Mayor Williams’ departure notable in a couple of ways

When he begins his assignment Aug. 8 as the executive director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers in the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, Jay Williams’ six-year tenure as the first black mayor in the history of Youngstown will be a part of his story. After all, Williams came to the attention of the White House because of the course he charted for Youngstown’s economic transformation from traditional industry to high technology.

The foundation of the transformation is the blueprint called “Youngstown 2010,” which deals with various aspects of the city’s future, including the reality of geographic downsizing to match the declining population. The blueprint, which was developed during the tenure of former Mayor George McKelvey when Williams was his director of the Community Development Agency, has gained national and international press coverage.

Williams’ joining the Obama administration is not only a personal achievement, but it could benefit Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Consider the latest flap involving the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Earlier this month, a HUD official raised eyebrows when he said that Williams’ departure made Youngstown ineligible to participate in President Obama’s “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” initiative. Six cities were selected, but not Youngstown, which had the inside track when the program was discussed and created a couple of years ago. Indeed, Youngstown’s selection was all but confirmed when HUD officials visited and interviewed government and community leaders.

But then the mayor got the Labor Department job and the city was found to be ineligible to participate. It seems inconceivable that a federal program designed to provide guidance and technical assistance to communities that are on the road to economic recovery would be governed by such a subjective standard.

Was the HUD bureaucrat actually suggesting that there is only one individual in Youngstown, Jay Williams, who has the vision and ability to chart its future?

New mayor

A veteran city officeholder, Charles Sammarone, currently the president of council, will be the new mayor. Sammarone has been around for a long time and has seen the city weather many a storm. He has also participated in discussions and debates over the future of the community. To suggest that he would not have the same vision and know-how as Williams is to sell him short.

So what if the folks in Washington aren’t as familiar with him as they are with Williams? Or that he might not be as eloquent when it comes to economic development issues?

Sammarone understands the city and has been involved in its governance for many years. That should count for something.

When Williams goes to Washington we would hope he uses his position with the administration to make a pitch for Youngstown to be added to the list of “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” — now. Given the arbitrary nature of the program, adding one more community won’t destroy the program.