LORDSTOWN - Former U.S. Rep. Jim Traficant stressed the importance of education Friday during a fund-raiser at Lordstown High School.
Traficant, who was released from federal prison in September after serving seven years for bribery and racketeering, also talked about the importance of General Motors, the state of the economy and the current political climate, and took time to reflect on the importance of teachers and their impact on the students they encounter.
The fund-raiser was used as a kickoff to a series of events planned to raise money for a new playground at Lordstown Elementary School. It was organized by third-grade teacher Beth Haring and featured performances by the high school band, choir and cheerleaders, as well as a basket raffle and a chili contest between the police and fire departments. The police department won the contest.
Elementary School Principal Laura Parise said the former elementary school at the corner of Salt Springs Road and state Route 45 has a playground, but the students were moved to the former Gordon D. James Career Center last year when the elementary building was closed because of costly repairs and high utility bills.
The buildings are only a block apart, but Parise said the district wants the playground moved closer to the school, which houses grades kindergarten through six and a special-needs preschool. She said the district was given an estimate of $10,000 to $30,000 just to relocate the playground equipment.
"But we don't just want to move it. We want to upgrade the playground and make it handicap-accessible," Parise said.
The project needs fencing, handicapped accessible play units, tables, a drinking fountain and landscaping. There are also plans to install a rock wall for climbing, a teeter-totter, a gazebo, stadium style benches, a storage unit for playground equipment, and safe ground cover.
Parise said the fund-raising committee, headed by Haring, would like to raise $154,000.