CAMPAIGN 2002 Many in rural areas back tax

Most Mahoning County residents said they don't mind the sales tax and are happy with the county commissioners.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Life is good for Sue Coy.
The Ellsworth Township woman said she has a wonderful family and loves her job at Antiques at Ellsworth, on the southeast corner of U.S. Route 224 and state Route 45 in Ellsworth.
She recently started her own floral design business called By His Design, and once a month she writes a check to Mahoning County to cover her sales taxes.
She counts all those things, even the taxes, among her blessings.
"When I started my business, I couldn't wait to pay my first tax," the 52-year-old said. "I know that sounds crazy, but I feel it's a privilege."
She thinks sales taxes are fair because they're paid by consumers, even if they live outside the county. And taxes are necessary if local governments are to provide services for their residents, Coy said.
She believes in the biblical command to "give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's."
That's why Coy said she'll vote to renew the county's 0.5-percent sales tax Tuesday.
"We live in the United States and we have so much. Why not pay for these things that are so wonderful?" she said. "I don't think that little bit hurts anyone."
Doesn't agree
But just across Route 45, at the Country Pantry Food Store and Deli, cashier Susan Vasko has a different opinion. She's tired of taxes, no matter what kind, and will vote against the renewal.
"I think our taxes are high enough," she said. "They don't need any more."
Vasko, 43, of Diamond, said her customers sometimes complain about having to pay the additional half-cent for each dollar they spend. Some people, including Vasko, often drive to other counties, like Trumbull, to shop where the sales tax is lower, she said.
Trumbull County has only a 0.5-percent sales tax, while Mahoning County has two separate 0.5-percent taxes, for a total of 1 percent. One of those taxes expires at the end of this year and is on the ballot for renewal Tuesday. The other one expires in December 2004.
Kathy Harrison of Sebring agreed with Vasko and said she will vote against the renewal.
"I think we pay enough tax as it is," said Harrison, on her way to breakfast with her granddaughter, Kaitlin Whinnery.
Nearly all the people questioned recently by The Vindicator were on Coy's side of the fence. For the most part, they are satisfied with the way county government is operating and they don't mind paying the half-cent tax.
See no need for change
If it were a new tax, they would think long and hard before approving it. But since it's a renewal, they see no reason to change things.
"It's already on the books, so there's no sense in turning it down," said Todd Ludwig, 47, of Beloit. As a Sebring service department employee, he understands that governments need money to operate and said he'll vote for the renewal.
And though he said county commissioners have done a good job, that doesn't mean Commissioner David Ludt automatically gets his vote Tuesday.
Ludt, a Democrat completing his first term, is seeking re-election. He will be challenged in Tuesday's primary by Youngstown businessman M. Mike McNair and former Youngstown city councilman Joseph Naples.
Ludwig said he'll take time to study what each of the candidates stands for before deciding how to vote.
Juanita Dye of Beloit said she'll vote for Ludt because she sees no reason to change the direction of county government. All she asks is that whoever gets elected remember that the neighboring communities of Sebring and Beloit are in Mahoning County.
"Half of them [in county government] don't even know that," the 63-year-old woman said. "They think we're in Stark or Columbiana county."
Emphatic support
In New Middletown, retired schoolteacher Fran Heinl didn't hesitate when asked whether she'll vote to renew the tax.
"You bet. I think it's necessary," said Heinl, 59. "Nobody likes to pay taxes, but the money has to come from somewhere. It doesn't come from heaven or grow on trees. If we want good things, we have to pay for them."
She also said Ludt deserves another term and she will vote accordingly.
"I feel that if you like what is going on, then you keep those people in office," she said. "If you don't like it, find someone new."
Fred Ross, 52, and his wife, Laura, 40, also said they'll vote for Ludt and the tax renewal. The Springfield Township couple owns and operates New Middletown Shell gas station on Main Street, New Middletown.
While they're not crazy about being taxed, they see no reason to oppose a tax that's been on the books for five years and that none of their customers complain about paying.
"It's been on for so long that I don't think people pay attention any more, to be honest," Laura Ross said.
Mike New, 82, of Beloit, said he'll vote for the renewal because part of it is used to operate the county jail, which he said is an important service.
"We're for anything that helps people," said his 82-year-old wife, Jane. "I don't care what it is."
The couple, who were picking up their mail at the village post office, said they have no quarrel with county government and will probably vote to retain Ludt.
bjackson@vindy.com