Franklin blazes political trail with win in the race for mayor

When he takes the oath of of- fice in January, Doug Franklin will be making political history as the first black mayor in the city of Warren — just as Jay Williams did in 2006 when he was sworn in as the first black mayor in the city of Youngstown. And while it may seem unnecessary to focus on race when this country has a black president, it is important to make note of such defining events because they reflect changes in public attitudes that are positive and encouraging.

Franklin put together a broad coalition of voters, and while he undoubtedly enjoyed overwhelming support in the black community, the two most significant endorsements in his race for the Democratic nomination for mayor came from Michael O’Brien and Daniel Sferra.

O’Brien is completing his second four-year term as mayor and appointed Franklin safety-service director when he took office; Sferra, a councilman, served as mayor from 1980 to 1995. Their endorsements just days before Tuesday’s primary election served to ease the concerns some residents may have had about a black mayor.

But most of the credit for Franklin’s victory over Jim Graham, a political newcomer but well-known labor leader, goes to the candidate himself. His conduct on the campaign trail was exemplary, and his quiet demeanor and deep understanding of the city and the problems it confronts were comforting to even those residents who did not support him.

Differences

In the end, the contest for mayor — there is no Republican candidate, which means Franklin will succeed O’Brien — came down to a choice between two very different candidates: one with loads of experience in city government and the other with loads of experience in the auto industry and the United Auto Workers union. While Graham, president of UAW Local 1112 at General Motors Corp.’s Lordstown plant, made a strong showing for someone who had never run for public office before, Franklin’s familiarity with the executive and legislative branches gave him the edge with regard to serving as Warren’s chief executive officer.

Given that he does not need a learning curve, the new mayor will be expected to move quickly to deal with such issues as crime, neighborhood deterioration and business development.

Franklin will have to develop a strategy for increasing tax revenues while reducing expenditures. Like residents of other older urban centers throughout the country, the people of Warren expect government to provide for the health, welfare and safety of the community, and to address its quality of life needs.

Franklin told voters that he had a plan for reviving the city. Between now and January, he would do well to work with Mayor O’Brien and others in the administration to prepare for the immediate launch in January of his mayoralty.