Trustees OK meeting with Jay Williams

Boardman and Poland officials think it makes sense to work with Youngstown.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Township trustees are the latest officials to heed a call to meet soon with Youngstown Mayor-elect Jay Williams to discuss crime prevention, the appearance of main corridors and other matters.
Boardman Township trustees passed such a resolution Monday night. Boardman Trustee Kathy Miller attended the Poland Township trustees meeting Tuesday night to ask for their support. Miller says she's encouraging officials from the city's surrounding communities to participate.
Other goals of the meeting are "working for the common interest and supporting the new mayor," Miller said. It may be a one-time session, or it may lead to a steering committee to gather on an ongoing basis, she added.
Poland Township Trustee Robert J. Lidle Jr. likes the idea. "We have to work together. It's time," he said. "Youngstown is the epicenter of our community. Poland, Struthers and Boardman are all going to thrive and survive based on the city."
'Encouraged and thrilled'
Williams also likes the idea of a meeting. He wasn't aware that Miller was lobbying for it, but he said she has been "extremely supportive" of the Youngstown 2010 plan that he was connected to as the city's former director of community development.
"I'm encouraged and thrilled that she continues to carry that ball forward," he said Tuesday.
Williams says he'll address the city's problems, but he also wants to talk to neighboring communities about services that Youngstown may be able to provide.
As for when the first meeting will take place, Williams said he'd like to schedule it soon after he takes office in January. He also hopes it will be an ongoing discussion.
"You can't go wrong with open lines of communication," Williams said.
Asked if this is a sign of regionalization, Williams said some people take the idea to its extreme and think of it in terms of annexation. He's not thinking along those lines.
"It's a step toward regional cooperation," he said.
shaulis@vindy.com