Nothing wrong with WTC brand

Nothing wrong with WTC brand

Last Sunday, Bertram de Souza chose to state the naming of the proposed Youngstown World Trade Center was done in poor taste. I feel that Mr. de Souza chooses to validate his assertions without giving his readers all the information that is essential to making an informed decision.

First and foremost, the Regional Chamber chose Youngstown World Trade Center as a name because of business considerations. “World Trade Center” is a name used by members of the World Trade Center Association, which has the tagline “Prosperity through Trade” when you arrive on their homepage at www.wtca.org. WTCA is an organization that has a track record of benefitting the cities its members operate in by opening doors to new markets for both inflows and outflows of capital and products. Further, Mr. de Souza fails to inform the reader that there are over 60 cities in North America that have World Trade Centers. Considering that the Youngstown/Warren area is a top-15 metro area for export intensity, we have every right to be on that list of cities that embrace trade.

Mr. de Souza suggest that our naming the YWTC is a slap in the face to the victims of 9/11. In 2009, The NY/NJ Port Authority chose to rename its forthcoming tower on Ground Zero “One World Trade Center” from the originally proposed “Freedom Tower.” I would like to think that if New York chooses to use that name, our Mahoning Valley can stand with them in homage.

This area was founded by hard working immigrants who came here for a better life. The foreigners that would finance our WTC are doing exactly the same thing — seeking a better life for their families here in America. Mr. de Souza fails to recognize that principal.

Eric Planey, Youngstown

The writer is vice president for international business attraction for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

A bunch of Christmas wishes

I want to thank my grandson, Dylan Skodacek, and many more at Youngstown Christian School for granting me a Christmas wish.

I asked Dylan if he would ask his third grade teacher, Mary Mounce, and fellow classmates if they would make some cards to send to my niece, Maruja Walter, who is serving in the Army in Afghanistan. They went above and beyond. Students from Kindergarten through third grade at YCS made over 70 cards.

I cried with a happy heart as I opened and read each one before sending them to my niece..

Sarah Hatton, Boardman

Money trumps time on the pike

The Turnpike speed limit was raised to 70 mph, The Vindicator reported Tuesday. What idiocy.

When traveling 150 miles round trip every day for about five years, for the first three years at 70 mph, it was a nerve-racking experience. When the speed limit was reduced to 55 mph, it became a safer and a more enjoyable trip. I believe that truckers are more interested in safety, than saving 20 minutes on a trip across the state of Ohio.

If you want more trucks using the toll road, then lower the toll fares to cross the state. In six months you will see that revenue will not have increased at the expense of safety. It is money that will make the difference, not speed.

Leonard J. Sainato, Warren

Quit blaming Girard Lakes deal

I think it is time to put the Gi- rard Lakes fiasco to rest. A recent article in the newspaper again brought up the lakes as the reason for the city of Girard’s money woes. Since the year 2000 when James Melfi took office as mayor, the financial problems of this city have in most part been blamed on the purchase of the Girard Lakes by the previous administration.

The late Ralph Ruggierio, former city service/safety director, stated more than once that money was in place when he left office for the payments on the lakes. The Girard Water Department was solvent when Mr. Melfi took office as mayor. Shortly after this, money problems started to pop in the city.

According to the Ohio Revised Code it is illegal to use city water department funds on anything but the water department. Over $680,000 was taken from the Girard city water fund and spent elsewhere. Payments for the lakes loan are $250,000 per year.

Using simple mathematics, that amount would have covered 21/2 years on the loan for the lakes. Further if the water department had remained solvent, payments should not have been a problem.

It seems no one from city to state officials, including the state oversight people, thinks spending over $680,000 illegally is worth pursuing.

I bet there are people out there who may have taken from their employer and are paying the price now. I am a firm believer of the following: Political laws are made by politicians for politicians.

Tony Rosace, Girard