Wal-Mart water dispute continues
By RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune ChronicleLIBERTY - The on-again, off-again conflict between Youngstown and Liberty appears to be on again this weekend. Township Zoning Director Jim Rodway said Youngstown officials won't authorize the water connection for a new Wal-Mart Superstore until the city and township meet next week.
"No one is giving a straight answer to whether the connection will be authorized or not," Rodway said.
Trustee Jodi Stoyak said township officials hoped water connection permits would have been authorized this week so the building project could move forward.
Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams said while he does not know specifics of the conversation between City Finance Director David Bozanich and K&S Engineering, he is confident that the two sides can work through any issue that may be needed to be addressed.
"As long as people keep an open mind, I don't believe this should be a problem," Williams said Friday.
Bozanich could not be reached for comment.
Liberty officials say that Youngstown is using the water road block to the Wal-Mart project, and as a strong-arm tactic to force the township to form a joint economic development district with the city.
Williams disagrees.
"As I understand it, the trustees had talked about this for a year and nothing was done," Williams said. "It sounds like there was miscommunication between the trustees."
The two sides are scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the township administration building to talk about JEDDs. Both Trustee Jack Simon and Stoyak each have previously said they are not interested in talking about a JEDD on Belmont Ave, where the new Wal-Mart store will be located.
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins earlier this week sent a letter to Youngstown officials noting they are under a contract to provide water to Liberty through 2015.
|
VoiceOfReason
|
|
|---|---|
|
07-19-08 11:31 AM
|
My voice does count, doesn't it? As a citizen interested in economic development? A voter? A voice of reason?
|
|
VoiceOfReason
|
|
|
07-19-08 11:28 AM
|
Here's an idea. How about clearing the air by having Jay Williams, Jim Rodway, Jodi Stoyak, David Bozanich, and Jack Simon meet on Monday with either a Tribune reporter or local TV reporter present to cover the meeting and document the minutes. It sounds like this is a simple misunderstanding, so let's get to the bottom of it. Sounds good to me. That way we'll all be crystal clear on where the confusion is and clear the air. I think the citizens of both communities would find that helpful, and will put a fork in this issue once and for all... since there is just a little misunderstanding of course... No hidden agenda, let's just document the communication so we can have a clear understanding for all. That's my vote.
|
|
VoiceOfReason
|
|
|
07-19-08 10:51 AM
|
Someone needs fired, and most likely several need fired. How can the local government, working on behalf of the community, allow the local citizens to suffer the consequences of your childish games. As other states and even other communities are doing everything in their power to attract business, the group of simple minded leaders is doing what they can to drive business away. Keep screwing around and see who wins - Wal-Mart will trump you in a heartbeat and leave you with another eyesore that looks like a war zone in your community. Get on board with what your citizens want or pack your bags get out. Quit holding economic development hostage.
|
