Commissioners stress focus on future for youths

Downtown will see a busy spring and summer.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Working to give city young people a future and fighting crime must go hand-in-hand with developing downtown for the city to thrive, Mahoning County commissioners say.
Commissioners Anthony Traficanti, David Ludt and John McNally IV were among the guest speakers Wednesday at Youngstown Arts and Entertainment District's monthly meeting at Ohio One building. They said they want to work with Mayor Jay Williams and Youngstown schools Superintendent Dr. Wendy Webb to keep city youths in schools.
Traficanti said there is a direct link between truancy and youths' involvement in crime.
Positive developments
McNally said the city is moving the right direction not only through the efforts of YAEDA, but also with the formation of a merchants association. He said commissioners will work with both groups and the city Community Improvement Corporation in continuing to bolster downtown.
Ludt said commissioners are willing to work with U.S. Reps. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th, and Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and other lawmakers to help the city and the Mahoning Valley.
Questioned about the future of Job and Family Services employees housed in the McGuffey Plaza on the city's East Side, Traficanti and Ludt said commissioners are still considering a move, either to an existing facility or a new central complex that could be constructed to house most all county offices as a one-stop location.
Two people spoke about the poor conditions of the offices, and the many Workers' Compensation claims because of mold and other problems in the building.
Commissioners have said the county's financial situation and their need to deal with jail overcrowding has kept them from focusing on a possible move of the JFS offices.
Film locations
Richard Ouzounian, film commissioner of the Western Reserve Film Commission, said a producer was to be in town today to tour the former South Side Hospital and other areas as possible film locations. Another producer interested in shooting a movie in Youngstown wants to visit the area, he said.
The film commission will host the Youngstown premiere of the movie "Horrors of War" May 20 at Powers Auditorium, he said. Parts of the film were shot in Youngstown last summer.
Claire Maluso, director of special projects and events coordinator for the Youngstown Office of Economic Development, promised a busy spring and summer downtown. Some of the events:
April 20-21: grand opening and public tours of Youngstown Symphony Center and Powers Auditorium's pavilion and recital hall.
July 9: Fallen Officers Motorcycle Ride.
July 21 Jazz Fest at Bean Counter Cafe.
July 29, Pig Iron Literary and Art Works annual street festival expands to all day.