Austintown's future bright if politics is kept in check

If you're one of those people whose opinion of Austintown Township has been influenced by the ongoing political bloodletting, here's a suggestion: Have a conversation with members of the Austintown Growth Foundation. It will be time well spent.
The individuals who are active in the foundation -- the president is Dr. Fred Owens, a professor at Youngstown State University -- stand in stark contrast to the three township trustees and other political dabblers who have turned civic discourse into a contact sport. Owens and his colleagues give of their time not for personal gain or aggrandizement but because of their sense of community.
It is no accident, therefore, that at Tuesday night's unveiling of the 20/20 Austintown plan, the consultant, Dr. James Segedy of Muncie, Ind., downplayed the role of government. Segedy, a professor at Ball State University hired by the growth foundation, stressed that the plan is designed so residents can follow the recommendations and meet their goals without having to rely on township government.
Indeed, he went so far as to suggest that residents can lead the charge in securing grants and private funding to pay for projects identified in 20/20 Austintown.
Is there a role for the three trustees and other government officials? Of course there is, but it must be secondary. Otherwise, Austintown's future will continue to be held hostage by those with political agendas.
"You will be amazed at the wonderful things you guys can accomplish," Segedy told about 80 residents. He added, "You've got to believe it. I believe in this thing, I think you guys can do it."
Hearts and minds
The growth foundation is well aware that capturing the hearts and minds of the residents is an important first step. That won't be an easy assignment, considering the split that exists in the community because of the last year's election for township trustee -- Lisa Oles defeated incumbent Richard Edwards -- and past attempts to make Austintown a home rule township.
The Austintown Citizen's Board, formed earlier this year supposedly to bridge the gap between the community and the trustees, can help the growth foundation sell 20/20 Austintown. Among other things, the 160-page plan talks about the need to create a town center, revitalize the Wickliffe and Wedgewood neighborhoods and upgrade Austintown plaza. But it also contains small-step projects that if undertaken in the near future would prove to the residents that this isn't just another study that will end up on a shelf gathering dust.
The citizen's board has been viewed with some suspicion by Oles' critics, but it now has the chance to prove that it is not a single-issue entity.
The growth foundation will be putting the plan on its Web site and residents are encouraged to contact Owens to share their ideas on how the goals can be met.
Members of the foundation are watching closely as Youngstown develops its long-range planning document, Youngstown 2010, and are aware that all segments of the community must feel that they have a stake in what is being pursued.
The residents of Austintown are encouraged to actively participate in this important endeavor.