We believe that it's time for major changes in our Valley. Everyone should be tired of the status quo and angry about this area's continuing deline. We should be saying, as Howard Beale did in the famous scene from the movie Network, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore."

We need to change our image and the way we do business in the Valley. One piece of the the pie for change is reforming county government by approving County Home Rule Charters for Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Voters will have the opportunity this November 8 to say "yes" to county government reform, a move that may help revive the area's economic vitality by:

• Creating a government operation that fosters collaboration throughout the county to generate new jobs and grow the county's tax base.
  
• Making  county government more responsive to all county taxpayers no matter where they live: cities, villages or townships.
  
• Ensuring that the county is administered by individuals who exhibit both professionalism and accountability.
  
• Fostering an efficient county operation that works toward budget surpluses rather than tax increases.

In order to approve County Home Rule Charters in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, we need to educate the public about the importance of change. This promotional campaign, which will include gathering thousands of signatures on petitions to place the issue on the ballot, will require lots of money.

Change will not occur unless people like you say, "Enough is enough," and pledge your support by making a contribution to the Committee For the Rebirth of the Valley Economy. Your investment in the Valley's future will be used to create awareness among the voters in our community about the importance of County Home Rule. Production of campaign literature, signs and television/radio commercials are very costly but necessary to educate the electorate about the importance of this issue. Please keep in mind that there are no restrictions to contributions to a ballot issue PAC.


If you'd like to circulate petitions at your place of work or social and civic clubs, in your neighborhood or among friends, please email Gwen for further information.