Use airport as an asset

Use airport as an asset

EDITOR:

The Trumbull County Commissioners and Tim Ryan are right to push for the position of economic development director serving under the Western Reserve Port Authority. The WRPA is currently used as the board overseeing the airport. However, because of its unique ability to back, and in some cases fund, regional projects, it is the logical entity to promote development in the Valley.

Some of the existing board members would be very proactive and productive in creating an environment to foster business growth in our valley. Future appointments will be critical when building a board with a new mission.

We need to be proactive in exploiting the unique asset we have in the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport, as well as the many other assets the Valley has to offer. An economic development director with a background and experience like those in the Columbus and Akron area can make good things happen here.

MICHAEL HILLMAN

Cortland

All the blame put on police

EDITOR:

I am surprised at how quickly everyone seems to want to jump on the “blame it all on the police” bandwagon, concerning the death of Mary Rush on Mansell Drive.Yes, the officers should have gotten out of the car and checked around the house. No argument there. But what really shocks me is that not one of this elderly woman’s neighbors cared enough to go outside and check on the old woman themselves, even before phoning the police. The excuse given by one person, as if there is an acceptable excuse, is that she was afraid it might be an intruder. Yeah, right.

I could not, in good conscience, hear an elderly person repeatedly cry out for help and not leave my bed and go check on them, and someone should have gone out to check on Mary Rush, instead of expecting a government agency (in this case, the police) to do it all for them. Shame on all of her neighbors. And one thing is for sure, if any of them ever needs help in the middle of the night, they have the comfort of knowing that NONE of their neighbors will help them either.

Wouldn’t it have made a much nicer headline that neighbors assisted an old woman , possibly saving her life, rather than the sad story in the paper now.

LILLIAN NORMAN

Youngstown

What’s the point of the levy?

EDITOR:

I read the articles on Mary Rush online in The Vindicator.

It is good to know that passing the 911 levy for the second time was so worthwhile. Maybe if the county had taken the call they would have demanded that the Liberty police get out of their cars and investigate.

Maybe some of the money should be spent to give the police umbrellas so they can get out of their cars when it is raining. If the residents had known their great policies, perhaps they would not have chosen to have their taxes increase for nothing.

The properties on upper Mansell are not that large. How far would they have had to walk? At least three police cars, and no one cared enough to do anything or even look carefully. The sensitivity of the responses from the police chief is appalling. I wonder if they would have cared if it had been their mother.

CAROLE MUTCH LAFAVE

Monroeville, Pa.

X The writer formerly lived on Mansell Drive

JEDD resistance no surprise

EDITOR:

Austintown’s and Boardman’s response to Youngstown’s JEDD proposal: “Thanks, but no thanks.”

It’s more than obvious that neither Austintown nor Boardman wants any part of a Joint Economic Development District proposed by Youngstown. With Youngstown’s sordid past of corruption, crooked politicians, sweetheart deals, a failing school system, overpaid department heads, and a good old boy mentality to boot, might have helped in their decision to say no thanks.

Consider the old depilated unsafe City Hall that houses three city courts, the decrepit outdated police station, badly in need of renovations (tear it down). One might conclude Youngstown hasn’t been taking care of some very important business.

Not to forget the Chevy Centre fiasco. I personally can’t say that I blame them. Youngstown once again has proven to be poor city managers.

CHARLES ELLIS

Youngstown

A big city would end debate

EDITOR:

There are selfish turf battles going on between the city of Youngstown and the suburbs of Boardman and Austintown over JEDDs, Youngstown’s water, becoming a city or not, or annexation. I believe these critical issues need to be seriously addressed by all parties concerned, especially Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and Youngstown City Council as to what is in the best interest of the city of Youngstown and its future growth.

In the mid-1960s then-Youngstown councilman and future Mayor Jack C. Hunter (a Republican) had the future of Youngstown at heart and all the city resources at his disposal. He suggested annexation of Youngstown surrounding suburbs, including Boardman and Austintown. But the idea was nixed and killed by Democratic members on city council.

I believe 40 years later, Mayor Jay Williams and city council look out for the best interest of Youngstown. They should not drop the ball as they did 40 years ago. The tools and resources of the city are still there to implement change, including annexation.

That would truly end the debate once and for all between Youngstown and the suburbs of Boardman and Austintown, as foreseen by Councilman Jack C. Hunter 40 years ago.

WILLIE JAMES RICHARDS

Youngstown

A great day at the park

EDITOR:

Plant the Seed to Read was one of the most phenomenal children’s events I have ever attended. I wish I could thank each individual vendor and volunteer on behalf of the 700 children that attended this event.

Sponsored by the Altrusa Club of Youngstown, Fellows Riverside Gardens and Mill Creek MetroParks, PBS 45 49, and The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, the day was full of creativity and family fun.

It was a day of content. My children were given books upon books, they met authors, they were read stories, and they were given games to play, seeds to plant, and used their imagination with all of the crafts.

The best part is the day was to inspire us to read with our children. It was a day of giving and growing.

Of course, seeing the television characters from Super Why just made my daughter’s day.

Fellows Riverside Gardens was thriving with volunteers to guide us at every turn. In addition, each volunteer had an animal puppet. An added touch of creativity that only makes the day more special.

It was truly an event for all ages. I hope it is a tradition that continues.

JENNIFER MATYAS

Howland

Track the scrap sales

EDITOR:

It is time to put a stop to houses that are vacant being stripped of metals being sold for scrap. One way would be to make payment for such scrap by check and mailed to a street address, not a P.O. box.

The transaction should also be reported to the local police agency so they could determine if it may have been a crime that led to the sale. The person making the sale should also be required to have photo identification of some type and present it before the sale.

PEGGY KRUEST

Petersburg