On anthem kneelers in NFL

Tears fall as I salute the flag of the United States of America and sing the national anthem. But I cry not for those who choose to kneel at the National Football League games or those who choose not to salute the flag, or the coaching staff and owners who think it is OK.

And those players who stayed in the locker room at the beginning of Sunday’s game, you are cowards. You are just as guilty for not respecting our country and our flag.

I have been a Browns fan since I came to Cleveland in 1962 and belong to a Browns Backers club. I will no longer support them and I hope they continue on their losing way. I come from a family of veterans — two who gave their lives so that we can have the freedom we have.

I invite all of you who choose to kneel instead of standing tall and saluting our flag to go with me to the Wade Park Campus of the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center and visit those veterans who wish they could stand tall and those with no arms who cannot salute.

There were 638 NFL players who served in World War II and 21 lost their lives. NFL players Roger Staubach, Rocky Bleier and Charlie Joiner served in the Vietnam War and I would bet they would be standing tall and saluting. They are our heroes — not you who choose the cowards’ way out. Any player who doesn’t want to show respect for our flag — stay home. God bless our veterans and our troops. God bless the USA. God bless our Cleveland Indians. Martha C. Setlock

Willoughby

‘Yes’ vote urged for Geauga Library issue

As president of the Geauga County Library Board of Trustees, a father of two elementary school children, a proud Chardon resident of 13 years and a volunteer coach and business owner, I write in support of the Geauga County Public Library’s Nov. 7 bond issue.

While Geauga County is blessed with an amazing library system, it has become abundantly clear that we need to improve our facilities to bring them up to acceptable levels. Several facilities have outdated mechanical systems; faulty heating, ventilation and air conditioning; drafty windows; inadequate community meeting space; no study rooms; and not enough room for library materials.

A “yes” vote on Issue 4 will allow Geauga citizens to have access to facilities that promote a stronger community where people can come together to learn, work, grow, exchange ideas and, yes, get books. If this bond issue does not pass, these facility issues will not go away. We will still be dealing with cramped facilities and a lack of meeting spaces.

I, along with many others, have dedicated many hours studying all of the library facilities to understand where we can improve. We have come up with a well thought out, specific plan to address these needs. By voting for the levy this November, residents can look forward to the following:

• Expanded meeting, community and study spaces at various locations.

• Increased ease of booking meetings for community groups and shared spaces for collaboration and innovation at all locations.

• A dedicated library building in Thompson Township to replace the small library station in Ledgemont School.

• Room for an expanded collection at all locations, with deeper resources for education and entertainment.

• Expanded room for technology and resources at all locations.

If there are any questions or concerns, please email me at jake@yancharlaw.com, or attend one of the upcoming town hall forums where members of the board and of the committee will be in attendance.

• Geauga West: 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 5.

• Thompson Township: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12.

• Bainbridge Township: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16.

In support of Geauga County Public Library, I ask you to vote “yes” on Issue 4. Jake Yanchar Chardon

Who to blame for problems

It is easy to always blame the Euclid mayor and City Council for problems in the city, and some are deserving, but look at another side.

• Who do we blame for kids destroying others’ property?

• Who do we blame for people walking in the middle of streets, and if you beep your horn, you are greeted with profanity and sometimes racial names?

• Who do we blame when someone violates the law and is arrested?

• Who do we blame when someone sets off fireworks at night?

• Who do we blame when someone plays music so loud that you can hear it half a block away?

• Who do you blame when children aren’t in Sunday school?

• Who do we blame when people speed and run stop signs on the streets?

• Who do we blame for a failing school system? Who? Euclid and parents. Do you remember an old saying, “We have met the enemy, and it is us”? John Jordan Euclid