New senior van dedicated in Youngstown

Van will assist seniors

Article and Photo by Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

“We’re really happy to have this new van,” said Village of Youngstown Mayor Raleigh Reynolds on Thursday, as village officials joined with elected leaders from the Town of Porter to dedicate a new 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. It will serve as the Youngstown-Porter Senior Van.

“I wanted to thank this opportunity to thank the Town of Porter and a special thanks to Sean Dalhuey and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Sean spearheaded the effort and the community came together as we all know our community always does,” Reynolds said.

He explained the church group raised more than $10,000 toward the cost of the new van, which will be used to serve the transportation needs of seniors in the Youngstown and Porter community. That was matched by a $15,000 contribution from the Town of Porter.

“I just wanted to thank everyone involved with this,” said Porter Town Supervisor John Duffy Johnston, who attended the session with Town Board members Jeff Baker and Larry White and Town Clerk Kara Hibbard. “It’s beautiful and it fits everyone’s needs.

“It’s another thing of the village and town working together. That’s a great thing.”

Village Trustee Mark Fox, who was instrumental in determining the village’s needs for the van purchase, said he was happy to help out.

“I’m glad we were able to get what we needed here,” he said. “That was the most important thing; having it the way they wanted it. Hopefully they got everything that they need.

“I think it’s a really good service for the community. It’s just one of things that a little town like us – the village and town – we can help people. That’s what we want to do.”

“Speaking for the drivers, we really, really appreciate this,” van driver Paul said. “You listened to us, our needs.” He made note of the van’s new features, which include power doors, a lift, even SiriusXM radio. “We’ve got a lot of positive comments.”