Posted: July 29, 2010

TARTA Sales Tax Arguments Make Little Economic Sense
To the Editor:
We are Grass Roots Advocates for Disability Empowerment, or GRADE, people with disabilities and people who advocate for people with disabilities.
We chose to make a statement supporting the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority in its effort to allow TARTA to serve the county of Lucas and also to convert the method by which it is funded from a 2.5-mill property tax to a 0.5 percent sales tax.
This was met with resistance by Maumee City Council and the Sylvania Township trustees. Maumee stated it would lose revenue from residents driving across the river to save money. This argument does not make sense. Why would someone get in their car, use a gallon of gas – not to mention the wear, tear and maintenance costs – to save $2.00 on a $400 television? For a $50.00 dinner, they would save 25 cents.
Maumee also stated they used 30-year tax increment financing (TIF) to make improvements for the Shops at Fallen Timbers, and if the property tax were switched to a sales tax, they would lose $93,000 a year. They would lose $25,202 per six months. The difference is projected earnings. The TIF is assessed to repay the bonds the city used to borrow the money for the improvements. That is an additional tax the five properties covered by the TIF have to pay for the next 30 years. Does that mean the Maumee residents are being held responsible for additional property taxes that TARTA will have to request for the next 30 years? That is what it sounds like to us.
We had a dozen members present at this meeting and some made public comments, and while two reporters were present, not one of our members was interviewed. Were we overlooked because of media bias, or because we have disabilities?
Sylvania Township trustee Kevin Haddad has repeatedly stated there are mostly empty buses that drive by his salon on Monroe Street, but how many days he has dedicated to riding the route that goes by his salon to see if at any time during the day the bus is full? That is the most effective way to see if his argument is accurate, that TARTA could get away with using all small buses.
At the Sylvania Township meeting people who need Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service (TARPS) were told to call a cab to get around. There are two cabs, owned by Black and White, capable of transporting people in power wheelchairs. If three people want to get together for lunch, they have to arrive in shifts.
We will continue in our efforts to support TARTA in its proposal for the future because all of Lucas County residents deserve access to all of Lucas County.
Deb Angel
Toledo

Rolf Park Pool Hours Are Inconvenient To Those Who Work During The Day
To the Editor:
Nice going council. Ninety-degree weather, million-dollar pool closed at night. What’s wrong with this picture? Guess we have to go to Perrysburg to swim after work. You’re missing the boat, council. What a waste of a beautiful pool. Two more hours open can’t cost much. There are plenty of kids looking for some kind of work.
Jan Davidson
Maumee

Community Support Enables Red Cross To Aid Victims Of June 5 Tornadoesy
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, I would like to thank Northwest Ohio for the tremendous outpouring of support for those impacted by the June 5 tornadoes.
Our community response is always generous beyond what we anticipate. It not only makes our ability to help those in need with speed, ease, comfort and compassion, but offers hope and support for those impacted.
In an effort to be transparent with the community, I wanted to share that to date, Northwest Ohioans have donated $278,103 to the Red Cross. Thus far we have spent $181,142 to aid those directly impacted, including meals, emergency shelter, cleaning supplies and grief counseling. This amount includes $45,000 transferred to community-based long-term recovery committees in Fulton, Ottawa and Wood counties to support long-term recovery efforts after the Red Cross had met the emergency needs of our clients.
We will continue to work with the long-term recovery committees on issues and needs as yet unseen or even imagined for those devastated by the disaster, and we are ready to provide additional financial support based on requests from these community-based committees. Additionally, we have also pledged $31,200 to the Lake school district for emergency preparedness and safety training for students of all ages.
We know these programs will help save lives for generations to come and ensure the community is better prepared should we ever experience another catastrophic event. The road to recovery is long, yet the contributions and support of our community offer aid and support hours after the event and will resonate for years to come.
Tim Yenrick
Regional Director
American Red Cross

St. Luke’s Provides Top-Notch Care During And After Extended Stayy
To the Editor:
With the St. Luke’s Hospital and ProMedica agreement being considered, I wish to express my deep concern as to a patient’s care after such an arrangement with such a large health insurance system.
I was a critically ill patient at St. Luke’s Hospital this past winter, cared for in their ICU Level 1, ICU Cardiac Care and a semi-private room, for a total of six and a half weeks of exceptional care, followed by extended care in their physical therapy unit. All my fine care was very thorough and most professional by the medical doctors, nurses and all others who cared for me so tenderly. I was admitted to St. Luke’s after kidney removal at another hospital that did not go well.
My total care at St. Luke’s certainly reaffirmed my prior belief of what a great hospital St. Luke’s has always been. My husband and I both have experienced only exceptional care, be it in the emergency room or later as patients in the hospital. We both cannot express fully our total appreciation for the fantastic care given recently for myself and in the past for my husband a number of times. We both like to promote St. Luke’s and tell all what great care they extend to all their patients.
They certainly hire only top-notch medical professionals for the entire medical facility as experienced by my extended confinement this winter. I was even stunned that after being home some three weeks after discharge, one of the nurses who cared for me in the ICU stopped by my home to check on my recovery.
I certainly hope your practice and motto, “Patients First Always,” will continue for many years to come. Maumee should be most proud of having such an outstanding medical facility in their community. God bless each and every employee with continued success for many years to come.
Mrs. Robert F. Hintz
Perrysburg

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Posted: July 1, 2010

Property Values Suffer In Maumee When Regulations Are Not Enforced
To the Editor:
I have three concerns that I never thought I would have to worry about living in Maumee.
1) Why do we have laws that are never followed? A house right behind our property has weeds that have grown up past the fence and up to the above-ground pool (that is never used) and two dogs whose waste is never picked up. It’s like a jungle – just a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This has been going on for a few years and I have called every year to get this resolved.
2) When a house on our street was remodeled, everything was thrown into the drive – carpet, windows, shingles, paper, stone, rock, blocks, bricks, branches and everything else they wanted to get rid of – then covered with dirt and grass planted. Now a drive has been poured over this mess and the house is for sale.
3) A two-story garage that has been built on our street towers over the other houses and garages. That’s all you see when you look out the window. I even had someone ask me if they were building a small motel on our street. There goes our property value. Would anyone want to live next to the monster garage (that belongs in the country or business district)?
Eva Pratt
Maumee

Maumee Tornado Sirens Saved Lives In Delta
To the Editor:
On June 5 I was watching a movie when my husband came in and I turned the volume down on the TV to talk to him. That’s when we noticed the tornado sirens going off. We changed the channel to local news and learned of the severe weather. We both have parents in Fulton County, so my husband told me to call my parents (Jon and Carol Fournier) to warn them while he called his.
My parents were also watching a movie and had no idea that there was a tornado warning. As soon as I got off the phone, they went down to the basement. It was only 10 minutes later when the tornado hit their house.
Maumee tornado sirens save lives in Delta – imagine that! We are very grateful to God that he spared their lives.
Wendy (Fournier) Soto
Maumee

Editor’s note: An article about the Fournier’s Delta home – declared totaled by FEMA, but covered by insurance to rebuild – ran in the June 17 Anthony Wayne edition of The Mirror.

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Posted: June 24, 2010

Let Military Personnel Know They Are Always Appreciated
To the Editor:
I just want you to know how much I appreciate Lincoln Smith’s mom publishing her son’s speech at the Waterville American Legion Post. I’m proud of him and I don’t even know him!
My husband was in the Air National Guard for many years as are others in my family still, ready to put their lives on the line to defend this great country of ours. No matter what we face, there are those ready to defend us and our God-given rights. We must always make it a priority to remember on Memorial Day those who made the ultimate sacrifice and save that fix-up project for some other weekend.
For those with us, whether they’re a vet, active or reserve, we should let them know we care, anytime, all the time.
Thank you, military personnel.
Judy Mahaney
Waterville

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Posted: June 17, 2010

Tornado Victims Appreciate Response From Volunteers And Community
To the Editor:
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of the campers, friends and neighbors of Hidden Lake Campground who came out on Sunday, June 6 to help with cleanup after the storm. We had people who brought heavy equipment, people who brought their chain saws and elbow grease, and many who brought out food to feed the workers.
To all of you who helped and continue to amaze us with your generosity, there are no words to express our appreciation for all you’ve done. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sandra and Andrew Driver
Owners, Hidden Lake Campground
Swanton

Cinema Site Could Be Used For Athletics Rather Than Sitting Empty As An Eyesore
To the Editor:
Rave’s decision to close the Maumee Cinema de Lux is ill-advised. Rave plans to bolster its theaters at Fallen Timbers to handle the increase in customers. Being new to Maumee, Rave has not taken into account the Maumee-area residents who do not patronize any of the businesses at Fallen Timbers Mall. The developers of the mall ruined an important historical site and many still look and hope for the mall to fail. Some might cross the bridge and go to Levis Commons cinema. I can wait until a movie comes to the Maumee Indoor Theater or DVD.
But it looks like closing the Cinema de Lux to cut losses is a done deal. If Rave wants to cut its losses permanently, it could salvage the furnishings, raze the buildings and restore the acreage to green parkland to donate to the city or school district or to a yet-to-be created recreation district.
This would eliminate Rave’s maintenance fees and taxes. I realize that we need the taxes to fund schools, but I would give up the taxes to get rid of an eyesore like the one that has been sitting on Secor Road in Toledo. Plus think of the tax write-off that could reduce Rave’s corporate income tax.
Maumee has a great softball/soccer complex at Rolf Park. But more playing fields are needed. I am not sure what would fit in the new park. Maumee needs two high school-size baseball diamonds and two smaller fields that could be baseball/softball. Maybe the fields could be open and the outfields used for football in fall and soccer in spring. A running/walking/bike bath could go around the perimeter.
There might be room for a skateboard park and basketball courts and tennis courts.
Steve Emerine
Maumee

Washington Trips Honor Veterans For Their Service And Sacrifice
To the Editor:
I recently had the opportunity to observe the return of the Honor Flight from Washington, D.C. It was a thrill to see these “old soldiers” (sailors, marines, etc.) return to Toledo. It must have brought back memories of their return from serving their country.
To say it brought tears to the eye would be an understatement. Every person present was moved to see men in wheelchairs, oxygen and many walking with canes. They were accompanied by family, friends and volunteers. As they departed the plane with smiles on their faces, those present greeted them with flags flying, hugs and tears flowing. The American Legion Band from Genoa was present to play patriotic music including the military hymns. The vets’ trip is paid by the Honor Flight committee. However, all others pay their own expenses.
Volunteers included two Maumee paramedics, Tom Wagener and Paul Cramer. The Maumee community is proud of your service. Thanks, guys.
If you have an opportunity to attend one of these returns, do so. Contributions to help with expenses are greatly appreciated and needed and may be sent to: Honor Flight NWO, P.O. Box 23018, Toledo, Ohio 43623.
Helyn Carr Mockensturm
Maumee

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Posted: June 10, 2010

Community Support Of Poppy Day Helps Legion Assist Local Veterans
To the Editor:
Once again, Maumee and neighboring communities have shown their love and support for our veterans. We extend a special thanks for making Poppy Day on May 28 a success.
Thank you Maumee Mayor Tim Wagener for your proclamation and photograph with our Junior and Miss Poppies. We are grateful to Mike McCarthy, publisher of The Mirror, for publicity and photographs in the paper. A special thank you to our Poppy girls for representing Maumee Unit 320.
Thank you to businesses for allowing our members to collect donations outside their establishments. Thank you to all the members of the Maumee post, S.A.L. and unit who supported Poppy Day by collecting and making donations.
With everyone caring, we will continue to assist our veterans and their families. God bless them; God bless America.
Joanne Shue
Poppy Chairman
American Legion Auxiliary, Post 320

Maumee Rescue Personnel, Neighbors Show Great Compassion In Emergency
To the Editor:
On Memorial Day my husband, 79 years old, had a terrible fall off a ladder. The Maumee rescue squad personnel that came to offer assistance were extremely courteous, professional and helpful. These paramedics were also very compassionate. They deserve to be commended.
Likewise, our neighbors showed great caring. The best people live and work in Maumee. God bless them.
Eva Pratt
Maumee

Rolf Park Pool Members Deserve Better Cards For Their Money
To the Editor:
We are writing to tell you how disappointed in the Rolf Park pool we are this year. Every year since the pool opened we’ve always bought family memberships, but this year we are in shock.
We understand that with the economy the city is charging $50.00 per person. Yes, that is hard on a lot of us families, but our children love to play there and we are willing to scrape up the money for the memberships. But what really shocks us is the shoddy “membership cards” that our children were given. Pieces of colored paper stapled together? Paper? Really?
And if they should lose these little pieces of paper that are not even laminated, we will have to pay out another $50.00 because the city is not even keeping records of them. This is ridiculous to say the least! Who is going to keep people from photocopying these “pieces of colored paper” and selling them to their friends?
I know that we, our parents and our neighbor who frequents the city pool will not be back next year if this bizarre idea of someone’s doesn’t turn around.
Randy and Laura Leck
Maumee

Maumee Athletic Code Of Conduct Should Be Applied In A Fair Manner
To the Editor:
As a former varsity coach at Maumee High School, a few things disturb me regarding our leadership from coaches, administrators and policy-makers.
The first item is our “athletic code of conduct,” which has wording in it such as “conduct unbecoming of an athlete” and “guilt by association.” The code of conduct is subjective in its application and intrusive upon parent responsibility over their children. I have known situations where athletes have cheated on tests/work and have not been held to the “unbecoming” part of the code, while others have shot paint balls at signs or egged cars as pranks (during non-school hours) and were held to the code. Doesn’t this seem odd?
It would be interesting to find out whether or not the code of conduct has curbed drinking, smoking, drug use or “unbecoming behavior” from our athletic population. Yearly, more athletes are coded. Is this really working? Additionally, it costs the district time and money to enforce this code. Since its inception, the code of conduct has had numerous second- and third-time offenders.
While I am philosophically against this code, if the administration insists on having it, then it should be applied in visible situations. Why would head coaches nominate violators of the code of conduct to all-star games? Think of the messages our entrusted coaches and administrators are sending to our student populace and to the violators.
Another item I have observed was to be at a sports banquet and witness a two-time code of conduct offender being awarded a character award. I have also observed code offenders who have served their suspension for violations, and then head coaches thrust violators into starting roles, making heroes out of them. Is this how we should be educating our children?
The head coaches and administrators at all levels are part of the problem of sending wrong messages to our children through sport and creating unfair, subjective policy.
“Conduct unbecoming?” “Guilt by association?” How are these statements legally applied? Our administrators and coaches should do better than this.
Guy Cameron
Teacher
Maumee High School

Timbers Bowling Lanes Provides Great Recreational Opportunities
To the Editor:
Once again we have come to the close of another bowling season at Timbers Bowling Lanes. Kudos to the staff at Timbers for running a great Robert Anderson Jr. Major League on Saturday mornings for youth ages 8-21. This league is made up of a diverse group of young people from the area, including some who have disabilities, among them my son Josh.
This league has provided a great atmosphere for Josh to flourish and grow, improving his bowling along with his confidence and self-esteem. No matter who their teammates were from year to year, they along with their families cheered on these youth despite their disabilities. It is refreshing to be part of such an accepting community.
Once again I have another reason to say I am proud to live in the city of Maumee. Thanks again to Timbers for providing a great recreational facility for the youth and adults in the community.
Mary Hoze
Maumee

MHS After-Prom Committee Says Thank You To Donors
To the Editor:
We would like to extend a huge “thank you” to Maumee High School after-prom committee chairperson Mary Jo Burkert and all of the dedicated parents who worked so diligently and tirelessly to organize and staff the after-prom, “Under the Tuscan Moon,” on May 1.
Because of your efforts and dedication, students enjoyed a memorable yet safe night of fun activities. We appreciate your hard work to make the end of our school year spectacular.
Julie Johnson
Junior Class Advisor
Heather Dansack
Assistant Junior Class Advisor
Maumee High School

Memorial Day Is Time To Remember Sacrifices Of American Service Members
To the Editor:
My son, 18-year-old Eagle Scout Lincoln Smith, was asked to speak at the recent Memorial Day ceremony in Waterville. The Waterville American Legion post asked him to speak because he was their 2009 delegate to Buckeye Boys State, and the Legion has traditionally led the Waterville parade and cemetery ceremony on Memorial Day.
After Lincoln’s speech it was announced that the Waterville Legion post was dissolving because of the aging membership, lack of funds to maintain their building and a general lack of interest in the younger population. Further, this was likely the last Memorial Day ceremony in Waterville.
Lincoln did not know this as he planned his address, but called all of us who call ourselves community to take up the challenge to honor not only the fallen, but the living veterans among us. Not stopping there, he believes the challenge extends further, to honor and support the families of soldiers and vets, to assist those returning wounded,and to maintain the American legacy of freedom in honor of all American veterans.
Lincoln’s words follow:

What is Memorial Day? According to some big-box stores, it’s an opportunity for a weekend project, like painting a room or building a patio. As popular as that notion may seem, that was not the original purpose set for this day of remembrance.
First recognized in 1868, the purpose of this day has been to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. As said by George W. Bush, “This nation does not forget.” More than 1 million servicemen and women have died in the service of their country since 1775, and this great nation is in their debt. The living cannot repay the sacrifices of the dead – we can and must remember the price they paid for our freedom. The deceased, those fallen heroes, are gone forever, and can never be replaced.
What those fallen have left behind are painful reminders – empty seats, smaller gatherings at reunions and get-togethers, fatherless brides. The fallen soldier leaves behind a family, and as Abraham Lincoln said, “I promise not to just care for him that borne the battle, but for his widow and his orphan as well.”
As citizens, we are indebted to these fallen, and we must do more than remember these heroes just once a year- we must continue the legacy they died to preserve: the causes of democracy, decency and patriotism.
The intended purpose of Memorial Day is to honor the fallen, but we should also remember those who survived the battle, as well as those who have pledged to make the necessary sacrifice if called upon. We must remember these young servicemen and women in the Middle East, the U.S. and over 130 foreign nations.
My third great-grandfather, Hiram Hootman, was a well documented veteran of the Civil War. There was a book written of Civil War campfire stories, and many the stories were from him, from his experiences in the Union Army, including one account of a battle when his best friend, who was right beside him, was decapitated by enemy fire.
I cannot relate to what that must have been like, and I am sure there are not many here who can relate except for some of the veterans. Pained battlefield memories such as these inflict wounds upon the hearts and minds of the survivors – those are wounds that never heal, and they carry the scars from those encounters until the day they are finally laid to rest. As civilians, we are so unaware of all the veterans have done, so we should honor them for the selfless sacrifices they have made and the scars they carry for us.
So many young American servicemen and women have died in battle in the pursuit of an important goal – something they did on the command of their leaders with the confidence that their leadership would not let them down. Just as these heroes had confidence in their leaders, we should remain confident and committed to ensuring our national leaders know of their sacrifices that were made in the pursuit of that important goal. We must also be proud of our fallen heroes and veterans and have faith in their decisions.
Our armed forces represent the hopes of millions that in a fair, just, American society, anyone may succeed with hard work. America must remain the world’s beacon of freedom.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
So, on this sacred day, we pause to reflect on what has been given up and sacrificed upon the altar of freedom. Let us never forget. Let us also remember what has resulted from these sacrifices: genocides have been stopped, tyrannical regimes have been toppled, and dictators have been dethroned.
Freedom is an earned benefit – not a gift. From the Revolutionary War to the ongoing War on Terror, the sacrifices and caliber of American fighting men and women have been nothing short of inspirational.

My words pale compared to Lincoln’s, but I feel the need to proclaim his message throughout Northwest Ohio and all of America. It should be printed and hung in storefronts and on light poles, emblazoned across headlines and etched on hearts. I hope his message speaks to you.

Diane Smith
Waterville

Support From Community Members Makes FFA Spring Auction A Success
To the Editor:
The Anthony Wayne FFA hosted its annual spring plant auction on May 22.
This auction is the main fund-raiser for the FFA chapter, as it provides the funding necessary for next year’s activities. Some activities that the auction helps fund are state and national FFA conventions, FFA summer camp, the Washington Leadership Conference, chapter officer training and several others.
During the auction, a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, which were donated by local greenhouses, were sold.
The Anthony Wayne FFA would like to thank these businesses for their support.
Additionally, wood benches, worktables, picnic tables, birdhouses and other wooden furniture and decorations were sold. These items were all handmade by Anthony Wayne’s own FFA members.
The annual spring plant auction had a large turnout, and the FFA thanks everyone who attended, helped with the auction and purchased items from the auction. The auction was a great success thanks to the community support.

Samantha Micka
Anthony Wayne FFA