Lowellville seeks community support for Mahoning River cleanup project

LOWELLVILLE — Several government and organizational leaders hope citizen support will finalize a $2.4 million grant to clean up the Mahoning River.

“Right now we have 1,200 letters for the Ohio EPA, and I’m hoping for more,” said James Iudiciani Sr., village mayor.

The mayor spoke alongside, state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, representatives from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Western Reserve Port Authority, and members of the Friends of the Mahoning River during a Democratic Club meeting tonight at village hall.

Nearly 70 attendees listened as members tried to drum up support for the dam-removal project.

Schiavoni said by garnering as many signatures and letters as possible, citizens are sending a strong message to Ohio EPA officials about how serious residents are taking the project. He said the public comments are a requirement for the grant and must be submitted by March 18.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com