Embattled nonprofit entity does right by Youngstown

In the midst of trying to deal with the fallout from a state investigation into its activities, the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) has taken action that is deserving of praise: The nonprofit agency has persuaded the Ohio Department of Development to let it spend $300,000 for the city of Youngstown’s summer recreation programs and to open the North Side Pool — just as the temperature is rising.

The state’s approval is expected this week, the result of a Friday meeting in Columbus between state and MYCAP officials.

The $300,000 is coming out the organization’s $1.19 million allocation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the so-called federal stimulus initiative.

To critics of the recovery act who continue to insist that the $819 billion has done nothing to spur the national economy, which went into a recession in 2008, the last year of the Bush administration, and has not had a positive effect on the U.S., we would point out that facilitating summer recreation programs for inner city children and opening the Youngstown-owned swimming pool for young people, many of whom do not have air conditioning in their homes, is exactly what government is supposed to do.

There are part-time jobs that will have to be filled, and that’s good for the local economy.

But this isn’t only about ensuring improved quality of life for inner city kids. The city in general benefits because without recreational programs and the public pool, young people would have too much time on their hands — with no adult supervision. And that’s a recipe for disaster.

Indeed, the administration of Mayor Jay Williams is bracing for an uptick in crime as the days get long and hot. Administration officials, including police Chief Jimmy Hughes, have been meeting with their counterparts in state and federal law enforcement and criminal justice. As past years have shown, a concerted, hard-hitting crime-fighting campaign does keep the city’s streets and neighborhoods from being taken over by the gangbangers and other criminals.

Systemic problems

The $300,000 from MYCAP will be money well spent, but it does not negate the systemic problems that have beset the agency. The department of development’s Office of Community Services has issued a hard-hitting critique of the operation and leadership, which prompted the board of directors to first put Executive Director Richard A. Roller II on unpaid administrative leave and then fire him on May 14.

The state’s preliminary report of MYCAP’s financial records detailed possible misuse of funds, nepotism, conflict of interest and several other issues. In looking into possible misappropriation of funds, state officials revealed that weatherization work was done at Roller’s house.

There is also the question of the agency renting a condominium in the Realty Building in downtown Youngstown. The explanation is that the place was used to accommodate out-of-town consultants and other visitors with business at MYCAP.

But the condo is an example of the way the agency has been run. It is clear that a top-to-bottom review is necessary and major changes in management must be made.

Also, the board of directors must know that they are ultimately responsible for the way taxpayer dollars are spent.