TCTC students express concerns about the Valley's job market

County commissioners don't always agree, the officials explained.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CHAMPION -- Like most kids close to graduation from high school, the students at the Trumbull Career and Technical Center are concerned about the local job market, and they expressed those concerns to Trumbull County commissioners at a commissioners meeting held at the school.
After several students posed questions to the three elected officials Wednesday about their role in promoting employment opportunities, Commissioner Paul Heltzel offered this advice:
"Invest in yourself," he said, suggesting that they put all available resources into getting job skills such as those taught at the vocational school they attend or getting a college education.
Heltzel said he knows that kids their age often want to spend their money and time on cars, iPods or other electronic devices, but investing in education is more lasting.
"You can never lose it. It will always be with you," he noted.
To the remark from one student that there is "nothing here for us" in terms of jobs, Heltzel said such concerns sometimes lead to a move away from home.
"That's what makes this country great. You can go where your skills are most valuable. If there's no match locally, you go where the jobs are," Heltzel said.
How they can help
Polivka said two of the "miniloans" approved Wednesday to small businesses are examples of ways the commissioners can help promote business. They authorized 70,000 from the county to be added to 70,000 provided by local banks so that Little Soldiers Day Care of Howland could create 10 to 16 jobs and JHN Construction Co. of Mineral Ridge could start up.
Commissioners accepted the invitation of TCTC Superintendent Larry Crawford to hold their regular meeting at the school so that about 150 students taking government class could spend their class time watching government in action.
The 3-0 votes on every issue prompted one student to ask how the commissioners resolve disagreements.
Commissioner Dan Polivka said the commissioners do disagree, "But we try to avoid that and work together."
Heltzel said he thinks that there has been a "mellowing" of the board since Commissioner Frank Fuda became a commissioner in January. When the commissioners disagree, there can be a 2-1 vote, usually followed by an explanation in the press of the difference of opinion, Heltzel said. Such a measure still passes, "And there's nothing wrong with that," he said.
runyan@vindy.com