RESIDENCY

RESIDENCY Robert F. Hagan: "Voters have spoken and I agree. I will uphold their wishes to enforce aggressively the residency law of this city. We have many qualified people in this city who will work to make it a better place to live." Joe Louis Teague: "I feel if you want to work in this city as an employee, you should live here. ... No, [it's] not a challenge to me. I can get someone in this city [who] can do a better job." Brendan J. Gilmartin: "We should seek the most qualified people for any position as they become available. I am not opposed to establishing a preference system for Youngstown residents who work in Youngstown." Jay Williams: "I am a strong proponent of the residency requirement. ... I am a city resident by choice, and I do not believe that my talent/qualification[s] are secondary to anyone living outside of the city. The challenge of finding qualified people to fill specialized position[s] is certain[ly] an important issue, but I hardly see it as insurmountable." Robert Korchnak: "This is probably why the city is having a difficult time hiring a professional engineer with a certified stamp. I will uphold the residency requirement for all employees hired after 1988. If you work in the city, you must reside in the city. I may consider waiving property taxes and water fees for five years to attract a registered engineer to the city. This seems unfair to other employees, but this would save the city a lot of money." Maggy Lorenzi: "The city charter as a whole needs to be abolished. It has lost its core purpose of the people having control of municipal issues. It has become a tool for city leaders to advance only their agendas. By returning to statutory rule under the Ohio Revised Code, the state would have to address violations." RACE Lorenzi: "This is the easiest question to answer. Race has and is being used as a tool to divide. The people are beginning to realize that it isn't about black or white, and that the only color that matters downtown is green." Korchnak: "Take a stance on issues, and hopefully people will consider your views more than your race." Williams: "This campaign has allowed me [to] experience the best and the worst that both races have to offer. On the campaign trail I have met whites who will vote based on qualifications and others who will vote based on the color of my skin. I have met blacks who will vote for and against me for many of the same reasons. ... I am convinced [and will find out on Nov. 8] that we have reached a point in this community that the purely race-driven voters will be outstripped by those who vote based on conscience and qualifications." Gilmartin: "I feel comfortable in every part of Youngstown, and I am no stranger in the black community. I am asking for their support in the same way I ask for votes from other areas. I hope to demonstrate the ability to use the virtues of prudence, fortitude, justice and knowledge and set an example that by doing the right thing we can learn to appreciate each other as human beings." Teague: "When are you going to let this color thing rest? This could be one of the reasons Youngstown is the way it is. All of us live, sleep and die the same way." Hagan: "Race is a serious issue and must be dealt with by making sure you adhere to hiring, firing, working and living principles that are fair. The next mayor needs to talk about race relations in a way that people understand. I possess that credibility. ... The challenge is to get everyone involved in making our city great again."