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Boardman to explore incorporation, says no to Youngstown JEDD plan

Tony Lariccia is Ellis Island award honoree

Kathy Miller and Larry Moliterno agreed.
Miller asked Loree to contact the county prosecutor's office for information on the township forming its own water district without involving Youngstown.
The trustees then discussed Boardman becoming a city and felt maybe Boardman may have outgrown the township form of government because of the larger population and the growing retail area. They asked Loree to get more data on incorporation as to advantages and disadvantages.
Gallitto noted before the township puts incorporation before the voters, there must be an explanation of the benefits and the costs and what residents would have to give up as a township.  Incorporation requires public approval much like a levy. It would take a lengthy period of tedious work and support by the residents to turn Boardman into a city.
In his written report, Loree noted the proposed service levy was needed at the present time to maintain the services provided by the township. The service levy would yield $2.2 million which the trustees could use to possibly employ additional police personnel, open and sustain all three fire stations and enable the road department to reopen and operate the compost site.
Loree's treatise is loaded with a wealth of information on all areas and is something the trustees have in front of them that could help in finding possible solutions to the township financial woes.  Loree spent a month working after hours researching a mountain of information that he used to put his report together. It is available to any resident by calling him at 330-726-4177.
He told The Review that trustees must seek more funds to avoid additional layoffs and curtailment of services in the future that would further affect the operation of the township.
Loree said if trustees were legally permitted by the state legislature to levy a sales tax, it would "immediately help our money problem because of our large retail area, the many professional offices and the new St. Elizabeth Hospital." He said just a small tax could produce an additional $6 million a year.
Another option being talked about is a possible merger with a nearby community.
Also working with surrounding communities on economic development initiatives is being discussed at township meetings.
Miller also says she wants an analysis of township personnel implemented to see if everyone is being used efficiently.

Tony Lariccia and his lovely wife, Mary. Photo by Mike Varveris

By Mike Varveris

Boardman philanthropist and businessman Tony Lariccia, who has donated more than $11 million for the betterment of the Mahoning Valley, loves to tell the story on how he got his first lesson in giving when he was eight years old.
He had unwrapped a "Twinkie" and was ready to munch it when his father came up to him, smacked him in the back of his head and said, "Don't put that in your mouth without offering it to someone else. Break it in half and share it."
You know the rest of the story. Now, more than 50 years later, Tony continues to follow his dad's advice on giving.
On May 10, Tony will receive a national honor we're sure will be precious to him-The Ellis Island Medal of Honor which is awarded annually to a group of distinguished American citizens who have showed outstanding and unselfish qualities in their personal and professional lives and exemplify hard work, community service and illustrious service to humanity. The award will be presented at a gala dinner at the historic Great Hall in Ellis Island in New York City that was the gateway through which more than12 million  entered the United States legally.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was established in 1986 to pay tribute to the immigrant experience and individual achievement and is awarded to U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds. Tony may be the first from this area and probably one of a few in Ohio who will receive this prestigious medal. He'll join a long list of medal recipients such as presidents Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford and George H.W Bush, Gen. Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, newsman Walter Cronkite, Bob Hope, singers Natalie Cole and Vic Damone and renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Michael DeBakey and other notables.  Nasser Kazeminy, chairman of the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, which sponsors this award, said, "Mr. Lariccia represents the very essence of the American way of life, having greatly contributed to our national identity while serving the values and heritage of his ancestors."
Son of Italian immigrants, Tony graduated from Struthers High, received a degree in finance and accounting from YSU, worked as an accounting clerk at U.S.Steel before joining the brokerage firm of Merrill Lynch  and eventually became a vice president. Over the years he has donated more than $11 million to YSU, area schools, Boardman Park, Davis Family YMCA and many other causes and organizations.
Tony said he is proud to be a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, saying "this is also a tribute to my parents, my wife Mary and our daughters for their hard work and spirit.
Tony says he's "still a kid from Struthers. He considers himself a self-made philanthropist who earned and didn't inherit his wealth. He lives in an unpretentious but comfortable home in Boardman, drives an American Cadillac car and doesn't belong to a country club.
He quotes the late Danny Thomas: "There are two types of people in life: givers and takers. Takes may eat better but givers sleep better."

Township administator Jason Loree holds a copy of his 48-page "Strategic Options for Boardman Township's Financial Future" which he presented to trustees recently and is also  available at no cost to residents who would like a copy. Photo by Mike Varveris.

By Mike Varveris

Boardman Township trustees took no action at their meeting on Wednesday, April 23 on placing a 2.2-mill service levy on the ballot in a special election in August. However, trustees agreed to explore incorporation and voted to reject Youngstown's Joint Economic Development plan (JEDD).
At a meeting which lasted four hours, trustees said they didn't want to spend $30,000 for a special election on the levy which was recommended by Township Administrator Jason Loree  in his 48-page report, "Strategic Options for Boardman Township Financial  Future" as a short term option to help relieve the township budget crisis. The levy may be placed before the voters in November.
Loree presented his lengthy report to the trustees a week before Wednesday's session. It also contained several other options regarding the township's financial issues including the Youngstown JEDD proposal, incorporation, income and sales taxes, regionalization and municipal merger.
After much discussion, the trustees authorized Loree to send a letter to Mayor Jay Williams of Youngstown  that they were rejecting the JEDD proposal as written.
Trustee chairlady Robyn Gallitto said she saw no advantages to Boardman in the plan. Her colleagues, trustees

Miller asks county to end
delinquent tax sale

YSU trustees honor Champ Kelly Pavlik

YSU Trustee Harry Meshel presents champ Kelly Pavlik and his trainer, Jack Loew with a Resolution of Appreciation commending the boxer with his "class and dignity" in rising to the top of his profession. Photo by Mike Varveris.