Canfield residents, speak out against building ‘rent-a-hall’

Canfield residents, speak out against building ‘rent-a-hall’

EDITOR:

It is with great regret that I read of Paul Moracco’s abrupt resignation as a Canfield township trustee after a closed-door “executive session” meeting. At this same closed-door meeting, a new management position was created that Mr. Moracco is considering applying for. This position as described sounds a lot like a current position held by Gary Cook for years with high marks for serving the township with a small staff and tight budget. I have yet to hear any complaints about snow removal and any other of their responsibilities. So why invent a duplicate position with the added financial burden on the residents? The picture painted could imply an arrangement to provide Mr. Moracco with health benefits he has lost with leaving the fairgrounds at his early age. At the same time the trustees, namely Mr. Reese, could appoint a replacement who would be more cooperative with advancing his agenda with regard to the new town hall location with the inclusion of a rent-a-hall that provides no benefits to the township except added expenses for security while being in conflict with all the private rental halls in the area.

The trustees have been provided with accurate costs for running all the utilities up the hill on Herbert Road to the proposed Taj Mahal to the tune of $200,000, with cost of 1,200 feet of road not included, and have scoffed at it. This expense disappears with using the Messerly Road site while providing a more central location in the township and linking with all the road staff at that location.

With regard to using the Messerly Road site, I have met with Randy Brashen and Paul Moracco at the site and walked them through a solution, which met with their approval. They saw the savings for an administration building without a rent-a-hall as more fiscally responsible to the residents of the township. Now somehow the drawings are ready? How could the drawings be released when there has not been resident review and approval? It is my understanding that with the rent-a-hall component and its added expense and parking, this decision must be submitted to a referendum for approval by the voters.

The budget, according to Mr. Reese, of $1 million does not include the real costs of utilities, and I do not know if it includes the added cost of the road and parking for at least 100 cars for the rent-a-hall. If not included, this Town Hall cost could blossom to $1.5 million. Costs for the Messerly Road location could be reduced to $700,000, plus or minus 8 percent.

I challenge the trustees to be more responsible and hold at least two public meeting at the Experimental Farm for public presentation and justification for this over-the-top town hall before borrowing money for this extravagance and maybe having to come back to residents with an additional levy.

Residents, please speak up on this issue before the “Mistake on the Hill” becomes a reality — and with it, maybe, more taxes.

Finally, the replacement trustee should not be from among friends and proteges of trustees or be candidates rejected by the voters in the last election. Trustees should develop a short list of their choices and have public meetings to allow residents to cast a straw vote and/or voice their preference since this is an “elected” position, even if only “temporary” for 16 months.

DANIEL VICTOR BIENKO

Canfield

Great contest, great shirt

EDITOR:

I would like to compliment The Vindicator for running its T-shirt contest for picking the winner of the Pavlik-Lockett fight that took place on June 7 in Atlantic City. It was a wonderful community gesture to give specially designed T-shirts to those who picked the winner and the round in which he won.

I picked up my T-shirt and want to congratulate the designer of the shirt for its color and creativity. I am planning to wear it with pride for Kelly and for our city.

WILLIAM J. LURIE

Hubbard