Oliver for 1st Ward council

Unlike most wards in Youngstown, Downtown Youngstown’s 1st Ward has witnessed its fair share of success stories in recent years. Business, cultural and entertainment revitalization have proceeded at a steady clip.

The councilman elected to replace term-limited outgoing Councilwoman Annie Gillam therefore will need to step up to the plate as a major player in continuing that momentum and in addressing the problems of blight and crime on the fringes of the downtown for which success has largely eluded.

The three-candidate field in the Democratic primary race includes Julius Oliver, Michael Write and Jose Rivera. Because Rivera chose not to participate in an interview with The Vindicator Editorial Board – a prerequisite for endorsement consideration – our choices are narrowed down to Write and Oliver.

Write, 62, a former Youngstown Board of Education member and a retired chemical dependency counselor with Meridian Services, is running on a viable platform of restoring neighborhoods, continuing downtown development, increasing public safety and playing a role in improving the public school system in the city.

Unfortunately, Write did not present to the editorial board a clear vision of specific means he would use to achieve those goals.

CLEAR SENSE OF PRIORITIES

Oliver, on the other hand, impressed the board with his clear sense of priorities and action items to effect positive change. Oliver, 34, for example, proposes allowing entrepreneurs to rehabilitate vacant buildings for start-up businesses. Similarly, he has concrete plans aimed at keeping young people from abandoning the city, and in strengthening public safety.

Oliver, a self-made business owner, would also bring to council youthful zeal and a willingness to search outside the box for creative solutions to longstanding urban problems.

As a result, The Vindicator endorses Oliver for the 1st Ward Council seat without reservations.