PROPOSAL TV station faces funding cutback

A trustee hopes to raise $126,000 through the sale of property
AUSTINTOWN -- Township Trustee Bo Pritchard said he won't support a proposal to spend $7,500 on the township's community television station over the rest of this year.
A proposal by Trustee Lisa Oles to give Channel 19 $7,500 now while contributing another $7,500 in monthly installments during the rest of the year is expected to appear on the agenda for Monday's trustees' meeting.
Pritchard said that while he supports giving the station $7,500 now, he can't commit to additional payments because the township is facing an uncertain financial future.
Future problems
Township Clerk Michael Kurish has stressed that the township may face financial problems next year because of increasing costs and decreasing revenue. Trustees laid off employees and cut township spending last year in order to avoid a deficit that township officials said stemmed from increases in costs and decreases in revenue.
Pritchard said he couldn't justify paying for the station in the future if trustees have to lay off employees.
Trustee David Ditzler said he supports giving Channel 19 a total of $15,000 this year, which is the same amount the township paid last year. Trustees have yet to approve a contract to help fund the station this year.
Channel 19 Coordinator Ralph Grossen has said that without additional funding, the channel most likely won't survive after this year.
The channel broadcasts trustees' and school board meetings, school and community events, a community calendar, school sports, and programs created by students and local residents.
Land sale
Oles also is expected to make a motion at Monday's trustees' meeting to sell nine acres on Woodridge Drive for a total of $126,000. The land is located across the street from Leonard Kirtz school.
"It's money sitting there," Oles said.
Pritchard and Ditzler have both said they didn't want to sell the land because it is used by residents in the Woodridge Drive neighborhood for recreation. Ditzler also has said he's not in favor of selling the property if it is going to become the site of industrial-style buildings, as the property is in a residential neighborhood.
Earlier this year, Atty. Lou D'Apolito wrote a letter to the township stating that Leonard Kirtz school is willing to buy the Woodridge Drive property and noting that the property has been appraised at $10,000 an acre, which is less than the $14,000 per acre price quoted by Oles. D'Apolito represents the school.
Oles said she spoke to D'Apolito recently and that he said the school is still interested in buying the property. D'Apolito could not be reached for comment.
Oles also said the property typically has been used by riders of all-terrain vehicles. If an ATV rider gets hurt on the property, the township could be liable, she said.