Clergy, PAC throw support behind Williams

The four independents participated in a forum.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- More than 100 members of the local clergy and a conservative political action committee are supporting the mayoral candidacy of Jay Williams.
The Liberty Committee of Independence, Ohio, paid for 10,000 fliers that compare Williams to Democrat Robert F. Hagan on "sanctity of life" and "drug policy" issues. The flier doesn't specifically endorse Williams, but the back lists Williams' job experience, education and affiliation and board memberships.
The handbill states Williams "believes in the sanctity of all human life," supports a ban on partial-birth abortions and is against abortion on demand except for rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
As for Hagan, the flier states he voted against the ban on partial-birth abortions and has a 100-percent voting record rating by the National Abortion and Reproduction Rights Action League.
Regarding drug policies, the fliers state Williams is for tougher penalties for drug offenders and opposed the legalization of marijuana. The flier states Hagan is the sole sponsor of a bill to legalize marijuana. The Hagan bill actually would legalize marijuana for medical purposes only.
"They're distorting the truth," Hagan said.
Support of clergy
Williams, who is running as an independent but who is a registered Democrat, is the only candidate the Liberty Committee is supporting this year.
Williams said he spoke to the Rev. John C. Adams of Huron, Ohio, a pastor and the committee's executive director, about getting support at the request of the Rev. Jay Alford and other local campaign supporters.
"The organization is interested in good government and integrity," Williams said.
The committee's Web site said it "seeks to recruit, train and support conservative candidates for public office."
Williams said he doesn't consider himself a "conservative candidate," but welcomes the support.
"This is a conservative group supporting Jay Williams," Hagan said. "He's not a Democrat. This proves he's a Republican."
The Rev. Mr. Adams said he was impressed not only with Williams' positions on life and drug policy issues, but his financial and government background.
In last year's general election, the PAC endorsed six candidates, including Randy Pope of Alliance, defeated by state Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st.
Distributing fliers
The Liberty Committee handbills will be distributed by clergy members in the Youngstown area who are endorsing Williams in Tuesday's mayoral election.
The Rev. Mr. Alford, the former pastor at the Highway Tabernacle Church in Austintown but a Youngstown resident, announced the clergy endorsement. Of the more than 100 clergy members endorsing Williams, none are Roman Catholics, though some were approached.
Mr. Alford said Youngstown area clergy members are supporting Williams because "as a man of faith [he] is prepared to lead us to the next level."
Mr. Alford emphasized that the clergy members were acting as individuals and do not speak for their parishioners. Discussing their support of Williams with parishioners is up to the clergy members, he said.
Williams said he appreciates the clergy's support, or the support of anyone, even those who don't believe in God.
"I have to question their motive," Hagan said of the local clergy. "I'm a little reluctant to use God in the campaign. I don't think God cares who wins this race."
Four independents' views
Also Wednesday, the four independent candidates -- Williams, Maggy Lorenzi, Brendan Gilmartin and Joe Louis Teague --participated in a mayoral forum sponsored by the Regional Chamber.
Republican Robert Korchnak didn't attend and couldn't be reached Wednesday to comment.
Hagan skipped the forum because he already participated in a chamber-sponsored forum. Hagan said the chamber and business leaders, many of whom are Republican suburbanites, don't support him.
During the forum, the four discussed issues including reducing crime, attracting business, enforcing housing codes and increasing cooperation between the city and Youngstown State University.
The comment that generated the most buzz after the forum came from Gilmartin about the city working closer with YSU.
A YSU graduate, Gilmartin said when he attended the university he "wasn't expecting to see that many homosexuals in one" place. He also said he joined a theater group in the city to get to know homosexuals better.
Lorenzi and Teague criticized Hagan, Williams and outgoing Mayor George M. McKelvey several times during the forum.
The four candidates said the city's 2.75-percent income tax is unacceptably high.
As for making the city more business-friendly, Lorenzi said Youngstown officials need to concentrate on pleasing business owners already in the city. Teague said the city helps some businesses but not others, saying tax breaks "shouldn't be determined by race."
Gilmartin said the city needs to ask business leaders how to improve their relationship with the city.
Williams said many business owners say the tax incentives offered by the city are good, but there needs to be better communication between Youngstown officials and the business community.
skolnick@vindy.com