YSU getting short shrift from new administration

YSU getting short shrift from new administration

EDITOR:

Because Gov. Strickland is from our area and understands our problems, I really thought he was a friend of Youngstown State University. Apparently, I was wrong. Although his young administration has made higher education in Ohio a priority after 16 long years of Republican neglect, the man the governor has appointed to be chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, Eric Fingerhut, has other priorities. At least two of the plans Fingerhut is pushing onto the legislature will negatively impact YSU.

First, Mr. Fingerhut wants to close the North Eastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine at Rootstown and move it to Cleveland State University. Why? Because if Mr. Fingerhut once again tries for state or national political office, Cleveland will be more important to his plans than Youngstown. If this plan succeeds, many of our departments that depend on NEOUCOM students will be hurt, especially biology and chemistry. YSU will lose money, students, and possibly faculty members.

Mr. Fingerhut's second plan is to build a community college in Youngstown that will be totally independent of YSU. This "Youngstown Community College" will siphon off huge amounts of money that would normally come to YSU, destroy many if not all of our two-year degree programs, cut into our enrollment, and severely hurt our institution. In addition, an independent community college would cost the taxpayers of Ohio tens of millions of additional dollars. YSU may not be here down the road, but Youngstown will have new buildings (and a lot of old, empty ones). All this because of Mr. Fingerhut's “edifice complex.”

If you love Youngstown State University as much as I do, please write to Gov. Strickland and your state senators and representatives to stop Fingerhut's plans in their tracks. If the public doesn't help, YSU will be sorely hurt and so will the Valley.

RONALD G. TABAK, YSU Professor

Physics & Astronomy

Austintown

JEDDs are part of a mindset that encourages growth

EDITOR:

Akron is involved in four Joint Economic Development Districts with townships in Summit County. These JEDDs are contracts between Akron and Springfield Township, Coventry Township, Copley Township, and one with Bath Township and the City of Fairlawn. Properties within these JEDDs have access to water service from Akron and sanitary service from Akron or Summit County. An income tax of 2.25 percent is levied in the JEDD (not throughout the township).

David Ditzler’s letter last weekend said; “The JEDD is an excellent tool, when used properly it is designed to benefit all participants.” JEDDs in Summit County show that communities are able and willing to cooperate with each other for the common good. JEDDs in Mahoning County show the lack of willingness by some to achieve the common good. A result of these attitudes is that 4 percent of the homes in Mahoning County are valued over $150,000 while 40 percent of the homes in Summit County are valued at over $150,000. Houses that we demolish in Youngstown are selling for $75,000 to $100,000 in Cuyahoga Falls.

Students of urban development know that regional problems require regional solutions. Regions that show cooperation are better competitors in the global market. (Check out Portland’s Metro and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council efforts. These are regions that attract corporations like Intel and Nike and developments like the Mall of America in spite of high taxes and poor climate.) Conversely, regions that remain fragmented in 200-year-old, five-mile-square jurisdictions and bicker with each other will be unable to sustain economic development.

Regional cooperation seems to be the solution in many prospering regions (Portland, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Louisville, Akron and Columbus.) Many readers will recognize these cities as the places their children have moved to.

RAY DeCARLO

Youngstown