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DISCUSSING REGIONAL PLANS — Allen Kukovich, executive director of the Power of 32 organization, encouraged the board of trustees for the Community Improvement Corp. to continue efforts to work as part of a regional team. - Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE - Allen Kukovich liked what he saw during a quick tour of the Historic Fort Steuben Tuesday before addressing the Community Improvement Corp. Board of Trustees.

According to Kukovich, the fort and surrounding park is a perfect example to show regional residents "they can stay in our four-state area and enjoy a nice staycation."

Kukovich, the executive director of the Power of 32, was the featured speaker during the CIC monthly meeting.

"We can accomplish many things by working together, collaborating together and we can create a shared vision. We can take our collaborative work and build on our accomplishments. We can't begin with a pre-determined agenda. We need public input and help from our elected officials. We want to reach out to a broad base of people," explained Kukovich.

Kukovich said the Power of 32 was launched in May and includes 32 counties from eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland.

"That's 4 million people in that region. I like to think about what binds us together as a region," noted Kukovich.

"What do we want our communities to look like in 10, 15 or 20 years from now. We need to create more jobs and keep our kids here after they finish school. We need a sense of immediacy," cited Kukovich.

"The organization was created after area foundations began to question the need for regionalization. I have toured Torino, Italy, and the Ruhr Valley in Germany. Those were areas that were based on a particular industry but they have since changed dramatically and are moving forward," explained Kukovich.

"This is a daunting task, but I am excited by all of this and hopeful by all of these ideas," added Kukovich.

Ed Looman, executive director of Progress Alliance, said that while he is continuing to market Jefferson County, he is disturbed by a decision to make changes at Jefferson Lake State Park.

"The park is something we have marketed in the past. I am not happy by what is happening at the park and as development director for Jefferson County I would like my voice to be heard. And we need lots of voices to be heard, and we need to start working with the Jefferson County commissioners to oppose these changes," stated Looman.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced last week the camping area, picnic tables and buildings will be removed and the staff assigned to other state parks next year.

The park will be managed by ODNR's Division of Wildlife and will be open for hiking, bird watching, hunting and fishing but only the grass around the lake will be mowed. The rest of the park will be allowed to grow back to a wildlife area.

"I am outraged, and I plan on doing everything I can to fight this. I hope we can coordinate all of our efforts through the commissioners' office," stated Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Gentile.

Ken Perkins, president of the CIC Board of Trustees, urged members to continue to solicit area persons interested in joining the board.

"We also had the Green Machine at the Peoples National Bank in Mount Pleasant the past several days where 400 tickets for a chance to win the electric car were sold. If they can sell 400 tickets in Mount Pleasant, Dillonvale and Adena, there is no reason we can't sell 4,000 tickets in Steubenville. The car will be on display this week at the Jefferson County Fair where visitors can buy a ticket. We will be drawing the winning ticket in September," said Perkins.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)