The Business Journal MidNovember 2009

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The Valley’s Business Matters www.BusinessJournalDaily.com

ISSN 1047-8582 Vol. 26 No. 10 MidNOVEMBER 2009 $2.50
Research at YSU
Magnifies Benefits
To Manufacturers
By Dan O’Brien
YSU and its chemistry department to
S
cientists at Youngstown State form partnerships in the private sec-
University will soon peer tor. These partnerships brighten the
deeper into worlds that could chances of YSU securing more exter-
unlock the potential for developing nal funding to foster development in
stronger materials and new products the region, Mincey says.
and, in so doing, accelerate efforts For a university to be truly inte-
to transform manufacturing in the grated into economic development,
Mahoning Valley. he says, the institution should be
Powered by a new, seven-foot-tall within 20 miles of the industries and
transmission electron microscope companies it wants to help. “All the
capable of exploring complex, unseen ingredients are here,” he says.
worlds, the YSU chemistry depart- Timothy Wagner, professor of
ment might provide just the inputs chemistry at YSU, relates it is highly
needed to jump-start this effort. unusual for a university the size and
“You have to look at this as an en- scope of his to possess such advanced
terprise,” says Daryl Mincey, chairman equipment. “I know of no other
of the chemistry department. “It’s a non-Ph.D. institution in the country
process of educating businesses and that has the equipment we have,” he
providing the experience and equip- says, noting even some universities
ment that they can use.” with doctoral programs lack these
The chairman of YSU’s chemistry department, Daryl Mincey, stands before a seven-foot-tall The new microscope is the latest capabilities.
electron microscope. addition in an aggressive effort by See YSU RESEARCH, page 13
These Are Their Stories

Middle-age men looking All have made it a full-time job to
find another job, they say. “That’s my
for work, find little job: to find a job,” says Jon Wheeler
demand for their skills. of Brookfield.
Wheeler, age 47, is a mechanical
By Dennis LaRue engineer. Jeff Schreiber, 50, of Leeton-
N one of the stories that follow

has a happy ending, at least
not yet.
They are accounts of four white
middle-aged men who earned com-
ia is a cabinetmaker and wood worker.
Daniel A. Gonder, 55, of Boardman is
a veteran on-air radio announcer and
copywriter. And Richard T. Johnson,
56, of New Middletown has been a
fortable livings until their employers midlevel manager at various enter-
laid them off after the recession hit, See LOOKING FOR WORK, page 36
how they’re coping, and the adjust-
ments they and their families have Jeff Schreiber was a business-systems analyst;
made to stay afloat financially. now he’s looking for a job in woodworking.
2 MidNOVEMBER 2009 The Business Journal
The Business Journal MidNOVEMBER 2009 3
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BusinessJournalDaily.com steps it up Nov.
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Robin Eisenbrei’s company likely would benefit from the creation of a passenger rail corridor between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Advocates Revive Hope for

Passenger Rail in Region
By George Nelson railroad track welding services, but performs other
rail-related work and serves as a distribution agent
R
57 Trumbull’s Largest Transactions ail isn’t in Robin Eisenbrei’s blood, but the for suppliers of rail materials to the industry.
The West Corp. Call Center building at mode of transportation, which hearkens back The CEO, who purchased Morrison from Torent
5851 Youngstown-Warren Road in Niles to more than a century ago, has been a part in 2003, was among several rail enthusiasts who at-
was acquired Oct. 2 by Cafaro Leasing of her life for the past quarter-century. tended an Oct. 29 presentation at the Youngstown
Co. Ltd. of Youngstown. The sale price is As president and CEO of Morrison Metalweld Club by Ken Prendergast, executive director of All
$2,200,125. It leads this month’s listing Process Corp., Eisenbrei began as a secretary with Aboard Ohio, a rail advocacy organization. Prender-
of the largest real estate transactions. Torent Inc., a local venture capital firm, and eventu- gast was on hand to provide an update on efforts to
ally went to work for the president of what was then establish a passenger rail corridor between Cleveland
its Morrison Metalweld division. and Pittsburgh.
“Together we grew the company to operate in The U.S. Department of Transportation is evaluat-
50 states,” she recalls, serving short-line railroads, ing a request by Govs. Ted Strickland of Ohio and
railroad contractors, train systems and industrial Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania to extend the Keystone
sector accounts. The company provides mostly See RAIL ADVOCATES, page 4
40 Under 40 CORRECTION
The Extra Edition of The Business Journal,
mailed last week to subscribers, failed to
correctly report that Bruce Watson of Hill,
Barth & King had nominated his colleague,
Craig M. Steinhoff. We regret the error.
15 Lou Zona 24 Local.Com
20 Interest Rates 41 BBB Report
23 Media Scope 52 Legal Listings

Rail Advocates: Reviving Hope for Passenger Rail Service

From Page 3 younger people who would prefer to spend travel much designated as freight railroads.”
High-Speed Rail Corridor westward from Pittsburgh time otherwise occupied. She would be more optimistic about prospects
to Cleveland. A federal designation, Prendergast Prendergast and state Rep. Robert Hagan, D-60 for high-speed passenger rail in this region were
says, would make that route eligible for federal plan- Youngstown, shared their experiences from trips that line given a separate, dedicated track. Railroad
ning and funding for safety improvements. they had made to Europe. Hagan recently returned schedules vary based on what trains carry, “so to try
“We’re in kindergarten when it comes to pas- from Spain on a trip to study its high-speed rail to keep a passenger schedule going in the corridor
senger rail service,” Prendergast says of the United system. Today, 40% of that country’s population has between Pittsburgh and Cleveland would be very
States. “Everybody else in the developed world is access to high-speed rail, a figure projected to reach difficult,” she says.
in college.” 90% by 2020. The 400-mile trip from Madrid to Bar- “There certainly is plenty of room to put a dedi-
A decision on that corridor designation is ex- celona took just two hours and 38 minutes, he said. cated line in,” she adds.
pected by the end of the year, he says, and at that Hagan, a locomotive engineer by profession, chairs However, to build a brand-new, dedicated pas-
point comes the step of identifying the most cost- the transportation committee in the Ohio House of senger line “is asking people to take a massive leap
effective route for the corridor. One option would Representatives and serves as vice chairman of the of faith, and I don’t think we’re ready for that,”
link the two cities through Youngstown, the other Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Coalition Prendergast says.
would go through Alliance. “I’m frustrated by the fact that we have so far The process of building support for rail is “an
Eisenbrei agrees “absolutely” that such a link to go,” he said, adding that he’s encouraged by the evolution, even a cultural evolution,” he remarks,
would be good for her company and other firms interest people showed at the meeting. The real task, and a series of initiatives need to take place to sup-
like it in the region that serve the rail industry. “We he continued, was to persuade people that rail isn’t port its development, including promoting better
have some very good railroad contractors in this about the future, but about today. transit connections and rebuilding core cities around
area,” she remarks. “I know your frustration,” Prendergast responded train stations. California recently passed a $10 bil-
About 10,000 people already commute daily to Hagan, reflecting on his own trip to France – “the lion bond issue for high-speed rail, an effort that has
from the Mahoning Valley to either Cleveland or promised land,” as he put it – in 2007. “When I came taken 20 or 30 years, he says.
Pittsburgh, according to statistics Prendergast cited back, I was depressed for at least a month,” he said. On their trips, he and Hagan recognized “just how
at the Oct. 29 meeting. A 2007 economic impact But the trip “only reinforced my interest in being a many decades this is going to take for this cultural
study projects the proposed corridor could increase better advocate,” he added. revolution to take place,” he said. “But it’s something
rail travel by 100,000 trips a year and result in $50 Once a route is selected for the proposed Cleve- that needs to happen if this country is going to be
million to $70 million in development for downtown land-Pittsburgh corridor, a determination on the independent when it comes to energy supplies.”
Youngstown and close to 400 additional jobs. appropriate speed for the trains running on the line While some fear that people will say the initial
Interest is also building in modes of transporta- – 79, 90 or 110 miles per hour – would follow. services provided aren’t good enough, he says what
tion that can serve as an alternative to automobiles, There is no question that rail needs to be used he has seen in other states is that introductory ser-
the result of concerns about the environment, as well more for personal transportation than it is now, vice tends to create a thirst for more, and people
as among the elderly who prefer not to drive and Eisenbrei says, but U.S. railroads now “are pretty want to keep expanding it and improving it.
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B.J. Alan Co. Seeks

Annexation for New
Retail Showroom
By Dan O’Brien
the property if the land is contiguous
T
he B.J. Alan Co. wants to and not in another municipality.
Youngstown to annex six Weimer said the Austintown site is
acres the Zoldan Family Ohio preferable to the downtown location
Partnership owns along Meridian for several reasons. First, the new
Road in Austintown Township so it location gives the fireworks company
can it can build a new, $1.5 million much more visibility since it’s posi-
retail showroom there. tioned closer to the major Interstate
William Weimer, vice president and 80 highway interchange. “We can
chief counsel for B.J. Alan, said the market ourselves better,” he said, “and
fireworks distributor wants to relocate it’s more convenient for customers be-
its retail operations from the former cause it would be centrally located.
Greyhound terminal downtown to a “The downtown building just gives
larger, brand-new building closer to us 2,500 square feet of retail space,”
the region’s freeway system. Weimer continued. The new show-
Such a project requires the six acres room would offer 5,000 square feet,
be annexed to Youngstown, a topic the maximum allowed by state law.
that has caused heated debate over And it would be built with the latest
the last two years between the city fire-suppression systems available,
and its neighbors. The company said it Weimer said.
sought annexation because B.J. Alan’s Weimer wouldn’t speculate on
license restricts its retail operations to when the new project might begin,
Youngstown. Its headquarters would but noted it’s likely the new retail
remain downtown. showroom wouldn’t be finished until
The land is bounded by Meridian the 2011 fireworks season.
Road to the east, Lanterman Road “It would be a great value for us to
to the south and Salt Springs Road put a modern, high-tech store close
to the north; it sits across the street to the freeway and still be a part of
from the city-owned Salt Springs Road the city,” said Bruce Zoldan, CEO
Industrial Park. of B.J. Alan. “For us to be located
The petition requesting the an- on Meridian just off I-80 would be a
nexation of 6.4 acres was filed Oct. 29 major asset.”
with the Board of Mahoning County On Nov. 10, F.N.B. Capital Corp.,
Commissioners, who must approve Pittsburgh, extended $10 million
any annexation before it takes effect. in mezzanine funding to B.J. Alan.
Commissioners have scheduled a Zoldan said the money would be used
hearing on the matter for Jan. 13. to expand its Phantom brand, help its
Under Ohio law, a landowner can business to grow and “assist with the
be granted a request for a city to annex seasonal nature of its business.”
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Renewable Energy: Next Manufacturing Base?

Proponents cite state’s industrial
heritage as its biggest asset.
By Maraline Kubik
G
reen energy may offer the best hope for the
future of American manufacturing and Ohio
is among a handful of states standing to reap
the greatest rewards.
According to “Building a Clean Energy Assembly
Line,” a new report that draws on research from the
Renewable Energy Policy Project in collaboration
with the Blue Green Alliance, Ohio ranks fourth
among all 50 states for potential job creation. Penn-
sylvania ranks sixth.
If renewable electricity standards mandate that
power companies obtain 25% of their power from
renewable sources by 2025, 51,269 jobs could be
created in Ohio, 42,668 in Pennsylvania, the re-
port states. The greatest numbers of jobs would be
created in California, 95,616, and Texas, 60,100.
Illinois holds the No. 3 spot, with a potential for
56,579 new jobs. Nationwide, more than 850,000
jobs could be created.
The reason the industrial Midwest, and Ohio in
particular, stands to benefit most is its manufactur-
ing base and entrenchment in the automotive supply
chain, says U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
Brown discussed report findings during a press
event with the Blue Green Alliance Nov. 4
“If you can make glass for a windshield, you can
make it for solar panels,” he said. The same holds
true for mechanical parts and gears. Companies that
Scot Loveland’s North Jackson company installs wind turbines like this one at Western Reserve High School in Berlin Center.
make such components for the auto industry could
make them for the wind turbine industry. right,” Brown observed. Interest in green energy is new industries.” If American companies are to be
At a time when the American auto industry is growing, but thus far, the United States’ manufac- competitive in the world marketplace, those focused
struggling, transitioning to produce components for turing base is lagging much of the world. “Seventy on emerging industries and in their infancy require
the green energy industry “provides alternatives for percent of what we use [solar panels, wind turbine government support too. The federal highway sys-
these existing [parts supply] companies and their components, etc.] is made abroad,” he said. tem, oil and nuclear power industries are among
workers,” Brown observed. Noting the similarities and differences between those Brown cited as examples that have benefited
Considering existing companies that have the the automotive and renewable energy industries, as a result of federal support in the past.
capabilities to produce, or could easily transition Brown said, “The auto industry grew because of the America may be the largest potential market
to produce components for the renewable energy natural demand for product. If renewable energy is for wind turbines, and installation of wind energy
industry, Ohio ranks third, behind California and such a good option, why is there a need for legisla- systems and production of wind turbine parts has
Illinois for new job creation in the manufacture of tive support?” grown significantly. But, noted Rob Gramlich, se-
components for the wind The report describes nior vice president of public policy at the American
industry. According to the At a time when the American auto indus- passage of federal cap- Wind Energy Association, who also participated in
report, 29,820 jobs could and-trade legislation for the media event, that growth has been unstable. He
be created in the Buckeye try is struggling, transitioning to produce carbon emissions as “criti- attributes the instability to “on again, off again tax
State. components for the green energy industry cal to creating a market credits.”
Ohio is also among the “provides alternatives for these existing for renewable resources Without incentives, the costs of installing renew-
forerunners in potential in the most cost-effective able energy systems are often prohibitive. Even with
job creation in manu-
[parts supply] companies and their work- manner.” It also lauds the the incentives, it often takes decades to recoup the
facturing parts for the ers,” Brown observed. Investments for Manufac- initial investment.
geothermal and biomass turing Progress and Clean Those calculations, Gramlich countered, do not
industries. With the potential for creating 5,079 jobs Technology (IMPACT) Act of 2009 that Brown consider the volatility of fossil fuel prices. Costs of
producing components for the geothermal industry, sponsored. The legislation creates a $30 billion producing green energy are far more stable, he said,
and 4,537 jobs producing parts for the biomass in- manufacturing revolving loan fund over 10 years and, after the initial investment, are minimal.
dustry, Ohio ranks fourth on both lists, behind Cali- to assist manufacturers retool their factories for In Minnesota, it has become more cost effective
fornia, New York and South Carolina for potential production of clean energy components while incor- to produce energy using the wind than by burning
job creation in the geothermal industry, and behind porating energy-efficient manufacturing processes coal, added David Foster, executive director of the
Texas, New York and California in biomass. and technologies. Just as important, according to Blue Green Alliance.
Pennsylvania ranks fourth for potential creation the report, are federal investment and production Governmental support of the fledgling renewable
of 15,767 jobs in the solar/photovoltaic industry, the tax incentives that will help drive the market for energy industry is important, Foster continued, to
report states, behind California, Texas and Illinois, renewable energy. ensure that market conditions don’t inhibit longterm
which could collectively see 91,415 jobs created. “In the United States,” Brown explained, “there goals. The challenge, he said, “is to convince the
“Clean energy really can be the future if we do it is no real free trade. Other countries support their See RENEWABLE ENERGY, page 10
Renewable Energy:
Direct Deposit (ACH) Payroll Services From Page 9
public that it’s a worthwhile investment.”
Nationwide, the number of jobs in green-energy
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sembly Line” report, “direct employment in the
of Direct Deposit services. In addition to a
domestic wind-energy sector [in the United States]
lower fee structure for the Direct Deposit grew by 35,000 in 2008.”
service, no set up charges were involved, and Twenty new factories opened in 2007 and 2008
the transition was easy and convenient. Our to manufacture parts for the industry and 17 exist-
system generates a payroll file that we upload ing factories expanded to satisfy growing demand
for wind turbine systems and components. Many of
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(without the need for a secondary processor). “foreign-based manufacturers.”
Seven Seventeen handled the set up work Large components such as blades and towers
establish Direct Deposit accounts.

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and offered incentives for the employees to
Milton A. Williams
Treasurer, Lakeview Local School District
are most likely to be manufactured in the United
States, the report states, while “many of the high-
— Milton A. Williams,Treasurer value engineering components, such as large bore
Cortland, OH bearings, gears and drive-train components are still
imported.”
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At Tri-County Tower Service Inc., North Jackson,
Are paper paychecks giving you a headache? the company’s newest division, TCT Renewable En-
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Even the employees that were Subsidies merely put the renewable energy in-
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The three-turbine wind project for Western Re-
serve School District cost just under $400,000 and
Contact us for a free and easy cost estimate: thus far, the district has qualified for about $165,000
Business Partners in Boardman, Austintown, in state grants.
Youngstown,Vienna, Hubbard, Columbiana Gov. Ted Strictland visited the high school Nov.
Business Product Sales in Mahoning, County & surrounding areas: 2 to mark completion of the project, which will
Trumbull, Columbiana Counties: Chris Graham provide at least 10% of the energy the current high
Jeannette Bartko 330/372-8191 or school consumes. Once a new school that will house
330/372-8025 330/726-0344 ext. 8191 grades K-12 opens in 2011, the wind turbines could
[email protected] [email protected] provide a significantly larger percentage of the power
consumed.
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Michael Hripko is the new director of research and economic development at YSU’s STEM College
and the new director of the Advanced Manufacturing Initiative.
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Hripko Is Academia’s ��
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Liaison to Business ��

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By Dan O’Brien and the Youngstown Business Incuba- ��
E
ven the smallest manufacturers in tor. The charge given the initiative
the Mahoning Valley have some is introducing area manufacturers to ��
of the world’s most sophisticated, new, innovative means of testing and
technologically advanced systems and processing, encouraging dialogue and
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resources at their fingertips. They just networking among companies, and de- ��
don’t know it. Yet. veloping work-force training and prod-
It’s Michael Hripko’s job to make ucts through connections with the uni-
it known. The new director of re- versities in the region including YSU,
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search and economic development at Kent State University and the Eastern
Youngstown State University’s science, Gateway Community College.
technology, engineering and math- “A small company seldom has the
ematics – or STEM – college says he’s testing and analytical equipment we ��
wasted no time spreading the word to have here,” Hripko says. “There’s no
one between Pittsburgh and Cleveland
the surrounding business community
about the resources available through that have what we have.”
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YSU. Research and development, Hripko ��
“There are some brilliant people relates, require a substantial amount
here who are doing leading, cutting- of analysis by any company. By using
edge research,” Hripko says. “But we resources such as faculty, students and
need to have partners” to foster com- equipment, companies can conduct
prehensive economic development in tests on materials, create product pro-
the Mahoning Valley. totypes and discover new methods of
Hripko acts as the conduit between making their products better. “We can
academia and the business world so help a company optimize its design,
that private enterprise can establish product and process,” he relates.
and strengthen connections with the Among the projects the university
university and take their ideas and and the private sector have collabo-
products to higher levels. “We want rated on is the Summer Garden Foods
to expand our relationship with the production plant on McClurg Road in
companies we already work with and Boardman. “Faculty members were
bring in other companies,” he says. able to offer analysis and guidance”
One of his duties with the university so the company could develop a cost-
has Hripko serving as director of the effective process for production of its
Advanced Manufacturing Initiative, sauces, Hripko says.
an effort between YSU’s STEM college See HRIPKO, page 12
Hripko: Liason to Business

From Page 11 months on the job is there is a lot of vanced materials in manufacturing. the private sector at Delphi Corp.’s
The plant, considered the first focused, good manufacturing leader- “That’s our legacy,” Hripko says. Warren operations. He holds a master’s
building in the Mahoning Valley to ship in our community that is very The Mahoning Valley can build on its degree in applied mathematics and a
be LEED-certified – an acronym for receptive to new ideas,” Hripko says. capacity as a manufacturing center to master’s in business administration
Leadership in Energy and Environ- “All the building blocks are in place. promote advanced material sciences and has taught college-level courses
mental Design – uses sophisticated It’s just a matter of taking advantage of that stand to improve the production as an adjunct instructor.
software engineering and equipment the resources we have and stepping on and quality of steel, titanium and ce- He retired last December from Del-
to streamline production. the gas and getting things done.” ramics. “That’s really a sweet spot the phi where he was manager of product
Among the other corporate part- The STEM College, Hripko adds, YSU STEM College is focusing on,” management and pricing; he has held
ners that have struck up relationships could enhance businesses looking he relates. positions in sales, engineering and
with YSU’s STEM and AMI are M-7 to develop interests that range from A similar model was used in Ak- strategic planning.
Technologies, Northern States Metals computer science to biotechnology. ron with the acceleration of poly- “We were looking for someone who
and Fireline, all in Youngstown. However, the core of AMI and STEM mer research in the wake of the knows the community,” says Martin
“What I’m seeing on my first two is directed at the development of ad- rubber industry’s collapse. Compa- Abraham, dean of the STEM college.
nies in Kent are using liquid-crystal “We wanted someone with a career in
technology pioneered at Kent State for industry and research, and one who
commercial applications. could interact with businesses on their
“We can do the same with material terms and translate this to our faculty.”
sciences,” Hripko says. Key to devel- He says Hripko presented just the kind
oping this is also securing external of hybrid of industry and academia the
funding for new equipment, programs university was looking for.
and educational initiatives. Abraham says YSU isn’t often the
As director for the Advanced first place businesses contact when
Manufacturing Initiative, Hripko they’re exploring opportunities in
says it’s his responsibility to see that the Mahoning Valley. “Mike is now
businesses and universities in the that point of contact,” he emphasizes.
area can freely network and exchange “He’s aware of what we are doing at
ideas that could lead to new business YSU and he’s in a position to inform
ventures and growth for industry. “We them about our assets.”
want to position them to be world- Hripko was selected from a pool
�� class manufacturers,” he says. of 20 applicants, Abraham said. “One
He’s found that today there’s much of his primary functions is that he’ll
�� more cooperation from company to be connecting our faculty with busi-
�� company, allowing open communi- nesses that need research, or providing
cation of which processes work and access to students for companies that
��
which don’t. “They’re very willing need projects done.”
��
��
to share what’s been effective and While the university isn’t engaged
�� productive for their facility,” he says. specifically in incubating new com-
� “It’s been a nice dynamic to observe panies, Hripko says, the resources
�� and participate in.” here enable existing manufacturers to
�� Among the events the Advanced expand with the ultimate goal creating
�� Manufacturing Initiative and the Busi- more jobs for the area.
��
� ness Incubator sponsor is its Innova- “I’ve come to realize that our core
�� tion Series, informational sessions of manufacturers that have leveraged
�� scheduled each calendar quarter that the university’s resources appear to
�� highlight new processes companies be progressing quickly,” Hripko says.
�� and businesses are using to make them “No one is resting. There’s a great deal
more competitive. of energy and excitement that a lot of
�� Hripko, hired as director in August, great things are about to happen in the
spent more than 30 years working in Mahoning Valley.”
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
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YSU Celebrates
$11.7 Million in
Research Funds
By Dan O’Brien
Y
oungstown State University
honored its faculty and
staff Nov. 4 for work that
has enhanced research, external
funding and scholarship during
fiscal 2009.
“This celebrates our founda-
tion as an urban research uni-
versity,” said the president of
the university, David C. Sweet.
He cited initiatives such as the
university’s strategic plans for
developing centers of excellence
in departments throughout the
institution and the state programs
David C. Sweet (left), president of Youngstown State University, and Peter Kasvinsky, dean of graduate studies, recognize faculty members for such as the HUB sites of innova-
securing millions of dollars in research grants. Accepting awards for their departments are, from left, Daryl Mincey, Tim Wagner and Gary Walker. tion and opportunity.
“There are a lot of bright items
YSU Research: Benefits to Manufacturers on the horizon,” Sweet told the
audience of 100 during a lun-
From Page 1 material could be improved. closely with the U.S. Food and Drug cheon convened in Kilcawley
The new microscope is the result Such information could prove Administration, says the university’s Center to recognize their achieve-
of a $2 million state grant awarded invaluable to companies such as Fire- new superconductor NMR is a criti- ments.
the university through Ohio’s Third line. “If you learn more about how cal instrument when used to detect Last year, YSU obtained $11.7
Frontier program, Wagner says. The something works, you have even more everything from counterfeit liquid million in external grants for
system, being installed, should be in insight to improve,” Wagner says. pharmaceuticals to creating new department projects, said Peter
use within six weeks. Another portion of the project is compounds that fight diseases. “If I Kasvinsky, dean of graduate stud-
YSU secured the funding because an upgraded electron scanner mi- can find a way to counterfeit [the cho- ies and research.
the project has seen the university croscope, Wagner relates, that can lesterol-lowering drug] Lipitor and get One-third of this funding
form informal partnerships with the examine larger samples and prep them it into the United States, I can make – $3.8 million – was secured
private sector, Wagner says, in this case for more detailed work in the trans- more money than selling cocaine.” he through the chemistry depart-
Fireline TCON Inc. of Youngstown. mission electron microscope. says. “And, the penalties aren’t nearly ment, he noted, and represented
The company is conducting research Electron microscopes produce im- as severe.” half of the grants awarded to
and development work on its TCON ages with higher resolutions than tra- The Internet has helped shift the YSU’s science, technology, en-
product, a ceramic/metallic composite ditional light microscopes. Aside from counterfeit drug market into hyper gineering and mathematics, or
with the potential to be used in a vari- materials analysis, the device could be drive, Mincey says. “Counterfeit STEM, college.
ety of commercial applications. used in a variety of scientific fields, medication and drug tampering is The chemistry department, the
While the equipment is important, including cancer research, virology, more prevalent and sophisticated, so department of biological sciences
says Mark Peters, the people YSU environmental research and semicon- we have to develop new tools to coun- and chemistry professor Timo-
provides are just as valuable. “The ductor work. “We can use this for all teract their activities.” Most Internet thy Wagner were all presented
equipment adds to the university’s sorts of different projects,” Wagner sites claim they’re based in Canada, with dean’s awards during the
capabilities, but it’s the people,” he says. “This isn’t the highest resolution but further investigation often finds ceremony.
notes, who interpret and analyze the microscope, but we traded resolution that these sellers are operating from The scope of research grants
data. Peters is the general manager of for more analytical capability.” China, India or Russia. awarded the university during
Fireline TCON. Last year, the chemistry depart- “We’ve found some of these drugs fiscal 2009 represents a “sea
“What’s good about this is that ment secured nearly $3.8 million in to hold little active ingredients, or no change” in attracting funding
YSU can structure new research proj- external grants for projects such as the active ingredients and in some cases, since the early 1990s, Kasvinsky
ects” beneficial to the private sector electron microscopy program, Mincey too much,” Mincey says. “It’s just said.
and the university, he says. The new says. Among the other upgrades in dangerous.” In 1993, for example, YSU net-
microscope can magnify material the department over the years is the The YSU chemistry department ted $400,000 in grant money.
up to 1.2 million times and provide development of the nuclear magnetic has examined and analyzed samples “Back then, every program re-
“near-atomic resolution” on materials, resonance, or NMR, lab. He relates from all over the world; use of this quired matching funds, and YSU
Wagner reports. Heavier atoms such the chemistry department and the equipment could easily benefit com- didn’t do that,” Kasvinsky said.
as lead could be detected, he relates, university’s College of Science, Tech- panies in the region as they ponder Other initiatives awarded ex-
and invisible critters such as dust nology, Engineering and Mathematics, new research. ternal funding last year included
mites are revealed as hideous-look- or STEM, has received generous sup- “Companies can’t afford to pur- three grants for the Williamson
ing monsters when magnified to that port from area businesses, the state chase something they may use 5% of College of Business Administra-
degree. But the real value is to examine and the office of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, the time,” Mincey adds. “We’ll charge tion, five for the college of educa-
and analyze the inner workings of a D-17 Ohio. a local company with an eye toward tion and two for the college of fine
material’s crystal structure – steel, for Mincey, whose expertise is in en- the fact we’re doing this to improve and performing arts.
example – and determine how the vironmental analysis and who works economic development in our area.”
The Valley’s Business Matters

25 East Boardman Street, Suite 306
P.O. Box 714, Youngstown, Ohio 44501-0714
Telephone 330 744 5023
Fax 330 744 5838 • 330 744 0634
Email: [email protected]
Web site: BusinessJournalDaily.com
Publisher Andrea Wood

Assistant Publisher Eileen Lovell
Copy Editor Dennis LaRue
Page Editor Maraline Kubik
Webcast Anchor Stacia Erdos
Video Editors Jeremy Lydic
Tony Marr
Mike Moliterno
Senior Reporters Dan O’Brien
George Nelson
Maraline Kubik
Jeremy Lydic
Journal Opinion
Columnists Monnie Ryan
Lou Zona
Photographer Tony Mancino
Rate Comparisons Cara J. McClure
Sales Manager Janet O’Malley
Account Executive Gail S. White
Williams Deserves Recognition

Art Director/ Fred Sipe
Webmaster
Jay Williams’ election as mayor of Youngstown As Alan Greenblatt wrote in the Governing ar-
four years ago broke barriers and defied expecta- ticle, “Urban Realist,” that profiled Williams:
tions. Last week he was re-elected, virtually by “Mayors in other once-great but decimated in-
acclamation, in an election that was a killing field dustrial cities continue to cling to vaporous plans
for the careers of numerous incumbents across the for bringing them back to what they once were.
Mahoning Valley and the nation. Williams, by contrast, has persuaded Youngstown
T he Business Journal is published semi- Two years ago, readers may recall, Williams was to embrace a vision for itself as a smaller entity. No
monthly (twice a month) in Youngstown, Ohio. recognized with no less an honor than the John F. one in America has more forcefully articulated the
Copyright 2009 by Youngstown Publishing Co. Kennedy New Frontier Award. Two weeks ago, he notion that for economically devastated cities, a
added another accomplishment: named by Gov- leaner future can still be a healthy future.”
All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, with- erning magazine as one of the eight individuals to Youngstown obviously has large obstacles to
out written permission, of editorial or graphic receive its Public Official of the Year Award. surmount, including streets that residents and visi-
content in any manner is prohibited. Among the award’s past recipients are George tors alike fear are unsafe and an unemployment rate
Voinovich, former Ohio governor and now a U.S. in double digits. These obstacles are not situations
Average Issue Readership: 45,000
senator, and former Kansas Insurance Commissioner within the mayor’s complete control; they are, nev-
Mail Subscription Rates: $42 for 12 months; Kathleen Sebelius, who went on to be elected gov- ertheless, his to cope with.
$77 for 24 months; $96 for 36 months. ernor of her state and today is secretary of the U.S. We haven’t agreed with every decision Williams
Back Issues: If available, $4.75 apiece Department of Health and Human Services. has made in his first term. Certainly there are areas
prepaid (mailed); $3.25 apiece prepaid The recognition by Governing magazine is an where we’ve seen him as timid, where we wish the
(picked up at our office). important acknowledgment of Williams’ leadership city had been more aggressive – for instance, failing
of his city – and in some respects his leadership of to impose joint economic development districts in
Submission Policy: News articles and photographs
the Mahoning Valley. Boardman and Austintown in return for continued
may be submitted but cannot be returned. We reserve
the right to select and edit all articles and letters.
At his direction, Youngstown took the lead in water service. But in general, Williams has done
All submissions become the editorial property of The putting together – and securing infrastructure im- well managing a difficult political environment in
Business Journal. Submissions may be edited and provement funds – an industrial park in cooperation difficult times.
may be published or re-used in any medium including with the city of Girard and V&M Star Steel, which We are particularly grateful – and the region
Business Journal television and radio reports and the is considering the site for a $970 million expansion. should be as well – that he has continued the city’s
Daily Business Journal Online. Indeed, Williams – who had been in Germany as an aggressive focus on economic development, hin-
Locally owned by the invited speaker at a conference – was in Paris on a dered as the city is by limited financial resources, and
side trip to lobby V&M’s top management for the that he remains a staunch advocate for regionaliza-
Youngstown Publishing Co. project when Governing announced its awards. tion, not always a popular stance to take.
BY LOUIS A. ZONA
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Williams, Williams and 

Even More Williams
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What could be a was, of course, one of America’s most Bring this coupon in to any
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of “Jaws,” the last Major Iguana.”
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What got me on this topic is
how many people a Free Checking Account.
$100
Desire” have in Of all the Williamses in enter- I have known with
common? Give tainment, perhaps it is Robin the last name of
up? Williams and I
All are credited Williams who is the most be- must say that I am
to the skill or talent loved. blessed to call all
of a man surnamed of them friends. A
Williams. John Williams, probably our very special classmate in college was
greatest living composer, also wrote Patty Williams – she died a few years
the music for films such as “Super- ago – a well-known art teacher in the
man,” “Star Wars,” “Close Encounters inner city schools. I’ll always remem-
of the Third Kind,” “E.T.” and many ber our graduation from Youngstown
other hits at the box office. State University and how we disrupted
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Ted Williams, the “Splendid Splinter,” quick to point out – by getting out of
the purest hitter of all time and the alphabetical order and bringing the
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last man to finish the regular Major ceremony to a halt.
League season with a batting average Warren Williams is a boyhood
of .400 or better. Tennessee Williams, friend from New Castle who con-
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a Pulitzer Prize winner for drama, See ZONA, page 16
BY GAIL WHITE
Commentary Free Bill Pay

My Frenzy for Fly-Tying *100 offer available for new Cortland Banks checking accounts
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I am a self-proclaimed entertainment
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an opinion.
A talking gecko: absolute genius.
or not. (Most often they are not.)
Being this self-proclaimed critic,
I had an absolute field day with a
DVD given to me recently. But what
I learned after all my ranting about
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Kenya West: not a real singer, just After spending a week this summer deposited into your account, if all conditions have been met.
a punk. in the hills of Pennsylvania, I decided $100 is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form
Harry Connick Jr.: one of the that I was going to take up the sport 1099-INT. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Customers
greatest, underappreciated artists of of fly-fishing. must mention where they heard about the promotion between
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“The Big Bang Theory”: one of whose owner is an avid fly-fisher- account opening. Application for Debit Card required.
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near me, whether they are interested See WHITE, page 16
Zona: Williams, Williams and Even Marc Williams

From Page 15 name. in “Battle for Planet of the Apes.” greatest athlete to carry the name, we
tributed to the lives of hundreds of My research tells me that the name Vanessa Williams has made quite can’t ignore the great third baseman
students as a much-admired guidance Williams probably extends from Wil- a name for herself as a model, actress who played for the Giants, Indians and
counselor in that school district. To liam the Conqueror and that most and singer and Treat Williams as a Diamondbacks, Matt Williams. Billy
this day, Warren and I like to tease Williamses reside in Wales. It is the serious actor. Williams who played for the Chicago
each other as to who was the poorer third-most popular surname in the Those of us in, ahem, middle age, Cubs in the 1960s and ’70s in the hall
growing up. I told Warren my family United States, right behind Smith remember Cindy Williams of “Laverne of fame at Cooperstown.
was so poor that we had a dirt-floor and Johnson. According to the 1990 and Shirley” and Anson Williams in How can any Pittsburgh Pirates
basement. “Oh?” Warren responds, census there are about 1.5 million a popular TV show of the same time, fan forget the Mike Williams who
“So you had a basement!” Williamses in America. The very first “Happy Days.” He played Potsie. was the team’s closer for five seasons
I was also lucky enough to have was Thomas Williams, who arrived in Today he is a well-known director and gave us a heart attack each time
known McCullough Williams, an es- 1620 aboard the Mayflower. – “Beverly Hills 90120,” “Melrose he was called from the bullpen? The
teemed leader on the North Side. His One of my favorite singers is Andy Place” and “Star Trek: Voyager” are talented football running back Ricky
wife, Juanita Williams, serves on the Williams whose rendition of “Moon among his credits. Williams achieved a certain notoriety
board of the Butler Institute. River” is one of the most honored We’d be remiss to overlook the Hol- for retiring from the Miami Dolphins
Don “Bones” Williams, who runs recordings of all time. People who lywood star of the ’30s and ’40s, Esther when he tested positive for marijuana.
the studio cameras at WKBN-TV, is have seen his show in Branson, Mo., Williams, who was to swimming what Serena Williams may be the greatest
one of the most respected painters in say that his voice has lost little of its Ginger Rogers was to dance. Esther female tennis player ever and her sis-
our area and one hysterically funny timber. And speaking of recording Williams’ name lives on in a line of ter, Venus, isn’t far behind.
person. His wife, Sheila, likes to artists, what can you say about the swimming pools. One of our country’s greatest
remind everyone that he was in love legendary Country and Western star Billy Dee Williams, a fantastic tal- poets is William Carlos Williams
with one of the stars of “WKRP in Hank Williams, who gave us “Cold, ent, has entertained us as an actor, who had profound influence on
Cincinnati,” Lonnie Anderson, and Cold Heart” and “Your Cheatin’ artist, singer and writer. He left us American poetry in the 20th cen-
dreamed of one day meeting her. Heart” among many other hits? And hanging on a cliff in the original “Star tury. William Williams, a prominent
His dream come true when Lonnie let’s not forget Hank Williams Jr. who Wars” trilogy only to redeem himself painter in Colonial America, also
visited WKBN on a promotional tour became as popular as his dad. “Are in the next movie, but I loved him wrote novels. Today his novels are
and gave Don a big hug. I wouldn’t be you ready for some football!” in the melodrama for men, “Brian’s more of interest to academicians. And
surprised if the photo of that hug is The music world has been en- Song.” so it goes.
on Don’s Facebook page. riched by many Williamses. Mason Of all the Williamses in entertain- If somehow you could quantify
Jeffery Williams has not only prac- Williams gave us “Classical Gas,” a ment, perhaps it is Robin William such things, I would venture to say the
ticed law in Youngstown and Cleve- real gas and a classic. Then there’s who is the most beloved. If there is a popularity of the NBC news anchor
land, today he is an administrator for the master of the piano, Roger Wil- funnier person on the planet, I want Brian Williams would rank him as the
a prominent Boston-based foundation. liams, and the late jazz singer, Joe to know who. He was great in “Good best-known Williams. With apologies
What most people don’t know about Williams, whose baritone voice is Morning, Viet Nam,” “Dead Poets’ to my good friends Don, Warren and
Jeffery is that he is also a trained simply unforgettable. Let’s also recall Society” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” And Jeffery, you can’t compete with the
concert violinist and the only person the extraordinary talent of Paul Wil- his performance opposite Nathan national media for exposure.
I ever met who personally spoke to liams, writer of favorites such as “An Lane in “The Birdcage” was nothing Speaking of exposure, unless I want
Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. Old-Fashioned Love Song” and “You less than amazing as he duplicated the to get into the variations on Williams
In all, by my reckoning, I have and Me Against the World,” even dance forms of three or four famous such as McWilliams, Williamson,
known maybe 50 people named Wil- Kermit the Frog’s “The Rainbow Con- choreographers in 30 seconds. Even even Wilhelm, I had better cue John
liams, all wonderful folks, and why I nection.” You might remember this he couldn’t do that again. to bring this to a close with gentle
have such a good feeling about that diminutive Williams as one of the apes Although Ted Williams may be the refrains of the theme from “Jaws.”
White: My Frenzy for Fly-Tying

From Page 15
front of me, the process took me a When the camera zoomed in to was accomplished. The art of tying
ing material as I sat swinging on the full hour-and-a-half. My friend who show intricate work, the shot would flies that I desperately wanted to
cabin porch in the evenings. And, as gave me the kit commented, “It will go blurry waiting for the lens to ad- learn but had found to be frustrating
we floated down Penn’s Creek in in- be interesting to see the fish that tie just. and defeating, became easy and even
ner tubes, we passed these sporting catches.” At one point, a phone rang in the fun after watching this “hands-on”
fisherman, whipping their lines back Scrounging through the dead ani- background and it was noticeably evi- tape.
and forth, at every turn. (Apparently mal material, I found a DVD instruc- dent where the camera was stopped to In a world where “image is every-
Penn’s Creek is world-renowned for its tion video. answer the call. (There was no “Take thing” and bells and whistles abound
trout fishing.) Popping it in 2” in this production.) like cliches, I realized sometimes
For my birth- the computer I sat I, on the other hand, had to watch the simple nuts and bolts are all you
day in September, I don’t know if the hands belong anxiously waiting the show twice because I was laughing need.
a friend gave me to a face, because through the for the video to so hard the first time I missed most of It’s an interesting concept and it
all the tools of the entire video a face was never play. what the hands were showing. will change the way I critique from
trade – a fly-fish- shown. There was no Once I put my production values now on. Simple yet effective. I’d like to
ing rod, an angler’s introduction, no aside and reviewed what I had learned, think I came up with ingenius strategy
tool kit and a box music, no title I realized that those amazing hands but I’m pretty sure others have beat me
of material for making flies. I was slide. The video opened up to two had tied three ties in 12 minutes. They to the punch – like those darn creators
shocked to find that these materials hands next to the fly-tying vise. made it look so simple. of “Just Do It.”
included peacock herl, deer hair, I don’t know if the hands belong Not only that, when I looked at my
hare’s dubbing and feathers from a to a face, because through the entire anglers tool kit, I now knew exactly The author, Gail White, is an account execu-
pheasant’s rump, just to name a few. video a face was never shown. It was what to do with every tool. tive with The Business Journal. Reach her
I sat down to tie my first fly, a wooly just a voice with hands. And they were In possibly the worst production at 330 744 5023 or at gwhite@business-
worm. With the instruction book in not pretty hands at that. quality video ever produced, the goal journal.com.
YOUNGSTOWN - WARREN
��
Regional Chamber Report ��
It’s Not Just the Idea
REACH program The area is home to several orga-
nizations that provide business-plan
reaches out to would- counseling services to entrepreneurs.
For example, these services are avail-
be entrepreneurs. able through the counselors at Score
(Service Corps of Retired Execu-
By Jim Rowlands tives) and the SBDC (Small Business ��
Director, Regional Chamber Development Center). The Regional ��
REACH Program Chamber also offers similar services
Many individ- through its Regional Entrepreneurial ��
uals who desire Assistance Channel of the Mahoning ��
to become en- Valley, or REACH, which began oper-
trepreneurs start ating last December with funding from
with an idea. It a federal grant. ��
could be for the REACH is staffed by me, Don ��
creation or modi- Colvin and Jiacheng “Jack” Guo.
fication of a new Our education, extensive and diverse
��
or existing prod- experience in all aspects of business ��
uct or service, an operations, are assets to entrepreneurs
invention or the acquisition of a navigating the confusing world of ��
business or franchise. The common startups and business acquisition. ��
denominator for all would-be entre- Our REACH team counsels entre- ��
preneurs, however, is the idea. preneurs and closely guides them as
So what do entrepreneurs do with they take an idea through a measure
their ideas? of business and financial feasibility. If
Many entreprneurs ask, “How do I
start a business?” And too often, many
we can make business and financing
sense of an idea, we will write the
Want to reduce overhead?
believe the first logical step is to take entire business plan and source all Printing costs skyrocketing?
their idea to banks in search of fund- financing for an entrepreneur, a ser-
ing, only to be disappointed when vice that distinguishes REACH from YOU CAN SAVE!
lenders fail to share their enthusiasm similar programs in the area.
for their idea. However, our services extend be- Heres how: Let us do a FREE Print audit.
Following such an early defeat, yond assisting entrepreneurs. We at
some entrepreneurs then seek advice REACH also assist existing businesses We’ll audit your printing costs and needs for the
from others, who advise them to with strategic planning, financial entire facility! Then show you how to save on
write a business plan. Armed with structure, pricing models, process supllies, service, and hardware while
renewed excitement, a hopeful en- improvements, research, marketing
trepreneur begins learning how to and any other need that might arise as maintaining the latest technology. Call us today!
write a business plan, often through businesses strive to become financially
online research, books or business- and operationally stable.
plan software he buys – all of which Since its inception, the REACH
simply provides written outlines of team has worked with more than 100
what should go into a business plan. clients. The team’s efforts have re-
With these items in hand, he begins sulted in the funding of two projects.
to write his business plan. Approximately a dozen projects are
The business plan begins easily receiving consulting assistance or are
enough as the entrepreneur describes in the feasibility stage of the process.
the idea or product, but soon he We’ve seen several successes, includ-
begins to feel overwhelmed when it ing a manufacturing startup that will
comes time to prepare the marketing employ 30 and a project that repre- P.S. Did your copier company leave you? For over 51 years
and financial plans and projections, sents the fulfillment of an entrepre- we have been servicing and supplying local offices just like
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lending sense of an idea is not a core If you have an idea that you would
strength. But unfortunately at this like to make a reality, contact REACH
point, frustration can delay the start or for an appointment at 330 744 2131,
realization of even the best ideas. ext. 61. And stay tuned for future
So where can an entrepreneur turn articles in which I discuss the various 800-544-4257 www.HicksOfficePlus.com
for assistance? stages of business development.
November 6,
2009 Interest Rates CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT PASSBOOK
STATEMENT
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ANNUAL
SAVINGS
TERM PERCENTAGE YIELD,
2-Week Trend APY*
CF BANK (formerly Central Federal S&L) 1 Year 1.00  .10/

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CHARTER ONE BANK 12 Mos. .40 — N.A./

5 Year 2.00 — .05
CONSUMERS NATIONAL BANK 12 Mos. .60 — .10/

Salem 4 Year 2.50 — .10
CORTLAND BANKS 1 Year .75 — .50/

Cortland 5 Year 2.50 — .25
E.S.B. BANK 1 Year .90 — .30/

Ellwood City, Pa. 4 Year 2.25 — .30
FARMERS NATIONAL BANK 1 Year .85 — .10/

Canfield 4 Year 1.90 — .25
FIRST MERIT BANK 1 Year .45 — N.A./

New Castle, Pa. 2 Year 1.00 — .05
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PA. 1 Year .50 — N.A./

Hermitage, Pa. 5 Year 2.25 — .10
1ST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANK 1 Year 1.00 — .20/

East Liverpool 37 Mos. 2.58  .40
FIRST PLACE BANK 6 Mos. .45  .25/

Boardman 12 Mos. 1.00  .25
��
�� HOME FEDERAL 1 Year 1.21 — .50/
Niles 3 Year 2.02 — .60
��
1.35 —
HOME SAVINGS 12 Mos. Minimum $500 .35/
�� Youngstown 5 Year 2.80 — .35
Minimum $500
■� �� HUNTINGTON BANK 1 Year 1.10  N.A./

Youngstown 4 Year 2.75  N.A.
■��
KEYBANK 1 Year .15 — N.A./
■�� Youngstown 3 Year 1.35 — .45
5 Year 2.35 —
■��
MIDDLEFIELD BANKING COMPANY 1 Year 1.15  .50/
■�� Cortland 13 Mos. 1.91  .75
2 Year 1.91 —
■��
PNC BANK 1 Year .70 — N.A./
Youngstown 43 Mos. 1.25 — N.A.
PNC BANK 1 Year .75 — N.A./

�� Conneaut Lake, Pa. 5 Year 1.55 — .05
��
�� US BANK (formerly Firstar Bank) 1 Year .30 — N.A./
�� Boardman 59 Mos. 3.00 — .10
�� *Annual Percentage Yield Arrows tell whether rates rose or fell since last issue. Dashes indicate “unchanged.”
�� Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of The Business Journal compilations. Rates are subject to change without notice and should be
confirmed with the individual financial institution before entering into transactions. ©2009 Youngstown Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
CPAs Boost Odds of Success for Startups

By Dennis LaRue
people who lost their jobs,” Humphries says. hard it is going into business. ... My goal is not to
T
he odds are long against any would-be The conventional wisdom, the CPAs agree, is dissuade as much as making sure they know what
entrepreneur and they’re even longer when that a would-be business owner needs the services they’re getting into.”
that would-be entrepreneur, for whatever of a CPA, an attorney, a lender (rarely a commercial At the very least, visits with an accountant and an
reason, doesn’t engage a certified professional bank; banks want to see more than a good idea) and attorney will allow the entrepreneur to choose “the
accountant as early as he can in his venture. an insurance agent. type of entity they want to create,” Yurchyk & Davis’
“Starting a business is not for the faint of heart,” “I spend more time talking people out of go- Humphries says, “[usually] a sole proprietorship or
says James E. Cournan, principal in Packer Thomas, ing into business than going in,” Packer Thomas’ LLC [limited liability corporation]. Then you get
Youngstown. Cournan relates. “Ninety percent have no idea how See CPAs, page 21
When an aspiring business owner is still weigh-
ing whether to strike out on his own is none too
early to approach a CPA, the five interviewed for
�
��
this article agree.
“All too often,” says James Dascenzo, a principal
with Hill, Barth & King LLC, “they get to the end
� �
of the [calendar] year and say, ‘I need you to do my
taxes.’ ”
“We get both kinds,” says Michael Humphries
principal at Yurchyk & Davis CPA’s Inc., Canfield,
�
��
“upfront and those who wait a year. The worst is
when people get behind. We work on them to be
proactive.”
Adds Cournan, “My experience is that nine of 10
who go into business fail.” Which is not to say he
hasn’t helped his clients become successes. He has
�
and shares aspects of their stories. ��
“Starting a business is a very, very difficult thing ��
to do,” he emphasizes. “People who punch a time ��
clock have little idea of all that’s involved.” ��
The owners of most startups “work 80-hour ��
� ��
a week jobs,” says Pat O’Connor, principal at ��
O’Connor, Hoso & Loree LLC, Howland. Even when ��
��
they outsource functions such as payroll services,
��
as he often advises, they’re going to find they spend ��
most of their waking hours on the job, he says. ��
��
A sole practitioner, Margaret R. Filaccio, a CPA in ��
��
Liberty, has found some “entrepreneurs” approach
her for the wrong reason. They think that by go- ��
��
ing into business they can enjoy tax advantages
��
by writing off various expenses denied those filing � ��
as individuals. Filaccio politely suggests they look ��
elsewhere. ��
The firm of Yurchyk & Davis offers classes in
��
the record-keeping systems of QuickBooks and
PeachTree, Humphries says, and suggests that ��
��
��
would-be entrepreneurs take one of the courses as � ��
an orientation to what they’ll encounter.
��
All public accounting firms recommend their
��
small-business clients use one or the other and work
��
with them. Yurchyk & Davis is one of the few to offer ��
� ��
classes throughout the year.
��
Although the recession is far from over when it
comes to the unemployment rate – the Department
��
of Labor reported Nov. 6 that the rate in October
��
rose to 10.2%, the highest national rate in 26 years
��
��
– few of the unemployed residents of the Valley
seem inspired to even explore launching a venture, � ��
the CPAs say.
That may be because those weighing whether to
set out on their own perceive “CPAs as tax preparers
only,” Dascenzo suggests. It could be because they
��
haven’t exhausted their unemployment benefits,
others suggest.
“My most successful startup client [began] at the
��
end of the last recession,” Dascenzo says. “The first
person he came to was me.” ��
“Some of the best success stories have come from
November 6,
2009 Credit Union Rates
FINANCIAL CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AUTO LOANS MORTGAGE LOANS
INSTITUTION Term APY Minimum Term Rate Type Down Payment Term Rate, 2-Wk Trend Fees
ASSOCIATED SCHOOL 1 Year 1.30 — $1,000 Up to 48 Mos. 5.70 Fixed 20% 15 Year 5.00 — 2+200
EMPLOYEES 2 Year 1.95 — $1,000 Up to 60 Mos. 6.20 Fixed 20% 20 Year 5.25 — 2+200
FIRST CHOICE COMMUNITY 1 Year 1.85 — $500 Up to 48 Mos. 5.65 Fixed 20% 15 Year 5.50 — 0+costs
(formerly RMI CO. EMPLOYEES) 2 Year 2.12 — $500 Up to 60 Mos. 5.65
OHIO EDISON/ 1 Year 1.55 — $1,000 Up to 48 Mos. 5.20 Fixed 5% 15 Year 4.625  0+costs
PENN POWER 2 Year 1.90 — $1,000 Up to 60 Mos. 5.49 Fixed 5% 30 Year 5.125  0+costs
SEVEN SEVENTEEN 1 Year 1.21  $1,000 Up to 48 Mos. 5.99 Fixed 5% 15 Year 4.50  0+costs
2 Year 1.75 — $1,000 Up to 60 Mos. 5.99 Fixed 5% 30 Year 5.125  0+costs
STRUTHERS FEDERAL 1 Year 1.00 — $1,000 Up to 48 Mos. 6.00 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
2 Year 1.51 — $1,000 Up to 66 Mos. 6.00
YOUNGSTOWN CITY 1 Year 1.25  $2,000 Up to 60 Mos. 5.75

EMPLOYEES FEDERAL 2 Year 1.65 — $2,000 Up to 72 Mos. 6.99 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
Arrows tell whether rates rose or fell since last issue. Dashes indicate “unchanged.” Rates are subject to change without notice and should be confirmed before entering into transactions.
©2009 Youngstown Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
CPAs: Boost Odds of Success for Startups

From Page 19 the franchise ought to provide services and counsel enthusiasm run high and the worry about employee
them a federal I.D. number so they can open a bank that supplement what a CPA offers, but it would be theft is minimal. “New-business owners are naïve
account and prepare their tax returns.” a mistake to count on that. about stealing,” he says.
“Have a checking account dedicated to your “You must be passionate about what the fran- For that reason he advises that the owner sign all
business,” Filaccio advises. Don’t use your personal chise offers,” Cournan says. “Maybe the franchise checks himself, whether paper checks or payments
account as your business account. At year-end it’s will be responsible for 50% of your success, but the made through the Internet, that the owner sign
easy to forget which checks paid expenses related to other 50% is the person you see in the mirror in checks behind closed doors, and have the cancelled
the business, which were for household expenses. the morning.” checks and statements sent to his residence so they
While a lawyer handles the paperwork on the CPAs can help the owners of new businesses can’t be intercepted – and altered – by an employee.
type of entity to be created, Dascenzo says, “You need avoid some pitfalls that occur at established
a CPA to file the election. The IRS has loosened up businesses, including setting up effective internal What’s the buzz? BusinessJournalDaily Buzz. Coming soon
on that. It used to be that the business owner could controls. At the outset, O’Connor notes, morale and online and to your desktop.
file but would leave that to his attorney. The attorney
would say, ‘That’s not my department’ [to physically
file], so you need your accountant to follow up and
make sure it’s filed.” The professionals at
Among the aspects of going into business that are
misunderstood are the tax benefits of setting up an Hill, Barth & King
office in one’s residence.
“Before you can take a deduction,” Filaccio points
out, “you must show a profit,” and many startups
The only are here to help you
take control of your
don’t begin to show a profit much before three years.
The business owner can carry the early losses for-
ward “but you must be careful to meet the letter of
certainty is economic future with
uncertainty.
the law. The IRS is real stringent.”
“The IRS watches this because it’s easily abused,”
O’Connor adds.
our Business Advisory
All CPAs stress that an office inside the business
owner’s residence can be used only for business
Services.
to qualify for the deduction. The owner’s children
may not use the computer to play games or do their
homework, for example. Contact us today to
The office in one’s home, regardless of whether
one owns a company, “must be their primary place learn more!
of business,” Dascenzo says. “You can’t have another
office provided by an employer.”
Use of a personal auto in one’s business is also
something the IRS keeps a close watch on, Filaccio
says.
The importance of record-keeping is one aspect
the CPAs couldn’t stress enough, both to allow
them to offer advice to owners on how to be more
efficient in running their businesses and preparing
tax returns.
The first time a business owner approaches a bank
for a loan, the banker will want to see a detailed
Certified Public Accountants � Business Consultants
business plan, something CPAs are familiar with
and help with all the time. Advisors � Planners
While that first time might not be until two or
three years after the owner opens his doors, the
CPAs urge entrepreneurs to have one and revisit it 7680 Market Street
regularly.
“Having a well-thought-out plan is no guarantee Boardman, OH 44512
you’re going to get the loan,” Filaccio says. “But you
should still have one.”
(330) 758-8613
All CPAs commented on how much tougher it
is for their clients, both new and established, to
secure bank financing regardless of what the banks City Centre One, Suite 514
say about having money to lend.
When an owner is ready to approach a bank, the 100 Federal Plaza East
lending officer “will want to see the owner’s skin in Youngstown, OH 44503
the game,” Dascenzo states.
“You’ve got to be willing to put your house up as (330) 747-1903
collateral,” Filaccio says. “Many are not willing.”
“They want to see more equity,” Humphries says.
“It’s a lot tougher. They want to see income, cash
hbkcpa.com
flow and the ability to repay.”
Buying a franchise may reduce some of the risk of Offices in Ohio, Florida & Pennsylvania
going into business for yourself, the CPAs agree, and
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��
BY STACIA ERDOS
Media Scope ��
��
What’s the Buzz? ��
��
Our Daily Webcast ��

��
��
BusinessJournalDaily My responsibilities include assign-
Buzz brings video ing crews, ordering supplies, schedul-
ing, and writing and anchoring the
news to your desktop. Webcast each day. Reporter Jeremy
Lydic has become an overnight expert
W
hen I first walked into on editing video and trouble-shooting
the offices of The Business anything technical that’s over my head
Journal in downtown (just about everything). We also have ��
Youngstown in May, I saw reporters two YSU students who are bringing ��
typing away on their keyboards and their creative ideas and talents to ��
running out to cover stories. I would shooting and producing the video seg- ��
soon be joining ments every day. ��
the team, writing We’re basically putting together Then there’s se- ��
a column and
p ro d u c i n g a n d
a daily television newscast for nior videographer
To n y M a n c i n o
anchoring video the Internet. who continues to
reports twice a impart his years of
week. Publisher Andrea Wood was experience to us all and bless us with ��
taking the plunge into online video, his – uh – cheerful attitude. (We love
by all accounts the future of print you Tony.)
media. Business Journal reporters also
It was still unclear just where the are trying their hand at “on air” work
new video summaries would be shot and are learning to shoot video as
and edited. The most likely prospect well. The brains behind it all, Andrea,
was a small storage room full of boxes, continues to come up with ground-
shelves, a computer and a fax ma- breaking ideas everyday to improve
chine. If you used your imagination, and expand our fledgling operation.
well…OK, it was hard to picture. The BusinessJournalDaily Buzz is
What a difference five months designed to offer local business people
makes! The storage room plan never something different, drawing on all
saw the light of day. Instead, it jumped the resources – print, online and now
to a whole new level. We now have video – of our news-gathering op-
a second office suite that has been eration. We gather the day’s business
transformed into a video newsroom news for you, bring it to you in one
and studio. We have three video cam- place where you can watch online at
eras, two editing stations, a news set, your convenience – at home, at work
lights, microphones, even an “on-air” and on the go.
sign on the door (compliments of our Of course, for more comprehensive
landlord, Ohio One Corp.). coverage of a particular subject, you
And so, The Business Journal takes can read the stories written by our
a big leap Nov. 16 by launching a daily veteran reporters on the BusinessJour-
Webcast – BusinessJournalDaily Buzz. nalDaily.com Web site and in our print
The latest local and national business edition, now celebrating 25 years.
news will be at your fingertips every- It’s the true definition of conver-
day. The Buzz will be delivered via gence journalism.
e-mail each business day and available For me, it’s back to what I’ve always
on the BusinessJournalDaily.com done, just in a different medium. It’s
Web site as soon as you return from hitting daily deadlines with a rush to
lunch as well as on a dedicated site, get all of the overnight and morning
BusinessJournalDailyBuzz.com. news shot and a script written and
It’s been quite a journey, buying edited while you are getting through
equipment, hiring staff and cover- your morning meetings – and deliv-
ing daily news events and posting ering the Buzz when you’re ready to
them immediately on the Web. We’re check your e-mails after lunch.
basically putting together a daily tele- Find out what the Valley is buzzing
vision newscast for the Internet. about Nov. 16.
BY MONNIE RYAN
Local Dot Com

Valley Photographers
��
��
��
Click with Web Sites
��
��
View displays of their Memories.com. Here, too, price sheets
��
��
are available for weddings, seniors
work, check prices. and photo-embellished products such
�� as T-shirts, mugs, trivets and more.
D
�� espite jumping into Wedding, family-event and senior
photography with both hands, “albums” make it easy for friends and
�� both feet and at least four relatives to order prints.
cameras, I’ve never been tempted to Owner Marti Nicastro also special-
��
“go pro.” (The expensive equipment izes in restoring photos, whether that
��
�� alone would be a deal-breaker at this means preserving an old family por-
�
�� stage of the game.) trait or removing that ex-husband or
�� If I ever made the plunge, how- wife now that he or she no longer is
�� ever, there are three things I couldn’t in the picture (pun intended).
��
�
��
��
live without: Digital cameras, a good In Salem, I found J.D. King Pho-
��
��
�� photo-editing software program and
�� tography, JDKing.net, and learned
�� a Web site where I could display and
��
that owner Jerry D. King has been a
��
� � � � � �� promote the fruits of my labors. professional photographer for seven
��
��
�� So it was that I decided to see what
photography professionals are doing
years. Macros, or close-ups, of flowers
are my first love, so I gravitated to that
�� online. As it turns out, it’s plenty; a gallery first. Another favorite section
�� quick look at the Yellow Pages (in is King’s historical photos, especially
��
��
print and online) turned up a sub- of the Sandy & Beaver Canal. Thumb-
��
��
�
stantial number that include their nails can be viewed in larger sizes, and
�� Web site addresses in the ads and even
basic listings. ��
the site – hosted at SmugMug.com
– allows visitors to purchase prints
��
For no other reason than I live on the spot.
��
�� in Trumbull County, I started there,
specifically at Mathews Photography
Acri Photography in North Jackson
sets up the site, AcriPhoto.com, with
��
��
in Girard, MathewsFoto.com.
�� Owner one sample photo in each of four cat-
��

��
��
��
��
��
Don
have
Mathews
been in
and
business
his wife,
more
Jackie,
than 15
egories of weddings, families, seniors
and pets.
�� years, with expertise in categories Here, the pets got my attention,
��
��
� � � ��
��
such as sports leagues, families, especially those two gorgeous feline
� ��
��
��
��
weddings and even pets. Other than furballs perched on a red velvet throw.
��
��

��
enjoying the portfolio – which is the I’d love to see larger versions, but I’m
��
��
��
��
��
case with all��
the photographers’ sites I
��
visited – I particularly liked the FAQs
guessing they’re kept small so they’d
be worthless if someone tried to
section that lists current prices and download and print them.
even tips for clothing and makeup. I ended this search in Canfield at
� � �
From Girard, I headed to Arbo- Stacy Studio, StaceyStudio.com. Parts
�� gast Photography in Columbiana, of the site were under construction at
��
��
��
ArbogastPhotography.com, where
�
press time, but I did peek at some of
��
�
��
the home page held my attention for
� the galleries to see the beautiful and
��
�� some time as I looked at the loop of
� unique photos. I especially like that
��
��
�� gorgeous photos displayed front and hovering your mouse over a thumb-
��
��
��
�
��
�
center. If I needed inspiration for my nail brings a larger-size version of
�� own creations, I sure found it here.
�� that photo.
�� Featured galleries center on wed-
�� Although I usually hit the “skip”
��
dings, families and high school se- option when I land on a site that has
�� niors; each collection of half a dozen an animated home page, this one is
��
�� or so downloads quickly. A special so intriguing that I watched it all the
��
��
��
��
��
��
password-protection section allows way through – and I suggest that you
��
��
��
��
�� clients to view their photos privately do the same.
��
��
��
�� and order prints.
From there, I went to Hermitage,
��
What’s the buzz? BusinessJournalDaily Buzz.
Pa., and Marti’s Memories, Martis- Coming soon to your desktop.
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Pages 27-32 JewelryBusiness

Exclusive Lines Put Sparkle in Jewelers’ Eyes
Higher-priced items are still
likely to sell despite the
economic recession.
By Jeremy Lydic
W ith the price of gold reaching record

highs and the economy forcing people to
tighten their belts, the jewelry business
isn’t recession-proof. Regardless, there’s still a
certain brightness in sales when it comes to specialty
products.
Since opening its second store in Howland, the
traffic into Komara Jewelers “hasn’t been what I’d
like it to be,” says owner Bob Komara, but customers
are still drawn to the stores by the Simon G and the
Hearts on Fire lines.
Thom Duma Fine Jewelers, Warren, had to court
the Rolex brand six months before it was named an
authorized dealer. Despite a rough first quarter, the
Swiss watch remains one of the best-selling products
in his store, says its president, Thomas Duma.
Duma’s father, Thomas Duma Sr., opened the
store in 1977 and the first quarter of this year was the
worst it’s ever endured, the younger Duma reports.
Recession or no, it’s the higher-priced items that
move the most. Rolex watches and jewelry from the
David Yurman line constitute 40% of the store’s sales
and allowed the company to enjoy its best September
and October ever, he says.
“Because of those two brands and the big follow- Thomas Duma, president of Thom Duma Fine Jewelers, displays a Rolex watch, one of his company’s best-selling lines.
ing that those two brands have, they have kept us
in a very positive situation,” Duma says. “We feel Engagement rings and wedding bands are also Duma is the only dealer in the Mahoning Valley
very confident that we’re going to finish the year in driving sales; here Duma features the Tacori brand. who carries the Rolex line and is one of three inde-
the positive.” Despite the economy, “people are still falling in pendent dealers in Ohio to carry Yurman. Similarly,
Getting those brands in the store wasn’t easy. love,” says Duma, who attributes the strong bridal Komara Jewelers is one of 700 retailers worldwide
Duma tried to bring in Rolex in the 1990s after his sales to the fact that the average age of those getting that carries the Hearts on Fire line and is also a dealer
father renovated the store, but “they came in, looked engaged is 29, up from 21 some 15 years ago. Men of Simon G jewelry and Movado watches.
at the store, and said ‘no thanks,’ ” Duma recalls. who propose are more established in their jobs and Billed as the “World’s Most Perfectly Cut Dia-
In 2002, the store underwent a second renova- are saving money for the purchase. The average cost mond,” Hearts on Fire jewelry is “ahead of the rest
tion to match its new business model that focused of an engagement ring at Thom Duma is $5,000 for of the industry,” Komara says. Companies that have
on more high-end products from dealers who favor a one-carat diamond. designers on staff typically charge more for their
tight distribution rather Duma has noticed merchandise than manufacturers that craft their
than saturating the mar- Duma has noticed more couples coming in more couples coming in pieces based on popular styles, he says. Designer
ket with merchandise. to shop and price engage- pieces, such as Hearts on Fire, are about 20% to 30%
That year, Duma applied
to shop and price engagement rings. When ment rings. When the more expensive than the traditional diamond.
for both Rolex and Yur- the shop opened in the 1980s only men did shop opened in the 1980s “It’s a difference you can actually see between that
man, and landed the Rolex such shopping. only men did such shop- and a traditional diamond,” Komara explains. “Like
partnership in June 2003. ping. The Internet also anything else, if it catches on and sells, everybody
Duma didn’t have the Yurman line in his showcase plays a crucial role in the store’s overall sales since tries to copy it.”
until September 2007, he says. brands such as Tacori, Rolex and Yurman can’t be Yellow gold is losing popularity to white gold,
As the demand for jewelry for special occa- bought online. That may be but customers window which makes up nearly 90% of Komara’s gold in-
sions decreases, the Yurman line is “perfect for this shop the pieces on the brands’ Web sites where they ventory, he says. The market is strong for women
economy” because of its versatility and subtle but are directed to the nearest authorized dealers. “starting a whole new wardrobe in white gold, but
identifiable corded design, Duma says. Yurman “We get a lot of business that way too,” Duma is close to nonexistent” with men, who have more
pieces are suitable for grocery shopping and a night says. “People come in asking me for Rolex. They conservative tastes in their jewelry, he says.
out on the town. drive the business through the door.” See EXCLUSIVE LINES, page 28
Exclusive Lines:
From Page 27
With gold hovering around $1,100 per ounce in

October and November, jewelers have been forced
to raise prices on their pieces containing gold if they
want to survive the recession. Jewelers pay twice as
much for pieces that are predominantly gold, and
replacing a piece in the showcase usually means
buying it for what it sold for, Komara says.
“In our industry, you can’t eat it. You have to
move it,” Komara says. “If it’s a piece I know I’ll be
replacing, I have to make money on it.”
While Komara expects some higher-priced items
to move during the holidays, the company also
offers some lines to accommodate shoppers in all
price ranges. One of the most popular trends is the
sterling silver Pandora charm bracelet, says Komara’s
son, Rob Komara, assistant manager at the Howland
store. Beads for the bracelets are priced from $25
up to $200 for beads that have some gold in them.
Pandora also makes stackable rings and earrings
with replaceable beads, he says.
“It’s a very hot trend that’s going on right now,”
Komara says. “Everybody is catching on to it because
there’s probably about four or five different compa-
nies that make the same exact similar beads.”
�
�
Komara didn’t sell sterling silver until 2006, he
says, but “you need things to sell for $50, $100 and
$200.” The Elle jewelry line is “very fashionable
and inexpensive,” starting at $50 for some items,
Komara says, and can be identified by the trademark
ruby on the side. Robert “Rob” Komara Jr. and Robert “Bob” Komara Sr. display pieces from the Elle and Hearts on Fire lines.
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Artwork to Wear Creates One-of-a-Kind Jewelry

Two new lines designed for
mass production to debut
nationwide next spring.
By Maraline Kubik
G ood things come in small packages. Great

things come in small packages from small
towns.
Case in point: Artwork to Wear, a jewelry studio
in Cortland that specializes in custom-made and
one-of-a-kind pieces that feature the best diamonds,
gemstones, pearls and precious metals available in
the world.
“Everything is natural. Nothing is synthetic and
we stand behind everything that goes out of this
building,” says Nancy Williams, who founded the
business more than 20 years ago and co-owns it with
her husband, Reed.
Among the most notable custom pieces she’s
made is a ring commissioned for Bishop Ruth Ur-
ban of the All Nations Anglican Church to mark
her consecration as bishop last December. The ring
features a purple amethyst, a descending dove and
crosier, and three diamonds that represent the Holy
Trinity.
Another is a gold and diamond ring made for a
woman whose husband had recently died. The rings
he’d given her, along with those she’d inherited from
her mother were of great sentimental value, Nancy
Williams says, but she didn’t wear them. “You only
need one diamond ring,” Williams explains.
So, Williams combined the components from all
of the rings – white gold, yellow gold and several
diamonds – and created an impressive, one-of-a-
kind work of art that the woman wears on her index
finger.
Nancy Williams sets diamonds in a gold ring at her workshop in Cortland. Jewelry design and manufacturing is done onsite.
“Jewelry signifies a lot of major things in women’s
lives and in children’s lives – especially the birth of lot they can do with it and they’ve provided some really state-of-the-art,” Williams says. “It’s cutting-
a child or anniversary. It’s a celebration of love and of the most important – and most expensive – parts edge technology. It’s really just sharp.”
it’s a very powerful thing when a man takes the time to a ring, or earrings, or a pendant.” Tavannes watches rival Rolex, she continues, and
to think about the woman in his life and give her Until five years ago, Artwork to Wear was a by- the Alfex line, which starts at $200 and is very well
something that is truly valuable,” Williams says. appointment-only enterprise, with a loyal following known in Europe, has won several international
“The same with giving gifts to of repeat customers and new customers awards for design and engineering.
mark a daughter’s 16th, 18th learning about the jewelry Among the many showcases full of one-of-a-kind
birthday, graduation from col- design studio through word of pieces is a selection of pearls Williams describes as
lege, from mothers to daughters mouth. “gorgeous.” They include a strand of colorful Tahi-
and from fathers to daughters.
Those are all very important
pieces,” she says. “They mean a
�� “Everyone’s jewelry is im-
portant and we really pride
ourselves on the service and
tian pearls priced at more than $4,000.
Another strand of Tahitian pearls that Williams
describes as “a beautiful multi-color strand of round,
lot for a lifetime. That’s why the quality that we provide this graduated pearls” not yet on display is priced about
things you inherit end up being community,” Williams stresses. $18,000.
very important. But it doesn’t That service along with the A strand of South Sea pearls with rosé overtones
mean that you can wear them unusual bench skills she offers that she describes as “truly spectacular” is tagged
in that shape,” she says. “We – including custom waxing that at $25,000.
help you restyle it and put it in yields one-of-a-kind pieces and The sizes and colors of pearls are unique to the
a form you’d like to wear.” appraisals for pieces valued at up to part of the world where they were farmed, Williams
Williams says she and her $125,000 – has fueled solid growth of the explains, and quality pearls have many, many lay-
husband also encourage their cus- business. ers.
tomers not to sell their gold. With prices Today, Artwork to Wear operates a posh In another case, a strand of natural black dia-
of precious metals hovering at near-record highs, jewelry showroom with cases full of unique monds glistens. The necklace, 50-carat total weight,
many companies are eager to buy old and broken pieces made onsite as well as a line of titanium is tagged at $6,500.
jewelry and too many owners sell their unwearable men’s jewelry from Edward Mirell and watches from Other one-of-a-kinds feature blue diamonds,
pieces at bargain prices. Instead, Williams recom- Tavannes and Alfex. black onyx, citrine, lapis lazuli and amethyst.
mends, “They rework it. Then they have something “Men who thought they would never wear jew- There are also pendants and gold beads that
that’s truly valuable and also sentimental. There’s a elry, they like the Edward Mirell line because it’s See ARTWORK TO WEAR, page 30
Artwork to Wear: Creates One-of-a-Kind Jewelry

From Page 29
Williams waxed and cast, earrings and bracelets in Cortland, and we’re really happy about that – all Our friends and our families are here. Our clientele’s
featuring a wide range of stones and pearls in unique the waxing, the casting, the design,” Nancy Wil- base is here – that has supported our dreams and this
combinations. liams reports. “For mass production, we’re not quite business. A lot can come out of small places.”
“Custom work, that’s the lifeblood of this busi- set up for that yet, so the masters and production, All of the studio’s custom and one-of-a-kind
ness,” Reed Williams says, reflecting on the niche which can be in lines of up to 1,000, are being done pieces, she adds, will continue to be designed and
Artwork to Wear fills. “The custom work is our first somewhere else.” manufactured in Cortland.
love. Having people select a stone, designing the It’s unclear if production of the Sweet Lips and During December, Artwork to Wear’s showroom
work around that stone – we really enjoy designing Honey, Hunk, Hero lines will eventually be moved to is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednes-
for people. They give us an idea and we design it Cortland, she says. “It depends on the future. But,” day and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10
for them.” she vows, “Artwork to Wear is not leaving this area. a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
All diamonds sold at Art Work to Wear include
lab reports and appraisals.
“We’re different than most stores,” he continues.
“We have a very unique line because most of it, we’ve
��
had a hand on.”
The couple, however, has decided to expand their
customer base by also creating jewelry suitable for
��
mass production.
“Nancy came up with an idea for two new lines
that we’re taking national. They’re in production
now to be launched in the spring,” Reed Williams
says.
The first line, Honey, Hunk, Hero, is primarily ��
a men’s line.
“Everybody seems to have a honey, a hunk or a ��
hero in their life. It can be your brother. It can be
your husband. It can be your father, your grandfa- ��
ther. There are some wonderful guys out there and ��
it’s nice to say, ‘Honey, you’re my honey.’ Or, ‘You’re
my hero,’ ” Nancy Williams explains. ��
Sweet Lips is a line of lip-shaped pendants, ear- ��
rings and pins for women, and lapel pins, tie tacs
and cufflinks for men.
The lips resemble Artwork to Wear’s logo and
��
enable the gift giver “to plant a kiss that will last ��
forever” on the recipient. ��
“A lot of men, if they’re wearing a Sweet Lips,
get a lot of attention from that,” Nancy Williams
continues. “And they can feel loved all day.”
While the couple is still working out the details
for the distribution of their two new couture jewelry
lines, Reed Williams says the goal is to make them
available in “higher-end and boutique-type stores as
well as independent jewelry stores across the coun- ®
try.” Of course, he adds, they will also be available
at Artwork to Wear and through the design studio’s
Web site, artworktowear.com.
“The originals come out of Artwork to Wear here ��
Artwork to Wear ��

��
Made in the Valley
Products: Custom-made and one-of-a-kind jewelry. ��
Sweet Lips and Honey, Hunk, Hero lines of jewelry
for mass production will make their debut nation- ��
wide next spring.
Founder: Nancy Williams. ��
Year Founded: 1982.
Design and Manufacturing: Cortland, Ohio. ��
Geographic Area Served: United States. ��
� ��
��
Source: Artwork to Wear

Jewelers Make New Pieces from Old Gold

By Jeremy Lydic
or no-longer-worn jewelry, which is sent to a re- or to make a custom piece, he says. Remodeling old
W hether turning jewelry they never wear

into pieces more to their liking or cash
in their pockets, people are finding uses
for their old gold.
From November 2008 through last month, Ace
finery and “gets fully recycled and made into new
product,” Eckman says. A majority of refineries pay
98% of the melt to the jeweler, with 80% going to
the customer.
Gemstones are removed from the piece before it’s
wedding rings for new wedding bands or crosses
are the most popular projects. The cost of the final
product depends on the labor and the design, but
when customers supply the gold and stones, “it will
be a lot cheaper than buying a new one.”
Diamond & Jewelry Brokers Inc. in Boardman shipped to the refinery and saved by the jeweler for Research by Jewelers of America – a trade orga-
made 2,527 over-the-counter purchases that totaled repair work or to create a new piece, Eckman says. nization based in New York – shows that custom
$750,000, says its president, Jim Eckman. Because of the surge in people selling their jew- and designer jewelers reported the smallest sales
When gold hit $1,000 an ounce in March 2008, elry, companies such as Ace have an abundance of decrease from 2007 to 2008 at 0.8%, says spokes-
Ace recorded 4,200 purchases from then until small cut stones. Ace has about a five-year supply woman Amanda Gizzi.
February 2009 for a total of $1.6 million. Although of such stones, he says. Chain retailers reported the biggest drop in sales
numbers have dropped somewhat, Eckman says “It got to the point where I think everybody that in 2008 at 13.2%, followed by midsize independent
his company is still tracking three times its normal buys over-the-counter nationwide is swimming retailers at 5.5% and small independent retailers at
volume. in diamond melees and colored stones,” Eckman 1.3%.
“Everybody coast to coast that buys scrap gold says. “Those things aren’t liquid like gold. You need Custom jewelry takes up a smaller portion of the
was just inundated,” Eckman says. “It made all the an end retail consumer who wants it, and has the market, Gizzi says, but “seeing it decrease the least
national news.” money to buy it.” is probably a new trend for this year.” People will-
When a customer brings in a piece to sell, Ace Jeres Achkar usually advises his customers to ing to spend the money on a new piece of jewelry
weighs the gold and offers a price based on quality hang on to pieces rather than sell them. Achkar, are making sure their purchase has monetary and
and that day’s market price of gold, Eckman says. owner of Achkar Jewelers & Manufacturers Inc., sentimental long-term value, she says.
Customers vary from suburban residents to small- Boardman, for 60 years, says customers sometimes “Jewelry is always a sentimental purchase,”
business owners and workers who have either had don’t know the full value of a piece they have. He Gizzi says. “But when it’s made just for you and
their hours cut or been furloughed, and payouts have once refused to melt down a platinum broach that is one-of-a-kind, it adds a little more sentimental
been as low as $20 and as high as $10,000. was handmade in the early 1900s. attachment.”
“This is a great time for it to be high,” Eckman “You really hate to destroy something like that,” In addition to an increase in demand for custom
says. “It’s bailed a lot of people out.” Achkar says. “Even if it’s small pieces, I always sug- pieces made from old jewelry, Doug Aebischer,
While some pieces can be resold in the store, gest to keep the gold.” owner of Aebischer’s Jewelry in Poland, has noticed
customers typically bring in broken, out-of-style Achkar usually buys gold only for repair work See OLD GOLD, page 32
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Old Gold: New Pieces

From Page 31
his repair and restoration business has gone up at
least 25%, he says. Aebischer will take in old jewelry
to offset the price of a new piece, which helps sales,
but “it’s still been a tough year,” he says.
Aebischer typically buys most of his inventory
from manufacturers, so his costs “have gone up tre-
mendously” with the rising cost of gold. Some pieces
in his shop have “just about doubled [in price],” he
says. “It’s a direct reflection of my inventory costs.”
Each week he sees customers bring old jewelry into
the store, hoping to sell it, 10% of which is gold,
Aebischer says.
The sale of gold is “somewhat linked to the big
picture,” says Greg Sorley, co-owner of McSorley’s in
Canfield. “When the dollar declines, generally gold
strengthens,” so people sell what they’re willing to
part with, he says.
While he hasn’t spoken with a refinery recently,
his colleagues that buy gold tell him it’s still coming
in but not as quickly as it did a year ago. Although
customers don’t seem to be selling as much in this
area anymore, Sorley doesn’t think it’s over.
“Gold is basically blowing through the roof as we
speak,” Sorley says. “I can’t figure out what’s driving
it right now.”
As with other shops, Sorley’s purchase of gold
from customers is limited to trade-in on a new item
or making a custom piece. McSorley’s designs the
piece and sets the stone, but the casting is done else-
where. “Generally, you will receive a lot higher qual- Corine McGuire, Jim Eckman and Julie Norris of Ace Diamond & Jewelry Brokers Inc., Boardman, display new pieces made from
ity piece that lasts a lifetime or two,” he remarks. old gold. From November 2008 through last month, th jeweler made 2,527 over-the-counter purchases that totaled $750,000.
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Gillespie Takes Helm of Neighborhood Corp.

Former banker wants to have a
greater effect improving urban
life than channeling money.
By Dennis LaRue
F
irst was the vision, then the planning and
soon – the execution of that vision and
planning more than a decade in discussion
and shaping.
Introduced to business and community lead-
ers Nov. 4, the newly named executive director of
Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.,
Presley Gillespie, outlined how he, in cooperation
with the city of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley
Organizing Collaborative, intends to deliver on the
promise of Youngstown 2010.
Gillespie, a veteran banker who, over the last
decade, has lent millions of his banks’ money toward
the economic redevelopment of Youngstown and
Warren began, “I decided a long time ago I didn’t Presley Gillespie, executive director of Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp., discusses plans to deliver on the promise
of Youngstown 2010 with Gordon Wean. One of the goals in the Idora neighborhood is to help residents plant gardens.
want to be just another banker” who channeled
funds toward inner city businesses and aspiring neighborhoods where people to choose to live and with “outcomes, not outputs.”
entrepreneurs to satisfy Community Redevelopment are proud to live there,” “strengthening the social Now that the challenges facing Youngstown have
Act criteria. Hence, when the search committee of fabric through greater involvement” – all are within been defined and Youngstown 2010 has provided a
the neighborhood development group approached reach, Gillespie declared, with the development plan most have bought into to overcome these chal-
him, he determined he could have a greater effect corporation acting as a catalyst. lenges, Gillespie expects both residents and visitors
improving urban life in that role than as a banker. As the city’s leaders and residents came to to see noticeable and steady progress, including
The wheels were set in motion, Gillespie recalled, realize during the drafting of Youngstown 2010, reclaiming the 22,000 vacant lots that dot the city.
when a community block watch leader, James Lon- “Youngstown will never again have 175,000 resi- They can be transformed into parks and gardens and
don, remarked, “It was easier to buy drugs on the dents,” Gillespie reminded the 100 or so who at- made parts of pedestrian paths and bikeways.
south side of Youngstown than a fresh tomato.” tended the reception at the Youngstown Club to Gillespie said he intends to make the neighbor-
So, one aspect of the mission of Youngstown honor him. And the infrastructure built for a city hoods clean, safe, and places where residents are
Neighborhood Development Corp. is to help resi- of 200,000 turned out to be unnecessary and “the neighbors, not people turned inward, who come
dents of the Idora neighborhood plant gardens that manufacturing base as we knew it is gone.” together to work on resolving their problems.
will provide them with more healthful diets at prices The “good news,” he said, “is we still have signifi- In his remarks, director of the city planning
they can afford. Idora, on the city’s southwest side, cant assets to build upon” to sustain and improve department, Bill D’Avignon, said, “We need the
is one of three neighborhoods where the corporation the quality of life.” Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. to
will exert most of its initial efforts. The corporation will make “tough decisions,” move forward. We have taken all the necessary steps
The agency, funded with both public- and pri- Gillespie assured his wellwishers. Despite the gen- to get where we need to be.”
vate-sector dollars, will adopt a “holistic approach,” erosity of the Raymond John Wean Foundation and The long-time civil servant recalled that it was
Gillespie said, one that seeks to “empower residents support from City Council, Gillespie and his board Chattanooga, Tenn., that Youngstown planners ap-
to rebuild their communities.” will set priorities on which neighborhoods will have proached in the mid 1990s as a possible model to
Seeing that residents have affordable housing, their focus. There are three. reverse the decline. “Chattanooga, Tenn., called us
helping them repair and restore their residences, Those with the greatest chance of recovery will be two weeks ago,” he reported, for insights on “smart
creating “vibrant neighborhoods with green spaces,” accorded the most resources. “No one size fits all,” decline. We [Youngstown] are the new leaders,”
establishing “smaller but safer neighborhoods [and] Gillespie noted, and the agency is more concerned D’Avignon said.
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Y T raveling is high on our list of favorite things targeted to our buying preferences, of course) and
ou know the drill: Every time you to do, as regular readers of this feature well a listing of our Extra Bucks total that may include
visit a retail store, supermarket know, but if we weren’t always looking incentives such as $2 off our next purchase of $10
or pharmacy, you’re asked if you for ways to save a buck, we wouldn’t go much of at the store.
anywhere. Through our membership in Choice Rewards Realities: Offers tend to come with
have one of their “rewards” cards. Hotels International Choice Privileges rewards expiration dates, so check often to make sure you
If you don’t, the helpful sales folks program, we figure we’ve saved a bundle. don’t lose out. We’ve even started marking due
happily offer to sign you up on the spot. Points are earned in several ways, including stays dates on a calendar for offers we really want to take
Signing up may not be a bad idea. Most at Choice hotels such as Comfort and Quality advantage of.
inns, booking rental cars and shopping at the Choice
O
of these cards offer some type of benefits for Privileges online mall that features more than 60 ne member of our search team is always
“membership” – from discounts on future pur- retailers. The points can then be exchanged for looking for electronic gadgets, and the other
chases to special just-for-you deals to coupons free nights at more than 5,500 hotel locations is somewhat fixated on digital cameras and
worldwide with no blackout dates or other cool accessories. No surprise, then, that we have loyalty
you can spend just like cash. At a time when stuff such as airline miles, Broadway show tickets, cards at Best Buy and Staples. With Best Buy’s
everybody’s looking to save a few bucks, a little music downloads and even donations to a number Reward Zone card, we earn one point for almost
extra boost can be welcome. of charities. every dollar we spend in the store or online. As with
The only thing that’s important to us, though, Borders, Best Buy also has an online mall where you
Over the last few years, our search team has ac- is free lodging; over the last half-dozen years or so, can earn points by shopping at hundreds of online
cumulated quite a number of loyalty cards; in fact, we’ve earned at least a dozen stays, allowing us to retailers.
we’ve had to pack them up in a special holder be- take one night mini-trips we otherwise wouldn’t Accumulating 250 points translates into a $5 re-
cause our wallets had become grossly over-stuffed. have considered or add an extra day to a longer ward certificate, which can be spent like cash at Best
Still other miniature versions dangle from our vacation. Buy. If you prefer, you can set a higher limit – say,
keychains, always at the ready for checkout counter Rewards Realities: When you sign up for a loy- $20 or $50 – so your certificate won’t be sent to you
scanning. alty program, never provide your primary e-mail ad- until you earn the required number of points.
Since they’re such a huge part of everyday life, we dress. Instead, use The program at Staples comes with a bit of
decided to report on a few that we use most often. a “throw-away” a twist; you’ll earn 10% in rewards on all ink
First, though, we’ll remind our readers that there’s address you’ve re- and toner, case and ream paper and for Copy
no such thing as a free lunch. Before you can reap served just for this & Print Center services. Environmentalists
any benefits, you have to spend money – so you’ll purpose (and per- will be interested to know that recycling
be tempted to buy things you otherwise might not haps shopping on- any brand of ink cartridge will earn $3 in
(or should not). What’s more, in exchange for these line). Don’t have rewards per cartridge. There’s a limit of 10
sweet deals, you’ll be giving up some measure of pri- one? Try Yahoo. per customer per month.
vacy. Every time a loyalty card is swiped, information com, Gmail (mail. Rewards Realities: Resist temptation.
is entered into the store’s system on your shopping google.com) or When you reap your rewards, try not to
preferences, how much you spend and how often. Lycos (mail.lycos. wander off and buy other items unless
And sometimes, the rewards you’ll get by using a com). you really want or need them. Better still,
card aren’t worth what you have to pay to earn them. consider redeeming your rewards online,
If you have to spend $100 just to get a coupon worth where you don’t have to walk past hampers
10% off the regular price of an item, why bother? of multi-colored highlighters.
W e’re both voracious readers, so it shouldn’t

come as a surprise that we’ve had a re-
wards card at Borders for at least as long
as the bookstore has been in the Eastwood Mall In Search of: T ime was when we saved money on gro-
ceries by heading for the big discount
chains – prices at supermarkets sim-
ply were too expensive. No more – at least
complex. The card also works at Waldenbooks
(which has a store in the Eastwood Mall proper) as
well as at Borders Express and Borders.com. Loyalty not since we found Giant Eagle and the
Giant Eagle Advantage Card. Not only
can we get great deals in the store on items
Cards
The basic plan is fairly straightforward: Earn $5 in we want, but our purchases earn discounts
Borders Bucks for every $150 spent on qualifying – 10 cents per gallon for every $50 we spend – on
items. (Sounds like a lot until you consider that one gasoline at the store’s GetGo stations.
hardcover book costs at least $25.) By Monnie Ryan In addition to food and sundry items, Giant
Sure, we can beat these prices at Amazon.com Eagle sells gift cards from a number of retailers, all
or through our book clubs, but at Borders we don’t of which count toward future gas discounts under
have to wait several days for our purchase to arrive the Fuelperks program. Since gift cards are popular
M
before we can start reading. ost of the big drugstore chains offer loyalty items for birthdays, anniversaries and other special
While some items don’t qualify for points – such cards, and we’ve been members of the CVS occasions, we can buy them at Giant Eagle and save
as gift wrapping paper and gift cards – purchases at ExtraCare customer rewards program for at the pump at the same time.
Borders’ in-store cafés do. We also receive frequent several years. Since these big-boxes carry a wide Here’s an example of a recent deal: We snagged a
e-mail coupons for other discounts, such as 30% off variety of everyday goodies – greeting cards, laundry package of two U.S.D.A. Choice beef bottom round
the regular price of a book or CD. detergent and even some food items – it’s not hard steaks for $7.14, then got a second package free by
Rewards Realities: Along the way, we’ve learned to find good deals well beyond pharmaceutical and using our Advantage Card. Each steak was large
a few tricks of the trade that we’ll pass on to you. health-related items. enough to divide into two good-size portions (which
Most important is to read the store’s privacy policy At CVS, we earn Extra Bucks for in-store and we repackaged and stuck in our freezer), giving us
before you sign on the dotted line. We don’t take online purchases and get instant savings on items the basis of four meals for well under $10.
issue with the retailer collecting information so we featured in the weekly circular ads. Although thank- Rewards Realities: Don’t leave home without it.
can receive more personalized offers; but we do fully we rarely need them, we would earn one buck But if you do end up at a store without your loyalty
object when that information will be “shared with for every two prescriptions we buy. card, don’t despair – just ask the sales clerk to check
our partners from time to time” – a euphemism for At checkout, the cash register spits out not only for you. Almost all stores can verify your card by
“Yes, we sell or give out your information to others, the usual receipt for what we bought, but also typing your phone number into the cash register,
and you don’t get to choose who they are.” other special discounts on future purchases (all so you’ll get credit for your purchases.
Looking for Work: These Are Their Stories

From Page 1 he admits, but makes it a point to stay upbeat. “My
prises, the latest for a subcontractor to General wife comments all the time, ‘How do you keep so
Motors Co. at Lordstown. positive?’ ” he continues.
He gets up at 6:30, sometimes 7, which he con-
Few Openings for Mechanical Engineers siders sleeping in since he rose at 5 a.m. to work
Wheeler experienced the irony of leaving his at Munroe.
former employer of 29 years to work for the Munroe While Wheeler spends much of his time respond-
plant in Campbell, where he was employed a year ing to ads, sending his resume out on the Internet
before being laid off. He left his long-time employer and following leads, “I help around the house,” he
“out of concern about [its] financial problems,” he says. “I can’t sit in front of my computer all day
says. “But it’s still hanging in there.” long. I do stuff around the house that she [Mary]
Munroe Inc., based in Pittsburgh, closed its plants had been doing.
in Ringgold, Ga., and Ambridge, Pa., and laid off His unemployment benefits will run out soon,
some 15 employees at its plant in Campbell, Wheeler Wheeler says, and he has submitted a letter in
says, leaving 40. In Campbell, Munroe builds hoods which he applied for extended federal benefits – “if
over industrial furnaces, especially in the steel indus- I qualify.”
try, that redirect exhaust gases. Munroe also builds Mary’s income is their only other source of in-
cooling panels for power plants. come and “It will be very difficult if I don’t qualify,”
(Calls to Munroe in Pittsburgh to confirm her husband says.
Wheeler’s comments about its business were not If he doesn’t find work soon, he “will have to
returned.) take whatever job is available.” He would work for a
The recession took a toll on Munroe, Wheeler department store or in a fast-food restaurant. “I may
says, with many employees in the Campbell plant end up having to take several small jobs to get by.”
taking cuts in salary six months before the layoff Wheeler grew up in Brookfield and would prefer
notices came. The reduced compensation left him to stay here. “I’m willing to relocate,” he answers,
earning $15 an hour, he says. “and I keep broadening that area all the time.” That
Wheeler, who received a B.S. in mechanical area encompasses as far south as North Carolina and
engineering technology in 1991 from Youngstown as far west as Indiana.
State University, liked the work in Campbell because Wheeler’s faith has sustained him, he says. He
“Munroe was more hands-on.” He wanted to be in- and his wife attend the First Methodist Church of
volved in the work on the plant floor, he says, “not Sharon; Mary just rejoined the choir. “God always
sit behind a computer all day. I wanted to do both. helped us to get through whatever difficulty we
... I was doing what I had gone to school for.” had,” Wheeler says. “We’re just hoping he shows
In his job search, Wheeler has come across few us [the way] again.”
openings for mechanical engineers. Most of the de- Jon Wheeler takes a break from his job search to spend some
time with his dog. He and his wife have always lived simply. Unloading Docks, Selling on Commission
mand, he says, is for civil and electrical engineers.
Hence he’s giving serious consideration to return- They also planted a garden in their backyard last Daniel A. Gonder, who “always wanted to be
ing to YSU to work for a master’s in civil engineering. summer. “It didn’t do so well,” Wheeler laments. a broadcaster,” achieved his dream after working
First, however, he must take some undergraduate “The soil in my yard doesn’t hold moisture and there as a TV news cameraman in Pittsburgh. He’s been
courses in civil engineering and mathematics to be was a lime deficiency in the soil.” on-air announcer for Clear Channel stations in the
admitted, 12 semester hours, he estimates. Thus The issuers of the student loans his wife took out Mahoning Valley – he’s pinch hit for Ron Verb on
entering a master’s program couldn’t start before are accepting interest-only payments. “They’re OK WKBN-AM and written copy for others to read on
next fall and would be contingent on whether he with that,” Wheeler reports. All of their credit cards air here and in Indiana before he came home.
can obtain financial aid. have been paid off. Today he’s selling airtime on a commission-only
His wife, Mary, who works part-time and is a Before shopping, the Wheelers “combine trips basis for a radio station in Ashtabula and unload-
part-time student at YSU, is in her third semester of before going to the store.” ing trucks on the docks behind a big-box store in
work toward an associate’s They’ve cut back to Boardman.
degree in accounting. By Wheeler’s faith has sustained him, he says. the minimum on tele- Gonder, who grew up in Sharon, was graduated
next spring, one or both phone, cable television in 1970 from YSU with a major in advertising and
should qualify for a grant, He and his wife attend the First Methodist and Internet services. “I public relations and minors in management and
Wheeler says. Church of Sharon; Mary just rejoined the still have Internet access English literature.
The couple has always choir. “God always helped us to get through as part of my job search,” He remembers well the day in April when Clear
lived simply and managed
their finances prudently,
whatever difficulty we had,” Wheeler says. Wheeler explains. The
couple “shut down the
Channel Youngstown’s finances forced it to let go
nine employees, including him – after 11 years
Wheeler says. Their chil- “We’re just hoping he shows us [the way] hot tub because of the cost working for the company. So far this year, he says,
dren – a daughter, 28, again.” of electricity.” They also Clear Channel has laid off 20.
and a son, 25 – are both allowed memberships in “It was surreal,” Gonder says of April 29. “But I
married and on their own. various hunting and outdoors clubs to lapse rather had this sense of relief.”
The Wheelers have a 30-year mortgage on their than pay the dues. He had been working 50 to 60 hours a week,
home and are current on their payments, the engi- Wheeler has gone to a small number of job inter- sometimes paid extra for working remotes and pro-
neer says. He owns his car outright and the loan on views and found “companies have such an advan- ducing Penguins’ football games, but still making
Mary Wheeler’s car will be paid off in 18 months. tage” because supply far exceeds demand. “Some are a salary of $36,000. “I worked there 10 years and
“So far we have been able to repay everything looking for doctorates,” he found. “Many companies never got a raise,” he says. “Every one, everybody I
[and as scheduled],” Wheeler says. “It’s been tight are looking for [engineers with] masters.” know was the same.”
but we’re making it.” After he interviewed with the president of one In retrospect, Gonder says, the signs that his job
The Wheelers “used to go out to eat more. Now company, he was asked to follow up with a psycho- was in jeopardy were there. Still, “I had no inkling,”
we save it for special occasions.” They used to keep logical test, a twist that surprised him. he says, when a supervisor called him in and said,
several birdfeeders in their backyard filled with The first week or two of unemployment, “I en- “Danny, I’m afraid we’ll have to let you go. ...
feed. No more. joyed being off,” he allows. It’s been a drag since, CONTINUES NEXT PAGE
Night of the Soul.’ You learn what you’re supposed

to learn and God moves you forward.”
Two Years: 200 Resumes and Applications

Richard T. Johnson, an industrial engineer by
education, accepted his last job in September 2008
with Trumbull Industries, a subcontractor to GM’s
metals fabricating plant at Lordstown, knowing he
was to fill in for a woman on maternity leave. The
woman was carrying twins, which caused her em-
ployer to suggest the temporary assignment would
likely be permanent; the employer expected her need
to look after her twins would prompt her to stay at
home to tend her children.
But the ailing economy led the woman and her
husband to decide she should remain with Trum-
bull’s MMS division, Johnson relates, and arrange
for child care, especially since “her husband’s job
was shaky. So she came back in March.”
When Johnson’s employer of 29 years, Aero-
Chem Inc., was acquired by Tri-Dim Filter Corp.
in 2007, he and other veteran employees found
themselves without jobs and he’s worked full-time
in limited assignments since. Aero-Chem gave him
a severance package of six month’s salary, roughly
a week for each year worked there, after which he
collected unemployment benefits.
The post he landed in February 2008 with a
company in Mineral Ridge ended because, Johnson
related, “Operations came in one day [in July 2008]
and said, ‘You’re not making enough money.’ ”
While overhead was high, Johnson says, the divi-
sion, which performed industrial chemical cleaning
jobs, remained profitable, but nowhere nearly as
profitable as the rest of the company.
He was called to jury duty in Mahoning County,
which paid him all of $10 during a week he was
Richard T. Johnson and Daniel A. Gonder lost their jobs as the economy began to slip and their industries fell victim to the recession.
Johnson is an industrial engineer by education; Gonder is former TV news photographer and radio announcer. unemployed. Reporting that income led to a snafu
that denied him the week’s unemployment benefits,
“The first three weeks I was laid off, I was physi- be paid off in five years, he says. Johnson relates.
cally sick every day,” he continues. His physical recreation is skating – the rink His wife, Susan, a retired nurse, is too young to
The separation dampened his spirits but not to charges only $7 an hour – and “I also write.” He collect Social Security and so the couple, near the
the point he considered himself depressed. Some of adds, “I’m an avid reader,” who enjoys visiting end of his eligibility to collect unemployment, has
his former listeners, he says, “called me at home and used-book stores. been getting by on his “unemployment benefits and
told me they miss me.” Gonder describes his girlfriend – he’s never our savings. We live frugally,” Johnson says.
Easing the blow a bit was “a generous separation married – as “very supportive” of his efforts to find They “don’t qualify for food stamps,” he notes.
package” that has precluded him applying for unem- another job in broadcasting. And he’s paying $700 a month for COBRA.
ployment benefits – so far – and allowed him to sell Like Wheeler, he planted a garden this sum- “I have a 401(k) and IRAs, but must wait until
airtime for a radio station mer. Unlike Wheeler, he I’m 59½,” he notes, before he can begin to collect
in Ashtabula. He has met “I’m a matter of months from bankruptcy,” enjoyed some success tax-deferred income without incurring a penalty.
or exceeded his goals the in harvesting “peppers, He continues to visit and respond to the various
last two months, he says. Johnson says evenly, no anger or bitterness tomatoes and a whole lot job-hunting sites on the Internet and has used Ohio
He began in June. in his voice. “I think we can hold out another of lettuce.” He explains, One Stop offices in his search for another job. “I’ve
Afternoons he drives year. I’m trying to readjust our mortgage, “I was a gardener before I sent out more than 200 resumes and applications
to Ashtabula and calls on
businesses to sell adver-
trying to work something out,” and hopes wasGonder laid off.”
says, “I buy
since October 2007,” he reports. “Online you get
an automated response. So you know it got there.
tising, finishing around 5 the government program that would provide very little” and when he And then nothing. With [the U.S.] mail, you don’t
p.m. “Sales are like a sine mortgage relief comes to pass. does shop, “it’s at Marc’s expect a response.
wave,” Gonder has found. [and] Amish grocery He’s aware his age does not work in his favor
The evening he was interviewed he felt good that stores in Ashtabula.” His early-morning job “pays for and his updated resumes lack dates. They’re more
he had sold $1,400 that afternoon. “I enjoy sales,” the gas – $150 a week on average” that he consumes broad-brush.
he states. driving to Ashtabula and making sales calls. For example, he cites “more than 10 years’ ex-
Three or four days a week Gonder, who lives His one unexpected major expense since he was perience, not 30 years.” And he’s learned the key
by himself, gets up at 3 a.m. so he can report to laid off was the bill for the brain surgery a veterinar- phrases that are likely to catch the attention of em-
the docks of the big-box store where he unloads ian performed on the youngest of his three Siberian ployers’ search engines as they look for candidates
merchandise from 4 to 9 a.m. The positive side, he huskies. to interview.
notes, is dropping 30 pounds from his frame of 5 Like Wheeler and Johnson, Gonder finds his “It’s been 33 years since I first tried to get a job,”
feet, 9 inches to a trim 170 pounds. faith a source of support and comfort. Gonder, a Johnson remarks. Of his most recent efforts, he says,
His finances are relatively healthy. Gonder’s car member of St. Charles Parish, says, “I just hope “I’m being a lot more selective.”
is paid for and his mortgage – which he refinanced there’s a reason [for his situation]. St. John of the Johnson explored building trades apprentice-
twice to reduce the rate of interest and term – will Cross [1542-91] talks [about purpose] in ‘The Dark See LOOKING FOR WORK, page 38
Looking for Work: These Are Their Stories

From Page 37 ganize something to help [other] unemployed [such after “going around to all the shops in the area.
ship programs only to be told he is too old to be as] fixing up their houses. It gets back to what we’re They take my resume, say, ‘Thank you, we’ll be in
accepted. supposed to be doing anyway.” touch,’ ” and he’s yet to hear from any.
So he’s looking to return to school to learn the air And he has long volunteered in family and com- He’s expanded his job search to Cleveland and
conditioning aspect of HVAC – heating, ventilating munity efforts such as serving a president of the band Pittsburgh and used One Stop, which he describes
and air conditioning. Through One Stop, the state boosters club when his children were in Springfield as “somewhat helpful. They have some online tools
of Ohio will pay for his training, he says. High School. [that help identify job openings] and they have class-
“I’m a matter of months from bankruptcy,” John- “I’ve had so much good happen in my life,” John- es in resume preparation and interview skills.”
son says evenly, no anger or bitterness in his voice. son concludes, which is why he remains optimistic Finances, always tight, have become tighter. His
“I think we can hold out another year. I’m trying to that something will break his way. unemployment benefits run out around Christmas
readjust our mortgage, trying to work something and his wife’s salary and child support would be their
out,” and hopes the government program that would Weatherizing and Playing “Mr. Mom” sole sources of income.
provide mortgage relief comes to pass. A lack of work at Vivo Brothers, a woodworking The two houses in Salem he bought to fix up
“I’m a realist,” he states. “There are things you shop in Beaver Township, caused the company to and sell are rented out “because they didn’t sell. I
can control and things you can’t. I would add that lay off half its work force, six of 12, including Jeff enjoy fixing things. I didn’t want to be a landlord,”
we’re six months away from catastrophe.” Shreiber who specialized in wood moldings, toward Schreiber says. Collecting rents in full and on time
While his three children are grown and he and the end of June, he says. There just over a year, he is uncertain at best in this economy and while cur-
his wife helped to finance their college educations, was not given any severance. rent on those mortgages, “I probably won’t be next
none is in a position to help their parents. Schreiber, who grew up in Canfield, had returned month,” he says. He’s keeping his banker abreast of
The Johnsons took out second mortgages to fi- to the area after a nine-year stint with Turner Broad- the situation.
nance student loans and have a balance of $12,000 casting in Atlanta (now part of Time Warner), where “It’s a Catch-22,” he remarks.
remaining from their youngest son, Scott, who’s in he was a business-systems analyst. “It had the feel Clouding the picture is the Schreibers’ concern
the Air Force. of a startup,” Schreiber says, before Ted Turner sold that Leslie’s first husband, also unemployed, will
“If I go out and work, I lose my [unemployment] out to Time Warner, and he enjoyed the work. Af- seek a reduction in child support payments. So far
benefits [that exceed what he would earn in] a low- terward, “I was doing more management and less they’re current in their mortgage payments and both
paying job, Johnson says. “I can’t afford to take just of the things that I enjoyed.” cars are paid for. He works on improving their house
any job. ... I’ve cleaned toilets and installed them. He was “single, no dependents and woodworking and is “weatherizing” it. “I would’ve done it anyway.
I’m not afraid of work.” had been a hobby,” so he took the same woodwork- Now it’s doubly important,” he says.
He would “take a job that paid $10 an hour” once ing class at night three times at an art college in Leslie “has been very understanding” of his situ-
his benefits expire. “I would do that.” Atlanta. “It was pretty informal,” he explains, and ation, Schreiber says. Of the two older girls, “I don’t
If need be, Johnson would sell the house he built found he enjoyed the craft. think it really registers” because they attend their
in 1991 and where his children grew to adulthood. So he quit Time Warner and returned to Can- schools of choice with their friends and little has
“It’s more house than we need,” he says. field where he met his wife, Leslie, in Columbiana. changed other than not eating out at all – it used
He repairs the cars he buys at auction. As for Since being laid off by Vivo Brothers, Schreiber has to be twice a month. “We never had cable,” he adds.
growing vegetables in his backyard, “I did the gar- reflected on his situation and decided, “Long-term, “We encourage the girls to read more and have cut
dening thing. In this area’s it’s not worthwhile. ... I I want to get back to the computer world.” back on telephone services.”
have my tomatoes and my peppers.” He guesses that Absent 10 years, he realizes, “I need to go back They still have cell phones and access to the In-
he broke even with the money and energy exerted. [to school] and get certification.” He’s explored internet. “We’ve had to tell our daughters ‘no’ on the
“We never ate out that much to begin with,” he formation technology schools, including “ITT Tech small things,” he says.
answers to a question about the expenses they’ve School and the Mahoning and Columbiana Career The Schreibers use coupons more when they shop
reduced, “and the free movie coupons we got have & Technical schools.” And Schreiber is “working for food. Other than that, they haven’t economized
expired. We never used them. ... Our entertainment with One Stop to see if I qualify for financial aid, much more because they’ve always kept close tabs
is going to Wal-Mart and buying a $5 movie [on tuition help.” on their spending.
DVD].” Leslie, a teacher in the Head Start program, was Leslie, who has an associate’s degree, continues to
Johnson’s faith “has kept us positive,” he says. divorced and the mother of two daughters, Hannah work on her baccalaureate through online distance
“It’s the thing that’s kept us positive. Knowing God and Lauren, when they met. Since their marriage, the learning at the University of Cincinnati. She expects
in a personal way has really helped us all. It’s all Schreibers have had another daughter, Grace, 2. to graduate in the spring of 2011, Schreiber says.
temporary.” Besides looking for another job, preferably in
At his house of worship, Bethel Friends Church woodworking, Schreiber has played “Mr. Mom” What’s the buzz? BusinessJournalDaily Buzz – our daily Web-
on Spitler Road in Poland, Johnson is “trying to or- while his wife teaches. He refuses to be discouraged casts coming soon to BusinessJournalDaily.com.
IT FEELS GOOD TO BELONG!

THE YMCA Of YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO ��
FAMILIES • INDIVIDUALS • STUDENTS • SENIORS ��
Your YMCA Membership Gives You Access
to Two Great Facilities!
330-747-YMCA
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BuildingBetterBusiness
New Law Bans Genetic Discrimination
Companies cannot make requirements. It applies to companies with 15 or or practice made unlawful under GINA, or made a
more employees, provides certain remedies and charge, testified or participated in an investigation
employment decisions based includes a prohibition on retaliation. or hearing.
GINA contains a provision directing the Equal • Request, require or purchase genetic infor-
on family health history. Employment Opportunity Commission to imple- mation about an employee or his or her family
ment appropriate regulations one year after the members.
F
ormer President Bush signed into law last May law’s passage. These regulations cover a variety There are six enumerated exceptions to the
the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination of topics. They include prohibited practices, em- prohibition of acquiring genetic information about
Act, known as GINA. Title II of this law, which ployer confidentiality obligations, enforcement applicants and/or employees. For example, inad-
addresses employment discrimination, becomes mechanisms and available remedies, and examples vertent requests for the genetic information do not
effective Nov. 21. of medical information that GINA does not protect. violate the new law.
The new law forbids employers from discrimi- Specifically, these regulations make it unlawful for Likewise, employers may continue to offer health
nating against employees on the basis of genetic employers to: and genetic services as part of a voluntary wellness
information. Specifically, GINA prohibits employers • Refuse to hire, fire, limit, segregate, classify, or program.
from intentionally collecting genetic information otherwise discriminate, deny opportunities, or with- While some of these provisions may be modified
from employees or gathering information regarding hold training and retraining opportunities based on in light of the public comment period, employers are
a person’s family history in relation to a particular protected genetic information. encouraged to begin to familiarize themselves with
disease, among other things. • Take adverse employment actions against an the gist of these provisions in advance of Nov. 21,
Moreover, GINA imposes strict confidentiality employee because he or she has opposed any act when the new law becomes effective.
Taking the Shine Off Teeth Whitening Scams

Y ou don’t need
to leave your
hometown to have
your teeth whitened.
Listen to your dentist.
trust in respected news outlets influence their level
of trust in the products being advertised on their
Web sites. While it may be true that advertisements
for the teeth whiteners were placed on major news
Web sites, reporters for USA Today or CNN did
have been asked to add more disclosure to their Web
sites regarding the free trial offer. The BBB has not
yet received a response to these requests.
Advanced Wellness Research: The BBB serv-
ing West Palm Beach has received thousands of
He or she has your best not write stories about the efficacy of the specific complaints from consumers regarding Advanced
interests at heart and is products being sold. Wellness Research’s açai berry supplements and has
only a phone call away. Web sites for various teeth whitening products begun to receive complaints from consumers about
Buying online is claim to offer a no-risk, money-back guarantee, free their teeth whiteners sold under the names of Max
sometimes the only way trial of the product. To sign up, customers must pro- White, My Whitening, Gleaming White Smile and
to get what you want. vide a credit or debit card number to cover shipping. many others.
But buying teeth whit- Consumers tell the BBB they are billed before their Here are some tips when dealing with online
ening products online trial ends and continue to be billed after they have companies:
can be a costly mistake. told the company they want to cancel. Many also • Beware of supposed third-party endorse-
By Pat Rose Be extremely wary of find mystery charges for other companies and ments. Be extremely cautious of any ad that
BBB President pervasive online ads services that they didn’t realize they were signing links to a blog or Web site news articles.
offering the promise of a whiter, brighter smile. up for with their “free” trial. The blogs and supposed news articles were
BBBs across the United States have received a re- The BBB has identified several companies likely created by the company and are not
cent onslaught of complaints from consumers who behind the ads and Web sites. They include: the unbiased endorsement of real consumers
thought they were signing up for a free trial of teeth Dazzle White, White Smile, Teeth Smile and or reporters.
whitening products but were repeatedly billed for Dazzle Smile: The BBB serving Edmonton • Always read the fine print. Many Web
products and services they didn’t want. has received 450 complaints in the last 12 sites offering a free trial of a teeth whitening
Ubiquitous ads for teeth whiteners can be found months from consumers in 47 states, five product do not disclose the billing terms
on popular sites such as FoxNews.com, CNN.com Canadian provinces and the United King- and conditions or do not have such details
and ABCNews.com. The ads typically link consum- dom about Dazzle White, White Smile, prominently displayed on their Web site.
ers to phony blogs and fake news sites designed Teeth Smile and Dazzle Smile. Consumers report Before giving the company any credit or debit card
to look like impartial third-party endorsements of being billed as much as $79 for the free trial and information, review the Web site fully and be aware
the products. The phony endorsements direct the are charged for several other services – such as a that free trials typically result in repeated billing.
consumer to a main Web site that promotes the weight loss program. • Check the company out with your BBB. Before
products “as seen on” ABC, Forbes.com, CBS News, Ivory White: The BBB serving Denver has re- signing up for any free trial, review the business’
CNN, and USA Today – and includes the logos of ceived 611 complaints from consumers in 46 states. Reliability Report online at BBB.org to see if the BBB
these news outlets. Most say they were charged as much as $78 a month has identified issues with the company.
From the complaints we’ve received, it’s obvious for their free trial. Other related companies include • File a complaint with BBB if you feel you’ve
that many consumers are unfortunately letting their Ortho White and Bella Brite. All three companies been ripped off. Go to BBB.org.
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TIPS FOR CLIMBING THE CAREER LADDER, COMPILED BY MONNIE RYAN
Getting Ahead
Six Ways to Destroy
Your Job Interview
Be prepared, ask as salary and vacation days should
good questions and be broached only if the employer has
expressed serious interest in hiring
don’t be arrogant. you – and that probably won’t happen
until the second or third interview.
E
very job candidate wants to Instead, focus on what your specific
impress prospective employers, duties will be or what the top priori-
but not all manage to do it. ties are for the position.
Often, a simple mistake can cause You might even ask the hiring man-
an applicant to blow the entire ager to describe what a “typical day”
meeting, according to Robert Half for the person who holds the position
International. for which you’re
Here are some Often, a simple mistake can applying would
errors to avoid: be like.
• Arriving late. cause an applicant to blow the • Not follow-
Getting to an in- entire meeting. ing up. Even if
terview on time or you feel you aced
a few minutes early is an easy way to the interview, you shouldn’t stop
impress a prospective employer. there.
Arriving late not only makes you Sending the hiring manager a
look unprofessional, it also calls into brief note after the interview allows
question your ability to show up to you to thank him or her for meeting
work on time – and that’s one of the with you and gives you the opportu-
most basic aspects of any job. nity to reiterate your interest in the
• Being rude to receptionist or position.
assistants. Six out of 10 executives
polled by Robert Half say they consid-
Holiday Hiring Outlook
er their assistants’ opinions important Bleak, Not Hopeless
when evaluating potential new hires. Most retailers plan to hire the same
Ditch the high-horse attitude and be number of or fewer workers over the
polite and respectful to everyone with holidays compared to last year, ac-
whom you interact. cording to a survey by Aon Consult-
• Going in unprepared. The saving, Chicago.
viest job seekers spend time before Specifically, 44% of the nation’s
the meeting considering questions top retailers say they’ll need less help,
the hiring manager will likely ask so 37% will keep hiring levels the same
they can answer confidently during and 19% plan to hire more than they
the meeting. did last year.
Research the employer so you can The most important qualities re-
explain how your skills match the tailers are looking for in candidates
open position and highlight your true this holiday season include customer-
interest in the company in general and service skills (83%), a positive attitude
the position in particular. (60%) and availability (55%). Retail-
• Appearing arrogant. Displaying ers say the best candidates come from
confidence is important but taking it employee referrals (70%), followed by
too far is sure to make you stand out walk-ins (57%).
for the wrong reasons. If you boast Not surprisingly, more retailers are
about your abilities, it’s likely you’ll hiring a greater percentage of part-
come across as someone who may time employees this holiday season
have difficulty working with others. (77%) compared to last.
• Not asking questions. As the As for converting part-time season-
interview winds down, it’s likely that al employees to full-time status after
the hiring manager will ask if you have the holidays, 43% expect to convert
any questions. Your answer should the same number as they did last year,
be yes. while 42% say they will move fewer
But be forewarned: Subjects such holiday hires to full-time.
Farmers Bank Remodels

Its Cornersburg Branch
Company spends $250,000 The company spent $250,000 to
at Meridian Road office. renovate the façade and interior of the
Meridian Road office, which encom-
By Dan O’Brien passes new signage, a drive-through
window, a pitched roof and the instal-
F
armers National Bank, Canfield, lation of large columns in the front of
dedicated its newly renovated the building. Inside are new counters,
branch Nov. 5 at 3619 South artwork, ceiling tiles and carpeting.
Meridian Road in Youngstown, an Over the last year, the Cornersburg
event its executives say demonstrates neighborhood of Youngstown wit-
the bank’s continued vitality in the nessed several offices of other banks
midst of rocky economic times. close or relocate, Gulas noted. Farm-
When financial markets nearly ers, however, wanted to remain at its
melted down 13 months ago, Farmers Meridian Road address and so chose to
“actually decided to look at this as an embark on the renovation project.
opportunity,” said its chief operating Work on the branch ended about
officer, John Gulas. a month ago.
Instead of pulling back, Gulas said, “It’s a much more inviting facility,”
Farmers took on new business ven- Gulas said. The renovated building
tures, launched initiatives designed to replaces the modular style building
boost efficiency, stepped in to provide built during the 1970s. The renova-
direct loans to auto dealers when the tion was designed by architect Thomas
credit markets soured, and made ef- J. Keller, Canfield.
forts to improve customer service by This year Farmers also upgraded
renovating older branch offices. 85% of its technology, which improves
“We believe strongly in this com- customer and employee efficiency at Instead of pulling back in the wake of last year’s near meltdown of the financial markets, Farmers
munity,” Gulas said. the branches, he said. National Bank took on new business initiatives, says John Gulas, chief operating officer.
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PEOPLE, COMPANIES, MAKING NEWS
For the Record ��

Gasser Chair Co., Youngstown, was James M. Gasior has been appointed
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recently awarded the casino seating con- president and CEO of Cortland Bancorp
tract for MGM City Center’s Aria Resort and its subsidiary, the Cortland Savings ��
& Casino project in Las Vegas. and Banking Co. Gasior replaces interim ��
CEO Rodger W. Platt who temporarily
The Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic,
came out of retirement to assume the
��
Youngstown, is the recent recipient of
position following the resignation Sept. 8 ��
�
a $25,000 grant from the Youngstown
of Lawrence Fantauzzi. Timothy Carney ��
Foundation to help fund a facility im-
was named executive vice president. ��
provement plan for its main campus. A ��
Platt remains director emeritus. ��
grant also in the amount of $25,000 for ��
the same project was awarded the clinic Paul Russo, vice president of George ��
by The Frank and Pearl E. Gelbman A. Mitchell Co., Youngstown, was ��
Charitable Trust, administered through elected to the board of directors of the ��
Huntington National Trust. Fabricators & Manufacturers Associa- ��
Apprentices and journeymen from tion International at the group’s annual ��
Local 8 of the Bricklayers & Allied Craft- meeting. Russo will serve a three-year ��
workers union recently spent two days term on the 15-member board. ��
helping YouthBuild participants with lay- ��
All-Action Restoration of North Lima ��
ing a foundation for a house to be built has retained Farris Marketing of Board- ��
on the north side of Youngstown. man to create and brand a new Web site ��
Bodine Perry, a Canfield accounting for the company. ��
firm, presented the Salvation Army with ��
NEOtropolis, a new weekly program
a check for $2,000 at the army’s Christ- ��
looking at regional economic issues,
mas drive kickoff breakfast Nov. 4. The ��
airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on Western Re- ��
firm also pledged to turn its office into ser ve Public Media PBS 45/49. The
a collection center for Christmas gifts to ��
Business Journal is a content partner ��
be donated to the Salvation Army. for the program as is Crain’s Cleveland ��
David J. Irwin has been named chief Business. ��
operating officer of Gilbert’s Insurance ��
& Consulting, Sharon, Pa. Bradley W. Wendy Kitchen has joined the staff ��
Mantzell has been named vice presi- of Aebischer’s Jewelry, Poland, as a ��
dent. customer service representative. ��
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The Home Savings Charitable Foundation presents a $60,000 check to the United Way
of Youngstown/Mahoning Valley. From left are Patrick Bevack, president and CEO, Home
Savings; Jeff Grdic, downtown branch sales manager; Sue Stricklin, vice president of ��
marketing; Darlene Pavlock, executive director, Home Savings Charitable Foundation; and ��
Bob Hannon, chief professional officer of United Way. “Recognizing the need is greater
than ever,” Pavlock said, “we’re especially proud to provide funding with which United Way
can assist many worthwhile nonprofit organizations in our Valley.” ��
Briarfield Manor Unveils $1 Million Expansion

By Dan O’Brien
B riarfield Manor, Austintown, presented a new,

3,200-square-foot gym and fitness wing Oct.
26 that stands to enhance the rehabilitation
of the Austintown skilled-nursing center’s residents
and other patients, principals say.
Briarfield administrator Diane Reese, noting a
22% increase in demand, said the project was nec-
essary because of the growing need for short-term
rehab services. “We’ve added 18 new skilled-nursing
beds here,” she reported, for a total of 116 beds.
“Over the years we were unable to admit all of the
people who needed or wanted long-term care in our
center because we just did not have available beds,”
Reese said. And, the former fitness room wasn’t large
enough to accommodate growth.
Another 36 beds are in the assisted living center
at the campus.
A.P. O’Horo Co. of Liberty served as the general
contractor while Strollo Architects of Youngstown
designed the gym.
The center is equipped with the latest exercise
equipment, such as free weights, an upper-body Diane and Ed Reese say demand for short-term rehabilitation has increased 22% at Briarfield Manor in Austintown.
stationary bicycle on which rehab patients can ex- ing a shopping cart, retrieving items from shelves [because of the expansion].”
ercise their arms, a walking path outdoors, and Wii and doing laundry. State budget cuts in Medicaid reimbursements
Fit. The video-game system combines exercise with Ground was broken in March, noted Reese’s haven’t helped nursing homes across Ohio, Ed
eye-hand coordination on a large screen. husband, Ed, a Briarfield principal. He said the total Reese added. For example, nursing homes are now
Other rehab activities include areas designed to investment should approach $1 million. responsible for paying for over-the-counter medi-
mirror home and community settings that allow “We have about 150 employees at this location,” cations such as aspirin, transportation and oxygen
patients to practice routine activities such as push- he said. “We’ll probably have to hire a few more supplies for their residents.
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services is one of the nation’s leaders in workers’ compensation
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insurance. You might be paying too much for workers’ compensation coverage, even in ��
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� Employees being misclassified
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Contact us to discuss your workers’ compensation coverage needs.
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Building
BY JEFFREY GITOMER
Sales Savvy
Are You Using Power for Our
Of First Impression? Future
Y
ou have the meeting. The impression and their credibility. In
CEO has agreed to give you 30 short, they are giving up their edge,
minutes. Do you honestly think their wow.
the CEO wants to hear you rant for I don’t get it.
The new LEED-certified
30 minutes? What are you willing to change,
First, he or she will most likely de- so that when you do get that CEO Williamson College of
cide in five minutes or less if he wants meeting you are ready to make a great Business Administration building
to do business with you. Second, first impression, a differentiating first is scheduled for completion Fall 2010
whatever you’re selling, chances are impression, and earn a sale?
he already knows Here are a few
about it. Your literature is self-serv- things you can do
Now is the time ing, and your business card is that will help:
to prepare a greet- • Change your � ��
ing, an opening
somewhere between a joke and title. Make it fun,
exchange, and 10 embarrassing. but serious. Profit
killer questions Producer. Produc-
that separate you from the competi- tivity Expert. Creator of Great Ideas.
tion. Are you going to give the CEO • Print your own card. Can’t be any
your business card? Or worse, your worse than the one you’re carrying.
literature? Use both cards – one for image and
You probably believe you have the one to prove creativity.
best product or service in the market • Bring a fun idea. One that helps
– now tell me your business card is the your prospect.
best you have ever seen. And that your • Bring a fun book. Seuss-isms. A
literature is the same: best. small book about the big wisdom of
Yeah, right. Your literature is self- Dr. Seuss.
serving, and your business card is • Bring a short classic book. A
somewhere between a joke and em- thought book. One that makes the
barrassing. Certainly not best. CEO think about himself and thank
History: I have asked 500 audiences you. The best source for these types of
the question, “Which do you think is books is ExecutiveBooks.com
a more powerful way for me to make • Write a white paper on safety, all
a first impression: with my business industry, productivity or leadership.
card or an autographed copy of one This will take time and hard work
of my books?” They unanimously an- – that’s why most salespeople won’t
swer, “With your book.” (And keep in do it. But every CEO will appreciate it,
mind I have a great business card.) and read it. Make sure you autograph
Then I ask, “Which do you think is it as you present it.
a more powerful way for me to make • Bring an idea for improving or
a business first impression: with my enhancing your prospect’s business.
brochure or an autographed copy of This takes time, research and creativ-
one of my books?” They unanimously ity, but it will get you in the door, and
answer, “With your book.” keep you there.
Then that same audience goes out Caution: One of the biggest mis-
the next day and all introduce them- takes salespeople make is “waiting”
selves with a business card and a bro- for someone else to give you sales
chure. I have given them the answer tools. No, that’s not how great sales
to a powerful business introduction, are made. That’s not how you engage
and they don’t change a thing. a CEO. Great impressions are made,
In their minds they think, “I great sales are made – and made often
haven’t written a book,” or “What – with tools you give it to yourself.
would I write a book about?” Or they Got tools?
think, “This is what my company
gave me, and I’ll wait until they give Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Sales Bible,
me something else,” and drop the conducts seminars, sales meetings and
thought, even though it would make training programs. Reach him at 704 333
an incredible impact on their first 1112 or at [email protected].
HealthUpdate
We Are What We Eat
Good nutrition is essential to optimum health.
By Maraline Kubik may not be able to afford it,” Fox says,
“but they can afford fish oil capsules.”
T
he old adage “An ounce of Flax and hemp are also good sources
prevention is worth a pound of omega-3 fatty acids, she adds.
of cure,” is hitting home with Many customers are also interested
shoppers at the area’s health food in alternatives to over-the-counter
centers. medications, and cosmetics, health
While some customers are in and beauty aids that don’t include
search of foods that won’t aggrevate hazardous chemicals.
food allergies, many others are look- Health Food Center of Youngstown
ing for more healthful alternatives carries a complete line of products
to what they find in all three areas:
on the shelves in “People want to stay healthy. groceries, supple-
supermarkets. They’re tired of feeling crum- ments and health
Consumers are and beauty, Fox
more aware of the my,” Fox says, and they recog- says, estimating
hazards to their nize that what they eat has a that sales and floor
health that pesti- direct effect on how they feel. space are evenly
cides, herbicides, divided among the
antibiotics and growth hormones three areas.
commonly found in the food supply Many consumers are also con-
pose, says Nancy Fox, who owns cerned about the safety of their water,
Health Food Center of Youngstown. says Evelyn Wise, president of Living
Her parents, Cyril and Jane Nick- Naturally Health Markets in Board-
oloff founded the store in November man and Niles.
1947. Fox and her husband, Ed, Wise opened her first health food/
moved it to Boardman in 2003. supplement store, La Vie Naturelle, in
Among the most popular items Hubbard in 1980.
in her store are cleaners that remove Some chemicals in treated water are
chemical residue from fresh fruits and poisonous in high concentrations, and
vegetables, “functional foods” that chemicals from the plastic can leach
provide vitamins, nutrients and fiber into bottled water, Wise says. “So a lot
that are lacking in most Americans’ of people are interested in these,” she
diets, and low-glycemic and gluten- says, pointing to a selection of BPA- Evelyn Wise, president of Living Naturally Health Markets in Boardman and Niles, displays a
free products suitable for diabetics, free water bottles. BPA – bisphenol popular product she says her customers buy “to detoxify.”
individuals who are sensitive to sugar A – is an industrial chemical used to Living Naturally also carries a gentina where use of the genetically en-
and those with allergies to wheat. make plastic and epoxy resins that can selection of showerheads that filter gineered hormone is prohibited, Wise
“People want to stay healthy. leach into water or food from the con- impurities from tap water which, if not says. Use of the growth hormone is also
They’re tired of feeling crummy,” Fox tainers they’re stored in as the plastic filtered, could be absorbed through banned in Canada and Europe.
says, and they recognize that what breaks down, the result of exposure to the skin or inhaled during a steamy Many of Wise’s customers are also
they eat has a direct effect on how extreme or fluctuating temperatures. shower. concerned about GMOs (genetically
they feel. She estimates that 75% of Distilled water is the only water As for healthful foods, Wise says modified organisms) that are engi-
her customers come in looking to that is truly pure, because all water her stores may be best known for neered into corn, soybean and other
improve their diets and start slowly, contains some minerals, Wise says. their large selections of bulk items. crops and end up in everything from
maybe buying one thing that is a more Drinking distilled water, however, Living Naturally carries more than cereal, bread and pasta to nutrition
healthful alternative to what they’re may not be the best alternative be- 250 bulk food items, everything from bars, dairy products and beverages.
used to consuming, and it grows from cause it could draw vital minerals out nuts, specialty flours, seeds and snack “If they genetically engineer corn
there. of the body. So, Wise says, she recom- mixes to butter and cheese that are so that it contains a poison that kills
Interest in preventing illness mends that those concerned about free of bovine growth hormone. Bo- pests, how can it be safe for us?” Wise
through healthful diets and healthier the safety of their drinking water use vine growth hormone, given to cows asks.
lifestyles is growing, she says, as is distillers with coral calcium filters that to increase milk production, has been Americans’ busy, profit-driven life-
interest in supplements – people know reintroduce minerals into the water linked to both breast and prostate styles have a negative effect on what
that fatty fish such as salmon is a good after it has been distilled. cancer in humans, Wise reports, but we consume too, she says. Wheat is
source of omega-3 fatty acids, which A model capable of distilling and is widely available to dairy farmers in more profitable for farmers to grow
are essential to good health but cannot remineralizing 10 gallons of water a the United States. and less expensive for consumers to
be produced by the human body. They day costs about $3,000, reports Rich The hormone-free bulk cheese buy than products made from other
may not eat salmon regularly, “or they Eagle, Wise’s partner since 2000. available in her stores comes from Ar- See HEALTH FOOD, page 50
��
��
Health Food: We Are What We Eat
From Page 49 Health food markets are not the
��
grains, Wise explains. As a result, only retailers cashing in on the grow-
�� 55% of the American diet consists of ing demand for minimally processed,
��
wheat and dairy. Not only are those natural and organic foods. The trend
among the top four foods that elicit has the attention of large grocery
allergic reactions – corn and soy are chains too.
the others – the gluten in wheat can In 2004, Giant Eagle launched
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 17th @ 4:00PM cause problems with digestion and the
elimination of waste.
its Nature’s Basket line of corporate
brand products “to provide custom-
�� “All that stuff sticks like glue in
your gut,” Wise says. That increases
ers healthful value alternatives in the
categories of milk, soy milk, cage-
��
�� the levels of toxins in the body, which free and organic eggs, cereal, cereal
�� in turn, contribute to diabetes, high bars, corn chips, deli meats and baby
�� cholesterol, heart conditions and food,” reports Erik Yorke, Giant Eagle
�� other health problems, she explains. spokesman.
��
�� “We dig our graves with our teeth.” “Rather than seeking out specialty
�� Younger people, especially, are retailers that feature only a special-
��
�� becoming more aware of the con- ized selection of niche foods, savvy,
�� nection between diet and health and health-conscious consumers are in-
��
more people than ever are interested creasingly looking for natural and
in detoxifying. Detoxifying rids the organic options when making regular
body of chemicals that accumulate in food purchases at local supermarkets,”
the body as the result of consuming Yorke explains. “Giant Eagle has con-
processed foods, Wise says. sistently offered and enhanced its wide
While minimally processed, or- variety of these products and has seen
�� ganic and free-range foods are often steady growth in the category.”
�� priced higher than their mass-pro- Among the fresh produce offerings
duced counterparts, Wise says that available at Giant Eagle stores – pend-
�� eating more healthful foods costs less ing the availability of space – are 34
�� “if you factor in medical expenses and fruits and 71 vegetables, including
��
the costs of stress” that result from eat- bagged salad, Yorke reports. Some
��
ing poorly. “You have to eat healthy to stores also carry organic beef and
have optimum health,” she stresses. poultry, snacks, cereals, teas, juices,
In addition to a full line of dry soy and rice beverages, dried fruit,
goods, supplements and health and granola, nutrition bars, baby food, deli
beauty items, Living Naturally mar- meats, health and beauty items, paper
kets offer refrigerated and frozen and cleaning products.
items, including organic frozen baby In the last year, Yorke says, “Nearly
food and locally produced organic half of all Giant Eagle customers have
beef, fresh organic produce, juice purchased a natural or organic item
and cider. throughout the store.”
Carolyn Brozic, sales associate at Health Food Center of Youngstown, holds some of her favorite
healthful items – açai whole juice concentrate, an omega berry supplement and snack mix.
Dr. Mohammad Shayesteh says obesity is the foundation for “almost every chronic disease.” Marcia Levy, registered dietitian, says parents must teach their children to eat healthfully.
Obesity Is More than Being Overweight

Heart disease, diabetes body from processing sugar properly,
causing the kidneys to produce more
from getting to the point where they
need medications to control high
But some people don’t. They’re just
not used to eating that way.”
and other illnesses are insulin. So, the person ends up with
too much insulin in his circulatory
blood pressure. Not needing to take
these medicines will save parents
Parents must also encourage their
kids to go outside and get exercise,
linked to obesity. system, Shayesteh says. New research
shows high levels of insulin cause
money immediately and the children
medical bills when they become
Levy says, but as much as it’s their
primary responsibility, schools also
By Jeremy Lydic inflammation in the brain, he says, adults, he says. have a role. Levy would like to see
which leads to the production of a “Dialyzing a diabetic patient every more nutrition classes offered when
N
utritionists and dietitians sticky protein called amyloids that week costs $10,000 [a year],” Shayes- students can learn about the four food
believe the reason ailments form plaque in the brain. teh says. “We do not spend $10 to groups and the benefits of exercise.
such as diabetes, high blood “That’s the No. 1 cause of Alzheim- teach that diabetic patient not to reach “In the school system, I don’t think
pressure and heart disease are on the er’s disease,” Shayesteh says. that level of dialysis. That is the failure they really teach too much nutrition,”
rise is because the health care industry When a man’s waist exceeds 40 of the health care system.” Levy says. “And that’s really where
is more concerned with treating the inches, he is considered obese and Having a healthful diet is about that could start.”
symptom – obesity – rather than the at greater risk for prostate and colon making good choices, he says. Moni- Having a nutritionist assess stu-
causes of these ailments. cancer, Shayesteh says. For women, toring one’s intake of calories, watch- dents’ lifestyles is one step in putting
Two-thirds of adults in the United the benchmark is 35 inches. Most of ing the size of one’s portions and people on the track to prevent chronic
States are overweight, some morbidly a woman’s fat stays in her lower body ordering smart when eating out is diseases, Levy says. When she received
obese; 24 million suffer from Type 1 when she’s young, key, he says, as is her baccalaureate in diet and nutrition
or Type 2 diabetes and another 57 but moves up af- engaging in daily at Youngstown State University and
million are prediabetic, says Dr. Mo- ter menopause, he ‘You cannot wait to have a physical activity. worked on her master’s at Penn State
hammad Shayesteh, a board certified says. Because fat heart attack to change your A true diet isn’t a University, Levy was an intern at
nutritionist and diabetes educator. stores estrogen, life,’ Shayesteh says. ‘Most program, he says, Northside Hospital. The people she
In Ohio, 27.7% of adults struggle when the fat moves people think that obesity is but a lifestyle. saw there had heart disease and high
with obesity, which is above the up “it puts them “And it has blood pressure, “so me counseling
national average. Shayesteh, who at a significantly just a pants-size issue. It’s not. nothing to do with them was really a little bit too late,”
practices in Boardman, says the health higher risk for Obesity is truly the foundation occasion, or loca- she says. “If I was able to see them be-
care system is failing because “we breast cancer.” for almost every chronic disease tion, or vacation or forehand, they may never have gotten
have a sick-care system” that focuses Children aren’t situation,” Shayes- to that point,” Levy says. “That’s when
on treatment instead of prevention. immune to the
we have.’ teh says. “What- I went into private practice.”
The first step in solving these health epidemic of obe- ever goes into our Levy opened her practice, based in
issues, he says, is educating the public sity. More than 30% of children are mouth, we make that choice.” Girard, in 1987. Levy puts together a
on what a healthful lifestyle is. overweight or obese with some 12 Parents must assume an aggressive patient’s meal plan based on diet and
“You cannot wait to have a heart million suffering from severe obesity, role in their children’s health, says activity, and while “no plan is 100%
attack to change your life,” Shayesteh Shayesteh says. Because of diabetes, he Marcia Levy, registered dietitian and foolproof,” she says, most patients
says. “Most people think that obesity says, for the first time in the nation’s nutritionist. Until kids are old enough lose weight when given guidance.
is just a pants-size issue. It’s not. Obe- history, children will not live as long to buy their own groceries, it’s the par- “Usually, they come back every week
sity is truly the foundation for almost as their parents. If a child is obese by ents’ responsibility to keep healthful because they know they have to be
every chronic disease we have.” 20, it cuts as much as 15 years off his foods on hand, she says. That means accountable to me,” Levy says.
Belly fat contributes most to obe- life expectancy. buying fruits and vegetables instead Levy charges $89 the first session,
sity and related issues, Shayesteh says. Before things can get better, Shayes- of salty chips and candy bars. which lasts 90 minutes. The second
The liver uses belly fat to create 85% teh says, misconceptions about nutri- “I’m amazed at how many people session, which runs a half-hour, is
of the cholesterol in blood and can tion need to be cleared up through do not eat fruit,” Levy says. “I’m just $39, and each visit thereafter is $12.
cause other vital organs to function education. Teaching nutrition at an taking it for granted that everybody If a patient loses half a pound a week,
improperly. Such fat also inhibits the early age could prevent most children has at least one piece of fruit a day. the $12 visits are reduced to $8.
Legal Listings
Business Bankruptcies
CHAPTER 7 09-44050 Liberty Holding Group LLC, 132
��
09-44169 Pearl China Inc., 2474 Dresden Manchester Ave., Youngstown 44509. Nature of
Ave., East Liverpool 43920. Total Assets: Business: Land holding company. Total Assets:
$102,900. Total Liabilities: $222,377.84. $125,000. Total Liabilities: $468,348.52.
New Ohio Incorporations

Hoima Anesthesia Inc., Vienna. Incorporator: Lynkirk Christian Preschool & Day Care,
�� Stanley K. Lubinua. Filed by: Hoima Anesthe-
sia, 1804 Avalon Creek Blvd., Vienna 44473.
Austintown. Incorporator: Stephanie Easton.
Filed by: Michael L. Hoza, 211 S. Main St.,
�� Agent: Stanley K. Lubinua, 1804 Avalon Poland 44514. Agent: Stephanie Easton,
� �� Creek Blvd., Vienna 44473. 4199 Kirk Road, Youngstown 44511.
��
� �� Newbold Technology Apprenticeship Cen- The Thomas and Le Eva Kaleel Family
� �� ters, East Liverpool. Incorporator: Craig Foundation Inc., Canfield. Incorporators:
Newbold. Filed by: John F. Rasnick, 388 S. Thomas Kaleel, Le Eva Kaleel. Filed by: The
�� Alpern Law Firm, 103 W. Market St., Warren
Main St., Suite 402, Akron 44311. Agent:
� ��
�� Craig Newbold, 114 W. Fifth St., East Liver- 44482. Agent: Thomas Kaleel, 4445 St.
� pool 43920. Angela Place, Canfield 44406.
�
�
Africa Health and Hope Inc., Canfield. Incor-

Newbold Life Skill Center, East Liverpool. porator: Charles Perkins. Filed by: Charles
Incorporator: Craig Newbold. Filed by: John F. Perkins, 4870 Warwick Drive South, Canfield
Rasnick, 388 S. Main St., Suite 402, Akron 44406. Agent: Same.
44311. Agent: Craig Newbold, 114 W. Fifth
�� St., East Liverpool 43920. Mosquito Lake Dog Park Friends, Cortland.
Incorporator: Cathy Abruzzo. Filed by: Mos-
��
�� Newbold Classical PK-12 Education Cen- quito Lake Dog Park Friends, 288 Hunters
ters, East Liverpool. Incorporator: Craig Hollow, Warren 44484. Agent: Cathy Abruzzo,
��
�� Newbold. Filed by: John F. Rasnick, 388 S. 288 Hunters Hollow, Warren 44484.
�� Main St., Suite 402, Akron 44311. Agent:
Craig Newbold, 114 W. Fifth St., East Liver- Trumbull Senior Production Co., Cortland.
pool 43920. Incorporator: Jason C. Burgermyer. Filed by:
Jason C. Burgermyer, 769 state Route 305,
Huntington Ridge Phase II Condominium Cortland 44410. Agent: Lois M. Hovance,
Home Owners Association Inc., Canfield. 918 Mayflower St., Warren 44483.
Incorporator: Randy D. Walter. Filed by: Art Outreach Gallery Inc., Niles. Incorpora-
Daniel J. Mumaw, 7178 West Blvd., Suite 6, tors: Gail Stark, Esther Gartland, Molly Hal-
Youngstown 44512. Agent: Randy D. Walter, liday. Filed by: Attorneys Bluedorn & Ohlin
6600 Seville Drive #1, Canfield 44406. LLC, 144 N. Park Ave., Suite 310, Warren
44481. Agent: Gail Stark, 847 Elm Road NE,
New Life International Fellowship of Minis- Warren 44483.
tries Inc., Youngstown. Incorporators: Bishop
Raheem Kaleef-Ali, Bishop Milton Poole Jr. Mineral Ridge Historical Society Inc.,
Filed by: New Life Pentecost Temple Inc., Mineral Ridge. Incorporator: Joshua M. Gar-
2662 Volney Road, Youngstown 44511. ris. Filed by: Joshua M. Garris Ltd., 197 W.
Agent: Bishop Raheem Kaleef-Ali, 2662 Market St., Suite 200, Warren 44481. Agent:
Volney Road, Youngstown 44511. Joshua M. Garris, same.
Ohio Fictitious Names

Editor’s Note: A fictitious business name is J.D. Byrider of Alliance, R&M Auto Group Inc.,
the name under which a company conducts 2122 W. State St., Alliance 44601.
business but which is not the legal name of
the owner or of the corporation as indicated Moore and More Books, Cassandra Moore,
in its articles of incorporation. 7544 Market St. B 4-03, Youngstown
44512.
J&G Business Services, Joyce A. McClay,
5760 Rosewood Drive, Youngstown 44512. Buckeye Travel Biz, Robyn A. Caruso, 1876
S. Bandy Road, Alliance 44601.
Mary Catherine’s Formals, Cathy L. Palm,
16051 Irish Bridge Road, Calcutta 43920. Irena’s Studio, Irena Waksmundzki, 6510
Woodridge Way, Warren 44481.
Green Earth Tree Care and Preservation,
James Ryan Brammer, 6636 Struthers Road, Lawrence Farms Trucking, Charles G.
Poland 44514. Lawrence III, 11698 Ellsworth Road, North
Jackson 44451.
Center for Fertility and Reproductive Endo-
crinology – West, University of Pittsburgh Mouse in the House, Dana J. Reed, 725 Bane
Physicians, 900 Sahara Trail, Youngstown St. SW, Warren 44485.
44514.
Edible Arrangements, Robinson Edible Dynamic Sound and Vision, Charles V.
�� LLC, 1112 Drake View Court, North Lima Kountz, 310 Crimson Circle, Campbell
�� 44452. 44405.
Miracle Mulching, Jeremy A. Giardina, 291 Community EMS Association, Josh Wilde,
Portal Drive, Cortland 44410. 10804 Forst St., Garrettsville 44231.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

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YMCA
Both the Downtown Central FAMILY
Y Y
The YMCA of Youngstown McClurg Rd.,
Champion St., Downtown
has programs and The Davis Family Y
for every member of the family. Your 330-747-YMCA
YMCA Membership 330-744-8411 in Boardman! w
Why Not Join Today? Gives You Access to
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Both the Downtown Central Y 330-747-YMCA 330-48
www.youngstownymca.org
RTI Loses $8.7M in Quarter Farmers Earns $1.56 Million

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 3 – RTI International Metals www.BusinessJournalDaily.com CANFIELD, Nov. 2 – Farmers National Banc Corp.
Inc. posts a net loss of $8.7 million, or 35 cents per
share, for the quarter ending Sept. 30 mainly because
of charges related to debt repayments, tax expenses
and delays on a major aerospace project by Boeing,
OnlineDatelines reports net income of $1.56 million, or 12 cents per
share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30. The company
also announced that its assets hit $1 billion for the
first time in its history, reaching $1.02 billion.
the company said. Third-quarter earnings were a little less than the
“We do not expect to post a profit in 2009,” RTI’s $1.66 million earned during the second quarter,
CEO, Dawne Hickton, told analysts. which also translated to 12 cents per share, but more
During the third quarter of 2008, RTI posted net than the $999,000 or 8 cents a share for the quarter
income of $11.8 million, or 42 cents per share. ended Sept. 30, 2008.
For the nine months ending Sept. 30, RTI lost For the nine months ended Sept. 30, net income
$10 million, or 42 cents per share, compared to net was $4.9 million, or 37 cents per share, a 15.3%
income of $52.1 million, or $2.26 per share, in the gain over the same period a year ago when Farmers
first nine months of 2008. reported $4.26 million, or 33 cents per share.
Valley Jobless Rate Drops In a prepared statement, the chairman and CEO
Business Climate Ranks 4th YOUNGSTOWN, Oct. 29 – The Mahoning Valley’s un- of Farmers, Frank L. Paden, said, “Our third-quarter
COLUMBUS, Nov. 3 – Ohio ranks fourth for its busi- employment rate remained the highest among Ohio’s performance reflects continued growth in our core
ness climate this year, up from seventh place in 2008 13 metropolitan areas in September, despite falling by loan portfolios and deposits in spite of a clearly very
on Site Selection magazine’s annual report. nearly a whole percentage point from August. challenging economic environment. Year-over-year,
Ohio leads the Midwest region, and the higher The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics put the core commercial and retail lending portfolios in-
ranking reflects efforts to improve the business en- Youngstown-Warren-Boardman Metropolitan Statis- creased 15% and total deposits increased 14%.
vironment and create jobs, the magazine noted. tical Area’s unemployment rate at 12.4%, just above
the 12.2% rate recorded for the Weirton-Steubenville New Officers at Penn-Northwest
Traficant’s New Job: Columnist MSA. Ohio’s unemployment rate during September SHARON, Pa., Nov. 2 – Penn-Northwest Develop-
YOUNGSTOWN, Nov. 2 – American Free Press, a was 9.7%. Among the state’s metros, the Columbus ment Corp. elected new officers at its annual meeting
weekly publication that promotes itself as “America’s MSA posted the lowest rate, 8.2%. Oct. 30 at the Penn State Shenango campus.
last real newspaper” has a new columnist – Jim In all, seven of Ohio’s MSAs had unemployment The slate includes Kenneth Faulconbridge,
Traficant. His first column is titled “Quarterback, rates higher than 10%, and were among 117 metros Northwest Savings Bank, chairman; Lew Kachulis,
Congressman – and Now a Convict.” nationwide above 10% jobless. Gilberts Insurance and Consulting, and Ken Am-
Traficant writes that he “read[s] the mainstream Among the 13 areas with jobless rates of at least mann, Mercer County commissioner, vice chairmen;
print medium with much skepticism. Quite frankly, 15%, five were in California and three in Michigan. Robert Wilson, Roll Forming, secretary; John Mas-
I don’t trust the major newspapers. I do not believe Bismarck, N.D., registered the lowest September trian, Strimbu Memorial Fund, treasurer; and Tony
their propaganda.” unemployment rate, 2.9%. Zucco, Penn Power, assistant secretary/treasurer.
INDUSTRIAL SITES HELP WANTED
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RealEstateMarket Compiled by
Mark Heschmeyer
Trumbull County’s Largest Transactions

Address Buyer Sale Amount Seller Sale Date
5185 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles Cafaro Leasing Co. Ltd. $2,200,125 Hanover Niles LLC 10/2/09
8925 South St., Howland Donald J. & Suzanne M. Smith $461,000 Valerio & Jeanette Ciancetta 9/23/09
995 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles Believers Christian Fellowship $391,000 Young Men’s Christian Association 9/25/09
2768 S. Fox North Road, Hubbard Patrick H. & Diana S. McCollum $300,000 Eugene & Carolyn Eliser 10/13/09
141 W. Market St., Warren Mahoning Valley Properties Specialist LLC $200,000 Warren Redevelopment & Planning Corp. 10/22/09
7835 Elm St., Masury First Inc. $120,000 Amanto P. & Florence D’Amore 9/18/09
Featured Property A year after acquiring it, Hanover Real Estate Part- – a one-year profit of $400,125.
5851 Youngstown-Warren ners has sold the West Corp. Call Center building that Cafaro Leasing Co. Ltd. of Youngstown was the buyer;
Road, Niles sits on more than 11 acres adjacent to the Eastwood the company also owns the Eastwood Mall and surround-
Buyer: Cafaro Leasing complex in Niles. ing retail complex.
Co. Ltd. Hanover, based in Greenwich, Conn., acquired the West Corp., based in Omaha, opened the Niles
Seller: Hanover Niles LLC 72,195-square-foot building in August 2008 for $1.8 call center in 2004 and employs 1,200 people at the
million or about $25 per square foot. It sold the building center. The company renewed its lease at the site in
Sale Amount: $2,200,125 in September for $2,200,125 ($30.50 per square foot) September.
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November 6,
2009 Auto Loan Rates
�� CONSUMERS NATIONAL BANK – Salem FIRST PLACE BANK – Boardman
��
Up to 60 Mos. 5.75 - 16.50 Up to 60 Mos. 8.00
10% Down
Rate varies based on applicant’s credit rating
CORTLAND BANKS – Cortland HOME SAVINGS – Youngstown

Up to 60 Mos. 7.74
Up to 60 Mos. 6.75
Up to 66 Mos. 8.24
Up to 72 Mos. 6.75 10% Down
� ��

��
��
E.S.B. BANK – Ellwood City
Up to 60 Mos.
Up to 72 Mos.
7.65
8.65
HUNTINGTON BANK – Youngstown
Up to 60 Mos. 5.99
�� FARMERS NATIONAL BANK – Canfield KEYBANK – Youngstown

Up to 60 Mos. 6.40 Up to 66 Mos. 6.99
Up to 72 Mos. 6.94 Down: Varies
�� PNC BANK – Sharon
FIRST MERIT BANK – New Castle
� �� Up to 66 Mos. 7.24
Up to 48 Mos. 5.50-12.50
10% Down
� �� PNC BANK – Youngstown
� �� FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PA. – Hermitage Up to 66 Mos. 7.00 - 13.00
Up to 60 Mos. 7.85
�� Up to 66 Mos. 7.85
�� 1ST NATIONAL COMMUNITY – East Liverpool

US BANK (formerly Firstar Bank) – Boardman
Up to 48 Mos. 4.50
�� Up to 60 Mos. 6.00 - 11.75
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of The Business Journal compilations. The rates are subject to change without notice. All rate
�� information should be confirmed with the individual financial institution before entering into transactions. © 2009 Youngstown Publishing Co.
� ��
� ��
� ��
Home Sales Drop in September
� �� Only Columbiana County sees Mahoning’s September total was down from $19.7
�� increase in average sale price. million in August while Trumbull’s total for the pre-
ceeding month was $10.3 million and Columbiana’s
H
�� ome sales in Mahoning, Trumbull and August total was $4.6 million.
Columbiana counties were all down in The average selling price in Mahoning County was
September from a year ago, reports the $89,774 in September, down from $99,832 in August
�� Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors. and $101,936 from a year ago. Trumbull County’s
In terms of raw numbers, Mahoning County’s average selling price was $76,650, compared with
� �� sales of houses saw the steepest drop, with 174 $78,307 in August and $90,112 in September 2008.
�� sold in September, down 15 from 189 in September The average selling price in Columbiana County for
2008. September was $81,886, up from $79,097 the previ-
� �� Measured by percentages, Trumbull County’s ous month and $75,799 a year ago.
� �� drop was the steepest, with 132 houses sold in Until housing gets back on its feet, the U.S. econ-
September, down from 145 in September 2008, a omy will not fully recover, says the Home Builders/
�� decrease of nearly 9%. Remodelers Association of Mahoning Valley. That is
�� Columbiana County’s sales fell by a modest two because of the broad expenditures related to hous-
units over the year, 62 in September compared with ing labor, materials and services. In 2005 housing
64 in September 2008. accounted for nearly 5% of gross domestic product,
September sales in both Trumbull and Colum- a figure that dropped by one point in 2008.
biana counties were up slightly from August, while For every 100 houses started in most U.S. mar-
Mahoning’s sales were down. In August, Trumbull kets, the trade group reports, $16 million was gener-
recorded 131 sold while 58 were sold in Columbiana. ated for the local economy.
In Mahoning, 174 homes sold in September, down Between 2005 and 2008, $48 million was lost
from 197 in August. in Mahoning County and $24 million in Trumbull
Sales for September totaled $15.6 million in County, the HBA estimates. Similarly, based on the
Mahoning County and $10.1 million in Trumbull calculation that 100 new housing starts will generate
County, both down from a year ago, when the coun- an average of 284 local jobs, an estimated 744 jobs
ties posted total sales of $19.3 million, a nearly were lost in Mahoning and 426 in Trumbull during
�� 19% drop, and $13.1 million, for a 22% decrease, the same period.
respectively.
�� Columbiana County’s $5.1 million in sales for the What’s the Buzz? BusinessJournalDaily Buzz daily newscast
month was up from $4.9 million in September 2008. coming soon to BusinessJournalDaily.com and your in-box.
November 6,
2009 Mortgage Rates ��
��
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��
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TYPE TERM RATE, 2-Wk Trend FEES ��

��
AMERISTATE BANCORP INC. FHA/VA 0% Down 30 Yr. 5.00 — 0+costs ��
Boardman Fixed 3% Down 30 Yr. 5.00 — 0+costs ��
��
CHARTER ONE BANK Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.50 — 0+costs ��
Boardman Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs ��
��
��
CONSUMERS NATIONAL BANK Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.50 — 0+costs
��
��
Salem Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs

��
��
CORTLAND BANKS Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.50  0+costs ��

Cortland Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs
DOLLAR BANK MORTGAGE CENTER ARM 5% Down 5 Yr. 4.125  0+costs ��
Cleveland Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.00  0+costs
E.S.B. BANK Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.50  0+costs

Ellwood City, Pa. Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.25  0+costs
��
FARMERS NATIONAL BANK Fixed 20% Down 15 Yr. 4.75 — 0+costs
Canfield Fixed 20% Down 20 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs
��
��
FIRST MERIT BANK Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.50 — 0+costs ��

New Castle/Boardman Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs
��
4.375 
��
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PA Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 0+costs
��
Youngstown, Ohio Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs
��
��
Arrows tell whether rates rose or fell since last issue. Dashes indicate “unchanged.” ��
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City Title Company

R E A L E S TAT E T I T L E I N S U R A N C E
November 6,
2009 Mortgage Rates
ESCROWS FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TYPE TERM RATE, 2-Wk Trend FEES
RESIDENTIAL 1ST NATIONAL COMMUNITY FHA 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.375  0+costs

East Liverpool Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.375 — 0+costs
COMMERCIAL
FIRST PLACE BANK Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.375  0+costs
Visit our Web site and order services online! Boardman Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs
www.citytitleco.com FLAGSTAR BANK Fixed 0% Down 15 Yr. 4.875  0+costs
Atty. Donald P. Leone Beechwood Fixed 0% Down 30 Yr. 5.00 — 0+costs
5361 Market St. Youngstown, OH 44512 HOME FEDERAL Fixed 20% Down 15 Yr. 6.00 — 0+costs
(330) 782-8810 Fax: (330) 782-8819 Niles
HOME SAVINGS Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.375 — 0+costs
Youngstown Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 4.99 — 0+costs
�� HOWARD HANNA FINANCIAL

Pittsburgh
Fixed
Fixed
5% Down
5% Down
15 Yr.
30 Yr.
4.50 —
5.125 —
0+costs
0+costs
�� HUNTINGTON BANK

Youngstown
Fixed
Fixed
3% Down
5% Down
15 Yr.
30 Yr.
4.375 
5.00 
0+costs
0+costs
KEYBANK Fixed 20% Down 15 Yr. 5.00  0+costs
Youngstown Fixed 20% Down 30 Yr. 5.25 — 0+costs
��
PNC BANK FHA 3% Down 30 Yr. 5.00  1+costs
��
�� Youngstown Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125 — 0+costs
WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE FHA 3% Down 30 Yr. 5.25  0+costs

Boardman (Formerly Norwest Mortgage) Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.125  0+costs
US BANK Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 5.77 — 0+costs

Boardman (Formerly Firstar Bank) Fixed 5% Down 30 Yr. 5.44 — 1+costs
�� © 2009 Youngstown Publishing Co. All rights reserved. *Private Mortgage Insurance because less than 20% down.
First Place Sees Way Out of the Forest

Don’t blame community banks ceased extending credit to their customers that pose into four sectors: commercial banking, mortgage
for last year’s near financial the most risk.
Cut off, these businesses turn to other banks that
banking, retail banking and wealth management.
By realigning its operations, Lewis said, First
meltdown, CEO tells shareholders. see the same hazards as the banks that decided they
no longer want these commercial customers.
Place has gained better control, improved consis-
tency, reduced complexity, reduced risk and im-
As for those who have lost their jobs and are proved efficiency.
By Dennis LaRue
struggling to pay their mortgages, Lewis said, Since announcing it would give away the first
VIENNA TOWNSHIP, Ohio – First Place Financial “When there’s no income three Cruzes that come
Corp. would like to be better understood, its presi- stream, you can modify a In a sea of misinformation compounded by off the General Motors
loan all you want and it
dent and CEO, Steven R. Lewis told shareholders
gathered Oct. 29 for the company’s annual meeting means nothing. Look, the
careless reporting in the financial media, Co. assembly line at Lord-
stown next year, foot traf-
at the Squaw Creek Golf Club. last thing I want to do is community banks find it hard to get their fic in First Place offices
In a sea of misinformation compounded by care- take a house back.” The story across, Lewis suggested. here and in Michigan has
less reporting in the financial media, community expense of foreclosure, increased substantially,
banks find it hard to get their story across, Lewis sug- repossession, and making the house presentable for Lewis said. Interest is high in Michigan because the
gested, and find themselves lumped together with sale always exceeds the sale price First Place gets, engines in the Cruzes will be built in Flint.
banks deemed too big to fail and institutions that he explained. Much of the credit for an increase of 423 house-
aren’t banks, such as AIG and GMAC, as responsible The CEO told shareholders that the rate of fore- hold accounts and 179 business checking accounts
for the financial hardships many Americans face. closures has slowed and, in the quarter ended Sept. the quarter ended Sept. 30 can be traced to the
It’s the lightly regulated or unregulated financial 30, First Place sold more real estate owned (as bank- company’s marketing campaigns, he said. Another
institutions – such as investment banks and insur- ers call repossessed properties) than it foreclosed on. 3,200 were added in its fiscal 2009.
ance companies – that caused the near financial He sees that as a sign of progress that the recession By deciding to suspend paying a cash dividend
meltdown a year ago. Only public utility companies is technically over but unemployment remains high, on its common stock indefinitely, Lewis reported the
are subject to more regulation than community especially in markets First Place serves. company is saving $370,000, more than enough to
banks, he said, and they find themselves under fire Lewis expressed scorn for the so-called Cash for cover two quarters of payments to Treasury for the
from consumers, businesses and regulators. Clunkers program Treasury launched to spur sales 5% dividend on the $72.9 million in preferred stock
“The government [Treasury Department] isn’t of automobiles and incredulity at a proposal of a it holds in the company.
bailing out [failing community] banks,” Lewis said. similar program to sell new appliances. In the items on the agenda shareholders voted on,
“The FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.] is” The $8,000 tax credit the government has ex- Marie Izzo Cartwright, Robert P. Grace and Thomas
through much higher premiums it charges banks. tended first-time home buyers to help the housing M. Humphries were re-elected to three-year terms
He cited First Place Bank’s experience with FDIC market recover has much more merit, he told report- as directors. All received at least 92% of the 14 mil-
premiums over the last five quarters, $7,000 for the ers, and were it up to him, he would extend it beyond lion-plus shares voted.
quarter ended Sept. 30, 2008; $84,000 for the quarter Dec. 31 and make it available to more Americans, In a nonbinding vote, shareholders approved the
ended Dec. 31, 2008; $64,000 for the quarter ended not just first-time buyers. revised salary and benefits packages the compensa-
March 31, $1.98 million for the quarter ended June The finances of First Place continue to improve, tion committee of the board extended. With the ac-
30 (including a special assessment), and $94,000 for Lewis and the chief financial officer, David Gifford, ceptance of Treasury funds in the form of preferred
the quarter ended Sept. 30. FDIC premiums have reported. stock to shore up capital, the employment contracts
risen 13-fold, Lewis said. Having reported a loss of $5.9 million for the of key employees were abrogated, Lewis noted.
And he’s tired of hearing that banks should engage quarter ended Sept. 30, that was small compared His five-year contract, for example, was revised at
in more consumer lending. to the $110.43 million for fiscal 2009 (ended June Treasury’s insistence to no more than 36 months and
“It’s not that banks have stopped lending,” Lewis 30), although some $93 million of that figure came he has considerably less job security and a smaller
stated. “It’s that people have stopped borrowing” as from writing off good will, and it has disposed of severance package should he leave his post whether
they strive to reduce debt in the worst recession to all of the preferred stock (after marking to market) voluntarily or involuntarily.
hit the country since World War II. in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The revised compensation packages, Lewis told
As for commercial lending, he told reporters af- First Place has completed its transition from a hy- reporters, pay him and his colleagues less than the
terward, regulators want to ensure that banks lend brid to the business model it has set in place, Lewis average their counterparts at banks of similar sizes
prudently and all banks, including First Place, have said, a model that divides the corporation’s business are paid.
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BUSINESSJOURNALDAILY.COM VIDEO SERIES
3 Minutes...
Alex & Jorgine Shaffo, Owners
330-743-0920
Hours:
Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Debora Flora Bert Cene
Executive Director Director, Mahoning & Columbiana
Located in the YMCA Building
Lien Forward Ohio Training Association
17 N. Champion St. • Downtown Youngstown
O T
n the urging of V&M Star Steel, he Mahoning & Columbiana Train-
NEW MENU EVERY DAY which may invest nearly $1 bil-
lion into its local operations,
ing Association received $3.5 mil-
lion in stimulus funds; $1.4 million
city officials, representatives of Mahon- of that was used for a summer program
ing County government, residents and that put 500 youths to work. The rest of
businesses have kicked into action the funding has enabled the organization
an ambitious cleanup of the historic to accommodate a 100% increase in
Brier Hill neighborhood along U.S. Route demand for services. “We’ve only had to
422. V&M Star attracts visitors from all expand our staff 12% for that increase.
over the world, observes Debora Flora, We have expanded our hours and, we
executive director of Lien Foward, and have made sure that all individuals
the company wants to improve the looking for training have been funded
neighborhood’s appearance and one of for training through September of this
the city’s most visible gateways so that year,” Bert Cene, director says.
visitors leave with a better impression
of the city. How Many Individuals?
Right now we have over 260 individual
What is Lien Foward? training accounts. Last year, we had
Lien Forward is a partnership between just 110.
the city of Youngstown and Mahoning
County focused on returning vacant, Training Accounts?
abandoned tax-delinquent land to pro- These are individuals that come in and
ductivity. want to increase their training capac-
Ultimate Goal? ity, their skill upgrades, and we can
fund them through Youngstown State
To reduce the number of tax-delinquent University, career-tech centers. We can
lots in Mahoning County. actually pay costs up to $6,500 per
Progress So Far: year for up to two years.
The first thing we needed to do was
establish our operation to help people People Looking for Work?
acquire these properties. We’ve done We’ve seen over 47,000 visits to our
that and we are now approaching 500 One-Stop system for people either
properties that we’re helping to transfer. looking for work – unemployed people
Of that 500, 200 are already transferred – or people trying to upgrade their
to new owners and are already being put skills in the three-county area. … We
to more productive use. estimate about 2.5 visits per person.
Visit BusinessJournalDaily.com to view video interviews with the Mahoning Valley’s most influ-
ential business and community leaders. Topics are always timely and pertinent.
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THE BUSINESS JOURNAL
P.O. BOX 714 PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO 44501 PAID
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED YOUNGSTOWN, OH
PERMIT NO. 69

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The Valley’s Business Matters www.BusinessJournalDaily.com

These Are Their Stories

N one of the stories that follow

23 BusinessJournalDaily Buzz Nov. 16

Advocates Revive Hope for

15 Lou Zona 24 Local.Com

20 Interest Rates 41 BBB Report

23 Media Scope 52 Legal Listings

Rail Advocates: Reviving Hope for Passenger Rail Service

Why wait until tomorrow when you can

MMA market rate comparison source: Informa Research Service, Inc.,

Think health care is

Impact of Health Reform on Premiums

Television Plus Telephone Zoom Internet

B.J. Alan Co. Seeks

Renewable Energy: Next Manufacturing Base?

establish Direct Deposit accounts.

Liaison to Business �������������������

Hripko: Liason to Business

The Valley’s Business Matters

Publisher Andrea Wood

Williams Deserves Recognition

Williams, Williams and 

Unlimited Free Checking

Free Debit Card**

Free Online Banking

Commentary Free Bill Pay

Zona: Williams, Williams and Even Marc Williams

White: My Frenzy for Fly-Tying

CF BANK (formerly Central Federal S&L) 1 Year 1.00  .10/

CHARTER ONE BANK 12 Mos. .40 — N.A./

CONSUMERS NATIONAL BANK 12 Mos. .60 — .10/

CORTLAND BANKS 1 Year .75 — .50/

E.S.B. BANK 1 Year .90 — .30/

FARMERS NATIONAL BANK 1 Year .85 — .10/

FIRST MERIT BANK 1 Year .45 — N.A./

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PA. 1 Year .50 — N.A./

1ST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANK 1 Year 1.00 — .20/

FIRST PLACE BANK 6 Mos. .45  .25/

■� ���������� HUNTINGTON BANK 1 Year 1.10  N.A./

PNC BANK 1 Year .75 — N.A./

CPAs Boost Odds of Success for Startups

YOUNGSTOWN CITY 1 Year 1.25  $2,000 Up to 60 Mos. 5.75

CPAs: Boost Odds of Success for Startups

Invest in Your Future - Earn Your MBA While Working

Cleveland Burton William Pallante

Williamson College of Business Administration

Media Scope ������������������������������������������

Our Daily Webcast ������������������������������������

Local Dot Com

������� ��� ��� ��� �������

������ ��� ����

Pages 27-32 JewelryBusiness

W ith the price of gold reaching record

With gold hovering around $1,100 per ounce in

� ������������������������������������� ������� ����������� ��������

Artwork to Wear Creates One-of-a-Kind Jewelry

G ood things come in small packages. Great

Artwork to Wear: Creates One-of-a-Kind Jewelry

��

Liaison to Business ��

■� �� HUNTINGTON BANK 1 Year 1.10  N.A./

Media Scope ��

Our Daily Webcast ��

��

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� ��

Artwork to Wear ��

��

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For the Record ��

�� ITTheFEELS GOODto Youth Sports Leagues,

��

� ��

�� FARMERS NATIONAL BANK – Canﬁeld KEYBANK – Youngstown

�� 1ST NATIONAL COMMUNITY – East Liverpool

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TYPE TERM RATE, 2-Wk Trend FEES ��

CORTLAND BANKS Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.50  0+costs ��

FIRST MERIT BANK Fixed 5% Down 15 Yr. 4.50 — 0+costs ��

�� HOWARD HANNA FINANCIAL

�� HUNTINGTON BANK

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