The Ohio Senate has passed Senate Bill 216, sponsored by Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), that designates a portion of State Route 7 (Market St.) in Boardman as the Clarence ‘Sonny’ Smith Jr. Memorial Highway.
      “Sonny Smith poured out his heart and soul to the Mahoning Valley,” said Sen. Cutrona. “His philanthropy across the community, especially to Youngstown State University and Boardman Township, affected the lives of countless Ohioans.
      “This bill recognizes a great citizen of the Boardman community.”
      Active in the Mahoning Valley, Smith was a strong supporter of Youngstown State University as well as Boardman High School. He he served as an elected member of the Boardman School Board from 1960-1971.
      A successful businessman, he was also a generous philanthropist for Youngstown State Universit...Read More >>

     BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Boardman Township will place three renewal property tax levies on the May primary ballot.
      Those tax issues are a 7/10-mill general fund issue, a 3-mill current expenses levy, and a 3.85-mill police issue.
      The 7/10-mill issue was first approved by the electorate in 1976 and generates some $260,000 a year.
      The 3-mill levy was first approved in 1976 and generates about $1.4 million a year.
      The 3.85-mill police issue, that was first approved in 2011, provides some $3.5 million a year.
      Approval of the renewal issues is needed to fund Boardman Township’s police, fire and road departments, especially when considering the township allowed a 2.5-mill current expen...Read More >>

     In a brief ceremony held on Tues., Feb. 17, a donation of $30,000 to the Clarence R. Smith Family Wellness Center was received from the proceeds of Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini’s 2nd annual Fight Night that was held in January at Mr. Anthony’s. The Fight Night event drew a standing room only crowd. The Wellness Center, located in Boardman, was dedicated last year and is designed to serve First Responders (Fire, Police, Emergency Medical Services and Dispatchers) who face a dangerous and traumatic work environment. $15,000 raised from the Fight Night event and that amount was matched by Compco, a firm led by Clarence R. Smith, in whose name the Wellness Center honors.