Visit to Chevrolet Centre impresses Lake Milton youth

Visit to Chevrolet Centre impresses Lake Milton youth
EDITOR:
As a teenager living in the Mahoning Valley, I would like to thank the city of Youngstown for bringing the Chevrolet Centre to the area. I attended the 3 Doors Down concert, and I think this is a wonderful facility. It was a terrific idea for the city of Youngstown to build it because it is bringing a lot of attractions. You won't have to travel to Cleveland or Pittsburgh anymore to see top entertainers because they'll be here in Youngstown. I remember hearing about this project before it was built. It seemed like it was always the same negative comments that nothing would work in Youngstown. I'm glad the city leaders decided to build this because it could make a difference for the valley.
I'm only 15-years-old and I already had the impression that Youngstown was not a safe place and there was no reason to go there. I changed my mind with one visit to the Chevrolet Centre. People were nice and I felt safe. The parking was great and it was free. Everyone seemed to be having a good time at the concert and walking around the town was fun. With the many restaurants downtown, you can have dinner before or after any event. I think everyone should see for themselves how nice downtown really is, then maybe the image will change.
Even though I live in Milton Township, I'm still a part of the Mahoning Valley. I want to live in a place where people say good things about the area and the Chevrolet Centre is a start. I liked it because there was a lot of space and it was very clean. I'm really looking forward to going again. Whether it's a hockey game, another concert, or basketball game, it's just a nice place to visit, and best of all it's close to home.
I was happy to read in The Vindicator that the Chevrolet Centre recently hosted a high school basketball classic. I hope Mr. Hufnagel continues to make this building fun for kids. If he should ever decide to form a teen advisory committee to help plan events, I'll be the first to volunteer. I already have some ideas.
JEFF KARASH
Lake Milton
Resident is curious about Southington water project
EDITOR:
As a resident of Southington Township, I have some concerns regarding how township officials are pursuing the Southington water project. I am as much in favor of bringing water to Southington as the next person, however, part of my road does not even have cable or natural gas. Would this mean that my neighbors and I have no chance of getting city water either?
Water is the current issue of concern, but not the only one I have. Some Southington residents may not know that township officials have made an 11.8 acre land purchase for $100,000. It is my understanding that the price paid was higher than the appraised value of the land.
For those residents who may not have been informed, there will be a meeting regarding the water project at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at Southington High School. I believe that it is important to encourage Southington residents to be actively involved in this meeting. I also believe it is just as important to have the county and community officials involved as well. That includes the county commissioners, county engineer and Warren Township trustees.
I believe having these officials at the meeting would allow Southington resident to not only hear from Aqua Ohio, but to ask any question they have and to hear all options regarding the water project for county and township officials.
Southington residents have questions that need to be answered truthfully. If residents are to fully understand the issues and decisions being made by Southington Township trustees.
DENNIS ORPURT
Southington
Takes offense at column
EDITOR:
As much as I hate to, I find I must join the ranks of people walking around talking about something that offends them. I am, indeed, offended by the Jan. 7 column by Ernie Brown Jr., "It's time to step up, help mayor."
While as a white woman I cannot speak for the black people of Youngstown, I still have to think that if I were a black person living in Youngstown I would not only be offended, I would be deeply offended.
I am hoping I have misunderstood Mr. Brown's point. I am concerned that the editors of The Vindicator did not see all that is wrong with his message and saw fit to publish such a backward-leaning, racially-dividing article.
Mr. Brown puts forth a number of ideas of how black people can change the city, now that there is a black mayor. So then, when Youngstown had a white mayor, was it okay for black people to kill one another, to not maintain their properties, to not be involved with, and supportive of, their school system? If a white man had been elected mayor, should the black residents of Youngstown have continued with Mr. Brown's laundry list of bad deeds? Should white people take up all of the above because they don't have a white mayor? What is he saying?
His statements -- "this is a challenge to the black community to step up and help a man of color turn this city around" and "now that one of our own is finally there, we owe it to ourselves to help make his mayoral term a success"-- are beyond ridiculous. I cannot believe anyone would write, let alone print, such garbage. Mangan 1/14/06 Tell me, Mr. Brown, if you asked a white man why he doesn't promote his black employee, or a white man why he treats he black neighbor so poorly, if he were to respond, "well, he's not one of our own" would that be an acceptable response? I, most sincerely, hope not. If one of the goals of a civilized community is to treat blacks and whites as people, not colors, making statements such as these is definitely not the way to achieve that goal.
It is not up to the black people of Youngstown to make Mr. Williams a success. It is up to Mr. Williams to make Mr. Williams a success. It is up to ALL of the people of Youngstown, whether they live there, work there, shop, go to school, own a business, or just drive through on a regular basis, to make the City of Youngstown a success. It is up to The Vindicator to promote and encourage such successes, not to draw lines dividing the city based on race.
Mary Beth Smith
Youngstown
Picture was an inspiration
EDITOR:
The Jan. 7 photograph of our proud mayor and his stunning wife, Sonja, symbolize the long overdue change that is sweeping over our town. The voters are to be commended with entrusting the future of Youngstown to the hands of such an exemplary couple as the Williamses.
The Chevrolet Centre, YSU, and the proposed 2010 revitalization plan for Youngstown offer the glimmer of hope so desperately needed to set the course in a new and youthful direction. Dennis Mangan 1/10/06 absent from the hearts and minds of our cities citizens.
Congratulations, Mayor Williams and wife for your courage and love for Youngstown. We're praying for you and the city.
DAVID MINES Jr.
Youngstown
Stamp of approval
EDITOR:
The Struthers postal employees are always smiling, even when they're busy and running over closing time. They're always ready to step up and complete the job at hand, with professional attitudes and efficiency., especially during the Christmas season. We're fortunate to have such good people working in our community Keep up the excellent work. Best wishes for a happy New Year. You know who you are.
LYNN ZAJAC
Struthers
Time for a helping hand
EDITOR:
Now we have another disaster with the coal miners in West Virginia.
All the trade unions should ban together to help defray the funeral expenses for these people.
If there is any money left over, set up a trust fund to help the kids go to college or a trade school
Let's help our own neighbors for a change.
Mrs. C.M. GEISE
Youngstown