Mayor Williams on the mark with commitment to ACTION

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams received two standing ovations during last Thursday's ACTION banquet: The first, because of his historic victory in last year's mayoral election that made him the first black and the first independent in 30 years to become the city's chief executive; the second, because he said all the right things to the faith-based grassroots organization that has spent the past several years leading the effort in the region to reduce poverty, fight racism and other forms of discrimination and injustice and to break down barriers that separate communities in the Mahoning Valley.
Mayor Williams was the keynote speaker at the banquet and took the opportunity to assure the racially and religiously diverse audience of several hundred that he intends for ACTION -- Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods -- to be a partner in the administration's aggressive crime-fighting campaign this summer and its ongoing push to rid neighborhoods of dilapidated structures.
It was music to the ears of the founding members, including President Eleanor Felder, pastor of Holy Bible Church of God, and Vice President The Rev. Edward Noga, pastor of St. Patrick Church, who have long sought a close working relationship with government entities in the region.
These activists recognize that while citizen power can bring about change, it's a lot easier when the public sector is actively engaged.
The mayor talked in terms of a partnership between his administration and the grassroots organization and went so far as to praise members for their "tenacity and perseverance" in dealing with the myriad challenges they have confronted over the years.
For example, ACTION's "Holy Ground Marches" resulted in the demolition of three houses, the repair of one, the development of a new playground and in the spotlight being trained on the deathly effects of lead paint poisoning.
Crime
But it is on the issue of crime that Mayor Williams and the faith-based organization will be put to the test. That's because the upheaval in the criminal justice system in Mahoning County, with jail overcrowding as the centerpiece, has resulted in individuals who should be behind bars being on the streets. And as the weather gets warmer, these criminals will become more brazen.
To his credit, Williams recognizes the need for a proactive campaign to ensure that Youngstown won't experience a long, hot summer of crime. He recently met with federal law enforcement officials and within the month will have another session with federal, state and local law enforcement types to develop strategies for keeping the neighborhoods safe.
He made it clear last week that he intends for community-based organizations, such as ACTION, to play a leading role in this endeavor.
"We need to get a handle on the perceived troubles in the summer," Williams told the appreciate audience.
By reaching out to ACTION, the mayor has made sure that his administration will have a cadre of dedicated, thoughtful citizens who have given countless hours of their time to make the community the best it can be.