On Tues., Nov. 5, the general election ballot will ask the electorate in Boardman Township to vote on a three-tenths mil renewal issue for Boardman Park.
      Boardman Park is funded by a single mill, and the three-tenths-mil renewal issue represents about 20 per cent of the park’s annual income, generating about $226,000 a year.
      The renewal is crucial in order to keep Boardman Park viable. Cost of the levy is two-cents a day, or only $7.37 a year per every $100,000 of home valuation.
      “Just pennies a day,” Park Commissioner Joyce Mistovich says, adding that Boardman Park is the only park district in the state of Ohio that has operated on the same millage for 71 years.
      “While operating on one-mil, the size of the park has tripled…[and] with reductions in local government funding, and decreasing reimbursements from the state of Ohio, Boardman Park has lost 14 per cent of its budget, about $185,000 since 2009,” Mistovich said.
      Boardman Park is well maintained, and a green space in the community enjoyed by hundreds of thousands visitors every year. It provides a variety of programs for children all the way up to senior citizens---Just a few events that bring people to the park are the annual Boardman Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt, Memorial Day observances, summer concerts and the Fourth of July fireworks show, The Boardman Rotary Oktoberfest, Halloween hayrides, the Holiday Festival of Lights and the Community Christmas Celebration, and everyday there are those that come to the park just for a walk, or to visit the Marge Hartman Dog Park.
      Boardman Park therefore, provides a sanctuary where people come together for fellowship. Boardman Park is one of Boardman Township’s greatest assets. Its renewal issue means ‘no new taxes,’ and at 2-cents a day, there isn’t a better bargain in Boardman. The Boardman Township Park District strongly deserves a Yes Vote on its miniscule, 3/10-mil renewal issue on Nov. 5.