Habitat Crazies see much good in people of Valley

Habitat Crazies see much good in people of Valley

I know the Youngs- town region has had its share of challenges and too many stretches of fighting an unhealthy economy. I want to tell you about a very healthy part of your community.

I traveled to your area from Lynchburg, Va., on April 21. I head up a group known as the Habitat For Humanity Road Trip Crazies, and the purpose of my visit was to help with a Habitat For Humanity project in Struthers. About 50 other members of the Crazies from many different states met me in Struthers. The plan was to work with members of your community to help build most of a home over the weekend.

Habitat helps good people who need a hand up (not a handout) build and buy a home. There is a misconception that Habitat gives people homes, but that is not the case. Habitat For Humanity is able to make the homes affordable because many people donate their labor to work with these good families. The home buyer works many hours on Habitat projects so they can purchase the home.

The founder of Habitat, Millard Fuller, once said, “For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people’s love and concern for each other.” What I witnessed during my visit is that the people of the Youngstown area understand that concept.

From early in the organization process with the local staff of Habitat For Humanity of Mahoning Valley right through the weekend blitz build, people stepped up to help out. Volunteers came out of the woodwork to so they could make a difference. There were donations of materials, tools, labor, supplies, and food. And then during the blitz event, I learned about “The Cookie Table.” People just kept dropping off dozens of cookies for the volunteers. I work very hard at these events and usually lose a few pounds. The darn “Cookie Table” kept that from occurring this trip.

So as I see it, the Youngstown area community is whole and healthy. We were greeted and treated by all like we were members of the side of the family you all like. So from me personally and from all of the Crazies, thank you for your kindness and help. The world is a kinder gentler place because your community came together and helped a young woman have an opportunity to buy a home.

Tom Gerdy, Lynchburg, Va.

Critic of Mill Creek leaders seeks shorter-term tax levy

After TAKING PART in and hearing nearly all the public comments at the recent Mill Creek MetroParks commissioners’ meeting, I was more than disappointed to learn that no change is planned. The board’s and Executive Director Aaron Young’s numerous apologies ring hollow when we learn that no action is planned to remedy this travesty.

Although Mr. Young in his presentation tried to negate the wisdom of working to repeal the recently passed park levy, I will work to repeal it and replace it with a three-year levy.

My reasoning is that a majority of voters want to fund the park, and I am sure that an even greater majority want more accountability.

In addition to the countless aggrieved volunteers and taxpayers who supported the levy, the nearly 47 percent who voted against the levy will undoubtedly see the value of holding the commissioners’ feet to the fire until they listen to us.

As for any damage caused to the park by such an action, I’d say that we tried to resolve this problem another way. Perhaps there is still time.

Elsie Dursi, Youngstown