Looking for a win

Looking for a win

EDITOR:

I attended the May 13 meeting conducted by the Austintown trustees where the JEDD Plan proposed by the city of Youngstown was explained. I fail to see how this proposal is a win-win situation for both Youngstown and Austintown. JEDDs have successfully been used in other parts of the state on undeveloped land where the property is located next to each other. A city and township would then decide the details regarding the cost of infrastructure, income taxes, etc. in the JEDD area.

How is a JEDD proposal that puts an income tax on our workers in established businesses in the entire township beneficial to that township? I agree with The Vindicator editorial of May 18 that proposed an independent committee under the auspices of the Regional Chamber. Youngstown, Austintown and Boardman would have representatives but the Chamber of Commerce would direct the discussions and perhaps offer suggestions to all parties concerned.

I also believe our elected public officials need to be involved. The Austintown trustees have mailed a letter explaining the initial JEDD proposal to the following officials: Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber and to Anthony Traficanti, David Ludt, John McNally, Ron Gerberry, Bob Hagan, John Boccieri, Tim Ryan and Charlie Wilson. The elected politicians cannot take a hands off approach to this issue. They need to be involved and help the chamber make any JEDD proposal a win-win situation for Youngstown, Austintown and Boardman.

G. ROGER ELIAS

Canfield

Oil profits are slippery

EDITOR:

The oil at $140 per 32-gallon barrel is on the open (spot) market and is a small percentage of oil sold. Most oil is under long term contract, 20 to 99 years, at considerable less, $10 to $25 a barrel. How else can the oil companies make billions in profits? This is the greatest profit in history. Many hedge fund managers are already billionaires. The “bonuses” to CEOs, CFOs and boards of directors are astronomical. There is no shortage of oil in this country. Alaska oil, Canadian shale, Mexican long term contracts and our own huge reserves are more than adequate.

A Pennsylvania oil company advertises “Buy American gasoline and oil,” yet their price is the same as the higher imported oil. The common denominator to all the natural gas, propane, gasoline and oil companies is greed. The lobbyists have gotten laws changed or watered down. Antitrust laws have not been used, the RICO statute not enforced with the blessing of the Bush administration. By the way, how many of our congressmen and women have “purchased” gas and oil stocks? No new refineries have been built in the last 30 years. The EPA requirement has been upgraded to a point that it is difficult to build a new refinery to the benefit of the oil companies. Less refineries and less fuel equal higher costs. How do you think Exxon-Mobil made $11 billion profit the last quarter (Jan.-March).

The base cost of gasoline from purchase, refinery, pipe line, to delivery at the pump is about a month. Now if a tanker truck wrecks or the price of spot market crude is manipulated up by hedge fund managers, the price is raised at the pump before the next day. Apathy on the part of the average citizen is allowing all this to happen.

Also, there are no investigative reports in the news media anymore. There are only well groomed men in expensive suits and beautiful women in short skirts with their legs crossed.

GEORGE R. HOLKO Sr.

Warren