Dissension continues on Youngstown council over YNDC contracts

YOUNGSTOWN

Another city council meeting, another postponed vote on a contract with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

Because of questions from Councilwomen Janet Tarpley, D-6th, and Annie Gillam, D-1st, about a YNDC contract renewal for up to $60,000 this year to provide planning services to the city, the item was pulled from Wednesday’s council agenda in the finance committee meeting.

“We want to know where they’re at, what they’ve done and what they’re going to do in the next year or so,” Tarpley said to a Vindicator reporter after the finance committee of which she is chairwoman. “The request is nothing difficult.”

Tarpley also said a finance committee meeting will be scheduled for early next week to bring all the parties together to discuss the contract.

During the finance meeting, Councilman Paul Drennen, D-5th, a committee member, asked why those with questions didn’t get them answered beforehand.

He was more vocal after the finance committee meeting.

“I’d rather come to a meeting prepared,” Drennen said. “We have two council members holding legislation hostage,” referring to Gillam and Tarpley.

Read more of the dispute in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.