Close a road that isn’t a problem

Close a road that isn’t a problem

I see where ODOT is going ahead with its idiotic scheme to make Rt. 626 into a cul-de-sac at the intersection of Rt. 7 (Market St.) and Western Reserve Road, where Rt. 626 intersects at an intersection that is well regulated by red lights. They plan on dumping Rt. 626 out onto Market Street several hundred feet south of the intersection, creating a very dangerous situation.

Their stated reason for doing this is that there have been 39 accidents at this intersection. Interestingly, 38 of these accidents have happened either on Market Street or Western Reserve Road. Only one accident happened on 626. All of the accidents were “rear-enders,” none of which were caused by the location of Rt. 626 but were caused by careless drivers driving too fast to stop at a safe distance.

At the meeting held at Beaver Township Hall, it was universally opposed by all of the residents in attendance. But due to ODOT’s attitude of “We are never wrong,” they are going ahead with this Boondoggle and wasting a quarter million dollars of taxpayers money. All of this while the potholes all over the state are destroying cars.

The only thing that ODOT is going to accomplish is that they are going to change the types of accidents from rear-enders to t-bones when the cars pull out of the 626 stop sign onto four lanes of traffic on Market St. I want to know which ODOT official is going to be tried for vehicular homicide with the first fatality.

Rand D. Williams, Poland

Commissioners make right move

As a member of a family who has been in the motel business in Mahoning County for over 50 years, I want to publicly thank Commissioner Rimedio-Righetti and Commissioner Traficanti for publicly stating they are against raising the bed tax.

The public record shows in 2003 when nearby Trumbull County raised its bed tax 2 percent to help fund the airport, by 2005 the bed tax sent to the airport went down by almost 50 percent. I am assured our county has leadership that our community can depend on to make wise decisions for our future.

Murray Davis, Youngstown

The writer is owner of the Davis Motel.

Fight to preserve Sugarbush

I am depressed about the clos- ing of Camp Sugarbush. When I first heard that our Girl Scout Council of Northeast Ohio wanted to close the camp, I cried. Actually, all of the girls in my troop and the service unit are sad, too.

I think closing Camp Sugarbush is a bad idea because it was ranked third out of the seven Girl Scout camps in Northeast Ohio. That’s because it had all of the so-called important items girls want today, such as flushable toilets, showers and a pool. Lots of girls come and enjoy it, have fun with their friends, meet new people and learn outdoor skills.

The council seems to think that girls will come to the other two camps that they are going to keep open. The problem I see with that is wasted time in the car. It would take me at least two hours to get up and back to Camp Ledgewood, and up to five hours for a trip to Camp Timberlane! With my busy schedule (school, family, church, and soccer), the only way I can fit in camping now is that Sugarbush is close. I think a lot of girls are just as busy as I am and won’t be able to make the long trip to these two camps left open.

One of the main traditions in Scouting is camping. When they close Camp Sugarbush, a lot of girls won’t get the important camping experience. The other main tradition is selling cookies. I sold cookies for five years now. Even though it has taught me a lot, I’m not going to sell any more if I know the money I make is going to some other camps I’ll never be able to go to.

This makes me want to quit Girl Scouts because camp is one thing I enjoy most.

One of the best memories I have of camp is that my friend had to go to the bathroom, but she didn’t go before bed. And in the middle of the night, she screamed “I have to go to the bathroom!!!” Needless to say, she had to learn to go in the outhouse. Camp memories like this still make me laugh today. It breaks my heart to think we won’t be able to make any memories like this at Camp Sugarbush anymore.

If Girl Scouting has taught me anything, it is not to give up and to follow my dreams. We’re not going to go down without a fight. If you would like to join us, please find us on Facebook at “Save Camp Sugarbush” to see how you can help.

If it is truly our final Camporee this year, it is going to be very hard to say goodbye to Camp Sugarbush.

Emily Strama, Vienna

The writer, 11, is a member of Junior Girl Scout Troop 154.

Warren spent like there was no tomorrow; now a day of reckoning

References to Warren city government finances in your April 24 article and editorial are cause for concern and comment. The chronic mismanagement of finances in Warren has had a profound effect, yet remain veiled by the well worn tactic of withholding or misrepresenting information. The city’s current initiative to max out the city’s credit is yet another example of fiscal folly, as if nothing has been learned from past mistakes.

Prior to the recession, the city’s administration kept staffing the city payroll with more personnel than revenues could support. No reductions were made through attrition although the city’s population continued its decline. As of 2008, the number of people on payroll was the same as in 1999 despite loss of employers and about 10 percent fewer people. With zero attrition and higher wages, one-time only “windfall” revenues were used. About $2 million in revenue from GM buyouts and another $1 million from school construction permit fees were depleted to cover operating costs which tax revenues could not sustain. But, with no action taken, another $3 million was secreted from deposit certificates, again to support ongoing operations. When the recession hit, it was a triple play; for years the revenues couldn’t sustain expenses; all “cushions” had been depleted; then the recession. Thus, to meet the legally required balanced budget, 40 city employees, primarily police and fire, were notified of termination at the Christmas holidays of 2008. Yet another 14 employees were transferred to other departments (enterprise funds). The “snowball” effect still remains with fewer police when needed most. And, both water and sewer rates had to be raised as the transfers depleted funds to the extent that loan obligations could not be met.

Now, in a post recession economic slump, the city wants to borrow between $10 million and $20 million because of an improved bond rating. It is absurd. The city’s current debt load is already 50 percent higher than it was when the city had 20 percent more people. And, the bond rating improved along with most municipal entities nationally when they were recalibrated by the rating agencies. Eight years of paying down debt played a role too, as there was no default, but this is not due to effective financial management of overall resources. The city has been facing a financial crisis created by its own actions for years.

Until truth and transparency are exercised by Warren city government, the “wonderful Warren” that this city could and should be will never materialize. Adding new, exorbitant debt with a city already struggling with its finances has long term negative impacts and shows nothing has been learned.

Bette Daily, Warren