082018...T TJX RALLY 3...Lordstown...08-20-18...Richard Perry of Lordstown, supporter of the zoning change, gets a hot dog during the picnic-like rally held at the UAW 1714 Union Hall Monday afternoon ahead of Tuesday's vote...by R. Michael Semple

LORDSTOWN — Area politicians and village residents Monday made one last plea to voters to support zone changes for the proposed TJX HomeGoods distribution center when they cast a ballot in today’s referendum.

Voters will decide whether council’s June 21 decision to change the zoning on seven pieces of property from residential to industrial so TJX can build the $170 million, 1.2 million-square-foot facility on Ellsworth Bailey Road should stand.

Supporters on Monday rallied around the proposal at the United Auto Workers Local 1714 hall on Salt Springs Road.

“We often hear it is important to vote,” said Trumbull County Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa. “This election provides us an important opportunity. We have to make sure we seize the moment and vote.”

The 290-acres in question are between Ellsworth Bailey and Hallock Young roads. A “yes” vote means the changes should stay. A “no” vote means the land should remain residential. The polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today.

Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda said a yes vote will bring 1,000 and 1,400 jobs to the village.

“We are asking you to get all of your friends and relatives to vote,” Fuda said.

State Rep. Glenn Holmes, D-Girard, said it is important the vote to support zone changes wins by a significant percentage.

“It cannot be a marginal victory,” Holmes said. “If we just barely win, companies will look at Trumbull County and think we are not serious about bringing in new businesses.”

Brett Dickson, who has been leading the opposition effort, spent most of Monday speaking with media and updating the group’s social media accounts, which, he said, have more than 700 likes.

Understanding that many businesses and area politicians support the zone changes because of the potential jobs, Dickson said residents who are against the ballot issues are saying they do not want the center placed on properties that were zoned residential.

“We want the jobs and the distribution center, but on properties that are zoned industrial,” Dickson said.

Expressing confidence the vote will go their way, Dickson said Mayor Arno Hill once said the vote will be 60 percent to 40 percent.

“I think he’s right, but it will be 60 percent against the zone change and 40 percent for it,” Dickson said≥

Councilman Robert Bond, a critic of the zone changes, said regardless of the outcome, there needs to be an effort to bring the village back together.

“It probably cannot be done right away,” he said. “Emotions are too high. So many personal things have been said on social media.”

“However, I believe this village works better when people are civil,” Bond said. “We need to get back to that.”