NILES Council adopts steel resolution

Girard and Mahoning and Trumbull county commissioners have passed similar legislation.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- City council has passed a resolution to try to stop foreign steel dumping.
The resolution passed at council's Wednesday meeting mirrors legislation passed by Girard Council and Trumbull and Mahoning county commissioners.
Illegal dumping and subsidization of foreign steel has caused job losses in Ohio's steel industry from the closure of mills, the resolution says.
"Ohio's steel producing companies that remain in operation may be unable to rehire laid off workers, maintain pension and health care benefits, pay down accumulated debt, obtain working capital and otherwise remain viable if illegal dumping and subsidization of foreign steel continue," it says.
Supports state action: The resolution also states council's support of federal legislation against steel dumping and urges passage of state legislation preventing the use of foreign steel in Ohio improvement projects.
It prohibits the use of foreign steel in all Niles-funded projects and creates a 50 percent penalty to be paid to the city on the value of all foreign steel found used by any contractor.
Mayor Ralph A. Infante said the use of domestic steel will be included in specifications for city contracts.
"Hopefully, all of the cities and townships in Trumbull County will pass this type of legislation and it will be passed on to the governor and our representatives," the mayor said.