Officials: Thanks for your efforts

The second half-percent sales tax expires in 2007.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners could barely contain their smiles as they thanked the Committee for Our Future and others for their efforts to get the half-percent sales tax passed.
The commissioners' Thursday meeting was their first since voters approved the tax by more than 8,300 votes at the May 3 primary election.
The vote paves the way for between $13 million and $14 million to again start rolling into the county's general fund.
Twice last year, voters rejected renewing the tax, and the loss of revenue has resulted in numerous layoffs and reduction in services.
County officials have reminded residents that funding shortages will continue this year because of the long lag time between when the county can begin collecting the tax and receiving the money. The county won't get its first sales tax check until January 2006.
Commissioner Anthony Traficanti, board chairman, said Thursday the board and all elected officials "must continue to work to gain the public's trust" that they will be good stewards of the money.
What others had to say
Dr. George Beelen and Sam Matheny, co-chairmen of the Committee for Our Future, thanked everyone who contributed to the awareness campaign, particularly several county employees who gave of their time to get the levy passed.
"I also want to thank the citizens of Mahoning County for their vote, and we expect the commissioners to properly shepherd the $13 million to $14 million the tax will bring in," Beelen said.
Andrew Hamady of Poland, who also served on the committee, praised the commissioners for working hard to get the message out that the tax was needed. "This marks a new beginning for the county," Hamady said.
Resident David Piper of Boardman said Traficanti and John A. McNally IV, who took office in January, were the two reasons the tax passed. "If you continue to do what you've done over the last five months, the 2007 sales tax will pass easily," he said.
The county's second five-year half-percent sales tax expires Dec. 31, 2007. It also brings in $13 million to $14 million for the general fund.
The commissioners said the public has given them the chance they wanted to improve and streamline county government with the available dollars given to them.
McNally added that the commissioners will have to continue making tough decisions this year and through 2006, some of which will be unpopular, in order to get the county back on firm financial footing.
Beelen said the pro sales tax committee won't disband, but will stay on to help support the commissioners.