CHURCH COALITION ACTION expects mayor to join in march

The mayor said he fully supports ACTION's goals.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A church coalition wants Mayor George M. McKelvey there, in person, when the group soon marches through another blighted neighborhood.
The mayor says that he's honored by the invitation and that he'll be there -- if his schedule allows.
ACTION -- Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods -- said Wednesday during city council's regular meeting that the group expects the mayor at their next Holy Ground campaign event.
The coalition of city and suburban church members has had two Holy Ground marches recently. Members have demanded the city close drug dens and demolish eyesore houses near congregations.
The next march is at 9 a.m. June 19 at Parkcliff and Firnley avenues on the South Side.
Nothing short of a personal appearance is an acceptable way for McKelvey to demonstrate his accountability for conditions in the city, said the Rev. Lewis Macklin III. He is a leader of the group and pastor at Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church on the South Side.
"We're not letting him off the hook," the Rev. Mr. Macklin said.
ACTION also requested a status report in 60 days on the properties the group has demanded be torn down during its previous marches.
"We're not interested in 'There's no money,'" Mr. Macklin said.
Mayor's response
McKelvey said he fully supports ACTION's goals.
The mayor said he will attend the march if his calendar is free. It's the first invitation the group has issued to him for its marches, he said.
McKelvey said he needs to talk more with the group about its request for demolition updates.
The best way for ACTION to see such homes demolished is to work closely with city council members, the mayor added.
The group needs to keep in mind that the city's demolition list numbers 500 or more, far more than other similar-size cities, he said.
Other matters
Council also handled these items:
UExpressed the intent to provide up to $450,000 over five years -- only if there is a shortfall in funding -- for the new 7th District Court of Appeals building planned for West Federal Street. The city would use its federal money to provide any funding. McKelvey said he is confident the city will need to provide far less money, and maybe none, toward the project.
UExpressed the intent to cooperate with Mahoning County commissioners to help bring county workers from other offices to the Phar-Mor Center or other downtown locations.
UHeard David Engler, representing the Youngstown/Mahoning County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Engler, a former councilman and county commissioner, said he expects the Youngstown/Mahoning agency to survive a lawsuit with county commissioners.
The agency wants office space in either the new arena planned for downtown or the Wick Pollock Inn, should it reopen, he said.
Engler said the agency is cutting costs and temporarily relocating to Canfield. The agency's lease in a downtown building didn't let the office remain in the central business district, he added.
Councilman Clarence Boles, D-6th, said the agency needs to be located in Youngstown if it wants space in the arena.
rgsmith@vindy.com