Saturday, December 21, 2002
You had to have been there to really appreciate what took place. It wasn't just the gathering of 1,000 Youngstown and suburban residents. And it wasn't just the level of professionalism displayed by Youngstown city officials, Youngstown State University's key administrators and the urban specialists hired by city government and YSU as consultants.
What made the public forum on "Youngstown 2010 -- Sharing a better vision for tomorrow" such a spectacular success was the willingness of many in the audience to go up to the microphones and express their views about the city, the region and the plan being developed.
There were men and women, young and old. There were professionals and blue-collar workers, retirees and college students.
And though their opinions and suggestions ran the gamut, they and those who chose not to speak out publicly but participated with their attentiveness were of one mind about the future of the city of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley: There's reason for optimism.
It was also evident that the gathering of 1,000 Monday night in Stambaugh Auditorium was no flash in the pan. Ordinary citizens now have a sense of empowerment and that means they aren't going to go away quietly.
Such public participation, not only in the development of the city of Youngstown's planning document but in its implementation, is important for two reasons.
Etched in stone
First, it means that politics will not derail the effort to achieve the goals. It doesn't matter who is occupying the mayor's office or who the members of city council are, "Youngstown 2010" will outlast them.
Second, public involvement will force leaders in the public and private sectors to work together as never before.
But that doesn't mean the next eight years and beyond will be a lovefest.
As some of those who offered their opinions this week made clear, government must become a facilitator -- as opposed to a barrier -- of economic development.
George Dark, a partner in Urban Studies Inc. of Toronto, was on the money when he said that what city government needs to do is create the proper climate for small businesses and neighborhood development.
Dark said that City Hall should establish a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who are looking to locate their businesses in Youngstown or to expand. In addition, there should be economic and other incentives that recognize the challenges confronting fledgling companies.
Monday's public forum can be characterized by two words: enthusiasm and ideas. There is no reason to believe that the interest evident in Stambaugh Auditorium will wane any time soon.
And that's good for the future of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.