Back for a little while

My initial objection to being a casual writer to this blog was that my readership, assuming I had one, would get frustrated at long gaps between posts. I felt that I brought some closure to my initial (4-year) attempt at this blog by at least telling people that I wasn't coming back any more.

Next thing I know, the city decides to sell Fire Station 7. I later learned that it was a planned move and in the budget documents for a year. Regardless, no one was annoyed, frustrated or outraged at the move. No discussion occurred and it all went unsaid. I took the opportunity to write a rather disheveled entry about sentimental thoughts and poor development choices. I felt that the entire event going unmentioned outside of The Vindicator wasn't appropriate.

It got my juices flowing again. Sort of. Maybe I will post once a week; maybe my posts will be months apart. Maybe the Youngstown Pride will win the 2010 WBL World Championship. There are a lot of uncertainties ahead, but I may try and blog about them.

Oddfellows Local 151

In Pittsburgh, a divorce court withheld decision last week in the case of Gladys Johnson, who protested that when Lewis J. Johnson, U. S. marine, came home in his uniform and asked her to elope with him to Youngstown, Ohio, she had done so without recognizing Mr. Johnson as her father's brother.

Time magazine Monday, May. 16, 1927

(I like the comments that I receive from people who don't check out the year on some of these posts.)

Vote early, vote often

I am not the one who generally does this but I can't help but support a fellow firefighter. I don't personally know Jamie Goodlet, but I know people who have said he is the nicest guy, so I can't help but support him. He is a Youngstown firefighter at Station 6 on the east side. He and his fiancee Carissa are now one of four finalists in the WFMJ Today wedding contest. They could win a $65,000 all expenses paid wedding and honeymoon.

Votes are being accepted at the WFMJ Today website here.

Votes are only being accepted untill 11pm DST on Saturday, March 24th. Please take 30 seconds and put a vote in for them. They are couple #1 Carissa Smith and Jamie Goodlet. More details about their story can be found on YoungstownFire.com.

If you would like to wish the newly engaged couple congratulations or good luck please feel free to post it in our comments section BUT ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE VOTED FOR THEM!!!! Vote First, Congratulate Second! Thanks to everyone and let's get Carissa and Jamie a wedding they will never forget!

By the numbers

• 3, 525 - The average attendance for the Youngstown Steelhounds during the 2006-2007 season
• 4, 067 - The average attendance during the 2005-2006 season.
• $3,000 - $6,000 - The average amount the Chevy Center makes off of one Steelhounds game.
• $5,000 - $25,000 - What the center expects to make from the Mahoning Valley Thunder per game.
• $88, 424 - The Chevy Centre's anticipated loss for April to June 2007.
• $96,632 - The anticipated loss for July to September.
  
  Source: Vindicator, Sunday, March 11, 2007

Lazy days of summer at the pool farther off than hoped

To steal the lead from a Vindy article from last week, those wanting to swim at a new North Pool are going to have to wait until August. That's the planned opening for the NEW northside pool, assuming about 1,000 things which need to be done in advance of that date are accomplished. First and foremost, a contractor needs to signed on to the project. Thus far, the city has put the project out to bid three times. The first two times, no bids were submitted. This time the city wised up and changed the plans which should make it easier for the project to be completed by the target date. For a million dollar investment, lets hope something good comes back from some contractors.

The original pool, built in 1939, was torn down last summer and the pool house has already undergone a number of renovations including a new roof and shower facilities. Without the North Pool, the only public swimming pool in Youngstown is Borts Pool on Belle Vista Avenue on the West Side.

The picture, by the way, was taken by Pat Lowry before the new roof was put on the bathhouse.