Mayor willing to have 'intelligent discussions' with Aqua Ohio

YOUNGSTOWN — City leaders are willing to “engage in intelligent discussions” with Aqua Ohio after the first phase of a water study done by the city is complete, Mayor Jay Williams said Friday in a letter to the company’s president.   Williams added that any talks must be based on the public good, and not on “shortcomings or faulty premises.”

Earlier this week Aqua Ohio President Walter J. Pishkur sent a letter to Williams offering to buy Youngstown’s water system for $50 million. The city isn't interested in selling or leasing either system, Williams wrote in the letter, which was also sent to city council members and the local media.

“The City of Youngstown’s water/wastewater system is not on the market,” he wrote. “It is premature for us to discuss any options that involve the City’s system prior of completion of a multi-phased study.”

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