Noise hell?

I have no idea how come people find out about Youngstown, including Noise Free America, an advocacy group trying to keep things library-quiet. According to an article in The Hill (A newspaper covering Congress), Youngstown is "noise hell." Noise Free America claims that "Youngstown's citizens are still inundated with bass booming cars, blaring music, incessant barking dogs, junky cars without mufflers, thunderous backyard fireworks shows, rumbling motorcycles, and loud gunshots. In short, noise levels in Youngstown are completely out of control."

The Hill article, published today, relates Youngstown's Noisy Dozen award to that of Washington, D.C. Youngstown has claimed the award twice, first in February 2002 and again in July 2006. Washington is the most recent winner. Warren, Ohio claimed the title in May 2007.

Youngstown has since strengthened its noise ordinance. I'm curious to know what Noise Free America would think now.

Related:

• Washington wins Noisy Dozen award! (The Hill)
• Youngstown, Ohio: Noise Hell Revisited (Noise Free America)
• Warren, Ohio: One Giant Colony of Noise (Noise Free America)
• Remember the sound of silence? (Christian Science Monitor)

YPD doesn't want to walk to work?

The Youngstown Police Association, the union which represents 117 of Youngstown's finest, recenly brought a lawsuit against the city for taking away some of their parking spaces behind the police station and subbing them for ones a few blocks away. This meant that that the PO's had to walk several blocks when coming to work or ending their shift.

Their argument against losing the spaces: YPA President Ed Colon said about 30 percent of patrol officers are older than 50, and many have unhealthy diets and health problems.

Than what are they doing as police officers anyway? While I never doubted that fat, unhealthy police existed, even in Youngstown, I would never expect that to be used as an argument as to why these guys can't walk three blocks. Hell, the walk might even do them a little good. I have a lot of respect for Youngstown cops, especially considering the crap they get from some of Youngstown citizens, but don't make stupid arguments in stupid fights with the city.

The Story.

Attorney General to Open Office In Youngstown’s 20 Federal Place

From the Business Journal

By George Nelson
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The irony wasn’t lost on Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann.

The first Trumbull County resident elected to statewide office was holding a news conference on the ground floor of 20 Federal Place – the building formerly named for Phar-Mor Inc., the drugstore chain whose bankruptcy 15 years ago followed what was then the largest corporate fraud in history. A space that came to symbolize corporate crime locally would soon house more than three dozen law enforcement officers, Dann announced.

The former state senator from Liberty said that he would move the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation’s 22-person staff for Boardman to the downtown building and add 16.

“Mickey Monus’ old offices, ironically,” remarked Jeffery L. Chagnot, city economic development director, referring to Phar-Mor’s founder.

“We’re trying to build a new future here,” Dann said, “and what better place to start than here?”

In addition to the BCI staff, the third-floor space at 20 Federal will house members of Dann’s newly formed predatory-lending task force, his office’s consumer protection staff and other positions being transferred from Columbus. The 38 positions will bring an additional $1.8 million in annual payroll to the city, he said.

The attorney general had invited Youngstown and Warren officials to submit proposals, with a preference for downtown sites, and the state Department of Administrative Services reviewed them. Dann wanted sites convenient to highways for law enforcement agencies transporting evidence to BCI and close to courthouses.

Price and proximity drove the decision in Youngstown’s favor. The state will pay $7,488 per month, including utilities, for 10,000 square feet, with another 12,000-square-feet available for expansion. The 22 BCI employees were “overstuffed” in the 4,000-square-foot offices in Boardman, and rent was scheduled to rise to $10 per foot, Dann said. In Columbus, the cheapest space would have been $15 per foot, he noted.

The attorney general admitted to being “a little heartbroken” that a site in Warren was not selected – his former district includes Trumbull County ¬ and he acknowledged the efforts of Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien and the Trumbull County commissioners.

“In the end, Youngstown was the best fit,” Dann said. However, he he is also looking for additional chances to move jobs to the region; and Warren could benefit later.

The new state lease will bring occupancy at 20 Federal to nearly 70%, Chagnot reported. The offices are to move downtown by July 1.

In his remarks, Mayor Jay Williams offered that Dann had quickly debunked two myths – one about the lofty promises politicians make when campaigning yet fail to keep once elected, the other about attorneys being talkers, not doers.

Dann said he is working to debunk one more myth – that the Mahoning Valley does not have a bright and vibrant future, a perception he is trying to change around the state and the country.

“This is a community on the rebound,” he declared. “We’re going to take advantage of that on behalf of the taxpayers of the state of Ohio.”

Copyright 2007 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.

Talk about a busy day...

So, pretend you are Billy Jack Fitzmorris. You wake up not feeling well so you have some friends take you to the hospital. The difference between you and Billy Fitzmorris is that you can walk out your front door and Fitzmorris requires his cell opened and an armed escort to the hospital.

Unless you live in a cage, you know what is going on right now. If not, turn on your favorite network news. I prefer CNN but feel free to turn on MSNBC or *gulp* FOX News.

I can't even imagine how Fitzsimmons found time to overpower a guard and hold a few people hostage, drive from Youngstown to Hillaird, rob at least two banks and lock himself up in a house. ALL BEFORE LUNCH! Youngstown to Hilliard is about three hours. Assuming it takes a few minutes to rob these banks, he got moving pretty early this morning.

While I don't condone his violent streak, including armed robbery, home invasion, and kidnapping, I do applaud him for getting up early this morning and really working hard today. We need to see more go-getters and hardworking Americans like this (just not committing crimes, that's all!).

Seriously, storm the house and get the guy already!

Speedy Recovery

Youngstown Pride wishes a speedy recovery to Officer Jerry Stanley of the Youngstown Police Department. Officer Stanley was patrolling Wick Park when he was assaulted with a metal rod by Bienvenido Carmona. Stanley was forced to shoot Carmona, who survived with a gunshot wound to the hand, but not before Stanley received internal injuries. Stanley is the only YPD officer assigned to the Parks and Recreation Department, primarily patrolling Wick Park. He is currently in St. Elizabeth's Hospital in guarded condition.

Quote of the Day

How reliable is the Vindicator? The better question is how reliable are its trucks! At 2:00 a.m. this morning, a Vindy delivery driver and his trainee were shot at while delivering newspaper bundles on the South Side near the Youngstown Playhouse. Two men approached the pair of Vindicator employees who retreated to the truck while one of the men took dead aim at the driver's chest. Luckily, the raised dashboard stopped one bullet while the vehicle's radiator stopped the other. Neither was hurt and the suspect's fled.

The full story is available here. As for the driver, he believes the Mayor's new zero tolerance policy "is a bunch of crap — it ain't working as far as I'm concerned." In a move to show what a great employer they are, the Vindy gave him the rest of the day off. No word on whether the trainee will show up for her second day of work.

More manpower

YOUNGSTOWN — The Ohio State Highway Patrol has allocated several troopers to patrol within the city limits with a goal of reducing urban fatalities, said Mayor Jay Williams. The goal, he said, is consistent with the city's proactive efforts to help create a safer community. Troopers will focus on U.S. and state routes within the city. This will allow city officers to focus more sharply on the residential neighborhoods and businesses within the city. The joint effort will last until early March and serve as a trial period to evaluate the collaboration, the mayor said. He expects future joint efforts will occur this year.

Statistics Lesson

According to The Vindicator, from Feb. 2 to 2 p.m. February 11, there have been:

• 28 felony and 110 misdemeanor arrests.
  
• 12 firearms and $6,598 in cash recovered.
  
• 25 minor misdemeanor citations issued.
  
• 547 traffic stops and 124 stops of pedestrians.
  
• 261 traffic citations issued, and 39 parking tickets.

Youngstown Safety Forces hard at work

Here is Youngstown Fire Department Engine 2, a 1974 Mack CF based at Station 13 at the southeast corner of Glenwood Ave. and Sherwood Ave. in the Fosterville section of the city. The station closed on January 29, 1992. Photo by Bob Lloyd.


New 1946 Municipal Ambulance #55. Ambulance was staffed by police officers at that time. Later duties were transferred to the fire department. Ambulance services today are privatized, but "send us 55" is still used to request an ambulance.


The old and the new. YPD officer on left uses a call box, while officer on right uses a "new" portable radio. Circa 1967.


Youngstown Sheet & Tube Police, circa 1915.

Youngstown OKs pay raises for employees

Published: Fri, Dec 17, 2004
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Union workers and managers will help pay for their health benefits.

YOUNGSTOWN — Some city employees and managers are getting larger paychecks, and some will get the boosts before the end of the year.

City council approved three-year contracts with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, which represents 14 dispatchers with the 911 emergency answering system, and Teamsters Local 377, which represents 34 street department employees.

The 911 dispatchers will get pay raises of 2 percent this year, 3 percent for 2005 and 4 percent for 2006. A dispatcher with three years' experience had been making $29,257 a year. This year that salary will rise to $29,842; $30,737 in 2005; and $31,966 in 2006.

The city will continue paying health insurance for the dispatchers this year and in 2005, but a 7 percent monthly copay begins in 2006.

There also is language in the new deal that says a dispatcher not regularly scheduled to work shall not be forced to stay over.

Street department

The street department workers also get raises of 2 percent this year, 3 percent in 2005 and 4 percent in 2006.

A truck driver, for example, who is making $33,238 will make $33,902 for the remainder of this year; $34,919 next year; and $36,315 in 2006.

The health benefits package is the same as for the dispatchers.

Contract language also says that whenever it becomes necessary through lack of funds or other justifiable causes to reduce workers, temporary or seasonal employees will be the first to be laid off.

Council also approved pay raises for all managers in city government. Management positions include the clerk of courts, deputy director of planning, health commissioner and deputy director of public works.

The raises begin with a 2 percent increase in 2005; 2.5 percent in 2006 and 3.5 percent in 2007.

For example, the deputy director of planning made $57,410 this year. That salary will increase to $58,558 in 2005; $60,021 in 2006; and $62,121 in 2007.

Managers have a 10 percent monthly copay on their hospitalization, dental and vision coverage. There also are $10 copays for office visits and $8 copays for generic prescription drugs and $15 copays for brand-name prescription drugs.

Police and fire chiefs

Police Chief Robert Bush and Fire Chief John O'Neill also are getting raises of 2 percent next year, 3 percent in 2006 and 4 percent in 2007.

Bush and O'Neill now both have yearly salaries of $78,499. In 2005, they will make $80,068; $82,470 in 2006; and $85,768 in 2007.

The city also has agreed to pick up a larger portion of contributions toward pension benefits for managers.

In January 2000, the city picked up 8.5 percent of the statutorily required contributions to the Public Employees Retirement System as a fringe benefit for managers.

Council approved an amendment Wednesday that increases the city pickup to 9 percent effective Jan. 1, 2006, and 9.5 percent on Jan. 1, 2007.

Finance department officials were unavailable Thursday to say how much the raises will add to the city's general fund budget over the three years.


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© 2004 Vindy.com. A service of The Vindicator.