Story in The Republican helps restore priest's good name
I am certain that all Western Massachusetts Roman Catholics thank you for your front page article of July 3, concerning the reinstatement of the Rev. Charles J. DiMascola to his parish as pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
For it seems that rarely does the media take the time or make the effort to publish the rest of the story as you did.
It is hoped that through your article any stain of impropriety against Father DiMascola's personal honor and dignity is removed and that the success that he has enjoyed ministering to his parishioners will continue to thrive.
--HENRY K. ZEPHIR
--Wilbraham
20-somethings face a tough labor market
Are young people lazy, unmotivated, and manipulative financial parasites? In his July 26 column, Navarrette answers this in the affirmative. He believes 14 percent unemployment rate of young adults demonstrates their “lack a work ethic.”
He notes 23 percent of young people are not even looking for a job. Navarrette points out many young people with jobs are “not willing to work their way up.” This he believes explains why so many 20-somethings, and it should be added 30 and 40-somethings, are living with mom and dad.
This is a highly inaccurate assessment of the data. Rather than having it easier in labor markets, young people have it much more difficult. Today’s labor markets are characterized by “the dual labor market.” This is where one segment of employees, i.e. young and new, do exactly the same labor activity as another segment, but paid significantly less.
The finance sector provides the best example, but most sectors have dual labor markets. Another strategy is “management training programs” where hundreds of people are hired, work long hours performing basic clerical/counter work while only 5 or 10 percent are ever promoted. Their low pay is accompanied by a lack of benefits, little job security, and often small chance of advancement.
This is all compounded by the fact today’s young carry large college loans, with interest rates much higher than any other time in history. If young people are lazy, unmotivated, and parasitic, it is because they face difficult and unfriendly labor market and work conditions.
--HANS G. DESPAIN
--Holyoke
Buy American? Folks just aren't spending
As I go through every single retail store, no matter what’s being sold, I see most of not all goods for sale are made in either Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
What I don’t see are Americans buying much.
So, why rack our brains out trying to figure out the impossible?
Here’s the simple solution. If this American economy is ever going to bounce back, we need the people who have money to start buying what’s on our shelves. We need the people from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam to get over here and start spending!
--JOHN BAKER
--Springfield
Obama not to blame for the state we're in
The present administration in Washington has curtailed the antics of Wall Street banks, credit-card companies, and stabilized, to some extent, the monetary transcendence the “huge bucks” people have gotten away with for far too long.
Yet, it seems they are not receiving credit for doing this, because of the people attempting to discredit the fact that this is in the best interest of the American people.
Some of the media is not reporting the facts, but “bashing” the achievements of the legislation that has been passed.
Also lets try to keep in mind the financial mess we are in was here when President Barack Obama came to power.
Too much money is directed to Congress by oil companies and large businesses. The “trickle down” deal which meant it was going to help the middle class and working poor was correct, (by Republicans). It did “trickle down” to the middle class, but it flowed like a raging river into the pockets of the large business groups. Totally unacceptable.
Then there’s the judge that said the oil companies don’t need to be checked out. It’s a fact he has stock in BP Are you wondering why he feels that way? You should be.
The “tea party” is another group making noise about what’s wrong with this country, but anyone with common sense and some amount of intelligence should realize that they are talking though the lower part of their anatomy.
We should step back and take a look at what is transpiring around us, and what is being said and done, and by whom.
It’s a good idea to encompass the entire scope of events before deciding, for instance, who to vote for, and if a change is in order.
We are angry, disgusted, etc., and we have a right to be, but remember do not make a decision when you are upset. In all probability it will be the wrong one.
--E. ANTHONY MOSIO
--Springfield
Deputy fire chief earned reinstatement
We write to clear up the spurious allegation of inside dealing made by former Holyoke Fire Commissioner Anthony Soto relating to the reinstatement of William Moran to the position of Deputy Chief in the Holyoke Fire Department. (“Holyoke Fire Commission reinstates William Moran as deputy chief,” The Republican, July 26 ).
The reinstatement in question was the result of honest and open settlement negotiations regarding the claims pending against the City for the former Commission’s unwarranted and unreasonable actions against Deputy Chief Moran.
At the time the former Fire Commission voted to demote Deputy Chief Moran, the undersigned appeared at the commission meeting to decry the unjust demotion as being in violation of Civil Service law and the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the firefighters’ union. Thereafter, the union grieved the demotion under the terms of the parties’ agreement. As the arbitration date approached, the attorneys for the city and the union worked tirelessly toward resolution of the grievance – in effect, attempting to undo the improper act perpetrated by Soto and one of his fellow commissioners.
The parties’ settlement discussions, which are entirely typical in grievance matters such as this, led to an agreement to reinstate Deputy Chief Moran and pay him certain restitution in exchange for the union’s agreement to withdraw the grievance. The vote of the Fire Commission, the body responsible for promotions and demotions in the Holyoke Fire Department, was merely the last step in the settlement process. Ultimately, we are supremely confident that the duly appointed arbitrator would have overturned the demotion of Deputy Chief Moran as being not for just cause since the evidence adduced at hearing would have demonstrated that Deputy Chief Moran engaged in no wrongdoing, let alone wrongdoing that would have justified such a harsh penalty. The settlement agreement is thus in line with our assessment of the strength of the case and is absolutely appropriate under the circumstances here.
--TIMOTHY LEARY, President,
--Holyoke Firefighters Association