Arts play a big role in city’s rise as a ‘university town’

Arts play a big role in city’s rise as a ‘university town’

On July 11, I was recognized for my contributions to the arts festival at Youngstown State University. The purpose of this letter is to confess something. When I helped to launch the Arts Festival 17 years ago I wanted to speed the city on a path it had already chosen.

Youngstown is a town with a university that is becoming a university town. Notice I said a university town, not just a college town. The two types of towns are similar in some ways but also quite different. University towns have economic systems that depend on research and innovation. For example the Business Incubator was recently recognized as the most effective such organization associated with a university in the world (not just in Ohio or in the U.S.).

Such towns also share some things with college towns. They have a special feeling for place, and they have a similar culture. For example, YSU shares an important commitment to athletics that is a valuable aspect to the culture of the Valley. College towns also have a commitment to the arts.

The arts are not merely decoration to life. When people can’t cope with reality or understand it in any other way, they make art. I believe you can feel a commitment to the arts in the Valley.

Since the steel mills closed, I believe that there have been five forces that have held the community together: The churches; the ethnic enclaves; high school sports teams, the arts community and the university.

George McCloud, Youngstown

George McCloud, Ph.D., is a professor of communications at Youngstown State University, former dean of its College of Arts and Communication and retired vice president for university advancement.

High grass, cracked walks pose problems in Girard

I have lived in Girard since 1958. I retired as the environmental health director at the Girard City Health Department in 1999.

I think it is a disgrace the number of properties with regard to high grass and weeds that pose a problem for people walking around the city and for those like me who use a wheelchair.

Furthermore, there are a number of uneven, broken and hazardous sidewalks (check every street). I am thinking about the safety of all Girard residents.

My concern is about the elected officers to whom we voters have entrusted our city by way of our votes.

As I understand, there are a number of officers who could inspect these nuisances and order action to be taken, including the mayor, safety service director, health department, zoning department, etc.

I would hope other citizens besides me would take a look around town and make appropriate complaints.

Nick J. Panno, Girard