SitemapORCHID: To Sonny Vaccaro, a 1962 Youngstown University graduate, for his work that led to creation of a major motion picture in which A-list actor Matt Damon plays Vaccaro.
He became heavily involved in basketball, promotions and marketing after his graduation, eventually leading him to orchestrate a deal between Nike and then-NBA rookie Michael Jordan, revolutionizing pro sports deal making. It helped make Nike among the most recognizable and elite shoe brands worldwide. Vaccaro now lives in California with his wife Pam, a Boardman native.
ORCHID: To Covelli Enterprises for making the Ohio Department of Development’s Top 100 Major Employers in the state list for 2022. The Warren-based company is the largest franchisee of Panera Bread restaurants with an estimated 7,100 employees and ranking No. 46 on the list. The company’s big numbers are matched with a big heart as Covelli invests generously in myriad worthwhile community causes and events.
ONION: To those police officers in local communities and statewide who insist on talking on handheld cellphones while patrolling the streets. In so doing, they now are in gross violation of Ohio’s new distracted driving law outlawing any electronic device in a driver’s hand, lap or other parts of the body. We recognize these law enforcement scofflaws are in the minority, but nonetheless their flouting of a highly publicized new law sets the wrong example for civilian drivers in their paths.
ORCHID: To the Ohio General Assembly for acting swiftly and with bipartisan support to approve a new state transportation budget containing new measures to strengthen railroad safety. As Gov. Mike DeWine said last week, “We are ensuring that Ohio’s railroads follow the best practices in monitoring railroad equipment and holding them responsible for their actions.” Legislators’ rapid and unified response to the Feb. 3 East Palestine derailment stands as a welcome contrast to partisan infighting that often stalls valuable measures.
ORCHID: To longtime firefighter Joe Morell for his 45 years of committed service to the Canfield community. The Cardinal Joint Fire District Board of Directors recently honored him on his retirement. Morell contributed greatly to the district’s growth and sophistication. No doubt many others on the force and many in the Canfield community who were helped by Morell share the sentiments of fellow firefighter Josh Grossman: “It was a joy to work with you.”
ONION: Once again to Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchko for playing a highly inappropriate April Fool’s Day joke on the community. On that day, the county leader posted on social media a message that many believed intimated she would be leaving her position in county government. Considering that controversy seems to follow Frenchko wherever she goes and considering that some have called seriously for her resignation, such a childish prank likely will fire up unnecessary community scorn toward Frenchko.
ORCHID: To Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley leaders and particularly all donors who played a role in the $31 million expansion to the facility’s Boardman emergency room. The new addition, which provides three times more space and ability to handle more than twice its current patient load, opens officially April 19. Topping the long list of donors is Lenny Fisher, chairman of the board of Handel’s Homemade Cream, who contributed $1 million. The phenomenal growth of the hospital over the past two decades is a testament to the trust and respect the Greater Mahoning Valley community has placed in it.
ORCHID: To the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. for winning a competitive grant of $1.11 million enabling the organization to make significant headway in its ongoing mission to revitalize city neighborhoods. This latest grant will enable the agency to make improvements to 373 housing units affecting 1,007 people in the city. It is the latest feather in the cap of the award-winning community development powerhouse.
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