Girard Center to seek levy

The center is in need of tax dollars if it hopes to
continue operating.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD — City residents who want to see the Girard Multi-Generational Center continue to operate will have to agree to kick in funds to support the center’s operational costs.

City officials have agreed to place a five-year 1.8-mill levy on the November ballot to support the operating cost of the center. The levy would generate $220,000 annually over the next five years to cover general operating expenses at the center including payroll for the center’s four full-time employees.

The 1.8-mill levy would cost the average homeowner here with a house valued at $75,000 about $41 annually. The disabled and seniors would pay about $27 because of the Homestead Exemption.

The center, located at 443 Trumbull Avenue, has been in operation since 2001. The center has 825 members, but officials say more than 2,700 people were serviced by the center’s programs and activities in 2006.

Initial funding

According to Laura Carey-D’Rummo, administrative director, initial funding for the center came in the form of two grants from the U.S. Department of Education for $921,000 in 2000 and $700,000 in 2001 secured by former U.S. Rep. James Traficant of Poland, D-17th.

Jack O’Connell, board chairman, said any funds the center may have had at its inception have been exhausted supporting operating costs over the last several years.

“We remodeled this building. We had to make it handicapped accessible and bring it up to a higher level of safety. All of the remodeling was done with that money as well as operational costs for the last six years,” he said.

The center does charge a membership fee of $15 for an individual, $25 for a couple and $35 for a family, but Carey-D’Rummo said those fees are a small part of the center’s revenue and not enough to support operational costs and programs.

“Those fees are more so people feel they are a part of the center, but you cannot possibly fund the center on those dues,” she said. “In order to keep operating we need a solid based funding stream.”

Supporters

O’Connell and Carey-D’Rummo both feel city residents will be in favor of funding the center because of the list of programs offered and the amount of money it has brought to the city, along with quality of life for many seniors.

“I believe we have been an asset to the community, and the community will not want to lose the investment that has already been made here,” said O’Connell.

Mayor James Melfi said he strongly supports the initiative to gain levy dollars to support the center. The center, he said, has proven to be a valued asset to the community.

“I had doubts initially that they could make this happen, but what I have seen is them bring life to an old building and a lot of activity to an older neighborhood,” he said. “I feel that it is very important to keep those good activities alive in the Parkwood neighborhood. It’s a very good thing.”

jgoodwin@vindy.com