Class set for elected officials

The chamber leadership
program begins in January.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — In an effort to encourage, support and promote good government, the Regional Chamber is offering a program for elected officials and political candidates with the goal of making them better leaders.

Chamber officials announced the creation of the Mahoning Valley Local Government Leadership Academy at a news conference Wednesday. The program runs for nine consecutive Wednesdays beginning Jan. 9 for two hours each, with an enrollment fee of $225 per participant.

“The Regional Chamber is committed to giving people interested in more effective and efficient local government the tools to be good leaders,” said Tony Paglia, the chamber’s vice president of government affairs.

The curriculum courses include ethics, regionalization and economic development, conflict management and dispute resolution, and technology in local government.

“It’s part of our continuing effort to promote and support good government in the Mahoning Valley,” Paglia said.

Speakers

Among the speakers are Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Howland Township Administrator Darlene St. George, and Barb Ewing, economic development coordinator for U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and a former Regional Chamber executive. Of the nine speakers, Williams is the only currently elected official, and St. George is the only other who’s ever been elected to public office.

None of the speakers are being paid, and the enrollment fee is going toward travel expenses for out-of-town speakers, printing and postage and for a light dinner for the participants before each class, Paglia said.

The chamber will send letters to candidates in the Mahoning Valley running for seats in the November general election as well as to current public officials and employees and those in the business community interested in government asking if they want to sign up for the program.

The chamber expects about 20 to 25 people for the inaugural program.

“The idea is to give people information they need,” Paglia said.

Different from others

For most public officials, there isn’t a program in place to teach them what to expect after they are elected, he said.

Various organizations have conferences and seminars to help candidates and officeholders.

St. George said the chamber program is different because it’s open to anyone, it’s longer than most programs, and those from the Valley don’t have to travel to Columbus or other areas to attend.

The leadership academy will be at the chamber’s office at the First National Bank Tower on Central Federal Street in downtown Youngstown.

St. George said this program would have been invaluable to her when she served as a Howland trustee.

The idea for this concept came from the Ohio State University Extension Service, which started this program in 2001 in Toledo. During the past six years, the Toledo academy has had about 120 graduates, Paglia said.

The registration deadline is Nov. 30. Those wanting to sign up can contact Gwen Lewinsky at the chamber at (330) 744-2131, ext. 32 or e-mail her at gwen@regionalchamber.com.

skolnick@vindy.com