Published Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999 Robert Maskrey, committee member, said they were making the presentation because of controversies over the plan.
Most of the public concerns have centered on Walker, who owns Pro-Con Enterprises, the firm hired for $22,000 last October to complete the project.
Trustees have not heard from Walker in several months and Pro-Con's Youngstown office number has been disconnected. Walker has until Oct. 28 to complete the plan. Trustees have paid Pro-Con all but $300 of the contract.
Trustee Chairwoman Janalyn Saloom said the trustees have written to their attorney regarding the situation with Walker and are awaiting a response.
The committee put together a video of the areas it believes need work.
The tape included the Bull Moose plant in Masury, Ulp and Fern streets, and Davis Street, where the committee wants to raze a dilapidated house. The committee also wants to look into putting a playground on an empty lot in the Ulp-Davis Street area and sanitary sewers on the West Hill and along Route 7.
The committee also called in the Army Corps of Engineers to look at what can be done with Yankee Lake. Bike trails and picnic areas along Yankee Run Road are also possibilities.
"We tried to address all these problems," Maskrey said. "These people on this committee work and work hard ... They gave their time and their heart."
Maskrey added that the plan, which he said is nearly complete, has been getting a "bad shake."
"It will be completed, one way or another," he said.
Trustee J. Philip Schmidt drew applause when he said committee members have worked hard but have never been thanked.
Committee member Willie Radu said that working with Walker was a pleasure.
"He was great to work with; you can't sell the man short," she said. "He did a great job and he brought in fabulous speakers."
Other residents recognized the committee's work on the plan but questioned trustees about Walker's references and why they didn't share the rough draft of the plan any sooner.
Last month Schmidt shared a copy of the rough draft with residents, who pointed out spelling and grammatical errors. Trustees and members of the committee were supposed to correct the errors and return the draft to Pro-Con, but Schmidt still had his copy.
Trustee Gary Lees said information on Walker's prior projects, which include work in Youngstown and Lisbon, Ohio, is available in the clerk's office.
"There is a plan that we as a committee spent hours on," Mrs. Radu said. "Don't overlook anything we have done. We're proud of our work."
In response to trustee candidate John Miller's accusation that there is no plan, she said, "You can't look past the grammar to see the actual plan."
Mrs. Saloom said trustees would not belabor the issue and ended the discussion.
"It (the plan) will be completed if I have to pay for it myself," she said.
