Get back on track with Lake-to-River bike trail

Get back on track with Lake-to-River bike trail

EDITOR:

At last, long-awaited spring is here. I have been waiting in eager anticipation for the warmer weather, and all the enjoyable activities for which it allows.

One activity in particular my family enjoys is biking, so you can imagine the excitement we felt years ago when we found out that the Lake-to-River Greenway would pass very near our house. At that time (2003), construction was to start in the very near future. I am referring to the stretch of trail from the Mahoning County line north to Niles.

Much to our dismay, that “near future” hasn’t gotten any nearer. What is the holdup here? In the 5 years or so since the project was introduced, it has been continually pushed back, while other sections have long been completed. If you take a ride south from Mahoning Avenue on the trail on a pleasant Sunday, it is obvious what an asset this trail is to nearby neighborhoods. It is also a fantastic incentive for young families to live in this area of easily accessible recreation. Attractive green spaces increase the value of adjacent properties and make them desirable places to live. I sincerely believe that once this portion through Mineral Ridge and Niles is constructed, there will be a tremendous decrease in the illegal dumping, scrap theft, littering, and abandoned eyesores that have plagued this area for decades.

I personally know of a project in Mineral Ridge that would take a long vacant industrial building and transform it into a viable business catering to trail users. The long delays in the Mineral Ridge/Niles portion of the Greenway have brought it to a virtual standstill. We are seeing an incredible opportunity slip through the cracks, especially with rising fuel costs, rising construction costs, and time limits on approved funding. Local politicians, who so often stress the need to attract business retain young people in this area, are slowly watching this golden opportunity slip away.

Here’s the chance to retain my young family and many others like it. Follow through and finish this trail.

JON CAMERON

Mineral Ridge

Careful what you swim with

EDITOR:

As a concerned property owner on Lake Milton I placed a telephone call to the state park office the week of May 5 about a dead dog that was floating by my dock along the bank. I was told they would let maintenance know. Two days later the dog was still there.

I called again and was told they only had two maintenance employees and they were cutting grass. I was asked if I could remove it. Now mind you this is a state property that you have to have a permit to do anything on it and don’t dare break a rule or you will receive a fine or a ticket or both.

Well my wife and I headed down to the dock after supper with rope and tarp in hand to do our duty for the Ohio State Parks. The dog was gone. Now think of the health issues and the quality of water before you go swimming or skiing in Lake Milton next time. I know it will be a long time before I go into the water again.

GARY THOMPSON

Berlin Center

Alaska governor’s decision should be inspiration to all

EDITOR:

I was touched to read an article about Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska celebrating the birth of her son, Trig. As a father of a child with Down Syndrome, I am encouraged to see individuals choosing to give birth to children with Trisomy 21. My daughter has not only been a blessing in our life, but an inspiration to those around us. Many individuals in our community are working tirelessly to increase awareness and opportunity for these individuals. Both children and adults with Down Syndrome can be valuable assets to the Mahoning Valley and provide a diverse perspective on how to live.

Too often, new parents find out that they are expecting a child with Down Syndrome and get only half the information needed to make a very important decision. Pediatricians, genetic counselors and obstetricians prepare the parents for what the future may hold. Information regarding medical conditions, funding, and special therapy and education predominate the prenatal counseling. Unfortunately, the positives of Down Syndrome are not laid out nearly enough. If the expectant parents would talk to proud family members who embrace Down Syndrome or to an individual with Trisomy 21 who leads a successful and fruitful life, a whole new perspective would come to light.

A group of families started a nonprofit organization called Down Syndrome Association of the Valley, DSAV for short, to help in those endeavors. DSAV provides support and advocacy for Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The foundation has provided new parent packets, medical and legal lectures, as well as therapy sessions at no cost.

DSAV is holding a Buddy Walk on August 16 at the Shops at Boardman Park to celebrate our children, relatives and friends who have Down Syndrome. We wish to increase awareness and opportunity in the Mahoning Valley. Chris Burke, who starred as Corky in the television series “Life Goes On,” will be the master of ceremonies for the event and provide entertainment with his band. Chris is a beacon for all who can overcome obstacles and become very successful. I would like everyone to go the website www.dsav.org to get more information and to join us in the celebration.

KEN JONES MD

Warren

X The writer is a DSAV board member

Liberals blame all the wrong people for rising gas prices

EDITOR:

After a six-week convalescence, I began driving again and learned how much the price of gasoline has increased. I love it! Despite a 120 mile round-trip daily work commute, I get excited when the price of gas goes up because I hold out hope that it will lead to a corresponding rise in the IQ of liberal Americans.

Logic dictates that if liberals must pay out their noses for gas, they will make an effort to learn why it costs what it does. With that realization, they will then take steps to help lower the price. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be working because they still recite their ignorant litany of reasons for the high gas prices: Bush, Cheney, Big Oil, Halliburton, space aliens, etc.

There is one cause for high gas prices and one cause alone — supply and demand. And there is only one solution to high gas prices — America must drill and refine its own oil. Period. If liberals could just understand those two basic truths, their IQ would increase dramatically and we would be well on the way to lower gas prices and energy independence.

But their IQs are not rising and so they prevent us from drilling for oil in Alaska, the Dakotas, Montana, off the continental shelves, and in the Gulf of Mexico — areas that could provide us with all the oil we need well into the future. Instead, they sit back and line the pockets of the OPEC nations while complaining about our dependency on Arab oil and the price of gasoline in the United States.

I’m not sure of the amount, but there is a gasoline price tag out there high enough to cause considerable uptick in the IQ of liberals. We may be on course to learning just what that is.

JOSEPH K. WALTENBAUGH

New Castle, Pa.

Just what downtown needs

EDITOR:

Your May 4 story, “Downtown is Techtown” featured architects Ron Faniro, Paul Hagman, and Frank Rulli. I applaud them for their vision for the Davis Building and their commitment to and investment in downtown’s revitalization.

Their mixed-use plan, including residential, commercial, and retail space is a model for what West Federal Street in particular, and downtown in general, will need more of in order to flourish. Youngstown needs more proactive pioneers to follow in their footsteps.

TYLER S. CLARK

Youngstown