Federal funding won’t solve city of Girard’s dam problem

In March 2006, in the midst of the debate over the Lower Girard Lake Dam’s future, Mayor James Melfi tossed out the following challenge:

“If someone wants to drop $5 million, $10 million, $15 million I would be willing to restore the dam.” He then added this unequivocal pledge: “But I will not jeopardize city funds.”

Well, an entity has stepped forward with $16 million to help pay for the dam’s repairs: The federal government — through the Water Resources Development Act Conference Report passed by Congress in late September.

But the earmark, secured by U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, comes with a large string — indeed, it’s more like a rope — attached: The city must have a $5.6 million match.

Girard, which remains in state-mandated fiscal emergency, does not have the money.

Fortunately, Mayor Melfi hasn’t changed his position of March 2006 when he said he would not jeopardize the city’s treasury.

Along with Councilman Larry Williams, he let it be known last week that the only option left is to proceed with plans that have been developed in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to breach the dam.

The ODNR has ruled that the dam is unsafe and has ordered the city to either repair it or tear it down. Several years ago, Lower Girard Lake was drained because it was determined that the dam was in such poor shape, a collapse was possible. About 30 households down stream were in danger of being flooded.

Through the years, the city has worked mightly to find a solution short of breaching, but to no avail.

Disappointment

The announcement from Sen. Voinovich’s office of the $16 million was met with glee in City Hall — until the mayor found out last week that a 35 percent match is required.

But while the mayor has said that city government does not have $5.6 million, it is ultimately council’s call.

Some lawmakers undoubtedly will hear from developers who will argue that an investment in the repair of the dam will pay dividends for many years to come.

We are reminded of the debate that swirled around the $26.8 million former Congressman James A. Traficant Jr. secured for the city of Youngstown for a convocation center.

When it became clear that such a facility would cost more than what the federal government had allotted, the mayor at the time, George M. McKelvey, invited private investors to bring their checkbooks to cover the unfunded balance.

Not one developer offered to pay a cent toward the construction of the $45 million arena. But city council was so determined to go forward that a combination of city funds, a state grant and a $12 million loan became the local share.

Now, Youngstown is forced to dip into its general fund to pay just the annual interest on the loan. In other words, government has a $12 million millstone around its neck.

Girard lawmakers can ill afford to make the same mistake.

If anyone from the private sector claims that repairing the dam is a great deal, the mayor and council should ask the individual to give the city a $5.6 million gift, which could then be used as the local match for the $16 million federal grant.