County residents should not pay for bus service in city

You do realize that we are only one of a few counties in the United States that does NOT use county tax dollars to support public transportation, don't you?

Also, you list Mill Creek Park, the Airport, and Lake Milton State Park in making your argument that there is bias toward support of our major urban center, the city - 2 1/2 of the three examples listed have nothing to do with the city. I get your larger point but fail to connect your examples with your claim in this instance.

Mr. Kidd, Mill Creek Park used to be funded solely by the city of Youngstown. Lake Milton was owned by the city of Youngstown, until the dam was found to be unsafe, and the city unloaded Lake Milton on the state, who footed the bill for repairs on the dam. The lake sat dry for a few years while this took place.

I feel that Mr. Brant hit the nail squarely on the head. Why, if the Youngstown-owned Mill Creek Park reinvented itself and became a county-funded "Metro Park" does the Metro Park District not fund all the parks in said district? That's a prime example of the rest of the county bailing out Youngstown and getting nothing in return but higher taxes. Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, and so on, except Yellow Creek Park in Struthers, still are funded by their own tax levies, paid by the same folks who are funding Mill Creek Park.

That's what people are afraid will happen with the WRTA - please don't insult anybody by trying to make them believe the WRTA will run a bus route all over the county. Once you're away from the city and its suburbs, the population is simply too sparse to make it efficient to plan a usable bus route. That means New Middletown, New Springfield, and even North Lima, as well as points west. Yet they're being asked to fund the WRTA. What, realistically, do they get in return? Higher taxes and nothing else, just like Mill Creek Park.

I also agree with Mr. Brant when he asks why the county commissioners would put this levy on the ballot when it was resoundingly thumped in the last election. The people have said "NO!" by a large majority. Yes, we know the WRTA needs the money. But we aren't so gullible as to believe there will be buses running every 20 minutes through Beloit, Ellsworth, and all the other small, rural towns.

"Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, and so on, except Yellow Creek Park in Struthers, still are funded by their own tax levies, paid by the same folks who are funding Mill Creek Park."

Youngstown still has a parks department to maintain its own parks, too. So, how is Youngstown different from the suburbs? Also, isn't a large portion of Mill Creek Park in Boardman?

"...please don't insult anybody by trying to make them believe the WRTA will run a bus route all over the county. Once you're away from the city and its suburbs, the population is simply too sparse to make it efficient to plan a usable bus route."

You're right. Well over half the population of Mahoning county is concentrated in the 6 northeastern townships/cities. It is inefficient to service the other rural areas with a fixed route. That's why the dial a ride system would be made available to the entire county. (And, I've heard Mr. Ferarro, on the radio, talking about a satellite service out in the Sebring area that would provide buses on a fixed route to neighboring larger cities outside of Mahoning county.)

"Youngstown still has a parks department to maintain its own parks, too. So, how is Youngstown different from the suburbs? Also, isn't a large portion of Mill Creek Park in Boardman?"

There's one basic difference: Austintown, Boardman and/or Canfield, and so on, did NOT once own Mill Creek Park, provide sole support for it, and when it became costly foist it off on the rest of the county in an election that still stinks today.

"Well over half the population of Mahoning county is concentrated in the 6 northeastern townships/cities."

Yes, including the city of Youngstown, whose residents stand to gain a drop in their property taxes if this thing passes. Gosh, I wonder how THEY'RE going to vote? What this whole election will come down to is whether Austintown, Boardman, and Canfield can be made to believe they stand to gain enough - assuming anyone there even WANTS a bus, much less believes one will be there should they want it - to vote for the thing. Unfortunately for them, the western half and southern border of Mahoning County is not much more than just along for the ride on this one.

"That's why the dial a ride system would be made available to the entire county."

Oh, please. How's that going to work? Someone in Ellsworth wants to take public transit to their doctor in North Jackson, and at the same time someone in the northern half of Washingtonville wants to go to work in New Springfield. Are there going to be TWO chauffer-driven vehicles shuttling individuals hither and yon, subsidized by the taxpayers of the county? Will there be three? Or, because there might be one or two calls for service in any given year's time, will there be any available?

"(And, I've heard Mr. Ferarro, on the radio, talking about a satellite service out in the Sebring area that would provide buses on a fixed route to neighboring larger cities outside of Mahoning county.)"

Many years ago, H G Wells talked about Martians invading the Earth, on the radio too. Doesn't mean it ever happened, or ever will.

YoungstownKidd: Actually Cleveland is going after the state for better funding of their public transportation. Not the residents that live there. I think there are more options then putting more taxes on the people. I just think that we as a county, we do not bennefit for the city buses. There is one bus route out to Boardman, but that is it. Sorry it's a NO vote for me.

Trumbull and Columbiana county have rural transits supported by the County.There is a need,not everyone owns a car or can drive.Elderly disabled and young need rides to doctors work school,shopping etc.Since youngstowm already has bus service,the rest of the county has the most to gain.City resident has it right.I vote yes.To old man grump your name says it all.

Here's the problem. Those buses do not drive outside of the Youngstown area, so how are they going to get the people of outter laying areas to work, school, shopping, or the doctors? Plus city buses don't go to a direct places. If you are sick and need to get to the doctor's, your not going be dropped off at the front door. Who wants walk a blocks to get there when they are sick? As for people without cars, my grandma never drove. We, her family and next door neighbor, ALWAYS made sure she got everywhere she need to be or wanted to be. You say the rest of the county has more to gain? Why? Not many people I know from the burbs want to ride a bus, let along drive, to the city of Youngstown for anything. There are others means beside busing to get to the places you listed. So it's still a NO vote for me.

"my grandma never drove. We, her family and next door neighbor, ALWAYS made sure she got everywhere she need to be or wanted to be."

Not everyone is that lucky. Actually, I would guess that most are not that lucky.

But, I'm really going to try to stay out of this discussion for now. There are none so blind as those who will not see

Get the facts,outlying areas will get door to door service,no need to walk blocks or to go into youngstown. Everyone is not as lucky as your grandmother to have family left in the area,many have moved away for jobs.Disabled workers need rides to and from work,five days a week month after month.Try finding rides to and from your job day after day.

It is mainly a city bus servie and not for the entire county. If we want that we would all jump on WRAT bus in lake Milton and go to Boardman. Hmm,there seems to be a problem,only the area around the city ahs WRTA buses and mainly city people ride them. Not many county folk do and why should famrers pay for it when they hardly have to go to the city sicne they grow thier own food and in some cases amke their own cloths. Seems the only mahoning county anyone cares about is the city but our couty has a lot of country side in the south and west.

Now wait a minute - the outlying areas will get door-to-door service?? But you're asking me to pay my taxes to support the buses too, same as them. Where's MY door-to-door service? I have to walk for blocks and stand in the rain or snow waiting on the bus. That's the way bus service works. What you're claiming the rural areas will get is subsidized taxi rides. I want that - I don't want to wait in the rain or snow, after I've carried packages for several blocks. I don't want to share the ride with people who I don't care to associate with, or who may try to rob me.

Haven't we been told before that the reason the WRTA has the large buses when only a handful of people ride them, is that that's what the federal government subsidizes for them to buy? So that's what they have - full size buses. Now people are expecting me to believe that same outfit that has nothing but full size buses is going to provide door-to-door service to the rural areas of the county. Exactly how is that going to be cost-efficient?

"Oh, they'll get smaller vehicles!" you'll say. So where are those smaller vehicles now? Any bus I've seen in the past several years could be replaced with a 15-passenger van, and still have seats left over. There's a need for smaller vehicles RIGHT NOW. The need's been there for years. The WRTA hasn't bought any. We were told they couldn't. So which is it?

They wil lnot add routes for the whole county since it would not make much since as afr as money goes,too far to drive not enough riders to make it worth it.

The taxes from the county wide levy would only benefit the city of Youngstown, as usual. So the levy should be a city levy not a county levy! But the city would not generate enough money from a levy cause many resident don't pay taxes.

"But the city would not generate enough money from a levy cause many resident don't pay taxes."

I just have to ask, what are you talking about??? We're talking about a new sales tax. (For every $100 you spend on taxable items, an extra quarter would would go to the WRTA.) When do Youngstown residents get an exemption from paying sales tax?

And since I let myself get sucked back in...

"Haven't we been told before that the reason the WRTA has the large buses when only a handful of people ride them, is that that's what the federal government subsidizes for them to buy? So that's what they have - full size buses. Now people are expecting me to believe that same outfit that has nothing but full size buses is going to provide door-to-door service to the rural areas of the county. Exactly how is that going to be cost-efficient?"

The WRTA has some smaller van-buses. They are used for the current "SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE (SST)" Look for that phrase here for more information: http://www.wrtaonline.com/aboutus.htm I think this program is also subsidized by the government. I guess that's why they can't be used for the fixed routes. (they wouldn't hold up nearly as well, anyway) I don't know if this same service is what they would provide to the entire county, or not.

When I lived in Youngstown I would see buses running with no riders on them and I would say to myself "what a waste of money". Can someone tell me how many people ride the bus everyday in Youngstown area? You cannot expect people to keep paying for a service that very few use. Its called cut backs, cut the fat from the routes. There is only 80,000 people in Youngstown do we need this service? Come on you are not some big city that needs to cut down on folks driving there own cars. When Youngstown had 160,000 I could see it but not now. And why you are at it stop the patrols in the outline areas of the county with the Sheriff. Start putting those patrols in the ares that need it most.

Not as many a they make it out to be.

But you see we do not want to pay a new sales tax! We do not want to give more money to the city. Most of them don't pay for sale taxes either. So they have to bank on the out laying area to afford their busing for them. Bus rates are very, and i mean very cheap. They need to keep the bus route limited as is and not worry about asking for a new sales tax!

For Youngsotwn mainy.

"When I lived in Youngstown I would see buses running with no riders on them"

How long ago was that? Ridership had been increasing steadily until they had to cut back due to state and federal funding. I've read that they were up to about 6000 passengers per day. (That was back when gas was still in the $2.XX/gallon range, imagine how many would be riding now, if the level of service hadn't been cut.) But, to answer your second question, they are now down to about 4000. (see past Vindy articles to verify this)

"You cannot expect people to keep paying for a service that very few use. Its called cut backs, cut the fat from the routes."

They have, a lot. No more nights and weekends, elimination of entire routes, running some routes less often. I believe they've cut staff too. But I can't remember the numbers.

"When Youngstown had 160,000 I could see it but not now."

Youngstown, and its adjacant suburbs have at least 160,000.

Good public transportation services are needed in mahoning county.. and those that can, should support the services that are provided...you may be in need one day.
Public transportation is a god send in high fuel times like these, and those that are able to, would benefit from using it. WRTA has made cutbacks based on the economy, not so much because less people need the bus.
Dont be fooled just because Youngstown is a "dump" does not mean that thousands do not live there and need the bus.

If the WRTA had the funding to put back what they cut and maybe some extra, the ammount of people using the bus would increase, reducing the ammount of monies they would normally spend on say a taxi, or fuel for their own vehicles, and in turn go right back into the transportation thats needed.

In my opinion, the money that the department of Jobs & Family Services shells out on ride services and taxi companies, should be given to the WRTA to expand its services so it can provide to everyone in the close outlying areas of Youngstown. I used to work for a taxi company and I have seen the 10's of thousands of dollars spent monthly for people on assistance, money that could be used to revamp the busing system instead.

You cannot keep asking for more when people are making less. Why do you people think companys are moving out of Ohio. because the state and local govts want more and more from them. So the same thing can be said about John Q public. If you keep asking for more they are going to say no, and move away. Then there goes more taxes not being collected. I do not think for one moment that more people are on the bus than there was in 1980-1997. there may be more people on a bus because they are cutting the number of buses that run on a route.I can tell you I seen buses running up Market street without a soul on them. Many ,many times I seen this.

Maybe we should have the govt take over WRTA too. Why not they are taking over the mortgage giants and will take over the the airlines soon I am sure. Then the world can call us the little socialist country in the west. After this I swear I will not post about this subject again. If a company can not make money then it needs to fail. No if or buts , let it fall. I hate to see people out of work, but hey thats the nature of the beast.I have lost 3 jobs in the Ytown area since 1994. Did it suck? "YES" but you pick yourself up and move on. The places I worked never asked for asst. they shut the doors and moved on. One even made a come back 3 years later. If WRTA can not make on there own or with what they got coming in then its time to say "by by". Thats just life. And before you ask, I never collected Unemployment.

"I do not think for one moment that more people are on the bus than there was in 1980-1997."

Sure there are. (or were, before the cuts, maybe) What did gas cost in 1997?

"If a company can not make money then it needs to fail. No if or buts , let it fall."

So you're against all mass-transit in the U.S. then? You're entitled to your opinion, I guess.

City you say it has increased to about 6,000 riders. So how many of them are from the burbs? I mean cause you say there is about 160,000 residents with the burbs. So that is a very low percentage of people riding the bus. And i bet very few live in the burgs, well Boardman maybe, since that is the only burb area it goes to. I just think that right now with everything going up in price and us live in the burbs will still have to pay high gas prices even if they levy passes cause ther still will be no route to the outer burbs. It just NOT worth it! My vote is still NO!!!

I look at it as a "city problem" not a county and if you drive to Youngstown from Sebring the you still won;t be on the bus.

Akron is a little different they went from 65 cents to a dollar but provided limited services to Cleveland, and met Canton at a stop and used to run to Kent State. The Cleveland buses are full and buses run late, real late to some places.

Of course Akron is bigger and close to Canton and Cleveland and Kent.

maybe mayor JEDD will shut their water off if they don't vote "YES" ????

Why not, he has the power to do so and the will.

Thanks for the link OMG. We're not the only place in the US that is having this funding problem. But, we have a possible solution to the problem because the WRTA hasn't already become a county entity.

andersonathan,
Why does Stark county have a county wide service? Canton is about the same size as Youngstown.

Well Canton is just difernet in how they do things plus thy have more city areas then we do and they are close to Akron.

And no one is commenting on the first letter? I'm wondering where young women are baring their breasts in public.

let's see in Younsgtown and at the park. It seems to always happen Drugs would sure make more people do these kinds of crazy things.

I don't think girls are baring their breast. i think the writer thinks the clothes are too reveling. But it is not the government's right or responsiblity to tell girls or women how to dress. I believe it's a girl's parent who need to teach their child to respect themself and to dress respectfully. Plus the person writting this letter is holier then thou religious person. If this person ever actually read their bible, they would know that Adam and Eve were naked until adam ate the fruit. Then were barely clothed. I do agree that girl dress too sexy and that those designing the clothes need to tone it down. But it is DEFINATELY up to a girl's parents to teach her that the less you bare, the more you leave to the imagination.

Not as much as the stry makes it seems. If you would undertsand his it is that it amkes it out that everyone has their boobs hanging out which is jsut not the case.

I want to state that I am grateful for the service to Austintown that WRTA provided until recently. I have a friend who is losing her eyesight. She is a senior citizen who provided a valued service to many area residents for years. Because the WRTA provided a door to door service for the handicapped and elderly, she was able to get around with dignity. It's too bad that more residents don't realize the opportunities in public transportation.

The problem I have with it is them not using the money to put the austintown routes back on. They will use it to put more routes is youngstown, and the night/late night routes back too. They will not even think about door to door service for the elderly. I was just in boardman today. I saw the WRTA bus in the Shops at Boardman park. There were only four people on the bus. The numbers just don't add up. Why should I vote for a levy when the buses have so few people riding hem.

You shouldn't.

"The problem I have with it is them not using the money to put the austintown routes back on. They will use it to put more routes is youngstown, and the night/late night routes back too. They will not even think about door to door service for the elderly."

Where did you read/hear this? This is contrary to everything I've read.

"I was just in boardman today. I saw the WRTA bus in the Shops at Boardman park. There were only four people on the bus. The numbers just don't add up. Why should I vote for a levy when the buses have so few people riding hem."

When a bus operates on a loop, it seems reasonable to me that it would be most empty at the farthest point along its route. Of the buses that go to Boardman, Boardman is the outer most part of their loop. There were probably a lot more than 4 who took a ride on that bus, but they either already got off at an earlier stop, or will be getting on when the bus heads back toward downtown. If you want a better idea of the number of people currently riding the bus, visit Federal Station downtown.

So you beleive everything you read? That is amazing. It's all politics, and they will say one thing to get the votes, and the complete opposite once it passes.

As for Federal Station: I have been past Federal Station many times. Barely anyone was there waiting on a bus. So wait did I see the station at the wrong time too? And where I was at today is no the farthest part of Boardman the bus goes. It goes to where Hobby Lobby, Alltel, and Giant Eagle are, so they are going there for nothing but to waste gas.

"So you beleive everything you read?"

Not necessarily. But I don't make up stuff in the absence of belief.

I guess you voted no on the levy to build the new Austintown middle school, too? I mean, they said they were going to build a new school.

"As for Federal Station: I have been past Federal Station many times. Barely anyone was there waiting on a bus. So wait did I see the station at the wrong time too?"

I don't know, maybe. You've provided too little information. For example, the station will usually be dead at 20 after and 10 to the hour. Most riders show up right before their bus is going to leave. I guess that it would also be lighter in the middle of the morning and afternoon when not all routes are running.

"And where I was at today is no the farthest part of Boardman the bus goes. It goes to where Hobby Lobby, Alltel, and Giant Eagle are, so they are going there for nothing but to waste gas."

That was the 35 South route. If you saw it at the Shops at Boardman park, it was already at the Walmart plaza. It was either heading for the mall, or heading back to that plaza and back up South Ave. I mention this because you can't really tell how many people were riding the bus based just on what you saw at that location. It's possible (though even I'll admit it's unlikely) that 28 people just got off the bus at the Walmart plaza before you saw it.

Keep the busses out of the Suburbs, and you'll keep the shoplifting within the City limits.

That new school put us i nthe red! I will say that gain it is why we need more money because we spent it all one ONE school! busing s messed up now becuase of it and even if it passes they have already decided to make more cuts jsut to be jerks.

Actually I voted yes to build the new school. I think the problem there was, they didn't build the school right according to the guide lines of the state. Therefore they didn't get the grant amount promised. They did need a new school, but they should have included the operating expense into the levy. I think the school system mismanged their money. They need major money management taught to them. It's sad that they don't know how to yet.

metz87 said: well canton is just different in how they do things plus they have more city areas than we do and they are close to akron........I guess they know the value and need of public transit.

Canton is a whole different story. They provide it for Canton. Youngstown does provide it for Youngstown, but that is it. They can not expect a county to fund something that only benefits the city. It's just like the water. They expect the burbs to cover their budget problem by blackmailing them for water usage. When we already pay a 40% surcharge. They are with their hands out. They never try to help themselves. No wonder they children are skipping school all the time they have no hope.

"Canton is a whole different story. They provide it for Canton. Youngstown does provide it for Youngstown, but that is it."

From SARTA's website: (http://www.sartaonline.com/)
"On December 1, 1997 the Canton Regional Transit Authority (CRTA) following the successful passage of a sales tax levy which replaced Canton RTA’s property tax, began operation as the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA). According to the RCW, establishing SARTA as Stark County’s mobility provider, the agency would provide service to all of Stark County, Ohio."

Several years ago, Canton's bus service was just like Youngstown's. It mostly served the city of Canton, and was paid for by the residents of Canton, just like the WRTA. Then, the county passed a sales tax to make the bus service county-wide, just like the WRTA wants to do. That's why I ask: why are we different?

Why doesn't the levy go to up the property taxes on the resident of Youngstown they already pay to the WRTA? Try that one instead. See if the people who actually ride the buses and where the routes are will support it. I doubt it. See i'm sick of the levies, and people with their hands out. Learn to stay within your budget and cut the fat!

"Why doesn't the levy go to up the property taxes on the resident of Youngstown they already pay to the WRTA?"

I wouldn't support an additional property tax to provide service to the rest of the county. But, I would support additional property taxes to keep WRTA running, if that were the case.

City... you would support a property tax, but not for the county to use the service.... so why would we ever pay for something only the city uses? Enough already, it's one thing after another in Y-town. Show some initiative and solve your money, crime, and schooling woes without using any other resources but your own. Even a mutually beneficial plan between the city and the burbs is doomed due to this constant "gimme" attitude.

They feel they are the county so everyone should help them first.

City...it doesn't support the county and we don't want it. So i am suggesting for the city to fund it, to keep it running the way it is now. And you see with the role reversed you won't support it, so now you know why we don't support it for you guys.

Hey, I've said this before, in another discussion. If you don't want county-wide mass-transit, then vote no. IMO, this is backwards, but you're entitled to your opinion and your vote.

I'm not generous enough to pay for transit service to the entire county, for the same reason you're not interested in paying for a city-only service. But, no one is asking you to pay for a city-only service.

That prety much is what it is. Other the Boardman and Austintown which are right next to youngstown where else do they go?

I read in this paper about how the city should take over the busses. FUNNY! This city will not fix their roads. I ride the busses. The problem is, the drivers will not take a pay cut to help out. They run late, their rude. They don't care about the riders.

If this county wanted to help the bus service, then do like Pittsburgh did. They taxed the drinks people take at the bars and gave it to the busses.

"They run late, their rude. They don't care about the riders."

I wouldn't know about the drivers' unwillingness to take a pay cut. But, overall, I've had very different experiences riding the bus. Sure, I have encountered rude, late, and/or uncaring drivers. But, just about every driver who was not a sub has been on time, courteous, and concerned for their riders. I've even had drivers stop at my usual corner when I wasn't there, to see if I was running a little late that day. Maybe the west side get's preferential treatment?

How did Austintown schools become involved in this conversation? At any rate, the reason they are asking for the 4.9 mil levy is because business taxes are being fazed out by the year 2010.... the ones that support the schools, that is. To the Austintown parents, if you attended Open House last week you could have spoken directly with numerous BOE members including the Super. There was also much information regarding the budget and reasons for the levy. No amount of bashing A-town schools will make me vote no for my children's future, before anyone goes crazy. I always vote yes for schools, police and fire. The only people that will be punished are the children, the BOE won't be the victims.... it's your children and their educators that will ultimately pay the price. As for the WRTA, it's still a NO vote for me no matter how many times you say it is vital.... I too have seen it virtually empty. I live in A-town and it is of absolutely of no use to me.

"As for the WRTA, it's still a NO vote for me no matter how many times you say it is vital... I live in A-town and it is of absolutely of no use to me."

Me, me, me. Who has the "gimme" attitude, again? You're voting no becuase _you_ don't get anything out of it, right?

I won't be affected much if the sales tax passes. (except that I'll be about $42 richer at the end of the year, woo hoo) The only thing the passage of this sales tax would allow me to do, would be to take an occasional trip to the suburbs to go shopping. And, I'd only do that as a favor to that community. I'm more concerned about others, and how they will benefit from better mass-transit.

yes and eev ni nYoungstow the buses are nevr full. Now the isse with Autintown is this. her;s is a examle of wasting money. Give a 4th grader $50 and tell him to buy some clothing .well instead he ends up spending it all on candy and then coms abck and wants more money! Why would you give him even more to waste? Taht is what the BOE is doing wasting money. How we got so far in the red so fast is soemthing they won't tell us and so I el lthat by voting no it shows then we aren't pelased with how they are running the school.

City... gimme gimme, you're accusing me of this attitude! I don't want anything from the WRTA or Y-town, but I'm not going to pay for YOU to have something that is not provided to EVERYONE. And do us a favor, please spare us any trips to our stores and buy all that you need in Y-town. Fat chance that will happen.... I'm more concerned about my budget, my friends and neighbors budgets, etc... this levy will not help out anybody that I know. It needs to be something the masses get to use, not just a few in order for it to be a fair tax.... it's not. The vote will remain a NO, nothing cited here has even remotely changed my opinion.

It has done the oppostite actally. Make me oppose it more that is.

"but I'm not going to pay for YOU to have something that is not provided to EVERYONE."

What wouldn't be provided to everyone? Where are you and dmets getting this information that is different from what I'm reading in the paper?

"please spare us any trips to our stores and buy all that you need in Y-town."

Whatever I can't buy in Youngstown, I purchase online. So don't worry about me.

"It needs to be something the masses get to use, not just a few in order for it to be a fair tax..."

What do you feel will have to happen for this to be something the masses can use? What would it take for you to support this sales tax? I'm not asking to be snarky, I'm genuinely curious. Or, do you just not want mass-transit at all?

Not sure about all the ins and outs of Canton but i know i could catch a 5:45 am bus in Akron be in Canton by 7:15 turn around go back go to Cleveland by noon at the latest and be back in Akron and home by 6:30 for under 12 dollars i have done it several times when not having a license. I used 3 different services. It is nice having connecting services most Cleveland trips were almost full. And used the Cleveland bus for work and commuted for about 6 months costing 6 dollars a day it was nice. Here I do not know how far i can go? And one question since we have a big crime problem night time buses or late buses to anyplace might be a risk. Some times it is sad i think Youngstown is being held down or held up at the cost of growth and trying to force surrounding areas. And yes the mayor has a right to use water and i will call him JEDD Williams if i want to, water is nothing but a thug tactic. or do you want to talk about the Chevy Centre now?

"I live in A-town and it is of absolutely no use to me."me me me Seems to be a mahoning valley mind set.

It's not the Mahoning Valley mind set. It'S Youngstown's mind set! Cause A-town is part of the Mahoning Valley.

Also to the school levy, that will also be a no. I think all schools that ask for levies do cause they mismanage the money they have. I think they need to sit down look at their budget, and cut the fat. The gov't also needs to find other ways to fund schools besides property taxes. People are sick of everytime they turn around there is a levy for more taxes. There are many school who run without asking for a levy. And I can't stand how right away people say the only ones hurt are the children. The children will get the same education whether the levy passes or not. They will have the same teachers, who are there to teach the children.

It's the mind set that I don't need it,so their is no need.Many things in the valley that my taxes go to that I do not use,but others do.It' called quality of life.

dmets.... The children are the first ones to suffer, as well as their parents. The ratio of teachers to children will change, additional programs will be eliminated or reduced, busing could be a cut, additional fees can be assessed for everything..... so in the long run they are going to get the money they need. Instead of having the whole township share the cost, just parents that have children in school will pay... do you see?

City..... I would have to actually have some faith that what is said will be done would actually occur. I believe virtually nothing will change other than the price of purchased goods. I doubt that I would be able to hop on a bus and get somewhere that I wanted to go. I don't think fellow cities and townships in Mahoning County will benefit by increased routes either. The future for the WRTA looks a little like this to me with the passage of this levy.... increased routes to Y-town, no add'l routes of worth to the suburbs and an inevitable need for more money down the road. So you see, City, I just don't trust the leadership of this area to make good on their promises.... only time will change that.

They lost our trust awihle abck and we need new people in there who listen to us to change that.

"increased routes to Y-town, no add'l routes of worth to the suburbs and an inevitable need for more money down the road."

I think it's likely that some of the routes that were previously eliminated will be put back into service. So, yes, I guess you could call that "increased routes to Y-town." But, I also think there will be new routes created in the suburbs.

In my opinion, if they were smart, they would leave most of the route cuts currently in place, (except the Austintown route, the Warren express, and evening / weekend service) and put those savings into more routes in the suburbs.

"I just don't trust the leadership of this area to make good on their promises...."

If this sales tax passes, they will ask for a renewal in 5 years. Why would they screw the suburbs, when they will need to pass that renewal?

"only time will change that."

If the sales tax fails, why would you trust them more in the future?

"They lost our trust awihle abck and we need new people in there who listen to us to change that."

I still don't get where the mistrust is coming from. But, if the sales tax passes, the 5 person board from the city will be replaced with a 7 person board with 4 from outside the city.

I am really shocked when I hear people who live in areas outside of the city of Youngstown speak like their area is an island unto itself. That compartmentalized attitude will be the downfall of northeast Ohio. I bet you Mahoning County would be one of the few counties in the United States this year to vote AGAINST public transportation funding. And you wonder why its hard to bring in new jobs into the Valley! $4 gasoline should be driving everybody to consider using the bus, car pooling, etc. And if there isnt a bus around you, instead of voting 'no' for the ease of doing it, why dont you write the county, attend a WRTA town hall meeting (that they should be arranging) to discuss how the bus service could be made better. $4 gas is here to stay, why dont we all think about ways to make life BETTER for those who need it the most, including those who choose to or NEED to use the bus.

City..... the mistrust comes from decades of dirty dealings, corruption and misuse of money. Their word just isn't enough.... and if this one passes it will be a cold day when I would give them more money.... especially 5 years from now.

Erplane.... there is far more involved as to why companies don't want to come here.... the WRTA is hardly the only reason they would look elsewhere. Let's just start with the pervasive corruption, students inability to pass proficiency exams, widespread blight, astronomical crime rates.... it's a damn hot mess. As far as making others lives better.... I think you don't know enough about me to know what I do everyday to make others lives better. This issue is a matter of what is more important to me.... schools, police and fire.... everything after that is a distant priority. Financially speaking, I'm a little tapped out... I have to pay that $4.00 per gallon for my car, it's simply not in my budget to pay any more for the things I need at the store.

When the ecomnoy ges south riasing taes sure doesn't help stop it. Many people already are broke or jsut about there and they want more moeny for us?