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ORCHID: To Newton Falls Council for postponing the vote on a proposed $30,000 annual pay increase for City Manager Pam Priddy to allow the required public hearing to be followed by second reading. We remain hopeful that council members will come to their senses and vote no on the enormous raise and extended guaranteed contract. Also, Orchid to council for bringing in parliamentarian Bruce Wick to help keep order in the public meetings routinely known for disruptive and argumentative behavior. We are hopeful this helps to get things calmed down and order to be restored.
ONION: While we are pleased to see the former Wean Building on North Park Avenue in Warren finally come down, the nearly 30-year fiasco equaled little more than a money pit for taxpayers. Trumbull County commissioners in 1995 paid nearly $1 million for the building that was supposed to be used for county offices. A few offices, including the Trumbull County Planning Commission, set up shop in the delapidated building for a while, but it should have been clear the necessary work and renovations were far too extensive. The building once served as the world headquarters for Wean's engineering operations. While it's sad to see history being razed, it is time to move on. In fact, we should have moved on from this blighted misery years ago.
ORCHID: To Rich Limongi, Shepherd of the Valley chief executive, for winning this year's Visionary Leadership of Honor award from LeadingAge Ohio for his contributions and leadership in aging services. As the award notes, the honor is a testament to Limongi's 30-year commitment to advancing the well-being and quality of life for older adults in the Mahoning Valley. Shepherd has facilities in Liberty and Howland, plus others in nearby Mahoning County.
ORCHID: To the Ohio Turnpike Commission for moving forward with its plan to "electrify" the toll road by adding Tesla supercharger sites at eastbound and westbound turnpike stations in Mahoning County. The stations are part of a public-private partnership, bringing the number to 64 Tesla supercharger sites and 16 Electrify America units at eight service plazas. That plan will go far in helping keep up-and-coming electric vehicles to also go far.
ONION: To miscreants who recently vandalized the playground area and restrooms at Mattinat Park / Jones Field in Hubbard on separate occasions. There was damage to the playground equipment and extensive damage to the restrooms, including sinks that were torn from the walls. Damage also was done to the ballfield bleachers. Repairing the damage will cost tens of thousands of dollars. These needless actions are appalling and deserve nothing short of prosecution and restitution.
ORCHID: To Youngstown State University Board of Trustees and the 169-member Association of Classified Employees union which reached a new three-year labor contract calling for raises and bonuses that most should consider reasonable. Kudos to the negotiating teams on both sides for two months of negotiations and agreeing to the pact without any work stoppage after the previous contract expired last month. As Trustee Chairman Michael Peterson said, this "is a testament to the values we hold dear, including the centrality of students, excellence and innovation."
ORCHID: To Youngstown State University quarterback Mitch Davidson and to donors to The Friends of the Rich Center for Autism, which helped make it possible for Davidson to serve as the first ever student-athlete ambassador for the Rich Center for Autism. The Friends of the Rich Center is a nonprofit that aims to raise funds, and promote and support the center. Davidson, YSU Penguins captain, has been visiting The Rich Center, meeting with students there and even wearing custom-designed cleats featuring his number 14, "Rich Center For Autism" and "Treatment, Education and Research" painted on the sides. Davidson's involvement at The Rich Center is meaningful and, undoubtedly, will make an impact on the lives of the students there.