Hubbard Twp. officials recognize business owner
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Ed Yasechko, third from left, co-owner of Truck World, receives a Hubbard Township flag as recognition for his business contributions to the community. With him at Truck World in Hubbard Township are, from left, Deborah Shields, executive director of Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce; Chief of Police Todd Coonce; Fred Hanley, trustee; John Pieton, zoning administrator; and Dennie Parsons, zoning inspector.
HUBBARD TOWNSHIP FLAGS
Background and more
Hubbard Township sponsored a contest in 2010 in which art students at Hubbard High School created designs for a township flag. Seventy-two entries were received and the three trustees, Fred Hanley, Tom Jacobs and Joe Gleydura, each picked two entries. The zoning commission picked the winner, Tori Sylvester, out of the six finalists. Her design featured an eagle, which is HHS mascot.
Other recognition: In the March/April edition of Ohio Township News, an article submitted by John Pieton. zoning administrator, told the story of the flag contest and how the flag promotes community pride.
Police patch: Township police updated their patch to incorporate the flag design.
Flags: The trustees voted to have the flags fly at township facilities, the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 bought 10 other flags to distribute and 30 window decals with the design were obtained for a community outreach program.
Flag recipients: Truck World Properties was the most recent recipient. Flags also have been presented to Warren Fabricating and Machining Corp., Lee Industrial Properties, Ellwood Engineering Castings Co., Youngstown Kenworth Inc., Flying J Travel Plaza, Love’s Travel Plaza, Greenwood’s Hubbard Chevrolet, Wholesale Fireworks, Hubbard Township Free Park and Hubbard Conservation Club.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
HUBBARD
An entrepreneurial spirit drives Ed Yasechko, co-owner of Truck World.
The township recognized his business contribution to the area Monday in Truck World Mall with the presentation of a Hubbard Township flag featuring an eagle. Participants were township officials Fred Hanley, trustee; Chief of Police Todd Coonce; John Pieton, zoning administrator; Dennie Parsons, zoning inspector; and Deborah Shields, executive director of Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce.
Pieton recognized Yasechko as “one of the township’s biggest employers and a leading businessman who has helped the local economy.”
Hanley noted Yasechko was “a promoter of the development of Interstate 80” and “one of the first businessmen out here.” “He’s been a pillar of the community,” Hanley said.
Yasechko, who will be 85 on Nov. 1, said he couldn’t imagine working for someone. "I have a lot of entrepreneurial ideas,” he said. He said his first job was “peddling milk in glass bottles as a delivery man.”
Yasechko, who grew up on a farm, said he later acquired a dump truck and then bought his first gas station in 1955. “I’ve done a variety of things ... a lot in real estate,” he said, noting dealings in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Florida. The native of New Middletown still lives there.
Yasechko equated the idea for Truck World with railroad stops. “Communities grew up around railroad stops,” he said, adding that he believed the same growth would happen for truck stops. “I could see it,” he said, adding that truckers and motorists needed convenient sites along interstate corridors. “I could see the potential for the community.” Truck World, located off of U.S. Route 62, opened in 1975; Yasechko is co-owner with his nephew, Gary Burke.
Also involved in the business is Yasechko’s son, Eddie. The younger Yasechko said the Truck World complex sits on 50 acres and a multitude of businesses including many truck-related companies and services are located on Truck World Boulevard. Truck World businesses are patronized by truckers and motorists passing through and local residents, he said.
“The state line location produces a lot of gas and diesel taxes for the state,” Eddie Yasechko said. “This is a huge local truck business area,” he said, noting the Truck World complex offers ancillary services for truckers traveling the interstate. His father said that truckers who fuel up there have access to free showers; he used a design he saw elsewhere to create a private shower facility that’s convenient for truckers and easy to clean for staff.
Both father and son said the business has “good relations” with the township and city. Ed Yasechko said former Hubbard mayor Art Magee promoted the area. Sewer and water lines were brought out to the area in the 1970s.
Ed Yasechko said about 400 residents from the township, city and nearby work at the Truck World complex. “Great people live here who are good workers and dedicated,” he said. He added Truck World has provided many “first jobs” for people.
Ed Yasechko said he “likes the independence” of running a business and doesn’t see retirement as an option. “How much golf can you play?” he asked.
He’s had a pilot’s license for some 65 years. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps near the end of World War II and then served in the U.S. Air Force. “Flying is something I’ve done most of my life,” he said, adding he had an air strip at Truck World for a time. In the 1980s, he used a hot-air balloon as an advertising promotion.