There are greater needs in Youngstown than fountains

There are greater needs in Youngstown than fountains

EDITOR:

I was amused to read the letter in last Sunday’s Vindicator from the Pittsburgh man wondering why parks, fountains and a public square were not part of the plan for the reopening of Federal Street. He refers to these features as what is needed to add “urban sophistication” to downtown Youngstown.

Indeed, the public square in Youngstown is no longer. It has been known for decades that another main east-west artery was needed more than a bricked paved walkway. This was fairly obvious, and was the reason that Federal Street was reopened to traffic. Being a citizen of Mahoning County, and not of Pennsylvania, I can attest to the need of Federal Street each time I need to make a trip to downtown. The letter would make one think that, due to the removal of a public square, large gatherings are now impossible in downtown Youngstown. However, the reopening of Federal Street did not prevented the 2007 Italian Fest from being held there. Orange cones were used to temporarily barricade certain streets.

Fountains are fairly expensive to build, operate, and maintain. With the city struggling on issues such as deteriorating roadways, dilapidated buildings and gang violence, fountains didn’t make the short list of amenities. Although with Jay Williams’ threats to withhold water to the surrounding townships, perhaps a fountain would be appropriate as the shining symbol of the mayor’s abuse of political power.

Youngstown already has a magnificent park in Mill Creek Park. It would be nice to see some additional green space in the downtown Youngstown area. But who is going to maintain such space? Who will pay to make it happen — Poland, Boardman, Canfield or Austintown? Maybe another business that employs some citizens instead of a park where unemployed citizens hang out should fill the void where an old building once was.

The overlying theme of the Youngstown 2010 plan is accepting the fact that the city has largely shrunk in both population and business activity. Acknowledging the obvious is a good thing, but the flaw of the 2010 plan is that it doesn’t promote significant private cash flow to the city. Establishing hip urban neighborhoods, re-zoning downtown and other minor activities can only go so far. Youngstown needs to focus on attracting new businesses. Youngstown needs to be a place where businesses are welcomed and praised with wide open arms. Tax breaks or tax absolutions for new businesses might work. Threats to other townships will not.

MIKE SCOTT

Canfield

Let’s have zero tolerance
for officials bending the law

EDITOR:

Here we are again, reading and listening to proposed changes to our city charter. As always, they are presented as being of benefit to the people. So, let’s review some of the last few amendments and who they benefited.

In 2003: Reference to Lake Milton was removed. Councilpersons could now serve at 21 years of age instead of 25. To be mayor, you now had to be a resident five years “preceeding” the election. The mayor, law director, and finance director had their pay schedule go from monthly to bi-weekly.

In 2004: The word “may” was changed to “shall” in reviewing the city’s comprehensive plan after each Federal Census. And council abolished their aides (wives) and transferred the salary to themselves.

In an Oct. 25, 2004, Vindicator article, “council members said they voted to put the item on the ballot to end what they admit is a deceptive practice of funneling pay through aides." They also proposed an increase in their salaries from $ 600 to $ 28,000 a year, with an open-ended right to raise these salaries in the future.

A charter commission, whether forming or amending a charter, is not to be individuals hand-picked by the administration, but rather “15 people elected by the municipality at-large." Gee, common sense, that the people should choose those who they feel would best represent their interests.

The people are funding what I am sure is tens of thousands of dollars for the city to fight the state on employee residency. This will not be a win in the end, as charters “shall not conflict with general laws." How do you argue the law, when you didn’t follow it in instituting the policy?

There has been an enormous emphasis on the words “zero tolerance” as of late. These words serve as notice to individuals that if you fail to follow the law there will be consequences. So, while our officers are out there enforcing “zero tolerance," making sure we are adhering to the law, can the people expect “zero tolerance” with regard to our elected and appointed officials adhering to the same?

Maggy Lorenzi

Youngstown

Not a big fan of O.T.

EDITOR:

Overtime is common within the United States and has been on the increase for some time. The United States surpasses Japan in overtime worked, and is only surpassed by Thialand, Hong Kong and South Korea. Right here in ourValley, we have seen an increase in overtime worked both within our large employers and our smaller, 200 employee or less facilities.

Overtime has its benefits, and also has its “hidden hazards" and ill effects. The benefits are obvious, on both sides. Employers get their product or service out without increasing the employee count. Which means no increase in benefits or required governmental fees. Employee see an increase in take home pay. But at what cost for both parties?

There has been scientific research conducted on the issue of overtime, both forced or mandatory and voluntary, and worker health. The findings have indicated that there is and should be a concern, directly associated with an increase in occupational injury and illness. Organizations have reported increased recordable injuries and illness during overtime periods. Throughout our Valley, we have seen the work schedule rise from the typical 40 hour a week, to into and even over the 60-hour week. Many of the facilities are running a 6 to 7 day work week.

In studies addressing general health affects, overtime was associated with poorer general health, increased injury rates, more illness and increased mortality. A number of studies isolated specific work hours, that is the 8 hour shift vs. the 12 hour shift. Findings indicated that during the 9th and 12th hour of work, workers experienced decreased alertness, increased fatigue, lower cognitive functions, decline in vigilance on the assigned task and ultimately an increase in injury, near miss and equipment/product damage. Even more studies suggested that as the extended hour work schedule continued, and became somewhat of the norm, an increase in smoking, alcohol use, drug use and weight gain was experienced. All this also had a direct effect on the worker’s relationship with family and friends. There was an indirect affect on others within the community, along with state and county services cost increases.

JOHN P. LESEGANICH, CPEA

Safety and Health Consultant

Canfield

No one voted for S.O.S.

EDITOR:

I’m amazed that so much chaos can go on in the Brookfield Local School District. The voters duly elected a board to direct school affairs. No matter who gets elected not everyone will be pleased with the voters choice. So someone created a non-elected mob as a second school board. They have falsely positioned themselves as a savior of the schools, S.O.S.

Let me ask for whom are they creating this fanatic chaos, instigating discord and panic and inciting senseless accusations? This deluded mob can’t seem to create enough malice and propaganda against the elected school board.

All this trouble making leads me to believe that S.O.S. stands for “Show Our Stupidity.”

More could be accomplished if the school board is allowed to do their job, for the school and students, unhindered by S.O.S. tactics.

The residents need to support and thank our school board for trying to control spending and keep a tight budget, and stop unwanted and needless waste.

It’s time we backed the correct elected authority and stop the delirium performances of S.O.S.

DAVID CUSTER

Masury

NEOUCOM also remembers

EDITOR:

I was interested to see the Aug. 19 article about the 2010 University of Arizona Anatomy Class Memorial program honoring those whose have donated their bodies for study.

We should also recognize our local Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, for its annual memorial service. My father, Everett Hartley and 39 other donors were memorialized this last May at a most memorable and impressive service.

The Class of 2010's service was filled with wonderful music, instrumental and vocal, with most of it being composed by the students. There were also readings, some of which were also written by the students.

Each family of someone being memorialized, was escorted by a student when their loved one’s name was read. They lit a candle together in remembrance.

I'm certain all anatomy schools have an annual service, similar in programming, but we in this Mahoning Valley need to be reminded that there is also a beneficial local program similar to the one we read about in Arizona.

PEARLE HARTLEY BURLINGAME

North Lima

Park has a responsibility
to reduce flood risks

EDITOR:

Mill Creek Park brags about being a community gem, having a gas well “gold mine,” but does nothing about its responsibilities to Boardman/Canfield Township residents as related to flood control.

Currently the pine forest (falling down) swampland South of 224 is sort of the head swamp of a pathetically silted in water course that prohibits free flow to Lake Newport. Ignoring this waterway maintenance is the key culprit in flooding in Boardman Township in the areas adjacent to the “swamp” and Indian Run/Canfield Township. Responsible engineering recommendations have been made to the board, but it s members don’t care or pay attention.

Canfield Township has been spending money on a four-phase project to do its share to correct the problem. When is Mill Creek Park going to do its share to protect the taxpayers who support their operating levies?

Apparently MCP does not care if its golf courses get flooded; the communities and

residents that get flooded regularly do.

DANIEL VICTOR BIENKO

Canfield Township

Littering has consequences

EDITOR:

I've seen it many times before. A passenger in the car ahead of me throws something out the window. My reaction is always the same. What a pig!

Many of them are smokers who don't seem to understand the potential of a lit cigarette butt. They didn't read the story about the butt that wound up in the bed of a pickup truck and eventually caused that vehicle to catch fire, killing the driver.

I also see it first hand since I have to pick up the mountains of trash that litter my property before I cut the grass. From cigarette butts to glass. Used condoms to paper cups and fast food trash. Pop cans to metal objects.

The person who litters seems oblivious to the potential dangers that lurk in that seemingly harmless trash.

A band member in Poland has first hand knowledge of those dangers.

For those of you who haven't heard, a Poland high school band member had his skull fractured when a lid from a can of smokeless tobacco was propelled over 200 feet from a lawn mower and struck him in the head. I wonder if the person who threw that trash out his window thought about the possible ramifications of his/her actions? In today's society, there is a shortage of thought put into people's actions. Sometimes people pay a heavy price for such stupidity.

BILL JOHNSON

Boardman