Thursday, October 21, 2010
Let us agree on one thing: If the dedicated individuals who run social service agencies, or local school officials who are guiding the next generation could operate fully without going to the taxpayers for money, they would.
Asking residents who are reeling from the national economic recession to dig into their pockets to support the most vulnerable among us, or ensure that our children have a strong educational foundation is not a pleasant task.
But what’s the alternative?
We’re aware that we sound like a broken record when we urge voters to consider the ramifications of school districts not having enough money to operate. The future of the Mahoning Valley is inextricably tied to the learning that takes place in the classrooms.
We know times are tough, but how can we turn our backs on the social service agencies that care for children in need, residents who are developmentally disabled and individuals with mental health challenges?
The following are the issues in the tri-county area that The Vindicator endorses:
Mahoning County
A 0.85-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide funding for the Children Services Agency and for the care and placement of children, to raise $1,752,677 annually.
A 0.5-mill, 5-year renewal levy to pay for the current expenses of the county’s Mental Health Board, to raise $1,017,481 annually.
A 3-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide funding for the county’s Board of Developmental Disabilities, to raise $11,901,405 annually.
A 1.8-mill, 5-year additional levy to provide maintenance and operating funds for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, to raise $7,427,231 annually.
Schools
Austintown: A 7.3-mill, 5-year renewal levy for current expenses, to raise $3,405,536 annually; a 4.9-mill, 5-year renewal levy for current expenses, to raise $3,405,536 annually.
Boardman: A 6-mill, 5-year renewal levy for current expenses, to raise $3,849,575 annually; a 5.9-mill, 5-year renewal levy for current expenses, to raise $4,494,866 annually; a 1.6-mill, 3-year renewal levy for emergency requirements, to raise $1,468,744 annually.
Canfield: A 6.8-mill additional levy for a continuous period of time for current expenses, to raise $3,793,502 annually.
Poland: A 3.9-mill, 5-year additional levy for emergency requirements, to raise $1,485,900 annually.
Western Reserve: A 1.5-mill, 10-year renewal levy to avoid an operating deficit, to raise $139,000 annually.
Trumbull County
Children Services Board: A 2-mill, 5-year replacement levy for support of children services and the care and placement of children, to raise $7,679,330 annually.
Girard Free Library: A 1.5-mill, continuing, additional levy for current expenses, to raise $218,694 annually. (To be voted on by the residents of the Girard City School District.)
McKinley Memorial Library: A 1.5-mill, 5-year additional levy for current expenses, to raise $390,537 annually. (To be voted on by the residents of the Niles City School District.)
SCHOOLS
Champion: A 1.5-mill, 10-year renewal levy to provide funds for adding to, renovating, remodeling, rehabilitating, furnishing and equipping school buildings, to raise $125,853 annually.
Howland: A 1-mill, 5-year renewal levy for general permanent improvements, to raise $614,648 annually.
Hubbard Exempted Village: A 4.75-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $1,047,214 annually.
Liberty: A 3.1-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $740,680 annually.
Lordstown: A 5.2-mill, 5-year renewal levy, to raise $770,000 annually; a 5.65-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $841,327 annually.
Mathews: A 2-mill, 5-year additional levy for general permanent improvements, to raise $307,350 annually.
Newton Falls Exempted Village: A 4.6-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $585,011 annually.
Southington: A 3.95-mill, 4-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $250,000 annually.
COLUMBIANA COUNTY
A 1.3 mill, 10-year renewal levy to prevent and treat mental health and alcohol abuse, to raise $1.6 million annually.
SCHOOLS
East Palestine: A new 6.8-mill, 5-year additional levy, to raise $795,000 annually.
Leetonia: A 5.4 mill, 5-year renewal emergency levy, to raise $350,000 annually.