WE HAVE been down this road before. It is not one we like to travel.

The Forest Hills Community Association is on the brink of extinction. Such was the case at about the same time a year ago.

The association’s leadership plans to step down.

The problem is the continuing lack of support from the membership, which numbers more than 100. Despite that large number, only a handful of members — at best — help with the maintenance and cleaning of the West Bellaire-based facility.

Finances are not a problem. Manpower and teamwork are.

The recently renovated center is used frequently for parties, receptions and fundraisers. The problem is that the same handful of people must clean up. That gets old for association officials.

When faced with the same dilemma a year ago, a special meeting resulted in an outpouring of membership. A few weeks later, apathy again set in.

Now association leaders are adamant on relinquishing their respective positions. They are hoping some members step up and take the bull by the horns. Otherwise, the association may go up for sale, and that would be a shame. The possibility of establishment of a bar at the center has not met with a receptive response from the neighboring residences.

A special meeting will be held at the community center on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. It will serve as a defining moment for the center and the association.

Should no one step up and make a leadership commitment, then what is now a West Bellaire shining light may be jettisoned into oblivion. That would be a terrible happening.

BUBBA’S BITS

IT TOOK much longer than expected, but Ohio 149 in Bellaire reopened Wednesday. A scheduled three-week closing turned into a two-month project. The wait was well worth it, however, as the new roadway is paved, lighted, much more level and with striping designated three lanes. The landscaping work is also much more attractive.

AUGUST 2010 is definitely one for a lifetime. This August features five Sundays, five Mondays and five Tuesdays. Such an occurrence happens once in 823 years.

FORMER OHIO State running star Maurice Clarett may have found a home in Nebraska. He is attempting to land a spot with Omaha in the United Football League. If Clarett continues to clean up his post-prison life, he is young and skilled enough to still have a nice grid career.

THE SEVENTH Annual OVAC Hall of Fame Banquet featured the induction of 17 more conference luminaries. The banquet is truly riveting as each honoree has a special message to deliver. Phil Niekro — accepting for his brother Joe — as well as Less Browne (East Liverpool) and Jeff Sweitzer (Brooke) were especially inspiring in their speeches.

BELLAIRE can definitely use some urban renewal but arson is a stupid way to remove dilapidated buildings. Thursday’s early morning fire-setting spree was senseless and could have been quite deadly. While the arsonist(s) targeted structures needing razing, the fires could have easily spread into a full-blown mess. Anyone with information needs to help nab the sickos.

THE STEEL industry woes have impacted the entire Ohio Valley, but Mingo Junction feels the brunt possibly more so than any community. The entire police force is targeted to be laid off in September — save the police chief — due to ailing finances. My question is why do you need a police chief if there is no force to oversee?

JOHN MAGISTRO and Ted Wierzbicki both suffered tough setbacks in their respective prep grid openers Friday night. Magistro’s Westerville Central charges fell to powerful Sunbury Big Walnut by a 28-26 count. Wierzbicki’s Hilliard Bradley Jaguars, meanwhile, lost to Dublin Scioto, 17-7.

SATURDAY?WILL mark a historic day in St.?John Central football history as the Fighting Irish will unveil its new facility, marking the Green’s first-ever “true” home grid game.

We congratulate the Paolina family for their never-ending commitment and financial support to the project and to the army of Irish volunteers and contributors who made the south Bellaire complex a reality. SJC hosts Cameron at noon that day with a myriad of special events on tap. The Irish will host Newcomerstown the following Saturday as well.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleader online.com