Breaking News

Guest Columnists

Combat dysfunction with a county charter system

The fundamental problem we have is the antiquated statutory structure of our three-member board of county commissioners. Having served on a three-member board as a Weathersfield Township trustee during the 1980s, I experienced how volatile and dysfunctional a three-member board can be. We can remedy this situation by adopting a county charter as Summit County has done very effectively. Our Regional Chamber of Commerce recommended restructuring Trumbull and Mahoning counties with county charters about 15 years ago. As a part of this effort, I volunteered my expertise to crunch the ...

Partnership taps Appalachia’s potential

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of a series of commentaries from governors of states comprising the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development agency for the region. The hit country song "Mountain Music" by the band Alabama may recount fond memories of many Alabamians growing up in a rural mountainous area where life is simple and family bonds are strong. "Oh, play me some mountain music; Like grandma and grandpa used to play." While a similar image may be the first thing that comes to mind when most of America thinks of the Appalachian region, we who live in states that ...

We must hold property owners to higher standards

I was pleased to read in the July 15 Tribune Chronicle that Warren is moving forward with demolition of St. Joseph Hospital and the Mahoning Avenue motel. This is a great start to blight cleanup in and around the city. Warren must take a more proactive approach on derelict owners, especially those who own dilapidated property in key areas. For example, the Reeves Apartment Building, which sits at the edge of a key downtown entrance point. It has sat empty since being purchased by Mr. Barry Taitz a few years ago. It has been gang tagged, set on fire and now houses vagrants who squat ...

Building better future for Appalachia

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of a series of commentaries from governors of states comprising the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development agency for the region. With a low cost and high quality of living, itás no surprise more than 1.7 million North Carolinians call the Appalachia home. The 29 North Carolina counties that are a part of it offer great opportunities to families living in the region ä welcoming communities, a strong small business environment and an abundance of outdoor activities and natural resources. But they also face unique challenges. The Appalachian ...

DeWine’s fireworks bill veto misses mark on safety

Five days after the rest of the country celebrated Independence Day with backyard gatherings, cookouts and yes, consumer fireworks, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed Ohio Senate Bill 113. This bill would have made Ohio the 49th state to allow consumers to legally discharge fireworks. That is correct; Ohio and Massachusetts are the only two states that still have laws making discharge of fireworks illegal. You can purchase them in Ohio, but legally you cannot use them. The governor obviously has his reasons for his veto of this common-sense update to an antiquated fireworks law. We will ...

Appalacian Regional Commission strengthen’s region

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of a series of commentaries from governors of states comprising the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development agency for the region. Since 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has been dedicated to improving economic health of Appalachia. Over $4.5 billion has been invested, from small business assistance to broadband deployment to workforce development. The key to ARCás success comes from the agencyás guiding principle of collaboration and cooperation ä between the 13 Appalachian states of the region, including Ohio, between the ...