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March 08, 2010
Posted in
Local
1. UFCW Union- This is the union well known throughout the Mahoning Valley for boycotting Henry Nemenz IGA and Save-A-Lot Food Stores. This "wonderful union" forced Nemenz to shut down two of his area stores: one in Hubbard and one in Poland. In my eyes the UFCW is an extremist group with a radical agenda to take down nonunion business in the Mahoning Valley. Back in July 2009, I wrote an article attacking this radical union for trying to destroy Henry Nemenz and his local grocery stores. Of course few, if any politicians have come to speak out against this union and their agenda.
2. SEIU Union- This is arguably the most corrupt union in America today. Their leaders have been charged in political fraud cases, illegal unionization drives, and they played a role in the Rob Blagojevich corruption scandal.. The SEIU is spending $150 million dollars to get ObamaCare passed. This organization receives $6.6 million dollars annually from the Federal Government, which does not include other money they may have received in the Stimulus package.
After closely studying their associations and their agenda, I truly believe the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative is the local operating arm of ACORN, the most corrupt organization in America today. As you all know, ACORN has been charged in voter fraud cases in a number of states. They are under investigation in a total of eighteen states as of last September, including Ohio (that number may be into the twenties now).
What bothers me about the MVOC is the following:
1. The group had three members (Ian Beniston, Stephen Flannery and Heather McMahon) review the $32.4 million HUD grant that scored very low marks across the board by HUD officials.
2. The MVOC had a vested interest in the HUD grant. It appears that the group would have received some money to rehab houses in Youngstown and Warren.
3. After the Mahoning Valley received no money from HUD, the MVOC held a press conference to speak out against the HUD's decision. As you can see on this video, just about every Democratic politician from the Mahoning Valley was at that press conference. This leads me to believe the MVOC is working hand and hand with local politicians to push their agenda.
4. They come across as an independent group, yet are associated with left wing groups and are clearly pushing a left wing agenda. They are in DC this week to push for the passage of ObamaCare. Considering every poll out there today is calling for ObamaCare to be scrapped and for Congress to start from scratch, the MVOC is showing their true colors pushing for the passage of this disastrous bill.
5. Congressmen Tim Ryan may have some connections with the group. His press secretary is Heather McMahan, who is one of the three people from the MVOC that was involved in the review of the HUD grant. When the Vindicator asked her to comment on the situation, all she could say was "no comment." Another one of Tim Ryan's former interns, Allison Kukla, was an intern at the MVOC during the same time she was with Tim Ryan: January 2009-May 2009. It's one thing to intern at each place at different times, but Kukla interned at each place at the same time. That leads me to believe the MVOC could have been giving her marching orders to get stuff passed through Tim Ryan, but we'll never know for sure.
6. My biggest concern is that this group actually has an influence over our local Democratic politicians and believe it or not has a role in the government of the City of Youngstown! I'd love for Mayor Jay Williams to explain why this community organizing group was actually allowed to review the HUD grant in its final stages? If they are an independent group, they should not have been allowed to play a role in the HUD process. It is very irresponsible of Jay Williams to allow outside groups like the MVOC to be involved in something of this magnitude.
If I were mayor, groups like these with their own agenda's would not have any influence within the city government. They may have the best interest of the area at heart, but considering they are partners with the UFCW and SEIU unions, I have a hard time believing they are an untainted group.
What say you?
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March 05, 2010
Posted in
Airport
One of my main complaints about the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport is the terminal. With the exception of the gate/holding area, the rest of the terminal seems to be unchanged from the 1960s and 1970s and is in need of some major repairs. Here are a few pictures (click to enlarge) I took of the terminal when I flew out of there in late July 2009:
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As you can see in the top row and in the bottom row, the airport is in dire need of some renovations. It could use some new floors, a better floor-plan, new lighting, a new baggage claim, and perhaps some skylight windows to permeate that part of the terminal. The pictures in the middle are in the gate/holding area and as you can see, it is pretty nice in there, however I have two complains. First off, it is too small. We had a sold out flight and there was not enough seats in there for all 150 passengers to sit on. If this airport is serious about expanding its flight offerings to the Mahoning Valley, this section of the terminal could use some more seats and/or an expansion. Secondly, there are no bathrooms in this secure part of the terminal. What that means you have to leave this area of the terminal, go to the bathroom, and go through security again just to "relieve" yourself. Whoever designed this expanded area did a nice job with the look and feel of it, but it is way too small and is badly in need of some restrooms.
From what I have been able to figure, this expansion took place around 2000-2001 before 9/11, so that is the most logical reason why they did not include restrooms in this part of the terminal. Secondly, the airport was not serviced by large jets back then; we were accustomed to commuter airlines that did not require 150+ seats. However, with the expanded offering of Allegiant Air flights to Myrtle Beach, ironically on the same time of day as the Orlando flights, changes will need to be made in order to service all these passengers. Having one jet-bridge/jet-way made sense in 2000, but not in 2010. The airport should consider an investment in a second jet-bridge/jet-way to adequately service all passengers.
FYI: I am no expert on the airport, so this is just me speaking from first hand experience. If the airport is serious about becoming an airport serviced by a number of airlines, then the changes I mentioned above need addressed badly. Although I was 100% against the stimulus, a project like this would make perfect sense considering the original terminal was constructed through funding from the Works Progress Administration. Whoever becomes the new airport director needs to consider contacting our Congressmen and Senators about getting funding to get this airport fixed up. Like they say, "if you build it, they will come."
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February 26, 2010
Posted in
Airport
Unlike the service to Orlando, Allegiant Air will have virtually no competition on this route. Akron and Cleveland do not offer nonstop service to Myrtle Beach, while Pittsburgh offers nonstop service three days per week to Myrtle Beach on a charter carrier known as DirectAir, but their fares begin at $129 one way. With the low fares being offered, this route should be not only be a hit with the people of the Mahoning Valley, but also with fliers from Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Pittsburgh. If marketed correctly, I believe this route could be an enormous success for Allegiant and YNG.In addition to the announcement of service to Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, Allegiant Air's Sales Director John Fenyes hinted that a third destination could be added very soon if the Myrtle Beach route succeeds this summer. Although everyone would like to see flights offered to Las Vegas, the 1800 mile distance may be too far on the MD83 aircraft that Allegiant currently flies.
If I were willing to guess, Allegiant's next move at Youngstown would be to add flights to either Ft. Lauderdale or St. Petersburg, FL, their other two hub/focus cities in Florida. The bottom line is this: The Mahoning Valley needs to continue to support the flights to Orlando and Myrtle Beach so more flights can be added in the near future. It may also be worth noting that one of the reasons Allegiant added Myrtle Beach service because so many people in the Mahoning Valley called their HQ in Las Vegas demanding it. If you would like to see Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, or even Las Vegas offered from Youngstown, consider calling 1–702–505–8888. And remember, you can purchase tickets online at www.AllegiantAir.com.
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February 23, 2010
Posted in
Airport
One of my biggest interests along with sports and politics is aviation, which I can thank my older brother Tommy for. I have taken a great interest in the success of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG) because I believe it can be a carbon-copy, on a smaller basis, of the very successful Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK). For those of you who do not know, CAK has become one of the fastest growing airports in America, due to the success of low-cost carriers AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines. While those two airlines are household names in the industry, YNG boasts the most profitable airline in the United States right now: Allegiant Air.
Early last August my family flew Allegiant Air from YNG down to Orlando-Sanford International Airport. Although a few of them were a bit skeptical of flying an airline they were not too familiar with, by the time we touched back down in Ohio they all came away impressed with what Allegiant Air had to offer. Not only were the planes nice we flew on, but the convenience of flying out of an airport 20-25 minutes from our house just could not be beat. Our only recommendation to Allegiant Air is this: offer more destinations from YNG to cities such as Las Vegas, Ft. Myer's, or even down into Ft. Lauderdale.
As you can see in the bar graph to the right, Allegiant Air has quietly become a success story at YNG. Since its inception in 2006, traffic has doubled from 13,000 passengers in 2006 to over 26,000 passengers in 2009, a 100% increase over just three years. Despite Youngstown receiving the ranking of the 18th most miserable city in America, let Allegiant Air be a model to other businesses that you can be successful here in the Mahoning Valely. If there are any other airlines, or businesses, out there asking themselves whether it would be profitable to locate in the Mahoning Valley, just look at that chart. If you can come here, offer a quality product at a good price, this area will likely support your business.
In closing, if anyone at Allegiant Air reads this, please consider adding more flights out of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. The people of the Mahoning Valley have bought into the fabulous service you offer this community. There is no doubt in my mind that if you were to offer additional flights/destinations from YNG, this area will support you just as well as we have supported the Orlando service these past three years.
Despite offering just two-flights a week, the prosperity of Allegiant Air at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport is quickly becoming one of the "not so talked about" success stories here in the Mahoning Valley.
What say you?
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February 21, 2010
Posted in
National
In August of 2008, I felt ecstatic when John McCain selected Sarah Palin as his running mate. She was a conservative, an outsider, and a candidate that brought enthusiasm to a pretty dull ticket. Within a few days, the liberal media absolutely destroyed Palin and her family. It was a despicable display of the blatant bias of the mainstream media in this country. Despite the media doing everything to tear her apart, I still liked Palin and still do to this day. However, Sarah Palin is not the answer in 2012 for the Republican Party.
Due to the pitiful 'journalism' that surrounds Sarah Palin, any opportunity for her to have a realistic shot at the White House in 2012 are a long-shot. A little less than three years out until Election Day 2012, Palin is getting destroyed by Obama by 15-20% in nearly every poll conducted in the past few months. When asked if Americans have a favorable/unfavorable opinion of Palin, her favorables are in the upper 30s, while her unfavorables are in the mid 50s. Despite those numbers being bad, nothing beats her lowly numbers on whether or not Palin is qualified to serve as President. From the polls I have read, only 30% or so believe she is qualified, while around 70% believe she is not qualified. To my conservative friends, do not make the mistake of nominating Sarah Palin as the Republican nominee in 2012 because it will mean four more years of Barack Obama. Although I agree with Palin on the policies, she stands absolutely shot of winning the White House because she will never be able to attract the swing voters in the middle, where her poll numbers are just ugly.
Before I hear it from my fellow conservatives, please realize that I like Sarah Palin, I have enjoyed her book so far, and I believe she is a great advocate for the conservative ideology. However, she can do a whole lot more good for conservative candidates and the Republican Party if she goes out there and campaigns for our candidates, where she can attract huge crowds and help raise campaigns funds to help us knock off Democrats in 2010 and 2012. She may be bright and charismatic, but from the conservatives that I personally know she comes across as naive and a bit simple-minded on the most important issues facing this country.
For all those reasons, I believe the Republican Party should do their due diligence and not nominate Sarah Palin in 2012. If we truly want to defeat Barack Obama in 2012, pick a candidate that can actually put up a fight and win.
What say you?
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February 17, 2010
Posted in
Local
How can anybody in their right mind believe the nonsense that Congressmen Ryan is spewing? He is speaking like a true politician in an election year. Like I said in my column on Tuesday, I am happy to see V&M Star expanding here, but it is only 350 jobs, which is a good start, but nothing excessive. I am not sure if Congressmen Ryan realizes this, but 350 jobs does not designate a turnaround; if anything it is a bandage that is stopping the bleeding. As a commenter on Vindy.com said, "To get back to the 40's, 50's, and 60's, we would need a deal like V&M every week for a few years."If you want to be a cheerleader Congressmen Ryan, go right ahead; but since you took office there hasn't been much to cheer about. In January of 2003 when you took office, the unemployment rate was at 8.2% in Mahoning County. The current unemployment rate stands at 12.8% in Mahoning County; a 51% increase (percentage wise) since you took office. With that being said, how can we believe your comments that we are going to get back to the economy of the '40s, '50s, and '60s when this area is in a deeper hole now than when you found it in 2003?
In closing, I have to say something that needs to be said: The manufacturing industry is not going to make a roaring comeback in the Mahoning Valley simply because V&M Star is expanding their operations here. If Tim Ryan or anyone else out there believes that manufacturing is going to make a big return to get this Valley back to where it was sixty years ago, they are delusional. That is not a solution, it is an unattainable dream and it is unacceptable for our politicians to think it is a realistic proposition. For starters, if we can push the natural gas drilling I proposed in my previous article, then I think that this area would have a good stepping stone to bigger and better things. However, even that alone will not get this economy back to where it was in our heyday sixty or so years ago.
What say you?
