Wellsville To Be On The Tube

Our good friend Sparky Miller gave us a heads-up on another claim to fame for the ville. Tomorrow night the Wellsville Flood System is going to be featured on Youngstown's television station WFMJ - Channel 21. They were in town last week when the water level appeared to be threatening us with flooding.

The aging flood system is in serious need of some major maintenance and pump replacements. Out of four pumps "up town" there is only one working. WFD Chief Bill Smith has been vigorously campaigning with both State & Federal politicians for funds to get this work done. Lord knows the Village is living pay check to pay check and doesn't have the money to take care of it properly. There's a floodwall levy on our real-estate taxes but it doesn't bring in near enough to even begin what needs to be done on the 70 year plus old system.

The threat of flood is very serious. Chief Smith says he's extremely concerned what the April monsoons may bring. The NWS says snow melt in higher elevations has barely been touched. Many of those streams & rivers in those higher elevations eventually pour in to the Ohio River. Putting off until tomorrow what could have been done today has been the prevailing philosophy in our flood system maintenance.

In 1936 we think the only dry street surface in town was Main Street from 3rd to 9th. On Broadway the water level reached the second story of many of the homes. Could you imagine the damage a flood like would do if our flood system failed? It's scary. Maybe this exposure on WFMJ on our place we call home will get some government officials attention. Upgrading & refurbishing the Wellsville Flood System, although expensive, would be a major cost savings compared to what would be spent by State & Federal agencies on a recovery from a major flood. Just look at New Orleans and their on-going recovery from Hurricane Katrina when their neglected flood system failed. Chief Smith is not the little boy crying wolf. It is an extremely serious threat to every one that lives in this valley.

The broadcast is suppose to be on the 11 o'clock news tomorrow night, March 23. For you folks out of the viewing area you may be able to catch it on Channel 21's web site www.wfmj.com. The piece they did last week was there for awhile.

ole nib