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February 06, 2010
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February 05, 2010
Posted in
Local
If you have been driving around Mahoning County and seeing signs like the one to the right, then you are not alone. The Mahoning County Engineers Office received a $5,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to erect 88 signs to mark 14 streams throughout the county. The purpose of the project is to make taxpayers aware of the importance of water pollution prevention.You have got to be kidding me. Sure it is only $5,000, but still, this is a perfect example of government waste at its finest. And to be quite honest with you, I could careless where the "Anderson Macahee Run" goes through in Mahoning County. Why not worry about fixing the worst roads in the United States Ohio Government before you erect meaningless signs throughout this county.
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February 04, 2010
Posted in
Local
In his National Letter of Intent Day press conference yesterday, new Youngstown State Head Coach Eric Wolford said, “I think the thing we gotta make people realize here, and I don’t know how to say this without telling you the way it is: We’ve got to change the perception of Youngstown." Isn't that the truth!?Like I eluded to in my column on Tuesday, for the Mahoning Valley to make a rebound, Youngstown State University will need to lead the way. People often ask me why I am such a big supporter of the Youngstown State Athletic teams, and its because I know that success on the playing field translates into gratification in the community. When Youngstown State was the power of the I-AA/FCS ranks in the 1990s, the Mahoning Valley felt a sense of pride in our boys as they went on to win four Division 1-AA National Championships under Jim Tressel.
Despite everything negative people say about this area, I still think it is a great place to live. There is no doubt we've had it rougher than most parts of the country, but it just goes to show that we are a tough town that will not go down without a fight.
Just take a look at the high school football statistics in this area for a second. In 2009, some 17 high school teams in the Mahoning Valley made it to the OHSAA Playoffs, which is a record. Yesterday, 27 members of that senior class signed with Division 1 FBS or FCS programs, which is astounding for a two county area of about 450,000 people. Per capita, that has to be the best in Ohio and perhaps in this entire country. For a shrinking area, our performance on the gridiron is quite remarkable.
In closing, Eric Wolford was absolutely right when he said we need to change the perception of this area. For far too long politicians and our lack of economic development have contributed to our label as the "Laughing Stock of Ohio." Those days need to end. With more people like Eric Wolford, there is no doubt we'll restore that sense of pride in this area that has been lacking in recent years.
Go Penguins!
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February 02, 2010
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Local
As I mentioned last year, the future of the Mahoning Valley is dependent on the success of Youngstown State University. Under the leadership of Dr. David Sweet, enrollment has risen from 11,787 in Fall 2000 to 14,425 in Fall of 2009, a 22% increase in nine years. With new dorms being constructed next to Ursuline off Bryson and Elm Streets, enrollment is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. Despite the University's success and growth in recent years, it should come as no surprise that there are only a few other major success stories in our Valley, Humility of Mary Health Partners being one of the other few examples. If our citizens truly want to the Mahoning Valley to make a comeback, we will need to rely on Youngstown State University to be our catalyst to bring in good paying jobs for our area.A major reason for the urban comebacks of cities like Columbus and Pittsburgh are due to the popularity and growth of such universities like The Ohio State University in Columbus and the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. These two universities, which combined have over 80,130 students, have been a catalyst for technology, health care, science, and business growth within the greater Columbus and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas. When their students graduate, they do not have the same difficulty finding a job like YSU students are accustomed to here in the valley, because those areas are thriving with small business growth.
I truly believe that in order for a city/metropolitan area to grow, we need a strong, vibrant university to allow our adolescents to get a top quality education to prepare them for the 21st century economy. For the Mahoning Valley, that university is Youngstown State. For this area to make a comeback, Youngstown State will need to lead the way.
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February 01, 2010
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What do you think of the new site?
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January 25, 2010
Posted in
Local
Should anyone be surprised by the news he remains on the job? No. Only in the Mahoning Valley do we let our politicians and/or their appointees go unscathed after failing our area in some way, shape, or form.
Since it appears no-one else is calling for D'Avignon to resign, I guess I will have to lead the charge in calling for Mr. D'Avignon to resign immediately. It is quite evident that Mr. D'Avignon is not worthy hold the position of Youngstown Community Development Director. If he was worthy, I do not believe we'd be sitting here today talking about the Mahoning Valley getting the 'shaft' out of $33.2 million.
If Mr. D'Avignon fails to resign, I am calling on Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams to consider firing Mr. D'Avignon. In my eyes and the eyes of many, a person to blow something of this proportion should not be allowed to remain on the job. On the City of Youngstown website, Jay Williams says "I am ready to break free from the politics of the past." If so Mayor Jay Williams, then you have the responsibility to fire Mr. D'Avignon.
