A Renaissance for Whom? Youngstown and its Neighborhoods
cwcs.ysu.edu/resources/renaissance (http://cwcs.ysu.edu/resources/renaissance)
QuoteBut by hiring his friends, the Mayor has too often put people without strong qualifications in charge of important local work. We shouldn't be surprised when they fail to get things done right. To many, city offices seem to be plagued by ineptitude and deficiency.
QuoteBlockwatches and neighborhood organizations are growing, in part because residents feel they must fill in where local government is not addressing the issues.
The crack in the wall of the ruling class is growing. As with the bogus jobs claim, people are beginning to rise up and denounce the ruling class and their stacking public offices with inept figureheads. Let the revolution continue.
Quote from: jay on August 15, 2010, 09:54:47 PM
'Blockwatches and neighborhood organizations are growing, in part because residents feel they must fill in where local government is not addressing the issues.'
IMO, we're simply replacing what was lost over the last few decades. Some of the older members of our neighborhood organization still refer to houses on their street by the names of people who have long ago passed on, or moved away from that house. That tells me there once was an unofficial neighborhood "organization." This sense of neighborhood, more than local government, was a large part of what kept neighborhoods running and safe. But, it was taken for granted, and slowly faded away as people moved on. Now that we're realizing that local government can't be a substitute for "neighborhood," we're creating block-watches and neighborhood organizations, and we're getting to know our neighbors again.
Very good assessment, Westsider. I concur.
You are quite correct in you assessment of what former neighborhoods were like. Speaking for myself and those OLD neighbors that still live in Lansingville and agree with me - you are a little off in the Block Watch area of today as far as we are concerned. The neighbors of quite a few years back had and took a vested interested in their homes and children. Today on our street we have renters that do not appear to share those same values of property or family. It is A CONSTANT BATTLE to even try to maintain some semblance of calm and peace when "things" happen right in front of your face EVERY DAY ! ! ! It is the new people in the neighborhood that do and sell drugs and are into prostitution. These people are NOT INTERSTED in being good neighbors or REPORTING gun fire or other crimes to police. We continue to pray to God, to do good and try to avoid evil - I know a lot of those new neighbors in my area probably do not share those tenants. It is sure true that local government can't make a good neighborhood THAT is the responsibility of people that CARE about where they live and respect their neighbors. I believe only God can solve that problem which requires a lot more than just prayer.
I applaud the Mayor for getting more jobs and businesses in the area and promoting Downtown Youngstown but he sure dropped the ball on those of us how LIVE in Youngstown's poor and crime infested neighborhoods. What good was his 2010 Plan to Lansingville ?
QuoteThe housing crisis in Youngstown has been dire enough to shift the balance between rental properties and owner-occupied dwellings. A community once known as the "City of Homes," with among the highest rates of home ownership in the nation, now has more renters than home owners.
You are getting warmer. Majority of the citizens of the City are renters and are subsidized, so who do we think the Municipality will penalize for the housing stock implosion? Right, the majority which keeps the ruling class in their subsidized jobs by getting continuing assistance in exchange for their vote. The only way out for us all in this City is for financial collapse of the local governments and hopefully we can rebuild by exchanging the "dole" for production and hard work.
Correction, "not the majority."
QuoteThe 'Renaissance' of Youngstown will not be complete until the new professionals coming here don't just want to work downtown but also choose to live in the city. So far, few "new Youngstowners," have settled in the city.
I agree with the residency part. Youngstown has to launch an all-out effort to get more
home OWNERS to buy, and live in, a house within the city limits - preferably in the
neighborhoods that the 2010 plan seeks to restore and rehabilitate. These neighborhoods
are still viable and worth saving.
Now, here's an idea I have thought about many times... is it a pipe dream?
Maybe, maybe not...
I think the city and the county should get together, and offer land contract home ownership
for homes that are still in usable condition - in strategically targeted neighborhoods that are
to be saved - at some rediculously tiny price, like $1 - BUT with a whole boat load of strings
attached.
The city of Baltimore, MD tried this - with some successes - and all of it in some pretty rough
and run down neighborhoods. They got young, working professionals to buy abandoned
and/or blighted housing units and fix them up, move into them and become residents of
the neighborhood.
The land contract would obligate the buyer to fix the home up and bring it up to code,
within a time table worked out between the city/county and the new home owner prior to
the sale of the property. The owner would be required to live in the property and NOT
rent it out for a period of at least 10 to 15 years (maybe 20?).
The buyer would have to provide proof of financial responsibility and resources. The down
payment they would have to pay in order to get a mortgage could be applied to fixing up
the property instead. The mortgage payments they would have made in 20 years can
be invested in improving their home.
A lot of the work could be tax deductible for the new home owner. Especially stuff like energy
efficiency improvements - insulation, HVAC upgrades, windows and doors, roofing, etc.
And, of course, the new home owner has NO MORTGAGE, and owns the property free and
clear. They generate PROPERTY TAXES - and put more operating funds in the county's coffers.
Failure to live up to the conditions of the land contract breaches the agreement, and
the property is forfeited to the city/county for sale to another owner - along with whatever
improvements have been made to that property while it was in the custody of the former
owner. This weeds out those who are either not serious about home ownership from those
who can, and will, make good neighbors.
NOW you have people who are owner occupants - people who have a VERY vested interest
in keeping up the place they call their home, and their neighborhood.
As for the decimated neighborhoods - they need to vanish from the city map. Let the
empty land go back to nature, as this means virtually ZERO maintenance once the
trees are in, the sidewalks and pavement are gone, and a young forest begins in each of
these areas.
The city also needs to continue to remove un-needed housing stock. The sooner the
built infrastructure of this city is downsized to match the number of residents within
the city limits, the sooner the drain on the city and county budgets will be reduced
in each department that provides vital services to the city.
Less neighborhoods to have to provide services for: gas, water, electric, sewer,
street paving and maintenance. Police and fire services will have less TERRITORY to
cover - allowing the city and county to do more with the limited resources they do have.
Migration:
As the city clears out old neighborhoods, it needs to do everything in its power to migrate
the city's population toward, and into, the neighborhoods the city is planning to save and
rebuild. ESPECIALLY home owners. The exchange idea needs to be looked at again,
and some fresh ideas applied to get home owners in areas where there are few houses
left on their street, and convince them to trade for another house of greater value, in at
least as the same overall condition, shape, etc.
I think it could work to some extent.... anyone who has enough credit,
and income, to qualify for a conventional home mortgage could and
should be offered a chance at home ownership - without the mortgage
payment - in return for their residency and their renovation of the
home.
I'm STILL trying to buy a house on the north side. I could tackle a couple of the major projects that the house needs if I could use the 20% I have to put down - to appease the bank - to actually make improvements to the house.
WFMJ coverage regarding the article (plus Mayor's reaction).
http://www.wfmj.com/Global/story.asp?S=13000175
The authors of this paper may be the guests on a radio talk show next week.
I will attempt to post the exact time and station asap.
I have Russo's book and I think he is right on in his study of our neighborhoods. It is sad to see the continuing position of the present leadership to oppose educated thought rather than embracing it. Again I would like to make it vary clear that urban farming the vast vacant abandoned lands in Youngstown will not only revitalize the neighborhoods but bring jobs to the City, farming, the largest industry in Ohio. We can create more landbanks but finding the end user is what is key. Like YSU's Russo , OSU is bringing aquaculture to Ohio as the "key" end user. embrace it.
(This is a double-response to this thread as well as YtownShrimp's "Illegal Dumping" response):
Do you realize that Russo, et al embraces strong community organization (ex. MVOC/YNDC, Action, Common Wealth Inc, Grow Youngstown, etc) as an important piece of urban revitalization in Youngstown (stated in the recent article) and despises you because of your history in this community? Do you know what type of reputation you possess among neighborhood and faith-based groups involved in this community?
Do you understand that the purpose of a land bank is to be able to clear title to property more efficiently (in 45 days) so to get it back out on the market while attempting to provide some semblance of protection of wide-scale speculation (BTW: no-tax dollars involved)? Do you understand that this is considered a best practice nationally (particularly for older industrial communities) as was approved by a unanimous, bipartisan vote in the State Senate and 80% majority in the House of Representatives?
Do you also understand that urban agriculture IS being pushed aggressively in Youngstown as part of urban/neighborhood development? See: Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation / Idora "Lots of Green" / Mineral Springs Road; Common Wealth Inc. / Wick Park / "Farms on Baldwin / Stuart Place Kitchen Incubator / Youngstown Farmers Market; Grow Youngstown / Community Supported Agriculture program). BTW: urban aquaculture is a fine idea...the only problem from what I gather from most in the community who might be considered partners in such an initiative is that YOU are involved with it. Many people in this community do not trust you. That being said, did not the city provide you zoning to conduct initial pond operation...yet a court of law determined that you exceeded the area of operation approved for the initial operation?
What I don't understand is how someone like yourself who has continued to take advantage of this community for so long and in so many ways and with so many different people still has the nerve to berate and hijack other members of the community attempting to do HONEST work, albeit not in line with your way of thought (whatever that may actually be). Spare us the incessant "The World vs. Ron Eiselstein" drama. You give sensible conservatives (like Rick, et al) a bad name because of the the type of person you have proven to be through your actions (of which you have admitted to me in person that you regret). We have a file on you at MVOC an inch thick consisting of unpaid taxes on land totalling in the thousands / tens of open civil court cases and open judgements in the thousands / illegal timbering/ etc. I am ashamed that this forum allows you to continue to use it to pontificate.
I'd be willing to challenge you Ron Eiselstein (aka. "YoungstownShirmp") to an open public debate regarding any and all of the above at any time and any place. I'm sure your have a really clever comeback but I'm done with the online bs and acknowledgement of yourself (as most already are). I will also be done with this forum should it continue to allow a proven exploiter of the community such yourself to continue to use it to spew your hypocritical propaganda. This forum and this community deserves better.
Amen brother
Double Amen!!
I happened upon this thread. There are no open moderator reports. If you find a particular post offensive, please report it. You can also rate a post right on the board.
The authors may be on WASN, 1500-AM, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 24.
I see Mr. Kidd has regressed down into the mud with his recent tantrum. I'll take the high road here and respond with questions.
1. Show us all where a court of law determined I exceeded the area operation and kindly refer to a case number?
2. Show us all where my operations were found guilty of illegal timbering and please site a case number?
3. Show us all where my organization took advantage of our community?
4. Is it Mr. Russo's words or yours that he despises me?
5. Is your agenda still to run for Mayor of Youngstown as you told me?
6. Are you aware that many GOOD faith base entities and institutions such as Mt. Calvary, Nevels Temple, City of Youngstown, Councilmembers and upstanding citizens are delinquent in their property taxes, some in the millions?
7. What percentage of the community you are organizing subsist on entitlements?
8. Have you ever purchased real estate (house or land) in Youngstown?
9. Have you ever worked for the private sector in your life?
10. Does the MVOC keep files on all businessmen in Youngstown?
Mr. Kidd govern yourself accordingly.
Ah, and there's the Ron we all know so well...spin, outright lies, questions with questions.
Only one way to find out the truth. Open public debate. Name the time and place. I will be there.
Very good Novotny, now take it to the prosecutor. Here's another one for you, are any of the council members delinquent in their water bills to the City? Since you didn't bring up the City and the GOOD faith base institutions, you must concur that they are delinquent in their property taxes, or do you only believe in equal protection on who you pick and choose?
Rick, I didn't know you have a BAD name and that you are a conservative, I thought you were a libertarian. I'm sorry if I ruined your good name among the entitled.
Phil to help you with your fantasy, can I refer to you as Mayor Phil Kidd? Since Obama rose to power by community organizing (ACORN), is this the strategy that you are following, to back up your bid for Mayor by organizing the entitled?
I agree to the debate, right here and now, hopefully with this forum moderating to eliminate the BS. Now can you please answer my questions, I answered yours.
Quote from: Youngstownshrimp on August 24, 2010, 08:22:55 AM
I agree to the debate, right here and now, hopefully with this forum moderating to eliminate the BS. Now can you please answer my questions, I answered yours.
You haven't answered anything Shrimp...you never do!
This thread has been locked for moderator review due to several reports.
Quote from: Steve Novotny on August 24, 2010, 12:58:03 AM
Which ones?
I did a quick search of all of them on the Mahoning County auditor's site. Couldn't find a single tax delinquent parcel amongst any of them.
Are you familiar with the term "LIBEL"?
I've printed your post.
Mr. Novotny, as outlined in personal messages, it has been established that what Shrimp has stated is true. American Tax Funding was sold liens for some properties owned by council persons. The taxes are no longer listed as delinquent by the county but record of the sales of the liens remains on the Auditor website. The taxes may or may not have been paid as of today.I stand corrected. Mr. Novotny has stated that American Tax is not a lien company but a mortgage company. So I'd like to ask Mr. Shrimp to provide links to the records of the delinquent taxes.
This topic will now be unlocked.
I have taken the time to review.
If you read the posts from the beginning, you will see that the first personal attack was made by Defend Youngstown.
Shrmp made commentary about local government which was on topic considering the first post.
I do not understand the reference to the Illegal dumping thread so I will look into it.
However if it is a reference to another thread it is off topic.
It is my opinion that all of reports of antagonism by EVERY party that has complained are relevant HOWEVER this thread started out as antagonistic citing an article that questions our local government.
If you would like to form a debate thread on this forum. please let me know. I will form a thread for questions ONLY by all members with a date deadline ...NO ANSWERS ord discussion will be acceptable. After all questions have been submitted I will form another thread where only Defend youngstown and Youngstown shrimp can respond to the questions. Then after all questions are answered and discussed by both parties - the thread will be opened to the public for further questions or commentary.
Forum Manager, Thank you for intervening on behalf of the Forum, we really need an unbiased moderator to cut thru all the fabrication and personal attacks. And, I will be the first to say that I am not innocent sometimes in this blog. That being said, you do not need to stand corrected in your conversation with Novotny, he is wrong. This I know because without sounding boisterous, I am an expert in tax cert. sales in Mahoning county. I managed an investment group which purchased a significant amount of certs. from American Tax Funding, a private large scale tax cert. buyer who won the bid five years ago to purchase all of Mahoning counties delinquent tax certs. If you need verification, you may call American Tax Funding's local Atty. , he rents from one of our investors in Poland, I will be happy to introduce you to him, he was also retained by the investment group I managed. Although the auditor's site maybe wrong at times, my search shows that Mr. Kidd and Mr. Novotny do not even own property in the county and IMO are hardly authorities to speak intelligently about real estate at all. BTW the hidden brothel (22 acres) is an example of a tax cert. purchase
Let me answer your question first with the legal perspective in delinquent property taxes, the taxes are called in REM and not in PERSONA, meaning that delinquent taxes are not a personal liability but rather a potential lien against the property itself. The recourse of delinquent tax property is a foreclosure or the new hybrid, forfeiture which my investment group was the first in the county to do. So if your research shows that ATF did purchase tax certs. of council members property, they were delinquent. Of course as can be read in my question to Kidd, I was not trying to besmirch anyone but was trying to point out that many of us and most of YTown vacant property have been delinquent. It is obvious to me that I have been singled out when even the City owes millions in property taxes.
I thank you as well, Forum Manager, for your offering to set up an online debate, however, as I stated in my previous post, I am interested in public face-to-face debate with Ron E. It can be audio recorded with a link posted to the site after (etc.), however, I want the one-on-one. Perhaps the forum is intersted in this, perhaps not. I'll do it, regardless. However, this will be my last post and/or response on this matter on the forum. It has taken up enough of the forum's space and time (as well as mine). It was a foolish move to engage Ron at all (again). You think you'd learn after the first (two) time(s) in real life. I could have spent the time figuring out how to bring more entitlement and/or pork to the neighborhoods of Youngstown in my non-private sector non-profit job. Those on welfare and living on subsidized rental property are counting on me to deliver. As we know, every resident of every neighborhood in Youngstown is filled with only these people. There are no good, decent, hardworking / retired, responsible people who live in the city. There are no people who have ever worked an honest day in their life and might feel like they are losing control of their neighborhood and need help. Those of that type that DO remain....well, they should just give up and move out so I can organize the welfare state and run for Mayor. What you don't know is I promised Ron E. that I would make him Chief of Staff. This way, we can flood the Mahoning River and Crab Creek / dig a canal through Wick Park and the lower North Side and connect right though Phantom Fireworks (yes, we will eliminate Phantom because of that traitor Bruce Zolden and his entitlement party fundraisers). The moat will be filled with shrimp prawns, Asian Carp and Snake Fish - keeping out the rest of the welfare state from downtown but also creating a hybrid fish the world has never known (tremendously rich in protein). Of course, since zoning will be abolished in the first day on the job, all we will need is investors to help us market to the rest of the world. Perhaps Ohio State can help. All citizens of New Youngstown will be issued copies of Atlas Shrugged and the John Young memorial will be replaced with the likeness of Jim Traficant. That wraps up 2010. In 2011, we hire 400 more police, declare Martial Law on the rest of the city, and attempt to invade Sharon, PA.
Oh, the joke will be on them.
Defend Youngstown!
P.S. Moving forward with financing of a house in Wick Park built in 1900...not far from the Nevel's Temple apartment building that was never deconstructed (in fact, caught fire). BTW: I rent because I work 60-80hrs per week and (previously) lived alone. That's not a new idea. Another reason: I support my land lord's risk investment of $350,000 to restore a historic district building around the park and recruit more people to live there from the downtown and the university...which is now at capacity and is resulting in the development of the second building. Worked out pretty well...however, I'm super anxious to purchase the home so that I then can magically grasp how tax cert law works in Mahoning County and can declare myself an authority on the matter! Does that come with a plaque or a ribbon, Ron? We (registered Independant) entitlement folks love ribbons. Sometimes we give them to homeless people. It's part of entitlement - you wouldn't understand.
Forum Manager, your proposal to create a debate thread is a very good idea provided it be moderated. Mr. Kidd challenged me and I accepted, in addition I would like to debate Mr. Steve Novotny on deconstruction since I and others are concerned how our tax dollars are being used by him. Also with do respect since I answered your question and had to back up my statement about delinquent property taxes, it is only right and fair that Mr. Kidd back up his allegations posted here, namely what I enumerated. Without saberrattling, I may have a legal complaint here and I am very concerned about his reference to the MVOC having a file on me, a private citizen.
Quote from: Youngstownshrimp on August 24, 2010, 08:14:56 PM
So if your research shows that ATF did purchase tax certs. of council members property, they were delinquent.
The company mentioned on the records I questioned was FIRST AMERICAN RE TAX not American Tax Funding.
Mr. Novotny pointed out that First American is a mortgage company.
oops, I made the same mistake. My age must be catching up with me.
Thank you for explaining the difference.
Forum manager and Steve thank you.