Editorials

Orchids and onions

ORCHID: To Parker Lame, 13, of Canfield, who last week won the world title in the Super Stock division at the 85th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron. The son of Don and Rebecca Lame of Canfield competed against 70 other racers from around the world in his division. The feat is an incredible success, but even more amazing is that this is Parker's first season of competition, and it was only his fourth race. After winning the world championship, Parker's car now stays in Akron and goes into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame Museum. Congratulations, Parker!

ONION: To Mahoning County Commissioners David Ditzler and Carol Rimedio-Righetti for their handling of media questions about a $175,000 settlement to county employee Ricky Morrison, who was fired and later rehired. Righetti used an expletive when responding to a Vindicator reporter's questions about varied stories on the firing. Then, Ditzler refused to answer questions during a meeting, saying the board meeting was "not a question-and-answer session." He quickly recessed, reconvened and then adjourned the meeting, before telling a reporter he would not answer questions because commissioners were no longer "in open session." Really? The Vindicator and all media represent the public. Taxpayers should be sorely disappointed in the commissioners' response -- or lack thereof -- on the handling of this issue.

ORCHID: To Anthony Vivo, who has served the community admirably as Mahoning County clerk of courts for nearly three decades -- following in the footsteps of his father, who also served as clerk of courts. In all, Vivo worked at the clerk's office for about 40 years. This week he announced his retirement due largely to health issues. We salute Vivo for his longtime public service and wish him a fulfilling and restful retirement.

ONION: To everyone involved in the failure of setting up a process for motorists to dispute civil violations they received in the mail alleging speed in Youngstown school zones. Since the cameras took effect in February, there has been no recourse for those who wish to appeal, police officials said this week. Youngstown Municipal Court has scheduled no hearing on any appeals, and these cases remain in "limbo." Onion goes to the court, which did not return our calls. Onion also goes to police who knew this problem has persisted and claim there is nothing they can do. We disagree. If there is no means for appeal, then they must halt the

program until it is resolved. This is still America, after all.

ORCHID: To the Mahoning Veterans Memorial Foundation and other donors and volunteers for the continued efforts to honor and remember those who have served. As the Canfield Fair quickly approaches, the organization and many volunteers are working hard to upgrade the Mahoning Veterans Memorial Cabin at the fairgrounds. The 225-year-old cabin that recently suffered water damage from a broken waterline, will receive a new metal roof. Donors and volunteers, including J&R Landscaping and Huntington Bank's community service committee, are assisting in repairs and also are improving the surrounding

gardens.

ONION: To auto thieves that lately have been wreaking havoc for owners of vehicles, particularly Kia and Hyundai makes. The Youngstown Police Department has been bombarded with reports of theft or attempted theft of these vehicles. One owner said the vehicle was targeted four times. Highway Loss Data Institute stated in 2021 that Kia and Hyundai automobiles are targeted because they have no electronic immobilizers to prevent thieves from bypassing the ignition. If that's true, an onion also goes to those manufacturers for not correcting this problem. If it's well-known by auto thieves, it also must be well-known by the automakers.

Editorials

Orchids and onions

ORCHID: To LOOP Youngstown for its plans to create an arts and cultural center in Youngstown modeled after similar centers in other metro areas. LOOP is a newly formed coalition of Valley artists, musicians and arts organizations with plans to find a suitably large building -- currently interest centers on a vacant office structure on Mahoning Avenue -- to transform into artist studios, performance / rehearsal spots, maker spaces and meeting sites for arts groups. We wish LOOP success in its quest to solidify our region's already abundant arts assets.

ORCHID: To Mill Creek MetroParks for completion of a new one-third-mile extension of the East Park Hike and Bike Trail, part of more than 7 miles of off-road pedestrian and bicycle trails stretching through Mill Creek Park from U.S. Route 224 to the Ford Nature Center on Old Furnace Road. Ford Nature Center, Lanterman's Mill, East Newport Boat Launch and East Golf Hike and Bike Trail are now connected through the trails. We are pleased to report that visitors to the park we found using the new trail last week shared high praise and rave reviews.

ONION: To the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio, the state's center for smart mobility within ODOT, for failing to award any fast-charging high-powered charging stations for electric vehicles in the Mahoning Valley among the 27 it announced last week for major interstates. Rejected were three proposals for such stations on Interstate 76 in Mahoning County. Given that the Valley includes high-volume interstate traffic on I-76 and I-80, given our ranking as the sixth largest metro area in the state and given our region's growing recognition as Voltage Valley for its electric vehicle and battery production, the region's omission is puzzling. We hope the Valley is not similarly neglected when the next round of stations -- for state and U.S. routes -- is announced later this year.

ORCHID: To Col. Michael Maloney for his recent installation as commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna. Maloney brings an impressive record of service, most recently as chief of the Programs Division at the Headquarters of Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. We're confident Maloney will continue and expand upon YARS' reputation as one of the top award-winning reserve bases in the nation and as one of the largest civilian and military employers in the Valley as it prepares to replace its eight aging C-130Hs with eight state-of-the-art C-130J aircraft and as it explores other opportunities for growth.

ORCHID: To Inspiring Minds for holding its second annual community market recently to teach its youthful participants valuable life skills in marketing and salesmanship and was part of IM's broader summer enrichment programs for students in grades three to 12 in Youngstown City and Warren City schools. The program is yet another feather in the cap of IM founder and CEO Deryck Toles, who has been steering about 500 urban youth annually toward success and away from negative lifestyle choices for 16 years.

ONION: To fraudsters locally and nationally intercepting checks illegally sent in the mail, altering their amounts and payees and swindling the legitimate check writers out of substantial sums of money. The U.S. Postal Service recently announced a dramatic increase in check theft and fraud across the country. Some victims have had their entire bank accounts depleted. We join UPS officials in urging consumers to find other means of payment (online, phone, secure UPS or FedEx) to eliminate even the possibility of becoming a hapless victim of such skullduggery.

ORCHID: To Kathy DiCristofaro of Niles for winning the Ohio Democratic Party's Howard Metzenbaum Volunteer of the Year Award at the party's statewide event last weekend in Columbus. DiChristofaro, a retired teacher, reminds us of the Energizer Bunny dashing productively in and out of her slew of party roles: Trumbull County Democratic Party vice chairwoman and political director, state party central committeewoman, chairwoman of the Mahoning / Trumbull Democratic Women's Caucus.

ORCHID: To the S.L. Gimbel Foundation for awarding a grant of $250,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. That grant will provide a whopping 1 million meals for food-insecure individuals and families in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. The grant could not have come at a better time, given the need for Second Harvest's compassionate service continues to grow amid heightening inflationary pressures and the shutdown of many pandemic-era assistance programs.

editorial@vindy.com

Editorials

Orchids and onions

ORCHID: To everyone behind organizing this year's 25th annual Summer Festival of the Arts, held July 8 and 9 at Wean Foundation Park in Youngstown. Once again, this year's event represented a wonderful cross section of exhibits and an intersection of creativity and community. It was enjoyed by thousands of visitors.

ONION: To those who didn't bother to clean up after their pets during the Summer Festival of Arts. The lovely outdoor venue of Wean Foundation Park was inviting to residents and their pets. We have no problem with that, so long as the dogs are well-behaved and leashed. But we do have a problem with those who don't bother to clean up after their pets. Being a good neighbor and bringing along a plastic bag should go without saying.

ORCHID: To everyone involved in restoring and preserving the Moss Ancestral Home in Mineral Ridge, which recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the National Park Service. Mary Lou Godleski, the home's curator, said work began more than 20 years ago to restore the home that showcases Weathersfield and Mineral Ridge history. The Godleski family and others assisted in the home's restoration. We always applaud those who work on the vital task of preserving local history.

ONION: To the arsonist(s) responsible for setting numerous blazes in Campbell in recent months, including to many vacant structures such as the former Youngstown Sheet & Tube company homes set for demolition. Approximately 14 fires in vacant buildings have been set since March in Campbell. If someone thinks this is fun or that they are doing some sort of service to the community by speeding up removal of these eyesores, they should think again. Intentionally set fires are dangerous and costly, especially to firefighters, who risk their lives and then must follow up with fire investigations. A reward is being offered; call 1-800-589-2728 with information and tips.

ORCHID: To Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday by climbing more than 19,000 feet to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. "So long as you're in physical shape, the rest is mental," Becker told our reporter. His success should be an inspiration to all.

ORCHID: To Inspiring Minds, which is continuing its wonderful summer enrichment program for Warren City Schools and Youngstown City Schools students. The program this week hosted an annual market event held to teach important skills like sales and marketing. Bravo to the leadership at Inspiring Minds and to all the participants. What a fun and educational way for kids to spend the summer!

Editorials

Orchids and onions

ORCHID: To everyone involved in the May 15 Annika Fore East Palestine Golf Outing that raised $400,000 for those affected by the Feb. 3 train derailment. Professional golfer Annika Sorenstam and her husband, Mike McGee, an East Palestine native, worked with local businessman Ed Muransky, and in fewer than 50 days, pulled together a world-class golf outing with key partners and sponsors. The Way Station and the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and others helped make youth sports in East Palestine a priority in receiving the funds. As a result, tens of thousand of dollars went to each of seven youth sports organizations. Other funds went to organizations benefiting educators, the arts, first responders and others. Bravo!

ORCHID: To the Youngstown Area Community Concert Band for the enjoyment it has been bringing to our area for 40 years. The group's musicians live in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Portage counties, and the band has attracted players from western Pennsylvania over the years. According to conductor Joseph Pellegrini, Bill Gretsinger and others started the band to give area musicians an opportunity to continue playing their instruments in a conventional concert band setting. Congratulations to the group on its 40th anniversary this year!

ONION: To the Mahoning County Clerk of Courts for incorrectly dating a court filing on an appeal from an attorney for the Chill-Can site owners. The filing was made prior to the April 19 deadline, but was incorrectly time stamped as if it were filed April 20. As a result, the 7th District Court of Appeals dismissed a case on a $322,908 default ruling. We understand human error sometimes occurs, but in this case, that error could potentially cost nearly $323,000. Still, we were glad to see the clerk of courts office accept responsibility for the error, admitting it in a sworn affidavit. We are hopeful the office's checks and balances prevent such an egregious error from ever happening again.

ORCHID: To the Mahoning County Solid Waste District, known as the Green Team, for seeking and receiving a $75,500 grant to help add recycling services in cooperation with the Ohio EPA and The Recycling Partnership to help the public recycle more and recycle better. The local drop-off recycling program now also will offer educational outreach, engage with patrons at drop-off recycling sites and make infrastructure improvements to help patrons more easily recycle. Mahoning County commissioners, through the Green Team, also are contributing more than $40,000 in matching funds to grow the impact of this grant program.

ORCHID: To Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel J. McElroy, Youngstown native and 1987 East High School graduate, who recently was honored by the Ohio State Alumni Association with its Alumni in Government Distinguished Service Award during a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The award recognizes Ohio State alumni for careers of exceptional public service to Ohio, and McElroy is among 33 Ohioans to win the award since its inception in 2006. She has 30 years of experience in local and state government.

Editorials

Orchids and onions

ORCHID: To the Butler Institute of American Art for bringing the artwork of KISS band lead singer and guitarist Paul Stanley to the Youngstown museum. The art exhibition titled "Paul Stanley: The Other Side" will be on display Aug. 13 through Oct. 8. Stanley also is set to attend a private reception at the Youngstown Museum in August that will serve as a major fundraiser to assist the Butler with accessibility. Stanley's artwork was praised by Butler Executive Director Louis A. Zona, who said Stanley's "work can be viewed as a celebration of our visual universe." Undoubtedly the work of the lead singer and guitarist from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band will draw inquisitive visitors to the art museum, including many who probably have never been there.

ORCHID: To homeowners and community gardeners throughout Struthers for recently drawing the attention of America in Bloom. Representatives of the national nonprofit organization committed to urban renewal and community enhancement selected Struthers as the sole locale in the Mahoning Valley where its advisers would visit and make observations and recommendations this year. That visit last week was testament to the pride residents there place in the aesthetics of their city. Way to grow, Struthers!

ONION: To parents who allow their teenage children to be out late at night unsupervised. Youngstown police, administration and the city's Community Initiative to Reduce Violence should not have to hold a news conference to remind parents of the city's 11 p.m. curfew and to threaten charges against kids and parents who violate it. That's what happened this week, however, in an attempt to curb the rash of violence that recently has included several serious injuries to children in the city. Now Youngstown is implementing juvenile "sweeps" late at night in attempts to keep kids safe. We are glad to see these steps by city leaders, but shouldn't parents already be doing this?

ORCHID: To Western Reserve Transit Authority for aggressively seeking and being awarded three federal grants totaling nearly $8.5 million, with the money coming from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Some will go toward constructing and improving WRTA's facility for bus maintenance and operations, some to fund completion of engineering and final design of the reconstruction of the Federal Street station and the third grant will help replace older buses with reduced- emission models. This is a great job of being proactive in making improvements to this vital local public transportation agency.

ORCHID: To Jeffrey Coldren, chairman of Youngstown State University's Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling, who was named the third recipient of the James P. Tressel Endowed Chair in Leadership Award. He was awarded the honor largely for implementing key changes in the department aimed at enhancing quality and sustainability of university programs, including introducing a First Day Ready program to reduce costs for students in psychology and for helping to increase efficiency and reducing costs yet maintaining enrollment. Congratulations!