Fall of Republic: Demolition on site of old steel plant forces reflection

[obie7661]

http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=18004&r=0&Category=

[Fats]

The picture was of the Bright Anneal furnace that I was furnace helper and operator on. The furnace was 12 stories high and about a block long. The coil would go on the charging end and go through an accumulator that had the steel strip going up and down about six times(when that strip would break it would be a site to see all that steel falling down about 6 stories) it would then go into a hydrogen furnace( fought a few fires in my days) and would come out with the mirror finish. Republic Steel held patents on different finishes. Later they changed it to an Anneal & Pickle line. I had 20 years in the place when it shutdown. We made the best stainless steel in the world. It is sad to see the ruins. We need to realize that we should be building and producing the products that we buy.

[MTigers006]

Fats, Thankyou all for all the years of hard work by you and your coworkers and for helping put Massillon on the industrial map. We will never forget what that was and the people who worked hard there everyday not only supporting our community, but thier families.

What is hurting us in the foregin steel industry and people buying foregin steel the is made and sold at a much cheaper price than US produced steel.

Some of the blame goes to people that buy foregin cars such as Nissan, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, and Dawoo.

My friend who is a former employee of Union Drawing lost his insurance, pention, and all benefits when they shut down and then the big dummy goes and buys a Hyundai. I told him right there is your whole problem. People like you buying cars like that because they are cheaper so I dont wanna hear you whine anymore. He continues to whine about not being able to pay his bills and brags the car up how great it is. I know of some American Cars that are as good if not better than a car made in Korea.

Best of Luck to everyone who worked at Republic. Remember we remember and cry with you. My grandfather put in 40years there as a recorder. He passed in 1984. His name was John Gamery.

Again thankyou all for your work and dedication.

[MTiger]

I wouldn't be so quick to jab foreign cars. Honda was one of the top 15 employers in Ohio on 2003, with over 16,000 employees.

The "all-American" Oldsmobile I drove through grad school was stamped in Mexico and assembled in British Columbia.

Nonetheless, it is sad driving down 21 past the ruins.

[longtimefirsttime]

Unfortunately the U.S. steel era is a thing of the past. The site holds a lot of potential. We'll see what happens. Could a "research and technology corridor" be an option? Could the city get something like this?
"Stark State new home to DOD office"
http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=363672&Category=9&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=0

[DAWGH8R]

I kinda liked the Casino idea, but others like the current eyesore.

I wonder what the estimate is to "clean up" the site. The EPA will have a field day with the soil contamination.

[Fats]

I wouldn't be so quick to jab foreign cars. Honda was one of the top 15 employers in Ohio on 2003, with over 16,000 employees.

The "all-American" Oldsmobile I drove through grad school was stamped in Mexico and assembled in British Columbia.

Nonetheless, it is sad driving down 21 past the ruins.
How many employees do Ford, Chrysler and GM have? Yes, some American brand cars are assembled in other countries, but unlike foreign companies the money makes it way back to an American company.
Our loss of heavy manufacturing affects more than our car industry. If we ever get into another war like WWII we may find ourselves asking our enemy to build our tanks, ships.

[Fats]

Long long time ago this country was King of Steel. We provided the world with their needs. I remember old steelworkers telling me that the japanese took tours of our plants to see how we did it.
One problem for the steel industry, is that other countries got into the steel business and they helped their steel industry by subsidizing the cost of making the steel, which they could sell cheaper (dumping) then America could sell it. Also, with Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan and others making steel the market was flooded. The capacity was more then was needed by the market which lowered the prices. Also, when are country does put tariffs on the steel coming into the USA the government gets complaints from the end users (car industry, and others) because the price goes up.
I really believe that protecting the Steel Industry is in Our National Interest.
But, I am a little bias.

[MTiger]

How many employees do Ford, Chrysler and GM have? Yes, some American brand cars are assembled in other countries, but unlike foreign companies the money makes it way back to an American company.
Our loss of heavy manufacturing affects more than our car industry. If we ever get into another war like WWII we may find ourselves asking our enemy to build our tanks, ships.

Unfortunately, fewer and fewer. I don't think Ford will be in NE Ohio much longer. They're doing everything they can to move cars, and still are falling behind. My wife just got a Ford product on the X-plan, which used to be for employees and immediate family, but is now open to everyone and their brother.

Sure the money makes its way back to an American company, but it doesn't really benefit those who need and deserve it. The Big Three lost billions of dollars in 2006, but their execs managed huge bonuses, options, and stock awards while tens of thousands of blue collar workers lost their jobs. If they didn't lose their jobs, they're facing cutbacks in wages and benefits. Disgusting.

A military historian friend told me we'd better stay really good friends with China. With their access to building materials, we'd be in trouble should something break out.

[Kamd50]

Communist China is NO friend to the United States of America.

[MTiger]

Communist China is NO friend to the United States of America.

I realize that, but they're a country we don't want to get into a tangle with. Maybe it should've been worded it "as good of friends as enemies can be". Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?

We've both got a lot at stake economically and militarily. As Fats mentioned, we'd be asking them to build our ships and tanks.

[longtimefirsttime]

I kinda liked the Casino idea, but others like the current eyesore.

I wonder what the estimate is to "clean up" the site. The EPA will have a field day with the soil contamination.

The casino plan that was presented was a sham. And it's even unclear whether a legitimate plan would have been passed by the voters.

As far as the contamination issue...
"EPA rules site safe"
http://indeonline.com/index.php?ID=6641&Category=1&fromSearch=yes

The eyesore was created when the steel companies left town. It continues to be cleared but facilities that massive take time. I'm reserving further judgement until after I see what the DiPietro and Napier development companies have in store.

[section3]

they all ready stated this will now be a gravel pit since they couldn't get this rezoned. the aircraft manufacturing is now located in akron.

[MTigers006]

Once again city council drops the ball. This land could have been used for something big for the city. To which could have brought tourists into the city and spend thier hard earned cash which our economy so deperately needs. Maybe its not too late to get this rezoned.

I would love to see a wildlife park or something of that nature. Some sort of tourist attraction to draw people here and downtown.

[longtimefirsttime]

I hadn't heard it was being turned into a gravel pit.

[MRSDAWGH8R]

they all ready stated this will now be a gravel pit since they couldn't get this rezoned. the aircraft manufacturing is now located in akron.


That'll be a BEAUTIFUL site to see !!!!:rolleyes:

[DAWGH8R]

And some people thought the Republic site was an EYESORE !!!:Oo:

[longtimefirsttime]

This is from the Inde article above:
"What is planned for the property and buildings’ remnants are still unclear, but demolition work on the site continues to creep slowly forward, changing the Massillon skyline and redefining the town."

I'm not questioning your source section3, but can you show me where it says it will be turned into a gravel pit?

[section3]

LTFT

that article never mentions who they spoke with on the site. thats the newspapers opinion on whats happening up there. did they bother trying to call them to find out whats happening?? the inde had an article quite awhile back when bitzel and dipetro said it was going to be a gravel pit. don't remember what the date was.

[The Butler]

When did they go for the zoning change and what were they trying to get it changed to? I recall the casino debate but not a zoning one.

[section3]

i guess it would have been an ownership change request from privately owned to minority owned (indians) with zoning changes to follow from industrial to whatever. it basically would have become a duty free zone such as whats in navarre and up by the airport. but income tax would still be collected.

[longtimefirsttime]

In my opinion, I think this would be perfect for the location. It will be huge in the future and would bring high paying jobs to the city.
http://www.fuelcellsohio.org/fuelcellcorridor.html

[mike_da_man13]

why was my post deleted?