First city mayoral debate is tonight at Fellows Riverside Garden

YOUNGSTOWN — The 7th Ward Citizens Coalition will host a Youngstown mayoral debate at 7 p.m. today at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center at Mill Creek MetroPark’s Fellows Riverside Garden.

Democrat John McNally IV and DeMaine Kitchen, an independent, have committed to the debate.

Frank Bellamy, another independent, said he won’t participate. John M. Crea, also an independent, is currently in the Mahoning County jail on $7,000 bond. A pre-trial hearing on misdemeanor charges of aggravated menacing and disorderly conduct is scheduled for 11 a.m. today in Youngstown Municipal Court.

The debate participants will be asked questions by a panel of local journalists with the Rev. Michael Harrison, pastor of Union Baptist Church, serving as moderator. The debate is expected to last 90 minutes.

The public is invited to attend.

Reporter Dave Skolnick will be live Tweeting the event at @dskolnick and @vindicator with the hashtage #YOMAYOR.