YOUNGSTOWN Traficant makes late appeal for arena board

The congressman wouldn't comment on his legal troubles during a call to a radio show.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. has made a last-minute pitch to dissuade city council from eliminating the arena board.
He also lobbied for selection of a west end site for the $26.8 million federally funded project.
Traficant, of Poland, D-17th, called "The Dan Ryan Show" on WKBN radio this morning to express his views on the controversial project that has city council ready to disband the board. Council voted 5-2 on Monday on second readings to repeal creation of the 13-member arena board and authorize the city's board of control to do feasibility studies and seek requests for project proposals. Council was to meet tonight to take final votes on the measures.
The three-member board of control is Mayor George M. McKelvey, Law Director Robert E. Bush Jr. and Finance Director Barbara Burtner.
City officials favor locating the arena between the Market Street and South Avenue bridges.
Traficant said today that he thought McKelvey, who has been somewhat silent on the controversy, "had a little more anatomy below the belt." The congressman then praised former Mayor Pat Ungaro, saying Ungaro, a member of the arena board, would have made his opinion known.
McKelvey, the congressman said, is trying to appease everybody.
Traficant said he's sent a few letters but has basically tried to stay out of the project since Congress awarded the money about 16 months ago. Traficant suggested that, considering the country is at war, the money could be in jeopardy if not used.
Traficant said council has every right to act as it sees fit, but he would advise marrying the project to Youngstown State University on the west end. The project won't be successful if YSU doesn't use the facility, he said.
Traficant said he agreed with the strong comments made by the Rev. Edward P. Noga, pastor at St. Patrick Church and an arena board member, who wrote a scathing letter to McKelvey and council, denouncing the decision to disband the board.
"Father Noga's right -- put it on the west end -- develop the west end," Traficant said. "The university will use it."
The congressman said the bus station, now on the west end, could be moved.
Investors: Traficant also stressed the need to call on investors Alan Levin, who owns the Mahoning Valley Scrappers minor-league baseball team, and Bruce Zoldan, owner of B.J. Alan Fireworks.
Levin expressed interest in bringing arena football to Youngstown if an arena is built and Zoldan told Traficant he would like to bring minor league hockey to such an arena.
Traficant said he hopes someone on council would "allay and forgo" a third reading and discuss the project with the consultants, Levin and Zoldan.
If Levin and Zoldan aren't used, it would be a stupid mistake, Traficant said.
The congressman said he wouldn't comment on his 10-count indictment, concerned that the federal judge overseeing his February trial would somehow use his comments to appoint a lawyer. Traficant, who is not a lawyer, has opted to represent himself.
meade@vindy.com