Rodgers, Pinkard, Ray deserve to retain Y’town council seats

With Youngstown city govern- ment bracing for a major fiscal challenge next year, and with Mayor James A. McNally scheduled to go on trial in state court in early 2016, city council members will need to step up to the plate and demonstrate leadership in doing the people’s business.

Unfortunately, there are only three incumbents on the ballot this year, which means the races in the other four wards are wide open.

Thus, the question: Do experience and know-ledge give councilmen T.J. Rodgers, D-2nd, Nate Pinkard, D-3rd, and Mike Ray, D-4th, an advantage over their challengers in the May 5 primary election?

We say “yes.”

Rodgers, Pinkard and Ray each appeared before The Vindicator’s editorial board, a requirement to be considered for our endorsement, and demonstrated strong command of the issues and offered realistic solutions for the myriad problems plaguing the city.

It’s no exaggeration to say Youngstown is at a crossroads. The population is declining, the income tax base is shrinking, there isn’t enough money to tear down all the dilapidated houses and clean up the neighborhoods, and the school system is in academic turmoil.

As for Mayor McNally, he’s facing a slew of state criminal charges stemming from his role in the so-called Oakhill Renaissance Place scandal when he was a Mahoning County commissioner. Although he has pleaded not guilty and insists he did nothing wrong, his trial will require him to be away from the office.

Rodgers, Pinkard and Ray understand the way city government works, have first-hand knowledge of the budget, and are familiar with the challenges confronting their wards.

Each of the incumbents has a challenger.

2nd Ward

Rodgers, who works for Black Knight Financial Services, faces Doris Wright, a senior at Youngstown State University. There was another candidate in the race, James Smith III, but he withdrew last week.

Although Wright comes across as sincere in her desire to help the 2nd Ward by rebuilding neighborhoods and attracting businesses, she did not articulate a vision that would make her a viable alternative to the incumbent.

Rodgers, on the other hand, has a solid record of accomplishments that includes: demolition of more than 100 homes, tearing down the old section of the McGuffey Mall, establishment of a neighborhood park in the Lincoln Knolls area and the purchase of splash pads for use by children in the ward.

But, the councilman’s No. 1 priority has been and will continue to be cleaning up the neighborhoods.

“We demolish when necessary and rehabilitate when needed,” he said. “You focus on blight and on reducing crime.”

3rd Ward

Unlike the other two incumbents, Pinkard has the distinction of being challenged by an individual who not only has a record of public service matching that of the councilman, but has first-hand knowledge of the needs and the challenges of the ward.

That’s because Rick Alli is a retired Youngs-town police officer who spent many years patrolling the North Side of Youngstown.

Listening to both candidates discuss the issues ranging from crime to deteriorating neighborhoods to the need for small business development along Belmont Avenue, it is clear that either one would serve the residents of the ward with distinction.

It is unfortunate that one must lose, but we are confident that both Pinkard and Alli will continue to be involved in the life of the city.

Pinkard, retired police chief of Mill Creek MetroParks District, has earned a reputation as a hands-on city councilman willing to take on individuals who are contributing to the deterioration of neighborhoods, including criminals and owners of abandoned homes.

The advantage of incumbency is evident when Pinkard discusses the city budget and the anticipated revenue shortfall next year.

4th Ward

By any measure, Councilman Ray is one of the most effective, knowledgeable and dedicated public officials in the city of Youngstown. He has taken on the tough issues and has been willing to lock horns with his colleagues who seem to have blinders on regarding the future of the city and the need to right-size city government.

We have consistently supported Ray in his efforts to change the mindset of members of council and public employees with regard to the expenditure of dwindling tax dollars.

As for his ward, he believes that public safety, maintaining vacant properties and increasing economic development are three priorities that demand attention.

Ray is being challenged by George Doward, a long-time employee of FirstEnergy Corp. He does have some creative ideas for dealing with vacant properties, such as requiring owners to tear down the structures or fix them, but he admits that he isn’t sure how the city could force the implementation.

The May 5 Democratic primary will determine who serves on city council starting next year, and The Vindicator strongly endorses Rodgers in the 2nd, Pinkard in the 3rd and Ray in the 4th.