Mahoning commissioners to appeal to Kasich to keep YDC open

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County commissioners have agreed to support efforts to maintain operations at the Youngstown Developmental Center in Mineral Ridge near Austintown and are urging Gov. John Kasich to reconsider closing the facility.

During their meeting Thursday, commissioners pointed to the need to keep open the center on County Line Road, which serves those with severe and profound challenges and who need continued assistance with health-care needs, daily-living tasks and social skills.

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities recently announced the YDC, which serves clients in 14 Northeast Ohio counties, including Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana, is one of two state-run facilities slated to close in June 2017. The closest such center is in Warrensville, just south of Cleveland.

“This is about people who are disabled and who will never get well completely,” Commissioner Carol Rimedio Righetti said.

Also at the session, officials reinstated a five-member 911 planning committee that will consider and vote on possible recommendations for and changes to the area’s final plan for 911 services, which was implemented in 1992.

Read more of today's actions in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com