Letters to the Editor, Aug. 23, 2009
Written by Administrator | | admin@toledofreepress.comTo the Editor:
“We build Strong Kids, Strong Families and Strong Communities.” Amidst all of the harsh statements and publications in recent days, let’s not forget what the YMCA of Greater Toledo stands for. Yes we must deal with the current issues, but also remember the way the YMCA cares for its community, staff, and patrons.
As a former Professional staff of the YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo I can tell you that this organization does more good than one could imagine. From countless scholarships, family nights, youth sports, and aquatics, the YMCA touches lives of thousands, including my own. When I began employment at the Ft. Meigs YMCA, I was just as a lifeguard. Through the caring of the executive staff at Ft. Meigs and the corporate office I was able to further my training, and soon became the Aquatics Director.
Due to economic and social factors in our community, the YMCA made the choice to cut its professional staff by many, myself included. As you can imagine, this was a huge shock. After taking everything in, I have come to realize that this was the best choice for the corporation as a whole. I have since moved on, and continue my professional career with another association of the YMCA. I hold no hard feelings against the YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo, and wish them well with all that the future holds.
Despite what recent articles have portrayed, the employees of the corporate office and other branches all deserve their jobs and do them well; regardless of whom they are related to. Many of these people were my mentors, and continue to be an active force in my career. I am forever grateful.
Everyone please remember the good and positive things that the YMCA has accomplished, the people it has touched, and the lives it has changed. “We build Strong Kids, Strong Families, and Strong Communities.” Please continue to be a strong community and support one of the most amazing organizations in Toledo.
Christina Wackenheim
Former Aquatics Director for the Ft. Meigs YMCA
Current Aquatics Director Canton, Ohio
To the Editor,
I would like to assure every reader of Toledo Free Press that the YMCA Christian mission is alive and well. We are a Christian organization that seeks to love, care for and serve every person that comes through our doors regardless of their race, religion or economic status. We will not “preach” at anyone but we will unashamedly care for them should they need our help spiritually. We currently have 46 volunteer Chaplains available to minister to YMCA staff and members that desire our spiritual assistance, 7 Christian Emphasis Committees in YMCA branches across the community that help us build healthy spirit through our programs and active partnerships with over 80 local Churches, synagogues and ministries.
The YMCA is focused more now than ever on making a difference in our community – physically, mentally and spiritually.
Rev. Joshua Heaston
Director of Christian Emphasis
YMCA of Greater Toledo
To the Editor,
Dear President Obama,
On January 20, 2009 I had predicted on what I saw coming with your election as president of the United States of America. It is now six months later and I must say you have made me “The Great Prognosticator”.
You have traveled to foreign countries and publicly denounced the actions of prior administrations. You called America arrogant and said we are no longer a Christian nation. You actually bowed to the Saudi royals and announced you were closing Gitmo with no preparation or plans on how to do it. You called ” enhanced interrogation techniques” torture and dismantled the Bush administration policies on national security and intelligence gathering that has unarguably kept us safe for the last eight years.
With all of these indiscretions you have revealed a real weakness that emboldens countries like North Korea and Iran who no longer fear the United States.
You campaigned on “transparency” and “integrity” in government,to the chants of “hope and change”, but you nominated a rogue gallery of tax evaders, Washington bureaucrats, Clinton insiders, and lobbyists to run your administration.
Your domestic and economics programs, authored by your team of liberals, have been able to pass the largest spending bill in our country’s 233 year history. You have repealed welfare reform and have the nation heading toward socialized healthcare that has never worked anywhere it’s been tried!Your followers voted for change and this is what they are getting. America is heading towards a country that only politicians, unions, government bureaucrats, and their favored constituencies are able to thrive.
You have America heading toward a socialist government, full of czars, where the only “liberty” that remains is the governments unlimited freedom to control every aspect of our lives. By imposing high costs (taxes) on productive people and creating an expansion of governmental power to grant entitlements to the non-productive you have created a socialist utopia.
Mr. President, I don’t think this is the change your followers were expecting!
Gary Stechschulte, Perrysburg
Tags: Letters
