Speakers implore voters to renew Mahoning sales tax

YOUNGSTOWN — Several speakers made impassioned pleas for renewal of Mahoning County’s half-percent sales tax at the final regular county commissioners’ meeting before Tuesday’s primary.

On that day, voters will decide the fate of the tax and county government.

“A lot of good things are happening, but we’re also at a crossroads in this community, and this tax is our crossroads,” said Atty. David Betras, county Democratic Party chairman.

The announcement that V&M Star Steel will build a $650 million pipe mill here and that of the addition of a third shift at General Motors in Lordstown are positive recent developments, he said.

The only way to attract businesses and jobs here, however, is to have a viable local government, which the sales tax supports, he said at today’s commissioners’ meeting.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com