If voters in Mahoning County are asked to decide on a 0.25 percent sales tax for the Western Reserve Transit Authority, residents of Youngstown can be expected to say "yes." That's because the sales tax would replace three city property tax levies.

But what about suburbanites who don't consider bus service a necessity in their lives? Will they be willing to pay for a service that benefits a specific segment of the county's population?

Would they be willing to look at the issue of the WRTA sales tax from a regional stand point?

Will individuals who don't use the bus be willing to help those whose lives are dependent on public transportation?

Or will the anti-Youngstown sentiment that is evident in some suburban communities prevail?

The sales tax issue, if it is on the November general election ballot, will not only be a test of regionalization, but of the mentality of the people of Mahoning County.

How would you vote?