Proposed historical district won't fix the North Side

Proposed historical districtwon't fix the North Side
EDITOR:
As a resident of the proposed historical district on Youngstown's North Side for over 50 years, I can say with confidence that the majority of homeowners who "live" in there oppose it.
It seems strange that Youngstown State University's Center for Urban and Regional Studies feels that this designation would strengthen the neighborhood when YSU was the one to tear down a historical house on Wick Avenue that a chief justice once lived in as well as most of the historical houses on the west side of Bryson between a service road and Madison for a parking lot.
Just look at the large historical houses on the north side of Wick Park on Broadway and you will be able to see how effective the Wick Park Historic District is currently, and now they want to create more of an area for the district. I am sure that Norma Stefanik of YSU's Center for Urban and Regional Studies has good intentions, however, I am quite sure that Ms. Stefanik does not live in the proposed area, nor does she plan to move into the paradise that she wants to create.
I am so sick and tired of having people outside the city telling us what we need to do and how to do it. Perhaps Hunter Morrison, the director of the urban studies center, and Ms. Stefanik should join forces and concentrate their efforts and ask the homeowners in the area what they feel is important in preserving the quality of life in our part of Youngstown.
This designation would mean more bureaucratic steps to take down properties that are in disrepair and add more steps to the owners who want to make repairs. Can you imagine wanting to paint your garage on a nice Saturday only to find out that you cannot because the historical board did not OK the paint color you want to use? We don't even know who is on the historical board and when they meet. I have never received any written information on how this designation works and the benefits of it. How about the fact that under this proposed designation you as the homeowner cannot have your house sided because you need to keep your house as close to the original structure as possible? As a homeowner, under this designation only wood windows can be installed.
If YSU wants to help the North Side area, it can start with the vacant houses that litter the area. I have planted my feet here; they are just walking through. There are already code issues that govern any problems associated with the area houses. Why do we need a ball and chain to inhibit repairs? YSU should fish its own pond.
KENNETH W. KRANTZ
Youngstown
Parents, government mustaddress obesity in children
EDITOR:
We are facing an epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control tell us the number of overweight children has doubled since the 1970s. Nearly one out of six children is overweight or obese. The extra weight can have lifelong health consequences, including diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke and cancer.
Annually, obesity related diseases account for more than 300,000 deaths and $100 billion in treatment costs.
Soon children will go back to school. I encourage our state representatives to go back to work to help fight the weight epidemic. The Ohio Senate already passed Senate Bill 81, which would adopt model curricula for physical education for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. This will help Ohio kids get the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, five days a week.
Getting kids to move can help to control weight now and create a lifetime of healthy kids. For the vast majority of Americans who do not use tobacco, eating well and exercising regularly are the most effective ways to reduce their cancer risk.
Parents who want ways to help the entire family make healthy choices can find tips at www.everydaychoices.org.
I ask members of the Ohio House to work swiftly to pass Senate Bill 81 and help a generation of kids stay healthy.
NANCY SWANSON
Columbiana County Volunteer
American Cancer Society
East Liverpool