After reading all of the comments here, my hope is restored. Yes, there are some naysayers as usual, but there is also optimism. Together as Phil Kidd often says, we'll continue to fight the good fight.
I have often been asked to define sustainable cities and some time ago went in search of a definition. My favorite is that put out by the institute for sustainable Communities. They say, "Sustainable communities are defined as towns and cities that have taken steps to remain healthy over the long term. Sustainable communities have a strong sense of place. They have a vision that is embraced and actively promoted by all the key sectors of society, including businesses, disadvantaged groups, environmentalists, civic associations, government agencies,and religious organizations. They are places that build on their assets and dare to be innovative. These communities value healthy ecosystems, use resources efficiently, and actively seek to retain and enhance a locally based economy. There is a pervasive volunteer spirit that is rewarded by concrete results. Partnerships between and among government, the business sector, and nonprofit organizations are common. Public debate in these communities is engaging, inclusive and constructive. Unlike traditional community development approaches, sustainability strategies emphasize: the whole community (instead of just disadvantaged neighborhoods); ecosystem protection, meaningful and broad based citizen participation, and economic self reliance." Youngstown is headed on the path toward sustainability, although we have a distance to go and obstacles to overcome, we must stay the course and not be deterred by nay-sayers.
I've been saying this for years. I think it is a good idea, although I recognize the labor union issues involved, and hope that they can be reconciled. No one is ever happy about change but it is time for Youngstown to do this. I hope that Mayor Williams takes a leadership role in this change and does not allow himself to be deterred by those who always insist upon maintaining the status quo.
Isn't it interesting that Ungaro was the former mayor of Youngstown and was responsible for the regulations regarding water, and now that he is the Township Administrator for Liberty, it has come back to haunt him. This is not Mayor Williams' fault. I'm very tired of having Youngstown blamed for everything that ever goes wrong and the Mahoning Valley getting credit for everything that goes right, even when it actually happens in Youngstown. Enough Youngstown bashing! It is petty, and does not make anyone in the area look good that is for sure.
I think the study is poorly designed. I don't believe that telephone surveys provide an accurate reflection of much of anything these days due to the fact that many people no longer have landlines and those who do are often elderly, or lower income. This is a day of cell phones and unless the researchers were calling cell phones, they weren't talking to all of those people who provide endless hours of volunteer work every week. Those people weren't at home to take their calls or made good use of their caller ID, because they are too busy volunteering and participating in the community.
Baloney! I agree with Mayor Williams. All Forbes does is tell us what we already know; Youngstown is a shrinking city. Shrinking is not the same thing as dying, and I would challenge Forbes to visit Youngstown and do a story on that.
I don't have a problem with reporting on the substance, although I do see that many will want to run right out and buy it. My concern is that the state of Ohio is going to waste taxpayer dollars on the substance. Laws against substances cost money. If a new law is passed, we will pay to have it enforced, and then we will pay for correctional services in the event that jail time or probation is involved. I won't even mention our already clogged court systems. Haven't we learned our lesson regarding the drug war yet. It isn't working! Furthermore, haven't we already done enough to insure that our youth will have contact with the criminal justice system. And although the good citizens of Ohio always think that it is going to be someone elses bad child that gets in trouble, I have news for them, it can just as easily be their own child. I think that our representatives are already engaged in the irrational thought process that says making a substance illegal will make them look tough on drugs and crime, and therefore eguate into votes. I beg them to rethink this and consider the unintended consequences of their actions. As one police officer stated in the article, the substance isn't illegal now and we have plenty of laws on the books to arrest people for disturbing the peace and driving while intoxicated. In the state of Ohio, if one drives under the influence of certain perscription drugs one can be arrested for OVI. I beg our representatives to rethink this legislation. It is a waste of time, and resources to even consider it.
I don't know what planet you suburbanites live on. You rant and rave about the city of Youngstown as if you have a vested interest in making sure the city fails. I don't understand that type of mentality and to be frank I think it is indicative of a self defeating attitude at best and a psychological complex of some kind at worst. This type of attitude has run rampant throughout this area for far too long. Times have changed and will keep on changing. It is not corruption that is keeping the area down any longer. No, it is you! Get with the program folks. If you want your suburban life to improve you need to have a strong core city. You don't have to believe me, but why don't you study up on urban and economic development and find out for yourself. Now, on to the primary issue here which is public transportation. Virtually all mid to large cities have public transportation. Not only is it a necessity for those without cars, but it is better for the environment. Now granted I realize that I live in an area that is stuck in the 50's or something, but we have a climate crisis happening right now. We have a moral obligation to take public transportation. However, I understand that the self serving among us need something more than a desire to save the world , they need something for themselves. Well, how about saving that $4.00+ on that gallon of gas. Furthermore, the reason the WRTA cut back on routes and service is because the levy failed the last time. Also, to the person who didn't know that anyone can ride the bus, you can. You don't have to be a resident. That is ludicrous. Also, just a little enlightenment, poor people are not the only ones who need the bus. Disabled people use the bus, young people use the bus, students use the bus, and the elderly use the bus. What is more we should all use the bus and the bus system should be supported so as to be able to enlarge their area of service to include at least the entire county. Enough of the classism in this area and the notion that public transporation is some kind of handout to the poor or worse yet, that someone will see you riding the bus, and think that you are a loser of some kind. Get over it folks! If we lose the bus system, I can promise you that within another ten years you will be wishing you had a bus system, and it will cost a fortune to get one up and running again because you failed to take care of the one we have. Don't believe me, check out what happened to the trains that used to go through here. I also suggest that you all take a trip to another city and ride some public transportation. We can have that here too, if you have a little imagination. One more thing, you will be happier if you have a more positive attitude.
Posted on January 9 at 9:34 a.m.
After reading all of the comments here, my hope is restored. Yes, there are some naysayers as usual, but there is also optimism. Together as Phil Kidd often says, we'll continue to fight the good fight.
Posted on October 29 at 12:20 p.m.
Thanks Geniene!
Posted on October 19 at 1:41 p.m.
Thank you for saying that, it needed to be said.
Posted on August 26 at 9:17 a.m.
I have often been asked to define sustainable cities and some time ago went in search of a definition. My favorite is that put out by the institute for sustainable Communities. They say, "Sustainable communities are defined as towns and cities that have taken steps to remain healthy over the long term. Sustainable communities have a strong sense of place. They have a vision that is embraced and actively promoted by all the key sectors of society, including businesses, disadvantaged groups, environmentalists, civic associations, government agencies,and religious organizations. They are places that build on their assets and dare to be innovative. These communities value healthy ecosystems, use resources efficiently, and actively seek to retain and enhance a locally based economy. There is a pervasive volunteer spirit that is rewarded by concrete results. Partnerships between and among government, the business sector, and nonprofit organizations are common. Public debate in these communities is engaging, inclusive and constructive. Unlike traditional community development approaches, sustainability strategies emphasize: the whole community (instead of just disadvantaged neighborhoods); ecosystem protection, meaningful and broad based citizen participation, and economic self reliance." Youngstown is headed on the path toward sustainability, although we have a distance to go and obstacles to overcome, we must stay the course and not be deterred by nay-sayers.
Posted on August 20 at 10:18 a.m.
I've been saying this for years. I think it is a good idea, although I recognize the labor union issues involved, and hope that they can be reconciled. No one is ever happy about change but it is time for Youngstown to do this. I hope that Mayor Williams takes a leadership role in this change and does not allow himself to be deterred by those who always insist upon maintaining the status quo.
Posted on August 20 at 10:08 a.m.
Isn't it interesting that Ungaro was the former mayor of Youngstown and was responsible for the regulations regarding water, and now that he is the Township Administrator for Liberty, it has come back to haunt him. This is not Mayor Williams' fault. I'm very tired of having Youngstown blamed for everything that ever goes wrong and the Mahoning Valley getting credit for everything that goes right, even when it actually happens in Youngstown. Enough Youngstown bashing! It is petty, and does not make anyone in the area look good that is for sure.
Posted on August 8 at 1:20 a.m.
I think the study is poorly designed. I don't believe that telephone surveys provide an accurate reflection of much of anything these days due to the fact that many people no longer have landlines and those who do are often elderly, or lower income. This is a day of cell phones and unless the researchers were calling cell phones, they weren't talking to all of those people who provide endless hours of volunteer work every week. Those people weren't at home to take their calls or made good use of their caller ID, because they are too busy volunteering and participating in the community.
Posted on August 6 at 8:31 a.m.
Baloney! I agree with Mayor Williams. All Forbes does is tell us what we already know; Youngstown is a shrinking city. Shrinking is not the same thing as dying, and I would challenge Forbes to visit Youngstown and do a story on that.
Posted on August 4 at 12:12 p.m.
I don't have a problem with reporting on the substance, although I do see that many will want to run right out and buy it. My concern is that the state of Ohio is going to waste taxpayer dollars on the substance. Laws against substances cost money. If a new law is passed, we will pay to have it enforced, and then we will pay for correctional services in the event that jail time or probation is involved. I won't even mention our already clogged court systems. Haven't we learned our lesson regarding the drug war yet. It isn't working! Furthermore, haven't we already done enough to insure that our youth will have contact with the criminal justice system. And although the good citizens of Ohio always think that it is going to be someone elses bad child that gets in trouble, I have news for them, it can just as easily be their own child. I think that our representatives are already engaged in the irrational thought process that says making a substance illegal will make them look tough on drugs and crime, and therefore eguate into votes. I beg them to rethink this and consider the unintended consequences of their actions. As one police officer stated in the article, the substance isn't illegal now and we have plenty of laws on the books to arrest people for disturbing the peace and driving while intoxicated. In the state of Ohio, if one drives under the influence of certain perscription drugs one can be arrested for OVI. I beg our representatives to rethink this legislation. It is a waste of time, and resources to even consider it.
Posted on July 14 at 11:25 a.m.
I don't know what planet you suburbanites live on. You rant and rave about the city of Youngstown as if you have a vested interest in making sure the city fails. I don't understand that type of mentality and to be frank I think it is indicative of a self defeating attitude at best and a psychological complex of some kind at worst. This type of attitude has run rampant throughout this area for far too long. Times have changed and will keep on changing. It is not corruption that is keeping the area down any longer. No, it is you!
Get with the program folks. If you want your suburban life to improve you need to have a strong core city. You don't have to believe me, but why don't you study up on urban and economic development and find out for yourself.
Now, on to the primary issue here which is public transportation. Virtually all mid to large cities have public transportation. Not only is it a necessity for those without cars, but it is better for the environment. Now granted I realize that I live in an area that is stuck in the 50's or something, but we have a climate crisis happening right now. We have a moral obligation to take public transportation. However, I understand that the self serving among us need something more than a desire to save the world , they need something for themselves. Well, how about saving that $4.00+ on that gallon of gas.
Furthermore, the reason the WRTA cut back on routes and service is because the levy failed the last time. Also, to the person who didn't know that anyone can ride the bus, you can. You don't have to be a resident. That is ludicrous. Also, just a little enlightenment, poor people are not the only ones who need the bus. Disabled people use the bus, young people use the bus, students use the bus, and the elderly use the bus. What is more we should all use the bus and the bus system should be supported so as to be able to enlarge their area of service to include at least the entire county. Enough of the classism in this area and the notion that public transporation is some kind of handout to the poor or worse yet, that someone will see you riding the bus, and think that you are a loser of some kind. Get over it folks! If we lose the bus system, I can promise you that within another ten years you will be wishing you had a bus system, and it will cost a fortune to get one up and running again because you failed to take care of the one we have. Don't believe me, check out what happened to the trains that used to go through here.
I also suggest that you all take a trip to another city and ride some public transportation. We can have that here too, if you have a little imagination. One more thing, you will be happier if you have a more positive attitude.