded, SWAT officers swarming a school building, it brought me back instantly and powerfully to that Monday morning in February six years ago when the unthinkable happened here in our own town of Chardon.
What has changed in those six years? Not much.
Over and over again we have witnessed the violence: a black church in South Carolina (nine killed); a holiday party in San Bernardino, Calif. (14 killed, 17 wounded); a nightclub in Orlando, Fla. (49 killed, 53 injured); a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nev. (50 killed, 200 injured); a Baptist church in Sutherland, Texas (26 killed, 20 injured). And now, another school, in Parkland, Fla.: 17 dead students and teachers.
It makes our little ‘incident’ seem almost insignificant. And while we might not agree on a solution, can we at least agree that we have a problem?
Please don’t tell me what won’t fix it. I’m so tired of hearing only criminals will have guns if we put more sensible restrictions on gun ownership. I’m so tired of hearing we can do nothing about alienated, angry, mentally disturbed people. I’m so tired of hearing the violence in our society is so inherent — celebrated, even — that we can do nothing. I’m so tired of hearing it is someone else’s fault: Hollywood, bad parents, video games, Democrats, Republicans, too many guns, not enough guns.
Somewhere, I just know there is an answer. It is probably not one simple fix. Yes, it probably does involve more sensible restrictions of firearms, and surely restrictions on assault weapons and bump stocks. It surely means enforcing the laws we already have to the fullest.
But it also means better support for families and troubled children. Better mental health services for all who need them. Communities and faith-based organizations that are connected enough to see issues and address them before they become violent.
Can we prove we are a civilized society that cares about the safety of our children? Whatever you think is part of the solution, I challenge every one of you to demand from our state and federal government officials real action on gun violence. We have seen this firsthand. We can build memorials and offer thoughts and prayers. But we can also do more to stop the violence.
Caroline A. Kovac
Chardon Township
‘It’s Time to Let Go’
After watching the video of the Feb. 5 Newbury Schools Board of Education meeting, I’m so proud of our newly elected school board members, Maggie Zock, Kimya Matthews and Terry Sedivy.
They know you don’t ask people for money simply because you don’t know if you are going to need it or not. They know you don’t ask people to renew emergency operations money and then plan to spend it on capital improvements.
What legacy school board members Marty Sanders and Kirk Simpkins want to do is hide from the people the true state of disrepair of the school. They may not have caused the issue, but they are certainly trying to keep the status quo by failing to even have a list of improvements that need to be made.
But, as the majority of the board — and the electorate — have pointed out, there is time to pass a tax levy if it is in the best interest of the community.
Further, what the audience and Sanders and Simpkins forget is they serve the community and should act in the best interest of the community. Excellent education at a cost-effective price is what best serves the community and staying independent just because of tradition and memories should not be a consideration.
It’s still true that a West Geauga merger is a tax cut for all of Newbury’s residents; it is also a top ranked school, not only in the county, but the state.
It’s still true that a Berkshire merger is a tax cut for many and those making more money might have to pay a little more because of the income tax. But, keep in mind the value that Berkshire’s PRIME initiative offers: A new state of the art facility, no need to bus kids to College Credit Plus sites, as they can simply walk across the parking lot, and Kent State will discount the cost to the district, not charge the district for books and offer tuition remission to teachers, saving the district even more money as it will not have to reimburse those tuition costs.
Also, keep in mind if Newbury chooses to stay independent, they will come back at you again, “hat in hand” as Sanders likes to say, and expect you to pay more for a building that is getting older and even more outdated while costing more and more for upkeep.
It’s time to do the right thing, the thing that best serves the kids and the community, time for a higher quality education at a lower price, with increased opportunities for the kids and increased property values for the community.
It’s time to let go.
Bob Robertson
Newbury Township
Delusion and Hypocrisy
There is nothing more precious than our children. When they are murdered in school by deranged people, like what happened in Florida recently, we recoil at the thought, “It could’ve been my kids.”
Many schools have increased security measures over the past few years in response to such tragedies, but not enough has been done — because of delusional thinking and hypocrisy.
The delusion? Believing schools are safe because laws and signs designate them as “gun-free zones” (areas where guns are prohibited). Wishful thinking, but not grounded in reality. It’s the perfect situation for a killer to go about his business unopposed.
We as a nation need to come to terms with the fact that these events will continue to happen until enhanced security measures are enacted at every school, just like exist now at airports, banks and government buildings. This includes using common sense tactics, technology and, yes, armed guards.
The hypocrisy? Politicians pushing for gun restrictions, modifications and confiscation, all while comfortably working in buildings guarded by armed law-enforcement. Nice. They apparently are more important than our kids.
Think I’m wrong? I propose elected officials at the state and federal level forego armed protection at their workplaces until they address the school security dilemma. Let the hypocrites see what it feels like to be totally vulnerable targets.
Prediction: Ain’t gonna happen.
We all have genuine concern for the safety of our kids. What is lacking is action. “Gun control” sounds good and makes for great debate, but “We the People” demand practical on-the-ground measures to secure schools.
In the meantime, as a good-guy and law-abiding citizen, I shall never relinquish my firearms and be left at the mercy of bad guys or government. I’ll put my gun down when everybody else does.
Ben “Doc” Alvarez, MD
Chester Township
‘It’s Make-Believe Time’
As we turn on our old time radio, we hear the tones of the station identification and call letters. Then up swells the theme music and the audience is cued to applaud. The host steps up to the microphone and says, “Hello everybody and welcome to ‘It’s Make-believe Time,’ the game in which the Grendell Park Board pretends to answer carefully selected and edited questions they pull out of a hat. So let’s get started.”
“Our first question comes from John Scopes. He asks, ‘Is it true that you’re planning on buying an eight-foot bronze statue of Judge Grendell riding a snowmobile and then placing it in the center of the planetary exhibit at Observatory Park?’”
“No, that is not true. It will be 10 feet. And might I say, the snowmobile program has been a great success.”
“Ok next question” (As a question is carefully pulled out the hat) while another park board member remarks, “Come on, come on. I don’t have all day”
The question is pulled out and a park board members squeals, “EEK! I can’t read this on the air.”
The question disappears and the next question is quickly chosen from the hat.
“Here’s one from Ms. Ima Parklover. She writes, ‘I love the parks; I love everything about the parks except the bears. Why are those ‘protect people’ bringing bears into the park? It makes me afraid.’”
“Well, don’t worry Ms. Parklover, we’ve taken care of the bears and we’re working on those pesky protect people too.”
(Theme music comes up) “Well that’s all the time we have for ‘It’s Make-Believe Time,’ the program where we pretend to answer your questions. Tune in next month when the Grendell Park Board will choose from some carefully selected questions and then try not to answer them. This is your host Tim E. Dation reminding you that we’ll spend your park tax money however we please.
“If you’d like to be part of our live studio audience, come to a park board meeting and remember keep your mouth shut. We’ll see you next time.”
Dave Partington
Munson Township
