‘Dream Job’ clause needed at YSU

February 25, 2014

There are several elements of this news event that I want to believe.First, I want to believe that Dr. Randy Dunn would not have even allowed himself to be recruited by any other university than Southern Illinois. Second, I want to believe that the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees was completely caught off guard by secretive actions of Southern Illinois regarding Dr. Dunn.If those two are true, then I have a suggestion for the legal minds who engage in contract writing for Youngstown State: add a clause about dream jobs.This is not the first time that YSU has ranked second ...

Traveling, snow and other things

February 21, 2014

I wish there was a way that the Youngstown Regional Airport, actually located in Vienna, could become a hub for some "regular" airline with flights to lots of places. Having lived here long enough, I know that's most likely not going to happen. But I can dream, can't I?Convenience motivates my desire. When you fly out of Youngstown, you drive up, park close to the terminal, walk inside, check in within a few steps of the door, then walk out to the plane.To do a take on Chandler Bing: "Could it be anymore convenient?" I doubt it. Akron/Canton gets kudos as well, except for the hour ...

Trying to enjoy a harsh winter

February 18, 2014

This cold winter weather has a way of wearing us down and making us all stir crazy. So we need to dig deep and find ways to appreciate Ohio's most challenging season.Perhaps the best we can do is buck up our faith by simply observing the most desolate and void days of our lives, such as the dead of this winter, are forever pregnant with hopes of rebirth come springtime. It's beautifully symbolic.Right on cue, early one morning last week I heard cardinals chipping and chirping away for positions in the neighborhood bushes. The male birds start jockeying for prime nest sites weeks before ...

This taxpayer would like roads cleared

February 14, 2014

Go absolutely anywhere in our county, and unless you're talking to a mammal in total hibernation, you'll start talking about the weather in about two seconds. It has been a harsh, snowy winter, and we've all been feeling the weight of it since the beginning of the year.One of the downsides to this winter and the frosty pummeling we've been receiving is that many of the roads in our region, and especially our city, have been pretty bad. Even as I write this, parts of Warren are still very snowy after Sunday's snowfall. In fact, the roads have been so bad that it has raised questions in my ...

TEDx and a learning institute

February 7, 2014

I think of myself as somewhat of an adventurous person. So I was really excited when I learned that the first TEDx event was coming to our area and indeed, arrived on Jan. 24.I know what you're thinking: What's a TEDx? TEDx is an independently organized TED event.I hear you asking: What's TED?Here's the definition: TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a global set of conferences owned by the private nonprofit Sapling Foundation, under the slogan ''ideas worth spreading.'' The "real" TED conferences are held in three different countries each year. They attract speakers whose topics ...

Racism: Delusion to overcome

February 4, 2014

Happy Black History Month to all connoisseurs of soul across the Valley.My house, CE 1854, sits on The Underground Railroad in Warren and as I write this I can imagine how good it felt to house a grateful runaway slave.Unfortunately, in another era, our founding fathers decided to build our young nation on the backs of black American slaves. Thank goodness Uncle Sam is much wiser now and at least offers a little heartfelt February thanks to the descendants of those who sacrificed so much for America.Unity is good for the United States, isn't it?So, if America's ''team captain,'' the ...