DEAR EDITOR:
Election Day is around the corner and I feel a strong urgency to remind the residents of Trumbull County about the people we have in office at this time and to think long and hard before we vote for anyone already in office.
A child was raped while on a supposedly supervised visit at CSB. I know that a grand jury has cleared them of any wrongdoing and maybe they didn't violate any rules and policies, but what about using common sense?
They knew the history of the parents. This child was violated in the worst possible way and all they can say is, "We did nothing wrong." This child has to live with the consequences of their lax actions for the rest of her life.
Which brings me to my next point. Where was Judge James in all of this? He is the one that allowed these visits in the first place. He ordered supervised visitation, but then allowed CSB to decide how they should be supervised. Is that who we want protecting our kids? He has the ultimate authority over CSB and how every case should be handled.
Then we have the commissioners. They are the ones who appoint the CSB board members. Nick Kerosky was let go as director because he didn't do what the board wanted him to do. But did the board take action and use its authority to do what needed to be done? No. They hired a new director who also hasn't done anything. Did the commissioners step in and demand that changes be made? No. They have sat back and done absolutely nothing. Are we as concerned citizens whose job is to protect children going to stand back like all our elected officials have done, or are we going to be outraged that not a single one has stepped forward and said this should never have happened?
People should join me on Election Day and say enough is enough. Together we can make a difference. Together we can say we do not support anyone who cannot stand up for an innocent child. I pray this child never finds out that nobody cared enough to stand up for them and say, "I'm sorry this happened to you." My heart breaks for this child and all children who have been hurt in any way.
-- Catherine Miller, West Farmington