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Youngstown mayor pledges better planning
YOUNGSTOWN
Better planning and involving more people in government are in the city’s future, Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said.
Brown joined newly installed Municipal Court Judge Carla Baldwin for Youngstown State University’s town hall meeting Tuesday evening to have open conversations with those who attended.
Ernie Barkett, YSU Student Government Association vice president, asked Brown what his plans were to better what some called a failed plow service done by city employees after a January snowstorm.
Brown said it all comes down to planning.
“In government we must plan,” Brown said. “We’ve been blessed over the last three to four years. Our winters have not been that strong and sometimes in government we say, ‘We didn’t need that right now.’ Well, probably 21/2 to three weeks ago, we needed snow trucks, and we needed manpower, and we didn’t plan for that. ... We have to plan better. In government, we don’t plan enough.
“This 2018 snow we should’ve had planned for already. The issue is for now we are going to have to start buying for the 2019 snow and for 2018 just deal with where we are.”
Brown used part of the meeting to reach students who want to be involved in various government processes.
“I want to look at all of my departments, whether it’s in or outside of city hall, [and see] where we can benefit from the young men and women of Youngstown State,” he said. “Millennials want to make a change, and I want to help them get involved in government to do that.”
“There is life after college, and there’s hope for you,” Brown added.
Despite problems Brown faces now, and will face in the future, he said he likes being a part of the process.
“Resilience is pushing forward,” he said. “Things may push you back and delay you, but that does not mean ultimate denial.”
Judge Baldwin said becoming a judge seemed far-reaching when the idea was first pitched to her, but she has no regrets for pursuing that goal.
“It’s the best decision I ever made in my life,” she said.
Judge Baldwin became the first black woman elected to the bench in Mahoning County history in last fall’s general election.