43
Outpouring of affection for Jimbo genuine
What captures the essence of the Mahoning Valley better than a polka band, an Elvis impersonator and Jim Traficant railing against the federal government?
To some, that is the Valley.
Others may like or dislike polka music and Elvis impersonators, but cringe at the thought that the ex-congressman/ex-con is drawing national attention — and not really the positive kind — for the area.
There were those who vocally opposed Sunday’s Jim Traficant Appreciation Dinner.
I’m sure those same people are upset that Traficant was on national television Thursday on Fox News’ “On the Record With Greta Van Susteren.”
A lot of hard work has gone into improving the area’s image as one filled with political corruption and violence.
Since Traficant’s Sept. 2 release from federal prison he’s been in the national spotlight.
That spotlight includes Traficant’s 2002 conviction on 10 felony counts including racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion.
That spotlight also includes focusing on the area as a “struggling old steel-mill Valley,” according to The Washington Post. That article brought up the area’s organized crime past and the infamous “Youngstown tune-up,” a car bomb triggered by the ignition.
This isn’t exactly Entrepreneur magazine naming Youngstown as one of the Top 10 cities in the United States to start a business.
But despite the effort to improve the area’s image — and there has been some progress — the Valley has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state in addition to a high housing foreclosure rate and plenty of other challenges it has yet to overcome.
Regardless of the area’s problems, for a little while Sunday, most of the 1,200 people attending Traficant were reliving a better past.
It was a past that may or may not have existed.
Fiery politician
It was a past in which the Valley was down, but a fiery politician spoke in its defense against a federal government that ignored, neglected and/or ridiculed the area. I must have heard from at least two dozen people at the appreciation dinner that Traficant stood up for the little guy.
Few in the audience were concerned that the guy speaking for the little guy was convicted of 10 felony counts. Those convictions included stealing taxpayer money and time.
Some supporters said Traficant was guilty, but everybody does it.
Others said he was railroaded.
Some didn’t care. They love Jimbo and what he represented.
Those people smiled and enjoyed themselves as Traficant defiantly accused the government of framing him, adding that they “had to cheat to convict me.” They hung on his every word as he discussed various conspiracy theories.
Great timing
They laughed when he made a joke. Some were exceptionally funny and Traficant still has great timing.
It was the reception a conquering hero would get after emerging victorious from a major battle.
There were definitely plenty of people at Mr. Anthony’s on Sunday who felt that’s what they were witnessing.
After his 15-minute speech, Traficant walked through the crowd of adoring fans signing autographs, exchanging handshakes, hugs and smiles.
With a huge grin on Traficant’s face, it was obvious he was as excited and happy as those who spent $20 to attend the event on the outside chance that the former congressman would show up.
It was a genuine moment that many won’t forget, and it was well worth the $20 spent.