When I read the original story about the lack of STEM jobs, I was sitting in the audience during the welcome remarks at the RAPID conference in Pittsburgh. During the welcome, I probably heard Youngstown mentioned 10-15 times for its home to NAMII, and what a great location it is. When I read this editorial this morning, I saw that the cover story in the paper was about the dedication of a $1 billion state of the art factory. Are we behind in STEM jobs? Yes. Has any part of the U.S. had as many game-changing events during the last three years to help us play catch up? Absolutely not.
None of what was said in this piece is factually incorrect. But the tone of this piece is to take the positive (i.e. the Siemens gift), and remind us of all that the negatives of this area overshadow it. Also, we are ranked number one in the nation for STEM jobs with an associates and lower. Is that horrible? Not at all. Its a starting point. The people of the Valley are moving away from negativity being the default setting on our attitudes- hopefully the editorial page will too.
The above link shows that carbon emissions in the US decreased last year to a 20-year low. One of the MAIN reasons was the switching to natural gas from coal.
I am 100% for more wind and solar. But the economics and technology are not there YET. In the meantime, inexpensive energy has manufacturing companies looking at reshoring to the US. Shale supply chain is literally putting thousands of Valley residents to work. MANY of those companies are in the city of Youngstown's border (V&M Star, De-Cal, Weatherford, Exterran, etc). That means tax revenue for the city, which means keeping cops on the street, and potholes filled. And it also means we are helping America become energy independent by 2025, so we dont have to write $1 billion checks every day to countries that dont like us.
Absolute vigilance is needed to ensure regulations are abided and enforced. I'm all for that - sound people are. But this charter legislation hurts the future of Youngstown in so many ways, it should be shot down in May.
Given the very cool little art gallery that opened across from city hall, maybe its time to focus on the development of Boardman Street? There is no bar or cafe there to draw a crowd yet, but with that gallery and NAMII the opportunities seem to be growing. That could be the arts district?
First - I give Mr. Zoldan credit. He's put his money into making the Phantoms work, and well it hasnt. The quality of the hockey is pretty good. And I'm not there to see fighting. Here are a couple of ideas:
1) I think Mr. Zoldan or somebody should seriously consider linking up to the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise. Tix in Pittsburgh are pricey and they sell out. Yet most of the Valley pulls for the Penguins. So why not have a relationship with them? The Wheeling Nailers do, and they play 10 home games a year in Johnstown, PA in a very old arena. Logistically its tough to do, but why not play those 10 games in Youngstown, and rebrand the team the Wheeling-Youngstown SteelPens? I'd rather have 10 quality games with 4000 attendees than 30 games that cannot hit 1000.
2) The other option is to help fund a YSU team. Its too bad the CCHA is being disbanded - can you imagine YSU playing Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Mich St, Miami, in Youngstown? They would draw 4000. Anyways, college hockey is not cheap, but at least students and alumni would be compelled to go.
I hope hockey stays in some form. Maybe the Phantoms get rebranded the SteelPens, and Mario drops the first puck on Opening Day.
Did anybody ask President Clinton when is the DFAC Center is opening, the one he promised in 1992 he would bring to the Valley when he was on the campaign trail? Or lest we forget about the 2,000 accounting/finance jobs that we would have had for 20 years here?
I hope it can be saved. If not, why not seek to build a replica of the facade? I think about how half of Germany's and some of France's treasures were destroyed by WWII, and people elected to rebuild them. Of course, its not the perfect solution, but it is significant.
If I had the money, I donate it to the YPD to put cameras on every street in Youngstown (Warren, too). In fact, the YPD should start a fundraiser calling on everybody in the city, alumni of the city, etc, to give to this cause. Civil liberties can be debated, but we need to end this senseless violence, and maybe that would help. There is too much good happening in the Valley for the neighborhoods to be left to idiots.
Valley must develop a strategy for increasing STEM workers
When I read the original story about the lack of STEM jobs, I was sitting in the audience during the welcome remarks at the RAPID conference in Pittsburgh. During the welcome, I probably heard Youngstown mentioned 10-15 times for its home to NAMII, and what a great location it is. When I read this editorial this morning, I saw that the cover story in the paper was about the dedication of a $1 billion state of the art factory. Are we behind in STEM jobs? Yes. Has any part of the U.S. had as many game-changing events during the last three years to help us play catch up? Absolutely not.
None of what was said in this piece is factually incorrect. But the tone of this piece is to take the positive (i.e. the Siemens gift), and remind us of all that the negatives of this area overshadow it. Also, we are ranked number one in the nation for STEM jobs with an associates and lower. Is that horrible? Not at all. Its a starting point. The people of the Valley are moving away from negativity being the default setting on our attitudes- hopefully the editorial page will too.
June 13, 2013 at 4:47 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Shale drilling controversies — who's wrong, who's right
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/0...
The above link shows that carbon emissions in the US decreased last year to a 20-year low. One of the MAIN reasons was the switching to natural gas from coal.
I am 100% for more wind and solar. But the economics and technology are not there YET. In the meantime, inexpensive energy has manufacturing companies looking at reshoring to the US. Shale supply chain is literally putting thousands of Valley residents to work. MANY of those companies are in the city of Youngstown's border (V&M Star, De-Cal, Weatherford, Exterran, etc). That means tax revenue for the city, which means keeping cops on the street, and potholes filled. And it also means we are helping America become energy independent by 2025, so we dont have to write $1 billion checks every day to countries that dont like us.
Absolute vigilance is needed to ensure regulations are abided and enforced. I'm all for that - sound people are. But this charter legislation hurts the future of Youngstown in so many ways, it should be shot down in May.
April 6, 2013 at 4:50 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown commission rejects downtown tattoo parlor
Given the very cool little art gallery that opened across from city hall, maybe its time to focus on the development of Boardman Street? There is no bar or cafe there to draw a crowd yet, but with that gallery and NAMII the opportunities seem to be growing. That could be the arts district?
March 20, 2013 at 9:34 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Could this be hockey's last season at the Covelli Centre?
First - I give Mr. Zoldan credit. He's put his money into making the Phantoms work, and well it hasnt. The quality of the hockey is pretty good. And I'm not there to see fighting. Here are a couple of ideas:
1) I think Mr. Zoldan or somebody should seriously consider linking up to the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise. Tix in Pittsburgh are pricey and they sell out. Yet most of the Valley pulls for the Penguins. So why not have a relationship with them? The Wheeling Nailers do, and they play 10 home games a year in Johnstown, PA in a very old arena. Logistically its tough to do, but why not play those 10 games in Youngstown, and rebrand the team the Wheeling-Youngstown SteelPens? I'd rather have 10 quality games with 4000 attendees than 30 games that cannot hit 1000.
2) The other option is to help fund a YSU team. Its too bad the CCHA is being disbanded - can you imagine YSU playing Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Mich St, Miami, in Youngstown? They would draw 4000. Anyways, college hockey is not cheap, but at least students and alumni would be compelled to go.
I hope hockey stays in some form. Maybe the Phantoms get rebranded the SteelPens, and Mario drops the first puck on Opening Day.
March 10, 2013 at 7:13 p.m. permalink suggest removal
For love of country and 'Stinky'
For all those people that complain on how tough their job is, take a look at this gentleman. Thank you for what you did, good sir!!!
November 11, 2012 at 11:20 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Clinton, Biden rally Democrats at the Covelli
Did anybody ask President Clinton when is the DFAC Center is opening, the one he promised in 1992 he would bring to the Valley when he was on the campaign trail? Or lest we forget about the 2,000 accounting/finance jobs that we would have had for 20 years here?
October 29, 2012 at 4:57 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown leads in city council salaries, benefits
My god, attending banquets?? Somebody call OSHA - this horrible treatment cannot continue! :)
October 7, 2012 at 8:51 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Plan to restore landmark Paramount facade in jeopardy
I hope it can be saved. If not, why not seek to build a replica of the facade? I think about how half of Germany's and some of France's treasures were destroyed by WWII, and people elected to rebuild them. Of course, its not the perfect solution, but it is significant.
September 9, 2012 at 1:38 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Tears, prayers send 8-year-old Bryce Linebaugh to rest
By 'idiots', I mean the people causing the crime. I salute the YPD and the neighborhood leaders really trying to improve the city.
August 25, 2012 at 1:22 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Tears, prayers send 8-year-old Bryce Linebaugh to rest
If I had the money, I donate it to the YPD to put cameras on every street in Youngstown (Warren, too). In fact, the YPD should start a fundraiser calling on everybody in the city, alumni of the city, etc, to give to this cause. Civil liberties can be debated, but we need to end this senseless violence, and maybe that would help. There is too much good happening in the Valley for the neighborhoods to be left to idiots.
August 25, 2012 at 1:20 p.m. permalink suggest removal