Girard businessman pushes for park

The city must respond to the landfill company's application by May 23.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- A city businessman is hoping a citizens group can help finance the purchase of property along the Mahoning River where a landfill company still wants to locate a demolition dump.
Frank DiRubba lives in Liberty Township, but does business and owns property in the city. Inspired by Mayor James Melfi's plan to buy land along the Mahoning River and turn it into a park and bike trail, DiRubba says residents can play a major role raising funds for the purchase.
DiRubba said a citizens group such as Girard United Against Ruinous Debris can start a grassroots effort to collect money for the project from area residents, as well as hold fund raisers, with proceeds going toward the creation of the park. The city, he said, could then be asked to match the dollar amount and proceed with plans to buy the property and create the park.
Those donating, DiRubba said, could be honored with a plaque or other form of recognition.
DiRubba has taken the idea to Melfi and some members of GUARD, with favorable response. He will address the entire GUARD membership at a meeting this month.
An opportunity
Tony Latell, GUARD founding member, said residents should take advantage of an opportunity to be involved in the process. He said several community groups could help with the endeavor.
"If the GUARD group accepts it, then fine; if not, there are other groups in the city that are willing to help the wherewithal of Girard," he said. "This should not be a one-group effort, but a city of Girard effort."
Melfi said a grassroots effort from the private sector would show the desire of community members to acquire the land and turn it into a recreational facility.
"Coming from the private sector this is fantastic," he said. "There are so many positives down there with the river and potential for bike trails. Everyone is attracted to the water."
Melfi has said details on how the land would be bought have not yet been worked out. The city is fighting its way out of fiscal emergency and officials hope to operate in the black sometime in the near future.
DiRubba, who is a Realtor, said donating to a fund to help turn the property into a park will benefit every homeowner in the city. He said the landfill proposed for the property will depreciate property value, but the potential park would appreciate property values.
"There are a lot of people, like me, who want to protect their investment in Girard," he said. "This is a win-win for everybody."
Landfill efforts
As city leaders and residents fancy the idea of buying the property along the river, Total Waste Logistics continues its attempts to obtain a permit to open a demolition landfill on the same property. The company has a purchase agreement with the property owners that hinges on obtaining a permit from the city health department for a landfill on the site.
City Health Commissioner James Dobson said Total Waste Logistics has submitted its permit application a third time. The application has been rejected twice for numerous deficiencies.
The city has until May 23 to answer the latest submission and has hired Bennett and Williams, a Columbus-based consulting firm, to review it.
According to Dobson, the application is not likely to be approved because the company failed to properly address how it would handle a well discovered within 1,000 feet of the proposed landfill site. Location of a landfill that close to a well is prohibited by law.
The company, Dobson said, would have four options in addressing the well: Move the line of debris back 40 feet, request an exemption from the health board, buy the property on which the well sits or install a ground water monitoring system.
jgoodwin@vindy.com