Wheelchairs in the streets must follow rules of the road

Wheelchairs in the streets must follow rules of the road

EDITOR:

I am writing in reference to a problem that I think all drivers have experienced at one time or another, the growing number of the electric wheelchairs that we see on the city streets.

Some of them drive right down the middle of the road, go through stop signs and totally disregard red lights. When bicycles are on city streets they have to adhere to stop signs, red lights, etc. Bicycles are also supposed to have horns or bells as well as lights and reflectors for night riding. I haven’t noticed any such items on these wheelchairs.

In addition to lights, horns, and reflectors I think all these chairs should be required to display one of the triangular shaped signs that other slow moving vehicles such as farm machinery have to have.

I think it would also be a good idea if these drivers would have to take a safety class for certification.

I think it’s wonderful that some people are now able to get out and around who were not able to before, but when you are out on the city streets you have to show the same courtesies that you expect from us.

ROBERT JACOBS

Boardman

California here we come

EDITOR:

The Golden State has lost its former luster. So has Youngstown. Why? Silicon Valley is not any longer the Silicon Capital and many of its silicon wafer fabrication plants have been shuttered due to California’s hostile business climate. Sound familiar?

Among other foibles, our mayor and city council have spent almost $200,000 on two studies that neither Boardman, Austintown, Struthers, nor Campbell are interested in because implementation will ensnare them in the dismal politics of Youngstown city government and subject some of their residents to city taxation. At 2.75 percent Youngstown has Ohio’s highest city tax on wages. That misspent $200,000 could have purchased several much needed police cruisers.

Meanwhile Wal-Mart waited while Youngstown’s mayor decided whether or not to withhold water services to its proposed Liberty Township store. Fortunately Wal-Mart decided to call his bluff and appears to be going forward.

Our area’s hostile business environment drove away 750 potential jobs last year when a Wal-Mart built a distribution center out of state. At least this can’t be blamed on our Mayor, but he should get the message. You won’t have to travel to California, the California economy will come here.

Atty. CARL RAFOTH

Youngstown

Reject Youngstown bus tax

EDITOR:

Mahoning County residents, it’s that time of year again that we must band together to defeat an unfair tax that will be on the ballot in November. The week of July 14, the Mahoning County commissioners and Youngstown city council unanimously voted to approve putting the Western Reserve Transit Authority sales tax on the ballot. The .25 percent sales tax would take effect as soon as the election results are certified.

This tax would generate approximately $7 million a year to support the city of Youngstown transit system. Yes, I did say the city of Youngstown. This tax issue was soundly defeated in March of this year, due mainly by the voters being knowledgeable of the issue.

Jim Ferraro, executive director of WRTA, was quoted in The Vindicator as saying, “This issue will help us expand services to the areas and the people who need it most.” If you believe this statement I’ll sell you an ocean front property in Arizona. We must band together and defeat this unfair tax, which will in no way benefit the Youngstown suburbs and rural communities.

For your information, the WRTA is now funded by a Youngstown property tax that generates $2.6 million. If the sales tax issue passes that property tax would cease. I voiced my concerns in March, of this unfair tax, and I once again ask that you go to the polls and again make your vote count.

JOHN W. SMITH

Mayor of Sebring

A 100-day appraisal

EDITOR:

When I assumed the position of executive director at the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority, I had no idea what to expect when I arrived in this economically struggling city. Although I have been in tough situations at other public housing authorities in New York and Kansas City, it is hard to envision a community with such large population losses, high unemployment rates, a dearth of neglected properties, as well as a declining national, regional, and local economy.

What I have seen in my first 100 days is a dedicated, proud community, a place with a lot character, and people who are committed to the heart of this region. President Bush recently signed into law a new Economic and Foreclosure Prevention Act that made available additional Community Development Block Grant funding for eligible communities among other things. I urge the city of Youngstown to allocate a large majority of these new block grant funds to eliminate blight and move the Youngstown 2010 Plan forward.

The housing authority will continue to take the lead throughout the county as it relates to improving our inspections via the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, further attempting to transition our clients to economic self sufficiency, and to reestablish the agency’s commitment to our social service partners in assisting this region’s at risk population. We will also be moving forward to determine how to best position our agency’s assets to fit within the Youngstown 2010 Plan. It is imperative that we all must come together for the greater good of the Valley. Going forward, I will make sure the YMHA does its part.

CLIFFORD SCOTT

YMHA executive director

Youngstown