Regionalism in the Valley need not be all or nothing

Regionalism in the Valley
need not be all or nothing

EDITOR:

The issue of regionalization is becoming increasingly controversial. Many of the local governments in the area are strongly opposed to it. Too many of these legislative bodies overlook the apparent benefits of the program. They figure the only changes to come of this are fewer local jobs and less power for them. However, we need to realize that a turn to regionalization doesn’t have to be quite so drastic.

Regionalization, in some aspects, will truly help us and our surrounding areas. Regionalized spending is definitely a benefit we need to investigate. It will help everybody save money on resources we need. On the other hand, regionalizing the job market will not improve our current economic situation. A regional police station or fire department will only cut down the number of local jobs. We shouldn’t have to lay off people who contribute to the local economy.

Regionalization will also improve our community through helping the surrounding communities. Youngstown has water and needs to use this resource as an important growth mechanism. In turn, if we agree to build a relationship with Youngstown and help support it, we will create a healthy place for businesses and secure economic stability of its surrounding areas. If we improve the standards of each city in our area, we will be more likely to reach and maintain an economic and social equilibrium.

ELYSAM RAIB

Youngstown

Regionalization’s new convert

EDITOR:

I am writing concerning Jamael Tito Brown, and his interview on WYSU with Dr. Sherry Linkon on Nov. 14. One of Tito Brown’s main points of his discussion was the problems in the city of Youngstown and the need for regionalization.

As part of my final assignment for Advanced U.S. Government, I was asked to write about the regionalization of Youngstown. I was strongly against this concept, but after listening to Councilman Brown, I changed my opinion. I was not aware that regionalization was so beneficial to our region. One benefit I found extremely interesting was the use of a region-wide water system. By utilizing this water system, the city would produce additional revenue. Another benefit that could aid our city is buying all types of supplies in bulk.

One of the most important benefits that Councilman Brown addressed was the ability to join with other elected officials to better address the needs of the Valley with our state and federal representatives. Regionalization will truly benefit Youngstown, and will return our city to its former glory. Councilman-elect Brown has brilliant ideas for our city, and I cannot wait to see what he does with all of them. 

RACHEL LIPKIN

Youngstown

One for all and all for one

EDITOR:

I am a 16-year-old junior at Liberty High School. I have lived in Liberty since I was born and I have yet to see Youngstown grow into its potential.

When I hear stories of how Youngstown was once a booming steel town, I think, how is that possible? Youngstown to me is a rundown, has-been city, with nothing but unsafe areas and unattractive buildings.

The teenagers at my school are gifted and educated. But when our government teacher asked us if we were planning to come back to Youngstown after college, everyone in unison exclaimed, “No!” The realization became disheartening to him, but then he asked “And why is that?” And a very successful, gifted student replied, “Because there is nothing here.” At that point it occurred to me that this area has so much potential and yet it is slowly failing as a city.  

After being a part of this discussion, I realized that there are many things that we could do as a city. This includes regionalization. For instance, instead of having many police forces, we would have one main police force, but with different branches. By doing this, our area would be unified and safer because the police force would work together as a team. Also, the areas around Youngstown would save money and would be doing a better job of keeping our area safe.

For this to happen, Youngstown must make a sacrifice in order for communities surrounding Youngstown to join regionalization. The city must share the water system with the surrounding communities. We need to break the barriers between the towns around Youngstown and instead work as one to bring Youngstown back to life.

EMILY WILLNER

Youngstown

A saving strategy

EDITOR:

Regionalization is a must for Youngstown. I feel the city’s once thriving aura has not only grown small but inevitably disintegrated. In environmental terms, the city has suffered from indifference to its surroundings. If Youngstown were to regionalize with other neighboring cities, everyone would develop a greater sense of pride in the area. Regionalizing would create a more successful central location, attracting more businesses, hence, more jobs. A prosperous downtown would make this area a more exciting and desirable place to live.

Levels of safety and security would increase from regional cooperation because communication on crime between counties would improve. Regionalization would also improve health care by lowering costs and increasing availability.

One of the reasons Ohio is the fifth highest taxed state in the United States is because of the large number of local governments and school districts that result in duplication of services and high per-capita government spending.

The 850 townships and municipalities here in northeastern Ohio are on the verge of not having resources to remain functional. Regional government can merge all of individual services together for more efficient use.

STEPHANIE HIRSCHL

Liberty

Back to the future

EDITOR:

If you worry about the declining state of Youngstown, you’re not alone. We, the youth of the area, also agonize over our communities’ troubles, which include a stagnant economy, high unemployment, sub-standard educational systems, and mass emigration. Our region fails to attract new, innovative businesses and a worthy entertainment sector, and, as a result, we see a departure of both the young and old who would rather flee than combat the evils of Youngstown. However, there is a solution that, if applied correctly, could provide the money to correct these evils: the regionalization of taxable suburb services into a system centered with Youngstown.

By regionalizing various governmental systems, most of the money unintentionally squandered by ineffective communities would be saved. For instance, if Liberty Township regionalized its 911 operation center, it would have saved nearly $160,000, as the cost would have dropped from $290,000 to $130,000. If we were to regionalize other services, such as fire and police departments as well as educational systems, this area would have various cost efficient communities with a central city government that would be equipped with the money to restore Youngstown.

With these saved funds from the regionalization, the city, with the aid of the suburbs, could renovate its infrastructure, especially roads and water/sewer lines, which would help attract more businesses, given that the city offers incentives and markets its vital location between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. In particular, the region should search for an upcoming and innovative industry (perhaps in the areas of the increasingly popular “green” technologies) that would make Youngstown a key contributor to the United States economy, as it was when the steel industry was thriving from 1920 to 1960.

 JAY KRISHNAN

Youngstown