Youngstown council mulls First Night funding request

Youngstown council mulls First Night funding request

YOUNGSTOWN — City council will consider a request next week to provide nearly half of the funding First Night Youngstown needs to put on its annual event.

Without the money from the city, the event would “have to cut way down on the entertainment,” said the Rev. Edward Noga, its vice president and pastor of Youngstown’s St. Patrick Church.

The city had previously given $5,000 to First Night for its midnight fireworks show that concludes the New Year’s Eve celebration.

But three times that amount is needed by First Night from the city this year. FEIC Financial Inc. had given $10,000 annually between 2004 and 2006 to First Night, but not this year.

“We approached other businesses, but were unsuccessful” in getting the $10,000, Father Noga said.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.