Two East Side residents, who are being moved out by the city, don’t want to leave

YOUNGSTOWN

A couple of residents of a largely-vacant East Side neighborhood, being moved out of their houses for potential development, say they want the city to be fair with them.

Natarasha Gillam and Bertha Tillis, both of North Lane Avenue, don’t want to move.

Gillam and Tillis – who had her daughter-in-law Audrey C. Tillis speak on her behalf – are in a 21-acre location on the East Side that council rezoned on Sept. 21 from residential to industrial green.

City Council President Charles Sammarone said today if, like Tillis, he lived in his house for more than 50 years, “I wouldn’t want to be forced out. Everyone has to come to an agreement. You have to negotiate a price and be reasonable.”

After Wednesday’s council meeting, Mayor John A. McNally agrees the city needs to be reasonable.

“We’re going to move forward and we expect to reach a fair deal,” he said. “I expect we’ll be able to come to a fair conclusion.”

The city wants to turn the site into a location for businesses such as light manufacturing, distribution centers, warehouses and storage facilities.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com