He Said/She Said: Route 224 closing creates chaos

August 05, 2006

By Pat Litowitz
and Lisa Micco
New Castle News


Panic. Confusion. Outrage.

No, we're not talking about Gary Felasco's criminal sentencing.

This is much more important. Lawrence County's access to the outside world has been cut off. Residents are trapped in their homes. Life has come to a screeching halt.

Why? Route 224 into Boardman is closed for roadwork.

A direct route into "civilization" is denied. Motorists are driving aimlessly through Bessemer, Coitsville, Lowellville and Struthers in an effort to reach the promised land.

Oh, sure. "They" say the work will be completed by mid-September. But who believes "them"?

Woe, woe, woe is us.

Wait just one minute. Are the New Castle News' Pat Litowitz and Lisa Micco together again? This can't be good.

After a lengthy hiatus, this award-winning duo (yes, they remind everyone daily that they have won awards) is back together. For how long? Who knows? Does anybody really care? Does anybody really know what time it is?

If you know what's good for you, start writing letters to The News' publisher Max Thomson and have these bums tossed off the news pages.

In the meanwhile, join Pat and Lisa as they discuss "The Long and Winding Road" or "Reunited and It Feels Not So Good."

LITOWITZ: Excuse me. I don't recall agreeing to work with what's-her-name. I'm way too busy investigating "stuff." Lisa was holding me back.

Besides, I've moved on. I've grown. I've matured.

MICCO: Yes, excuse you. Let's take a station identification break from Fantasy Island. Unless you count your treks to Eckards for the buy one, get one free bags of Bugles as moving on, the last time I checked you were still here at The News annoying me on a daily basis.

But on to more important matters. I blame you for the closing of Route 224 into Boardman. You travel from Ohio to Pennsylvania every day. I sense a conspiracy to keep the rest of us out.

LITOWITZ: Just you, honey. Otherwise, we welcome our friends from the Keystone State with open arms. Just remember, we accept cash, checks and credit cards.

Really, what's the big deal? Lawrence County has everything Boardman has to offer.

We have a Wal-Mart. You have a Wal-Mart.

We have a Lowe's. You have a Lowe's.

We have a Pizza Joes. You have a Pizza Joes.

We have three movie theaters. You have a movie theater.

We have a Stone Cold Creamery. You ...

Well, you're not worthy of a Stone Cold Creamery.

MICCO: You can keep your Stone Cold. We have Forbush's.

With the exception of some great locally owned eateries, Lawrence County is missing out on a few things. A mall, for starters. (And, no, Wal-Mart does not count.) That's why the closing of Route 224 is so frustrating to the majority of shoppers. It is our main artery to civilization. It's where the cup runneth over.

New Castle, on the other hand, has more dollar stores per square inch than any city in the United States. It's drowning in debt. No one wants to declare it a distressed city, even though it more than qualifies for that distinction. We're about four missing teeth away from being called Appalachia.

So, yeah, the closing of 224 is detrimental to well-being of power shoppers.

LITOWITZ: Have you heard of a little place called "Neshannock"? It's where all the rich people live.

So if New Castle distresses and depresses you, head north.

The roads are clear of construction workers. The people are friendly. The stores are stocked with merchandise. Why you could bowl, buy a car, eat great Italian food and enjoy discounted gas prices with your Giant Eagle Advantage Card (where you get 10 cents off per gallon when you purchase $50 worth of groceries) all on a half-mile stretch along Route 18.

Did you ever think that if you shopped here, you would entice retailers to Lawrence County?

MICCO: Ah, yes, the county's entire economic development is based on whether or not I shop here. Actually, I DO shop here and it hasn't enticed one American Eagle, one Outback or one Hot Topic to open here. In fact, I prefer to shop here because of that ridiculous clothing sales tax your home state inflicts on us.

My point is (and I do have one, actually two) that Boardman offers lots of choices for Keystone consumers and your attitude toward us stinks. After all, we are contributing to your tax base, not to mention the gobs of money the Poland police make off us with those ridiculous speed traps. What is up with that? For 10 feet, it's 20 mph. The next 20 feet, it's 35 mph. Then it's 5 mph between a big oak tree and a brick building. You know what? You're right. I'm shopping here, keeping my dollars in Lawrence County.

LITOWITZ: That's right. Stay with your own people. We don't want you. In the meantime, I'll be taking the super secret detour from home to work. And yes, there is a super secret detour.

MICCO: I don't think anyone is interested in the dirt tunnel you slither in to and from work.

(He Said/She Said is written by News staffers Lisa Micco, design editor, and Pat Litowitz, investigative reporter.)