A Conversation with Y-town Mayor Jay Williams
On Regionalism, Cleveland Plus and more...

Cool Cleveland hopped the Ohio Turnpike east in mid-November to visit Youngstown Mayor, Jay Williams, at City Hall. Our jaunt was a reciprocal salute to the Cleveland Plus Campaign and regionalism, after meeting the Mayor in August at the Professionals in the City event, held at Cleveland Botanical Gardens. We contacted the Mayor several weeks after, requesting an interview to discuss regionalism in Northeast Ohio. He agreed.

A Youngstown native, Jay Williams produced a watershed political event in November 2005, becoming the city's first African American mayor, and youngest, elected at age 34. He's also the first Independent candidate to win the Mayoral seat in 80 years.

Williams is a modest man, eagerly sharing the spotlight when discussing the city's continual, international accolades for its visionary Youngstown 2010 Plan. The city was the recipient of the 2007 National Planning Excellence Award for Public Outreach from the American Planning Association (APA). At its height in the 20th century, Youngstown was a thriving population of 170,000, and third largest Steel-producing region in the country. Now a town of 80,000 people, the city is embracing its smaller size, and reinventing itself with Creative Shrinkage methods.

Earlier this month, Mayor Williams was in Boston, to receive the prestigious John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award. The honor acknowledges one civilian and one elected official, under the age of 40, who are changing their communities and country with their commitment to public service. As a Gen Xer, he's attuned to Social Networking media and blogs to communicate with his constituents, adding to his 21st century leadership approach.

The Cleveland Plus Campaign, unveiled in April, is a collaboration between the Cleveland Plus Marketing Alliance, which includes The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland, and Team NEO. The movement primarily targets people outside of Northeast Ohio who make or influence business and travel decisions. The drive looks to unite Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown (and every town in between), as a powerful, dynamic region, with over four million residents and 6,000+ square miles. More than $3.5 million is being invested in the campaign this year, with another $5 million plus, pledged for the next two years, and beyond. The campaign rallies every Northeast Ohio citizen to embrace its mission, and educate family, friends, and coworkers, about its merits (visit http://www.clevelandplus.com to learn more).

Regionalism is originating from the need for area cooperation in the 21st century. Today's spatial orientation of economies, housing markets, infrastructure, and labor markets defy localism. Regional unity can assuage the juggernaut of globalization. The contest, is determining an effective approach for each marketplace. Northeast Ohio boldly confronts that challenge via the Cleveland Plus Campaign.

Marketing and Change Agent guru, Seth Godin, says that today, "Small is the new Big." Youngstown's Mayor Jay Williams, and its residents, are well on their way to proving him right.

Cool Cleveland: What three components will enhance the long term success of the Cleveland Plus Campaign?

There needs to be a genuine commitment from the communities of Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, to collaborate in ways they probably haven't done before.

Jay Williams: A sustained involvement from the business, and other communities, who've in the past, often seen themselves isolated, to operate Northeast Ohio as a true region.

Everyday citizens, who again, are often exclusively involved in their specific community, need to embrace the campaign. I understand and respect their approach, but if we're really going to start operating as a region, then there has to be a buy-in from all constituents, whether political, business or the private sector.

How could Parochialism affect the Cleveland Plus Campaign?

That could be the deathknell of this campaign. The parochialism that exists in Mahoning Valley alone, is significant. The campaign needs to transcend parochialism throughout Northeast Ohio. If I only look out for the city of Youngstown, disregarding the surrounding areas, I won't get very far, because everyone else will be acting accordingly. I don't think Mahoning Vallley is big enough for us to protect our own interests exclusively.

How is Mahoning Valley approaching regionalism today?

We're working to combine our 9-1-1 services between Youngstown, the County, and a number of suburbs who have their own 9-1-1 providers. We're also discussing joint Economic Development districts. The proposal has faced some resistance in the Mahoning Valley, but discussions on more equitable revenue sharing are necessary. That's a work in progress. We're exploring communal Water Service Agreements as well.

The Youngstown 2010 Plan (www.Youngstown2010.com), is the city's vision, gaining worldwide recognition. What can you say about the Plan that's not easily discernible on the website?

The Youngstown 2010 Plan doesn't end that year. The 2010 Moniker was adopted after the 2000 Census Bureau statistics were released for Youngstown, providing a shocking wake up call. Youngstown led the state of Ohio in population decline, dropping from 95,000 to 82,000 people- a 14.1 % loss. We united, and began looking at the city in ten-year increments. The city spent the previous 30 years in a state of paralysis, pondering what once defined Youngstown-the Steel mills, manufacturing, etc.

The 2010 Plan was born out of a need, desire, and inclination to start redirecting the community. Initially, the Plan had many opponents. Here we are, five years after its inception, and people are still embracing it as a brand and an identity. Our challenge, as we move closer to the marker year, is to make sure people realize that it doesn't end there. Youngstown 2010 then becomes Youngstown 2020, etc. It's hard to capture on the website that the Plan now defines the city's language and dialogue. Even the Plan's critics now use it as a measurement of Youngstown's accomplishments.

How is the Plan progressing, entering the Year 2008?

A number of benchmarks have been achieved, and some have been exceeded, due partly to our ability to allocate some surplus funding. I often talk about our strategic Demolition Program. We've done more demolition in the past several years, than the last five or six years collectively.

Our Economic Development Programs are more focused, performing better than in a number of years, targeting minorities, the Disadvantaged, and Women-owned businesses as well.

The relationships we're establishing across the Mahoning Valley, and Northeast Ohio, are stronger than ever, because of the Youngstown 2010 Plan. Sometimes those benchmarks aren't necessarily neat and concise, because much is dependent on attitude and Quality of Life issues. We're continually making progress.

Cuyahoga County's dialogue about realigning goverment has met with some resistance. Is Mahoning Valley working to realign its government, and how is the concept being received?

There's a lot of discussion down here about realigning local government, and progress is being made. Youngstown City Government is reviewing the number of City Council seats to determine if those seven seats need to be reduced or combined. Those seats are all Ward, none of them are At-large. Also, City government recently had a significant change. The Parks and Recreation Department was a Semi-autonomous branch, often lacking accountability and efficiency. The voters overwhelmingly approved a Charter Amendment, to realign the department, and complement the Administration.

On the County level, one County Commissioner from Mahoning, and one from Trumbull County, are both championing a Charter Government evaluation, much like that employed in Summit County. As expected, some people are being resistant to the proposal, while others have adopted a more open-minded approach. It varies individually.

How is Youngstown's Crime Rate?

Zero Tolerance isn't anything new, but we're approaching it with a new attitude in the city. We recently had some success, partnering with the Youngstown Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office. We've done some Saturation patrol, to send the message that, while not all individuals will be sited, we're going to challenge every offense. Often, that increased contact allows us to find individuals who are traveling through the city with guns and drugs, etc. We're deploying that method on a random basis throughout the year.

We're also evaluating the use of additional technology, whether it be Surveillance or Gunshot Detection systems for differential city implementation.

Another program, called Operation Cease Fire, is one I believe, Cleveland is evaluating now. It's also been used in Boston and other cities. I whole-heartedly agree that if an individual can be rehabilitated, then he or she should have that opportunity. I've also sadly concluded, that for some individuals, the only solution as far as I'm concerned, is to remove them from general society; because they're unwilling or unable to live in a civil manor. When it's necessary, I intend to take that action without remorse.

Does the Youngstown Police Department use Tasers?

Currently, the Administration's Safety Commission is evaluating the use of Tasers, because there's an interest. Ultimately, we'd like to move in that direction, but we're doing our Due Diligence, and moving cautiously forward.

How is the Homicide rate in Youngstown?

Homicides unfortunately, have kept pace with last year's numbers, averaging about 30 to 34 per year, which is unacceptably high for a city our size. Each year we target a Homicidal decline, preferably by 50 percent, but certainly a 20 to 25 percent decrease. That has to be approached not only from a law enforcement stance, but also economic and social. Homicides are often not random acts of violence, but they still play on the fears of law abiding citizens. Decreasing Youngstown's crime rate is a priority of this Administration.

[Cleveland] Mayor [Frank] Jackson says that most City of Cleveland crimes are committed by 15 to 27 year-olds. Is this true of Youngstown as well?

Absolutely. We support Mayor Jackson and his proposed legislation making it illegal for juveniles to have possession of, or use firearms.

It's interesting. As an African American mayor, that's where the crisis is-African American males between the ages of 15 and 29 who are normally the perpetrators and the assailants. I need to be able to address the African American population in a candid, respectful way, having been reared in that community my entire life. There's a crisis occurring of heralding proportions, that we need to address within our own community, with assistance from others. These young men who have wanton disrespect for their own lives and the safety of others, can't always be blamed on economic and systemic problems.

It's been a struggle in the African American community for years, but not at the current level of reckless Black-on-Black violence. I couldn't agree more with Bill Cosby and Dr. Allen Poussaint, and their viewpoint on the subject. It's an area I'm going to be focusing on over the next several months.

Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards visited Youngstown back in July. He commented on the city's "collaborative efforts to retrain workers in the 21st century, that "shows loyalty" to the people who helped build the city in the 20th century." Can you highlight some of those "collaborative efforts" to retrain Youngstown's workforce?

Youngstown's workforce was primarily employed in manufacturing and the Steel industry in the 20th century. A 21st century transition is needed, although, that's easier said than done. There's an emerging workforce, an older generation preparing to retire, and a middle group needing to be retooled and retrained. The Mahoning/Columbiana One Stop Center provides training dollars to both employers and individuals, enabling a more successful employment transition. Although we can't train these workers ourselves, we as a municipality are collaborating with other workforce agencies. We've made the Chevrolet Convention Centre available for job fairs. We've also allocated monies from our HUD Community Block federal funding, to various retraining programs.

How is the Youngstown City School District performing today?

Here, it's a comparably complex issue as Crime and Safety. Unlike Cleveland, I don't have jurisdiction over the Youngstown City School District. The District is in a state of Financial Emergency and Academic Watch. In fact, there's a State Oversight Commission overseeing its finances. Unfortunately, the voters defeated a School District levy in the last election. The academic and financial struggles continue, although, progress is being made. Individually, some schools are doing well. Collectively, the Youngstown City School District is in a state of Academic Watch.

Race is always a contentious Regionalism element. How are race relations in the city of Youngstown?

We're a fairly diverse ethnic city, but still somewhat segregated in terms of neighborhoods. It poses opportunities and also significant challenges.

The Youngstown 2010 Plan did spark some conversation. We took a whole segment of that dialogue and devoted a Public Television Dialogue Series to Racial issues. We invited people to talk candidly and respectfully about Race, Stereotypes and Perceptions. It was an enlightening experience. It didn't solve the issues, and we knew that it wouldn't, but we couldn't act like these issues don't exist, because they do affect the operations and decisions of the community.

Can true regionalism be achieved without racial harmony?

No. Racial "harmony" may be the wrong word. Racial Unity opponents will always exist, opting instead for their extreme positions. There will always be a need for cross-pollination of empathic perspectives. "Mutual understanding" might be a better descriptive term.

Youngstown environmentalist and attorney, Debra Weaver founded Treez Please last spring, planting trees in the city's "devil strips" (the land between the sidewalk and street). Can you highlight other eco-friendly initiatives occurring around town?

We're working with the Mahoning County Green Team to increase regional recycling. The city of Youngstown has free, curbside, Recycling service. Today, not many communities offer that ammenity. I've almost become a recycling zealot myself, retrieving plastic bottles and such from the Wastecan after our Council meetings.

We're working with the Environmental Protection Agency on some of our Sewer Overflow projects, and diligently reducing the waste being contributed to the Mahoning River. Initially, done through a Consent decree, we're now taking a vested interest in the river because it's an environmental necessity.

Our city buildings are using more energy-efficient lighting, HVAC and electrical systems. We're slowly but surely increasing our eco-friendly practices throughout the city's operations.

What do you consider to be Youngstown's three biggest assets?

For a city of our scope and size, we have a competitive Arts and Cultural community. Whether it's the Butler Institute of American Art, the McDonough Museum, or Powers Auditorium, etc., we offer accessible, affordable arts and culture. We also have authentic Italian cuisine, equaling that of Italy.

Our Mill Creek Metro Park System rivals the size of New York City's Central Park. It's a lifeline through the city of Youngstown and many of the suburban communities.

You won't find a harder working group of people than here in Youngstown. Sure, we have our quirks and idiosyncracies like anyone else, but we're authentic. When people from Youngstown and Mahoning Valley migrate elsewhere, they always seem to find one another.

This is a city with a rich, proud past, who's experienced some difficult times. In my mind, there isn't a more exciting place to be, than in a city re-establishing and refining itself.

Youngstown is using "Out-of-the-Box" thinking to preserve its authentic urban environment. Can you share some examples?

We've had to be innovative. We were once a city of 170,000 people, and the third largest Steel- producing region in the country. As a result, a lot of wealth was produced. Those Steel Industry Barons were Philanthropists who endowed the city with a rich sense of culture and history, complementing the town's authentic environment.

We're now a city of 80,000 people. Just because the population is shrinking, doesn't mean that Youngstown's 20th century endowed arts and cultural assets need evaporate as well. While there's been a Suburban exodus, you can't recreate and move the Butler Institute of Art, or Youngstown State University, etc. to those areas.

We've been fortunate to preserve those assets, and although now a smaller city, we have unimaginable diamonds, had we been an originally-sized city of 80,000 people.

There are two or three Downtown projects occurring that were originally slated for the Wrecking ball. A group of architects are now restoring those buildings. Their firms are located on the first floor, with residential living on the second and third floors. Our Preservation efforts are invigorating downtown with restaurants and businesses. The push now is to convert some of the Skycrapers into apartments and condominiums, adding a dimension to Downtown Youngstown that hasn't existed in probably 50 years.

How would you respond to a civic leader who says that Youngstown's accomplishments in a city of 80,000 can't be duplicated in larger markets?

We're not saying that what's being done here in Youngstown can be perfectly extrapolated to other communities. In addition to size, many other factors, including political, social, financial and historical need to be considered.

I think there's a learnable lesson for any region. There are things happening here that are transferable to other cities ten times the size of Youngstown. I recently met the Mayor of Nebraska City, Nebraska, a town of 7500 people. I was as interested in talking and learning from her, as I would be learning from New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, or Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from Los Angeles. I believe there's something to be learned from a large city to a small city, and vice versa.

Youngstown, being situated mid-point between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, is regionally positioned to benefit from both cities, wouldn't you agree?

Having worked in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, I have an affinity for both towns. Cleveland, being located on Lake Erie, has a huge, geographical asset. Pittsburgh maximizes its Three Rivers as well. Both cities have made their bodies of water spatial vibrancies. We're working on incorporating the Mahoning River into our region's economic and recreational vitality.

I think we can learn from Pittsburgh's academia accomplishments, including medical research and technology. I anticipate making stronger connections with both intriguing cities. Congressmen Tim Ryan (D-Niles) and Jason Altmire, (D-Aliquippa, Pa). led a Technology and Innovation Forum at Youngstown State University on October 1. They're championing cooperation between Cleveland and Pittsburgh to strengthen the region's technology belt in the 21st century. Youngstown is positioned to reap benefits from both cities long term.

You're Youngstown's first African American mayor, the youngest, appointed at age 34, and the first Independent candidate elected in over 80 years. What do you think your election symbolizes in cities like Youngstown in the 21st century?

The community understands that doing the same thing the same way, will yield the same results. There's a willingness to think outside of the box, with an individual (not that racial stereotypes no longer exist- I experienced those dynamics on the Campaign trail), regardless of race, political affiliation, or age. Youngstown's citizens realize the city's vibrant potential.

That excites me, and again, tempering that with the fact that no miracle working is occurring here, certainly not by the mayor or any individual. Committed, great, hard-working people are producing some interesting results.

On Wednesday November 7, you received the prestigious John F. Kennedy Award in Boston. The annual award honors two Americans under the age of 40 who are changing their communities and country with their commitment to public service. How would you respond to a colleague who told you that they'd like to receive the award too?

First, stop worrying about awards, throw yourself into your work, and be willing to take what comes hell or high water with the job. The minute you start doing this because you're looking for accolades, praise, or rewards, you're in the wrong business. You get more criticism, cynicism and abuse in this position, than any award is worth. The reward has to be your self-gratification.

For me, this is home. If Youngstown benefits because I spent a few years here as Mayor -- with all due respect to the Kennedy Award, and any other past or future award I may recieve -- that's my best reward. That's why I was a bit reticent to accept the award because I never want the subject to be about me.

You're now blogging (http://www.mayorjaywilliams.blogspot.com), as part of your Mayoral communications. How important is Social Networking media for elected officials in the 21st century?

It's extremely important. Twenty years ago, Talk Radio played the role of Town Hall. It's now morphed into the Internet, with blogging and Chat rooms, etc. I'd been keeping an electronic journal, chronicling Youngstown's occurrences, basically for myself. Phil Kidd, and some other colleagues suggested that I start a blog. At first, I was hesitant, wondering if I had the commitment time.

I began blogging on community issues in July, and I'm astonished at the feedback I've received. The fact that people are reading and linking to the blog is fascinating. I've been blogging on average, twice a month, and would like to add one or two more monthly postings, but again, there are many other things keeping me busy. I want to post enough so that it's fresh and relevant. I'm still exploring and learning my voice and rhythm. I enjoy it. It's cathartic.

I think it's important for elected officials to continually engage their constituents. In today's society, the Internet is a highly effective Communication medium. There's also a group of Youngstown's citizens who aren't Internet-savvy, so I can't isolate their interests either. So for me, blogging is another tool. I have a fairly good relationship with the media. Instead of making phone calls, or writing a letter to the editor, I can now post my issue statements on my blog.

Given your continual Youngstown leadership praise, are you considering politcal aspirations?

I hope that I'm doing well. As with any elected official, there will always be those who'd say that I'm the worst mayor this city has ever seen. It depends on who you talk to. I'm my biggest critic, and I'm passionate about this job. I'm sure this will sound like a pat, political answer, but I have no intention of seeking another elected office. I have two more years on this term, and if the voters will afford me the privilege, I'd like to serve another four years. Afterwards, I'm open to infinite possibilities.

What concluding imprints do you hope to leave on Cool Cleveland readers?

Youngstown is a city experiencing reinvention and refinement. When Northeast Ohioans hear the word "Youngstown," don't assume the same city of 30 years ago. The whole Organized Crime image, no longer defines the city, and today, it's almost comical. Youngstown embodies new dynamics.

I think this region is committed to "Out-of-the-Box" thinking. Yes, we have our quirks, ideosyncracies and issues, etc., but there's a passion and interest here that keeps people coming back. There've been people who were ready to write the city off, but you can't write off Youngstown.

I think the perfect class analogy is our hometown hero Kelly Pavlik, who is the Middleweight Boxing Champion of the world. Kelly was in a match against Jermain Taylor, a match that many people said Pavlik wasn't ready for. It just wasn't going to happen. In the Second Round, Jermain popped Kelly and put him on the ground. Kelly literally stumbled and staggered through that Round. At that point, people had given up on Pavlik.

Five Rounds later, Kelly Pavlik ended up putting Jermain Taylor out decisively, and winning the Championship. If someone wants to see what Youngstown is all about, all they have to do is watch that fight.

Interview by Tim Zaun timATtimzaun.com. Zaun blogs on business, entrepreneurship, and the environment at http://www.timzaun.com.
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