Magazine gives kudos to Mayor Williams

YOUNGSTOWN — “Governing” magazine chose Mayor Jay Williams as one of its eight 2009 Public Officials of the Year for his developing “an aggressive plan to create a Youngstown that will be smaller, but better.”

“I am truly honored to have our work here in Youngstown recognized by ‘Governing,’” Williams said. “This award reflects not just my efforts as mayor, but rather the collective efforts and accomplishments of the many people working to transform the city of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. It is an honor to work with and amongst such talented and determined individuals.”

This is the magazine’s 16th annual awards program that recognizes leaders from state, city and county government who made a notable positive impact on their community or state.

The profile article, “Urban Realist,” written by Alan Greenblatt, praises Williams for being the driving force behind the Youngstown 2010 development plan, approved five years ago as an effort to accept its declining population and work to properly redevelop neighborhoods.

“No one in America has more forcefully articulated the notion that for economically devastated cities, a leaner future still can be a healthy future,” the article reads.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com