Monday, April 27, 2015
There’s good news and bad news in the race for the Democratic nomination for Youngstown’s 7th Ward council seat. The good news is that voters in the May 5 primary get to choose from three well-prepared, articulate, thoughtful candidates: Basia Adamczak, Holly Lynn Hanni and Chris Travers. The bad is only one of the three can win.
There is a fourth candidate in the race — the bar for qualifying to run for council isn’t very high — but John Vivo is a tax scofflaw. In February, The Vindicator reported that Vivo, a businessman, owed $14,176 to Mahoning County in unpaid property taxes and penalties. He also had a dozen cases filed against him for failing to pay state taxes, state tax liens, and certificates of judgment related to other unpaid bills.
This newspaper has been unwavering in its position that nonpayment of taxes is a disqualifier for holding public office.
Thus, in our view, only Adamczak, Hanni and Travers deserve to be taken seriously in the primary election. Unlike Vivo, each of them appeared before The Vindicator’s Editorial Board and faced some intense questioning about the 7th Ward, which along with the 4th, remains the city’s showcase for neighborhood stability and growth.
All three candidates made it clear that preventing the ward from succumbing to the deterioration that has plagued other parts of the city must be the top priority for the person elected to council. However, they also shared the view that Youngstown’s future depends on everyone — lawmakers, the administration and community groups — working together.
Hanni, a professional chef who works for Lariccia’s Italian Market, Travis, a floral delivery service provider, and Adamczak, a grants and development specialist for a consulting firm, have unique professional skills that can be brought to bear on behalf of the city.
A careful reading of the answers they gave to the questions contained in The Vindicator survey form sent to the candidates shows a level of commitment to public service that should reassure residents they will be well represented by any of the three candidates.
If it appears that we’re hedging with regard to our endorsement, it’s because this race, unlike any other this year, is worth mulling over given the caliber of the contenders. They all have strengths that would serve them well in a council that has been defined by its dysfunction, and none has any obvious weaknesses.
So, how does a voter decide? Implicit in that question is the reality that the 7th Ward would be well represented regardless of who wins.
HANNI ENDORSED
But, only one oval on the ballot in this race can be filled, and for us it’s the oval for Holly Hanni.
Why?
We were intrigued by her participation in a unique — for this region — project called “Cafe Augusta.” The project has its roots in New Orleans, where a group of internationally renowned chefs came together to give inner city youth hands-on experience in the restaurant business. The young people are responsible for every aspect of the restaurant, and from all indications the business is doing well.
In Youngstown, the Rev. Edward Brienz, associate pastor of St. Columba Cathedral, is spearheading “Cafe Augusta,” and Hanni’s culinary background is a definite plus.
“We will be helping young adults within the city of Youngstown to learn the restaurant industry and provide guidance to them,” she said in her survey form. “They will be mentored and taught the basic life skills.”
One of the greatest challenges confronting government and the public school system is coming up with creative ways of engaging young people so they’re steered away from the mean streets of the city.
If “Cafe Augusta” is a success, it would give rise to other such creative endeavors.
We, therefore, endorse Hanni for the Democratic nomination for the 7th Ward council seat — with the understanding that we would not be disappointed if Adamczak or Travers won on May 5.