Sunday, May 22, 2011
By jeanne starmack
starmack@vindy.com
Struthers and Campbell would like to proceed with nuisance-property demolitions but are hampered by the loss of federal funds and asbestos removal rules.
At issue is the loss of Neighborhood Stabilization Funds, which were federal funds allocated by Mahoning County, and asbestos rules the county became aware of in November that raised the cost of demolition between $2,000 and $5,000 a house, say government leaders in both communities.
They met with the county commissioners several weeks ago to see if it is possible to get the NSF money that was taken off them back; because it wasn’t committed for demolitions by a September deadline, the county gave it to Youngstown rather than return it to the federal government.
But they can’t get the money back, they said — Struthers Mayor Terry Stocker said Struthers gave up $100,000 of $500,000 originally awarded.
Campbell Mayor Bill VanSuch and city administrator Jack Dill were unsure how much money was taken off Campbell. It was originally awarded more than $900,000.
Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.