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Starks, ‘a legend in politics,’ dies
By DAVID SKOLNICK
skolnick@vindy.com
YOUNGSTOWN
Photo
Then-Youngstown City Councilman Herman “Pete” Starks, right, stands with then-Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale at a campaign event in Youngstown. Starks, who served as a city councilman 22 years, died Sunday at 80.
Even though Herman “Pete” Starks last held office in 1985, he remained a local political force.
Starks, 80, died Sunday.
The local political icon served 22 years as the city’s 2nd Ward councilman, representing most of the East Side. Starks spent 17 of those years as chairman of council’s powerful finance committee.
“He was very instrumental in my campaign,” said Councilman DeMaine Kitchen, D-2nd, elected in 2007. “He was a sounding board for my campaign. He was a legend in politics in the Mahoning Valley.”
Starks was elected to his first two-year term on council in 1963. When he was re-elected in 1973, he became the first person to serve six consecutive terms as a representative of any ward in the city.
Starks was elected 11 straight times before opting not to run for his council seat in 1985. Instead, Starks ran for mayor that year, losing the Democratic primary to Patrick Ungaro.
Ungaro served on council with Starks for six years and two years as council president. Ungaro was elected mayor in 1983, serving 14 years in that capacity, and is Liberty Township’s administrator.
“We fought like cats and dogs, but we shook hands when we were done,” Ungaro said. “He was a dominant person in government. Even after Pete left office, his influence was enormous and overwhelming with council. He was still the person you had to work with.”
James E. Fortune Sr., a former 24-year council member, served six of those years with Starks.
“He was a teacher,” Fortune said. “I learned so much from Pete, particularly about finances. When he was on council, he was practically the leader of the city. We had many disagreements, but I had the utmost respect for him.”
George M. McKelvey, a former 3rd Ward councilman and eight-year mayor, started his political career sitting next to Starks at council meetings.
“I am, still to this day, impressed with his knowledge,” he said. “When he talked, I listened. His best qualities were his loyalty and honesty. With Pete Starks, his word was his bond.”
When Jay Williams announced he was running for mayor in 2005, Starks called him.
“He said, ‘You’re going to be mayor,’” said Williams, who won that race and was re-elected to a second four-year term last year. “He said it so matter of fact like the sun will come up tomorrow.”
Williams said Starks “was never shy about offering his advice and perspective. You always knew where Pete stood.”
Councilman Jamael Tito Brown, D-3rd, and currently chairman of the finance committee, said he would speak with Starks from time to time about city finances.
“He was legendary in the city,” Brown said. “He was still on top of things in city government” before his death.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by L.E. Black Phillips & Holden.