Living Angel Award winner deserves honor

BOUQUETS >> To Angie Giallourakis, who was named March 2 the 2019 recipient of the Dr. Alex and Maria Zolli Living Angel Award at the Life Saver’s Ball at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive in Avon.

Giallourakis is a professor and founder and president of the Steven G. AYA Cancer Research Fund, which has raised over $300,000 in 10 years for research and to benefit the community. In his introductory speech, Dr. Alexander F. Zolli extolled Giallourakis’ “tireless action,” and said she “pursues her multitasking advocacy on both local and national levels.” Zolli told the story of how Giallourakis learned her 15-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and again four years later, surviving both bouts with treatment. Giallourakis choked up briefly when speaking of the futures of young adults suffering from the disease. She said, “It is quite an amazing experience getting to know so many remarkable young people. They have so much to give to our society and I hope and pray that they will all be well.” In addition to heading her own organization, Giallourakis also serves on the board of two more groups, and is a parent mentor at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and the Seidman Cancer Center. She started a company with her son, Nick, called Elephants and Tea, which serves as a voice for the young adult cancer community. Giallourakis has lobbied Congress to pass the Star Act, which is the country’s most comprehensive children’s cancer bill. We congratulate Giallourakis on receiving the prestigious award. It’s well deserved. BOUQUETS >> To Karen Sigsworth, who retired Feb. 28 as manager of the Lorain Public Library System North Ridgeville Branch. Sigsworth had worked for the Library System for 42 years. In 1977, she started with the Library System as a children’s librarian at the Main Branch in downtown Lorain. Four years later, Sigsworth became the branch manager in North Ridgeville. She said she when she was in the eighth-grade, she knew she wanted to work in a library after observing how librarians help people. Sigsworth said, “When I first started (in North Ridgeville), the community was much smaller than it is today. As the community has grown, we have been able to grow with them and accommodate their needs.” But she said it’s time to enjoy retirement. Sigsworth said, “I will miss seeing people come in on a daily basis. I want to thank the Lorain Public Library System for allowing me to work in the system as long as I have.” We congratulate Sigsworth on her retirement and wish her the best. BRICKBATS >> To Brian Louk, the 58-year-old Elyria man who was indicted in federal court on child pornography charges. A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, said Louk was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Elyria police detectives, FBI agents and Internet Crimes Against Children investigators executed a search warrant at Louk’s house, 114 Homer Court, during a child pornography investigation. Authorities said Louk knowingly received and distributed the computer files between Aug. 6 and Dec. 10, 2018. Louk also possessed a computer that contained child pornography on or about Jan. 18 of this year. Elyria police arrested Louk on Jan. 18 and charged him with 17 counts of pandering sexually oriented materials involving a minor, but the charges were dismissed Jan. 28. Louk is innocent unless proven guilty. It’s a known fact that possessing this filth is against the law, yet people continue to receive, possess and distribute it. Mind boggling. BRICKBATS >> To the four juveniles who were charged March 1 in Bay Village after attempting to buy alcohol with a fake identification card. Bay Village police officers responded at 11:07 p.m. to the Bay Village Food Mart where the teens, a 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl, were trying to purchase alcohol with a fake identification. The teens were charged with alcohol violations and possession of fake identification. Two other juveniles, waiting for the girls in their vehicle, also were charged. For now, the teens will get an opportunity to experience the not so good side of the juvenile court system. Hopefully, this is a wake up call for them.