Teddy Roosevelt: Antidote For the Entitlement Culture
"The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight; that he shall not be a mere passenger, but shall do his share in the work that each generation of us finds ready to hand; and, furthermore, that in doing his work he shall show, not only the capacity for sturdy self-help, but also self-respecting regard for the rights of others."
Some really good points. I know I won't make my final decision until election day.
The one service 'city_resident' raised that I think would be really valuable is the second point. Senior citizens and the disabled must be taken care of. Our senior population locally and nationally is only growing larger. As these folks enter their 70's and 80's, we need to find a way to make them turn over their keys as they lose their ability to drive safely. Public transit could really help that effort. Question is, will they use it. The WRTA has a bad reputation when it comes to its current clientele. We all see who gets off of those buses. Will seniors feel safe to use it?
I would also agree the potential loss of the whole program is a huge blow to the revitalization of the city. A city must have public transit!!! I just think our current system is poorly managed and is used mainly by entitlement recipients. I feel like its yet another crutch we give those who just keep their hands extended for more handouts! If you drive up to Cleveland, you see a busing system and rapid/train system used by suburban workers traveling to and from downtown. That's just not the case here. Very few people from the burbs uses it.
I'll be the first to agree that all metro cities need a public transportation system...it's essential.
Youngstown is a unique case, as a very large majority of its riders are Youngstown residents. I live in Boardman, and I never see anybody from Boardman getting on...only Youngtown riders getting off...everyone knows this. Worse yet, a large majority of those Youngstown riders are people living off entitlement programs. So they are hardly bringing much revenue to Boardman businesses. Not to mention some of them have sticky fingers when visiting our Boardman shops!
I would be more inclined to vote for this levy if more non-Youngstown residents were using it, or if the WRTA board members planned some sort of expansion to attract Boardman/Austintown riders. Unfortunately, no expansion is in the plan...only bringing back night and weekend routes that were previously discontinued.
I have an idea, lets not vote for either of these two morons! What happens when neither candidate receives a vote? I'm writing in Kermit The Frog....cause its not easy being green/sheriff.
Aey is shadier than Wellington. The educational transcripts he turned in are a joke...its an insult to educated people who actually worked hard for one!
There is a reason Wellington is scared despite Aey's lack of qualifications. There's alot of uneducated people in this county who will simply overlook his credentials simply to push old man Wellington out...period. It's sad, but true.
I was hopefull there would be another candidate on the ballot we could all rally around...no such case!
It's important to remember that neither democrats nor republicans are directly responsible for our current credit crisis. This responsibility rests solely on corporate greed and poor decision making on the part of borrowers.
The democrats (obama/pelosi) have gone on record saying that the lack of oversight by our current administration and corruption in D.C. are to blame. Last time I checked, a free market is suppose to be just that...free. Beyond prosecuting white collar criminals, I don't think the government should be getting to involved in our capitalist economy. Socialism has failed in other countries, lets learn from their mistakes.
With that in mind, I don't think we should be spending $700 billion to bailout lenders/banks who acted irresponsibly. Many shareholders have lost a boatload in the recent bankruptcy's of banks such as Lehman Bros. and IndyMac. Why should taxpayers line the pockets of CEO's when so many shareholders and investors have lost a fortune. I just don't believe any oversight will be adequate enough to prevent CEO's from taking lavish bonuses while running their companies into the ground. If they can, I look forward to hearing how they will do it. Perhaps Thursday we'll hear some new idea's. Until then...I say no!
This town needs some changes! Maybe this plan will be a good thing, maybe it won't. I think it will be quite some time before we know what direction it's going in. As far as where the money will come from...as voters, we have the option to say 'no' to excessive levys. Just remember one thing, supporting our schools, beautification projects, infrastructure and township services help keep our property value's up and degenerates out! Recently, we've voted down most of the levy's put on the ballot. I don't know about you, but I want my property value to go up!
If Wellington doesn't challenge the decision in court, it will be up to the voters to decide.
I think they're both unworthy of the position. Wellington is getting to old for the job. Aey has tried to pull a few fast ones with his educational requirements.
At least the trustee's are finally doing some work towards making the community fiscally responsible and a better place to live.
I do agree with Tugboat on one point. Much of this towns ugliness comes from the indifferent and clueless home/business land owners who's properties are deterioting.
If we want beautification, I believe the creation of neighborhood and community groups could better serve us. Those of you who have ever lived in a condo can speak to the success of condo associations. When something needs done, its taken care of in a democratic fashion and the members of the association with the management company split the bill.
Passage of WRTA levy is an economic, social and moral imperative
Teddy Roosevelt: Antidote For the Entitlement Culture
"The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight; that he shall not be a mere passenger, but shall do his share in the work that each generation of us finds ready to hand; and, furthermore, that in doing his work he shall show, not only the capacity for sturdy self-help, but also self-respecting regard for the rights of others."
-Theodore Roosevelt 1902
October 11, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Passage of WRTA levy is an economic, social and moral imperative
Some really good points. I know I won't make my final decision until election day.
The one service 'city_resident' raised that I think would be really valuable is the second point. Senior citizens and the disabled must be taken care of. Our senior population locally and nationally is only growing larger. As these folks enter their 70's and 80's, we need to find a way to make them turn over their keys as they lose their ability to drive safely. Public transit could really help that effort. Question is, will they use it. The WRTA has a bad reputation when it comes to its current clientele. We all see who gets off of those buses. Will seniors feel safe to use it?
I would also agree the potential loss of the whole program is a huge blow to the revitalization of the city. A city must have public transit!!! I just think our current system is poorly managed and is used mainly by entitlement recipients. I feel like its yet another crutch we give those who just keep their hands extended for more handouts! If you drive up to Cleveland, you see a busing system and rapid/train system used by suburban workers traveling to and from downtown. That's just not the case here. Very few people from the burbs uses it.
It's a tough choice.....
October 11, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Passage of WRTA levy is an economic, social and moral imperative
I'll be the first to agree that all metro cities need a public transportation system...it's essential.
Youngstown is a unique case, as a very large majority of its riders are Youngstown residents. I live in Boardman, and I never see anybody from Boardman getting on...only Youngtown riders getting off...everyone knows this. Worse yet, a large majority of those Youngstown riders are people living off entitlement programs. So they are hardly bringing much revenue to Boardman businesses. Not to mention some of them have sticky fingers when visiting our Boardman shops!
I would be more inclined to vote for this levy if more non-Youngstown residents were using it, or if the WRTA board members planned some sort of expansion to attract Boardman/Austintown riders. Unfortunately, no expansion is in the plan...only bringing back night and weekend routes that were previously discontinued.
October 11, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Sheriff plans appeal to exclude Aey
I have an idea, lets not vote for either of these two morons! What happens when neither candidate receives a vote? I'm writing in Kermit The Frog....cause its not easy being green/sheriff.
October 11, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Board of Elections OK's Aey's write-in candidacy
Aey is shadier than Wellington. The educational transcripts he turned in are a joke...its an insult to educated people who actually worked hard for one!
There is a reason Wellington is scared despite Aey's lack of qualifications. There's alot of uneducated people in this county who will simply overlook his credentials simply to push old man Wellington out...period. It's sad, but true.
I was hopefull there would be another candidate on the ballot we could all rally around...no such case!
October 11, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Are you confident the financial industry bailout plan Congress approves will stabilize the nation’s economy?
It's important to remember that neither democrats nor republicans are directly responsible for our current credit crisis. This responsibility rests solely on corporate greed and poor decision making on the part of borrowers.
The democrats (obama/pelosi) have gone on record saying that the lack of oversight by our current administration and corruption in D.C. are to blame. Last time I checked, a free market is suppose to be just that...free. Beyond prosecuting white collar criminals, I don't think the government should be getting to involved in our capitalist economy. Socialism has failed in other countries, lets learn from their mistakes.
With that in mind, I don't think we should be spending $700 billion to bailout lenders/banks who acted irresponsibly. Many shareholders have lost a boatload in the recent bankruptcy's of banks such as Lehman Bros. and IndyMac. Why should taxpayers line the pockets of CEO's when so many shareholders and investors have lost a fortune. I just don't believe any oversight will be adequate enough to prevent CEO's from taking lavish bonuses while running their companies into the ground. If they can, I look forward to hearing how they will do it. Perhaps Thursday we'll hear some new idea's. Until then...I say no!
September 30, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Official: Boardman plan is just first step
This town needs some changes! Maybe this plan will be a good thing, maybe it won't. I think it will be quite some time before we know what direction it's going in. As far as where the money will come from...as voters, we have the option to say 'no' to excessive levys. Just remember one thing, supporting our schools, beautification projects, infrastructure and township services help keep our property value's up and degenerates out! Recently, we've voted down most of the levy's put on the ballot. I don't know about you, but I want my property value to go up!
September 24, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Brunner paves way for Aey to run as write-in
If Wellington doesn't challenge the decision in court, it will be up to the voters to decide.
I think they're both unworthy of the position. Wellington is getting to old for the job. Aey has tried to pull a few fast ones with his educational requirements.
Can someone please find a real candidate???
September 24, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Brunner aids Aey in sheriff bid
Unless Wellington challenges the decision in court, it will be up to the voters to decide the outcome!
Personally, I really wish there were some better candidates than Wellington and Aey. I think they're both shady!
September 23, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Plan is just first step, panel head says
At least the trustee's are finally doing some work towards making the community fiscally responsible and a better place to live.
I do agree with Tugboat on one point. Much of this towns ugliness comes from the indifferent and clueless home/business land owners who's properties are deterioting.
If we want beautification, I believe the creation of neighborhood and community groups could better serve us. Those of you who have ever lived in a condo can speak to the success of condo associations. When something needs done, its taken care of in a democratic fashion and the members of the association with the management company split the bill.
September 22, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. permalink suggest removal