3 mayors discuss cooperation, growth

The mayors say regional cooperation can revitalize the Mahoning Valley.
THE VINDICATOR
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The mayors of Youngstown, Warren and Struthers share similar challenges.
The three mayors say they need to work on economic development, revitalizing neighborhoods, keeping their cities safe and improving their downtowns.
Though solutions to these issues take time, the mayors say the spirit of cooperation among them and elected officials in other communities is going a long way toward reaching the goals.
Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Warren Mayor Michael O'Brien and Struthers Mayor Daniel Mamula discussed regional cooperation Monday at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Youngstown's North Side as part of the Universal Cafe Arts and Lecture Series.
"The barriers between Youngstown and Warren, and Mahoning and Trumbull counties are long gone," O'Brien said. "What's good for Youngstown is good for Warren. If something is positive in Warren, it assists Youngstown. We've broken down the barriers and the boundaries, and that has led to growth."
Mamula's proposals
During his 15 years as mayor, Mamula said Struthers has experienced financial stability, but he wants to do more than tread water.
One focus, he said, is to improve education. With that in mind, Mamula proposes a Mahoning County school system to replace the individual school districts in the county.
Also, state political leaders need to create a detailed urban redevelopment policy, Mamula said, that would address problems such as brownfield site improvements and the elimination of blighted areas.
"One thing [state government leaders] can do is talk to us more," he said. "There is a tremendous disconnect between Columbus and mayors."
Mamula is leading an effort, the Mahoning River Corridor Mayors Association, to have mayors in communities along the river work together to promote urban redevelopment policies and stimulate growth.
The mass exodus of people from Youngstown to the suburbs has to be reversed, Williams said. Though the suburbs have shopping centers and malls, they don't come close to offering the cultural facilities of Youngstown, he said. That is one way to attract people back to the city, he said.
skolnick@vindy.com