June 09, 2006
By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
Carmen Shick wants to chat, and Michael Mangino is willing to listen.
Talk of a proposed park catering to all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and pick-up trucks has generated debate among Mahoning Township residents living near the Hillsville quarry. The dispute has also exposed the rift between the “new” and the “old” Hillsville.
Shick and his brother, Ken, want to develop Hillsville Off-Road Adventure Park, a 1,000-acre facility to be located in a former strip mine. Organized opposition to the project, which includes Mangino, led the Shicks to withdraw their request for a zoning change.
Shick expects to reintroduce the proposal in a month, but first he wants to meet with residents.
Resistance to the project was unexpected, Shick said, as was the personal criticism.
“I don’t want to take personal shot (back) at anyone,” he said.
However, lifelong Hillsville resident Donald Micco said the Shick family does not deserve the negative publicity.
“I don’t know Mr. Shick personally, but I do know that he remembers where he came from,” Micco said. “I believe the citizens of this community would be taking a very near-sighted approach by contesting what Mr. Shick is trying to do.”
Micco cited Shick’s contributions to the community, such as donating the land and funds to create a playground where the former Hillsville Elementary School once stood. He also cited Shick’s ongoing efforts to bring a harness racing track, Bedford Downs, to Lawrence County.
“I don’t think he’s done anything wrong to upset anybody’s apple cart,” he said.
Mangino, a New Castle native, moved to the community 10 years ago. He observed that two Hillsvilles have evolved.
“It’s an entirely different culture out here,” he said of where he lives. “There are a bunch of younger families that want to raise their kids here.
“We’re all working people. There’s no brain surgeons or attorneys here.”
Mangino said he and his neighbors want to protect and improve their property values. An ATV park would hurt that effort.
Shick, Mangino and Micco agree the current situation is untenable. All three say they have experienced problems with rebellious riders. Possible solutions to the problem vary.
An ATV park, Shick said, controls access to the quarry, helps to resolve noise and pollution issues and makes nonproductive land profitable.
A meeting to discuss the project will take place within a month, Shick said. He wants it to be at the township community center.
“We want everybody to have their say. All we can do is hope for the best.”
Mangino said he will “absolutely” attend the session. His solution is to reclaim the land.
“Why couldn’t we get together as a community?” he asked. “We would work with the Shicks in trying to allocate funds from the state (for reclamation).
“We just think there are other ways of controlling the future of the land. I think the Shicks can be a part of that. They can make more money reclaiming the land.”
Micco also wants his neighbors to work with Shick.
“I think they have to listen to what he has to say,” Micco said. “I just hope the people of this community don’t shoot themselves in the foot.”
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