Hundreds attend mayor’s community celebration | PHOTO GALLERY


January 5, 2008 at 9:10p.m.

Mayor Jay Williams Community Celebration

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Hundreds attend mayor’s community celebration

YOUNGSTOWN — It began in 2006 as an inaugural celebration for the 34-year-old boy wonder who upset the entrenched party to become the city’s first black mayor.

And in 2008, Jay Williams’ supporters are still celebrating the arrival of new leadership in Youngstown.

Dressed in their finest, they packed Stambaugh Auditorium for the formal dinner and State of The City address, now known as the Mayor’s Community Celebration.

“We’re pushing 600 people again,” said Claire Maluso, the city’s Federal Plaza director and an organizer of Saturday night’s event. “We’re pushing the limits of this place.”

In the crowd were volunteers from Williams’ campaign like Wayne Penny Jr., a Youngstown State University graduate student, and pleased observers like Poland resident Anthony Scarnecchia.

“I support Jay any way I can,” Penny said.

“I believe in him,” Scarnecchia. “I think he’s a wonderful mayor.”

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.