No Leadership, No Vision

[irishbobcat]

The point could be raised that local leadership should be doing more to encourage collaboration and additional application for these funds.


That is my point exactly. Local leadership should be doing more to encourage grants, jobs, and programs to rebuild our manufacturing base here in the Mahoning Valley. And that is not getting done by our current state representative.

If renewable energy companies, manufacturing jobs, trade programs, and other progressive job programs are springing up all over Ohio,
why are local state representatives clueless in making this happen in the valley?

Dennis Spisak-Independent Candidate for State Representative-60th District

[Janko]

Your attack is off-base here in that the 3rd Frontier program of Ohio is a peer-reviewed distribution system done by a branch of the Ohio Department of Development - of which Hagan has no control over. Projects are selected by an RFP process across the state.

Your additional error is the belief (perpetuated by this Toledo guy) that a representative has something to do his district getting these funds. He is just piggybacking on the news for Toledo.

The point could be raised that local leadership should be doing more to encourage collaboration and additional application for these funds.

My statement is not an endorsement or rebuttal of either candidate, nor the methods of the Ohio Department of Development.

Good luck to all candidates promoting truth, and not rhetoric.

[irishbobcat]

Why Youngstown gets left behind when it comes to renewable energy
manufacturing and jobs: No State Leadership in the Legislature

April 23, 2008

Bob Hagan is the real reason Youngstown is left behind when it comes to bringing new renewable energy companies and jobs to the 60th district. It's not clouds, but no vision or effort on the part of Bob Hagan to secure the necessary leadership abilities to get the job done.

Bob Hagan has been in Columbus for 20 years and can't get a grant for renewable energy...yet a Toledo senator can:

This in via email from the office of District 2 Ohio Senator Mark Wagoner:

WAGONER ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION IN STATE GRANTS TO SUPPORT ADVANCED ENERGY RESEARCH IN OHIO

Wagoner: Employers in Lucas County among companies with potential to make Ohio a leader in fuel cells, solar energy

Columbus – State Senator Mark Wagoner (R-Toledo) today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the release of more than $1.2 million in state grants to two organizations within the 2nd Senate District. The funds, made possible through the state's Third Frontier Program, will support these groups in their efforts to develop and produce advanced energy technology in Ohio. The hope, according to Wagoner, is to advance Ohio's position as leader in the budding fuel cell and solar power industries.

Among the grants approved today, Xunlight 26 Solar, LLC, was awarded $977,924 from the state's Advanced Energy Program to support its work in developing technology to produce next generation solar technology. Xunlight is collaborating with the University of Toledo and Akron Polymer Systems on this project, which incorporates three technologies developed in Ohio directly dealing with solar energy.

The University of Toledo was also awarded $250,000 to advance its collaboration with another company on the development of a cellulosic biomass fermentation process, which is a new method for producing ethanol. The project seeks to incorporate two patented technologies that are currently licensed to SuGanit Systems.

According to Wagoner, the work at Xunlight and the University of Toledo in the area of solar energy and bio-fuels is important to Ohio not only because of their potential as a domestic source of energy, but also because the technology these companies are developing could lead to increased manufacturing and more jobs in Ohio.

"The success companies like Xunlight and education institutions like the University of Toledo have had in developing alternative energy sources is a testament to the ingenuity and know how of the workforce in our region," Wagoner stated. "The investment we are making today will only further advance these achievements by providing these organizations the capital and support necessary to move forward."

Bob Hagan has spent 20 unproductive years in Columbus representing Youngstown. It's time to bring him home!

It's time to bring grants,companies, and jobs to the Mahoning Valley. I will see that Youngstown does not continue to be passed by cities like  Toledo, Bowling Green, Athens, and even the small rural areas of Ohio.

Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative-60th District

Campaign Site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com

Visit our link on renewable energy jobs for the valley and Progressive Works Programs.