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Group grills state on funds
TweetBy KATIE SEMINARA
YOUNGSTOWN — A group representing the Mahoning Valley met with the Ohio Department of Development in Columbus recently to express frustrations that Youngstown didn’t receive as much money as they thought it should have through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
“We let them know that Youngstown has been the orphan child and we’re no longer willing to put up with that,” said Patricia Dougan, president of the 7th Ward Citizens’ Coalition, who was among city officials, state legislators and community activists at the session.
The meeting was arranged by the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative, a group that seeks to aid Youngstown neighborhoods by getting block-watch groups and elected officials to work together to eliminate vacant and dilapidated properties.
“[The trip to Columbus] was one way to show we’re all together, all going the same direction,” said Bill D’Avignon, Youngstown community development and planning director.
The meeting focused on determining why Youngstown was not allocated more money when NSP funds were distributed in late-December, said D’Avignon,
Ohio received $258 million with $141.2 million awarded to 22 cities and counties in September 2008. At that time, it was announced that Youngstown would get $2.7 million from the NSP, which is a federal program administered by the state.
When ODOD released the list in December of which areas would receive portions of the remaining $116.8 million, Youngstown was left out. The coalition wanted to know why Youngstown was left out.
“[The state] evaluated each city on guidelines provided by the federal government,” said Ken Carano, the governor’s regional director.
“Unfortunately, Youngstown came up short,” he said.
The guidelines took into consideration city foreclosures from the past 18 months at the time the money was distributed. Youngstown ranked 18th, and larger amounts of funds were given to cities with the most foreclosures.
Youngstown had many foreclosures that occurred more than 18 months before the second round of funding, Carano said.
Youngstown should have received more money, said D’Avignon, who estimates that Youngstown would need $42.9 million to fix its foreclosure and vacant housing issues.
At the meeting, the MVOC gave the state data from surveys that rated and identified troublesome properties. Presenting the data was an effort to show where Youngstown currently stands and to encourage the state to assist the city with additional funding.
If some communities don’t use all their NSP funding, it’s possible that some of that money could come to Youngstown, state officials said. No time line was given by the state as to when or if such a redistribution of funds might happen.
Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said that the state is working to find any further assistance possible, according to Mayor Jay Williams ,who called the meeting “very positive and productive.”
There is a “strong indication” that the state will look to aid Youngstown with funds outside of the NSP, said Carano.
“The frustrations of the Youngstown group were well presented,” he said.
“We want to make ourselves known and accounted for,” said Williams.
“I think we sent a clear message that this is a new Youngstown, a new Mahoning Valley,” he said.
Comments
Here is who attended and the minutes:
Ohio Department of Development Meeting Summary
January 9, 2008, 2:00pm
Vern Riffe Center, Columbus, Ohio
Mahoning Valley participants:
1. Jay Williams, Mayor, City of Youngstown
2. Bill D'Avignon, Community Development and Planning Director
3. John McNally, Mahoning County Commissioner
4. Pat Lowry, Press Secretary, Office of Congressman Tim Ryan
5. Joe Schiavoni, State Senator
6. Emily McBane, State Rep. Hagan Legislative Aide
7. Pastor Michael Harrison, Union Baptist Church
8. Patricia Dougan, President, Seventh Ward Citizens Coalition
9. Councilwoman Annie Gillam, 1st Ward
10. Councilwoman Janet Tarpley, 6th Ward
11. Deb Flora, Executive Director, Lien Forward Ohio
12. Kirk Noden, Executive Director, Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative
13. Ian Beniston, Director of Policy/Organizer, Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative
14. Phil Kidd, Director of Communications/Organizer, Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative
15. Robert Hagan, State Representative (via phone)
16. Joel Ratner, Raymond John Wean Foundation (via phone)
17. City of Youngstown Councilpersons DeMaine Kitchen (2nd Ward), Jamael Tito Brown (3rd Ward), Carol Rimedio-Righetti (4th Ward), John R. Swierz (7th Ward). (via phone)
State of Ohio participants:
• John Magill, Chief Strategic Officer
• William Murdock, Director, Urban Development Division
• Ian Nickey, Legislative Liaison, Governmental Relations Office
• Bill Graves, Director, Community Development Division
• Rob Schmidley, Cartographer, Policy Research and Strategic Planning
• Marvin Hayes, Director, Governor’s Office – Urban Development and Infrastructure
• Arnie Clebone, Regional Economic Development Director
• Ken Carano, Governor’s Regional Representative
• Blaine Brockman, Assistant Director, Ohio Housing Finance Agency
• Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher (via Phone)
Pastor Michael Harrison opened the meeting by thanking the members of the State of Ohio for meeting with our group and explained the objectives that the meeting hoped to reach. These objectives included:
1.) An explanation as to why the City of Youngstown failed to receive any state discretionary NSP funding as well as an explanation in regards to the process in which that decision was made;
2.) To provide an overview of new various political, community development, and policy initiatives currently underway in the Mahoning Valley of which state officials may not have been completely aware of and which make the Mahoning Valley an area of strategic investment;
3.) To discuss additional resources/secure a meeting with Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in Youngstown sometime in the month of February.
Pastor Harrison then gave a brief overview of MVOC whom organized the meeting and had each individual in the room introduce themselves.
After introductions were completed, the Mayor began the meeting by stating that – while displeased - he understood the rationale/restriction placed on the State regarding the lack of allocation from the State of Ohio NSP program to Youngstown. He also stated that Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher had expressed displeasure and assured the Mayor that all efforts will be made to find additional resources to assist Youngstown. Finally, the Mayor explained that we were here today to “reintroduce” Youngstown and framed the meeting by describing a number of “transformative” initiatives currently underway. Pastor Michael Harrison echoed the Mayor’s comments by saying “a new day is dawning…” in Youngstown and resources are needed to address the foreclosure and abandonment crisis which has been detrimental to city neighborhoods.
Joel Ratner spoke next and provided an overview of the Wean Foundation’s involvement in the Valley and its commitment to funding important initiatives currently underway. Joel said the philanthropic community has taken a significant role in being part of the good things happening in the community. He commented briefly on some of the major investments of the foundation to include: General grant allocation and Neighborhood SUCCESS Grant programs, the Mahoning Valley’s soon-to-be first ever community college, the MVOC, and the newly formed Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.
Kirk Noden introduced the MVOC and discussed the significance and importance of organizing in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. He stated that the MVOC is focused on rebuilding and reknitting social capacity as well as providing professional policy development work. He then introduced the recently completed citywide vacant property survey and its relation to the Vacant Property Campaign as a whole. Noden ended by stating the “parts equal the sum in the Mahoning Valley”.
Patti Dougan continued the discussion of the work/investment of MVOC and Wean Foundation, respectively. She discussed the various participating block watches and grass roots institutions involved in a number of the initiatives and stated that people want to “have a voice”. People in Youngstown no longer accept the status quo and are willing to work with each other, the state, or whomever in order to get the work done that needs to be done and to receive the resources necessary to be able to effect real change.
Deb Flora discussed formulation the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. She explained the great need for and the importance of such an organization in Youngstown and also indentified of some of the YNDC’s capabilities as well as a provided an overview regarding the timelines/details in terms of development.
Pat Lowry discussed the Congressman’s support for the various initiatives aforementioned as well as the work being conducted on the ground in the Mahoning Valley. He also brought with him a letter to the Speaker of the House sent by the Congressman and 7 other congressional leaders which seeks demolition money from the federal government as part of a federal stimulus package. Pat also discussed the Urban and Suburban Communities Regeneration Act being introduced by Congressman Ryan and six other cosponsors in the House. Pat read a section of the bill and provided copies to all State officials. He concluded by stating that the Bill should be on the house floor by the end of January or in early February.
Lee Fisher entered the meeting via telephone and said the state is committed to finding funding and “exploring ways to find funding” but that “money is tight” and it will take time. The Mayor provided a follow up to Lee Fisher’s comments, again highlighting the collaboration among business, faith based, non-profit, philanthropic and public sector leaders present from the Mahoning Valley and stated that a “…a partnership is being rebirthed…”.
Bob Hagan commented via telephone that “there were no back room deals” regarding how the NSP allocation decision was made and the Strickland administration has brought forth a “sea change of politics” at the state level. Hagan continued by stating that the Lt. Governor and Governor are “eager to participate and are working feverishly..” to assist the Mahoning Valley to which Lee Fisher briefly echoed Hagan’s comments regarding the state’s commitment to urban communities. State Senator Joe Schivoni added that people are really hurting in the Mahoning Valley and that the lack of funding further damages the morale of those who live in the community and have been frustrated by continued lack of adequate previous state assistance. Kirk Noden followed by highlighting again the “innovative and creative work taking place across sectors in the Mahoning Valley…” and Patti Dougan also made brief reference to the Vacant Property survey data.
Bill Graves commented on the legislation proposed by Congressman Ryan and stated that it fills the gaps left by the NSP that was developed for “hot” real estate markets. Lee Fisher finished his phone call by adding that he is willing to have a follow up conversation in Youngstown. Bill Graves said he will see the Lt.Governor’s commitment through and will come with him to the Mahoning Valley in order to have a more detailed discussion about funding opportunities. He also commented on the need for the YNDC and was very encouraged to hear that it is under development.
Commissioner John McNally expressed his thanks for the Mahoning County NSP allocation ($2.9 million) and his disappointment over the city being shortchanged. McNally made a commitment to lobby for a portion of the county’s allocation to assist the city, stating that the “city is part of the county”. McNally also discussed the National Vacant Property Campaign and the Youngstown-Mahoning County Vacant Property Initiative to include the major priorities of said initiative.
Marvin Hayes followed and answered a question by Annie Gillam’s whom asked if the state would listen to “our concerns and find money” by explaining sprawl and the problems facing urban communities throughout Ohio. Hayes continued by saying the state is “building state programming that fits the needs of urban communities…” and that the state is in a transition and is moving toward being more friendly and supportive of urban communities. He also touched on economic development and the need to stabilize neighborhoods because “quality of life equals economic development”. Bill Graves reacted to some the comments and spoke about potential state resources as did the associate director of OHFA.
Bill D’Avignon commented that Youngstown 2010 has received national and international attention and noted how the plan is “based in reality”. He went on to say, “We are not trying to build glass towers. This is about stabilizing a community. That, in essence, is the Youngstown 2010 plan. You cannot deny that Youngstown did not get what it deserved.” Bill continued with similar comments about Youngstown being shortchanged and suggested that the data used by the state was inaccurate. Joel Ratner voiced similar concern. Bill Graves responded by discussing the state’s methodology and reiterating the state’s commitment to finding additional resources in “tight and constrained times…”
Someone raised the question that should other communities whom have received an allocation not have the capacity to utilize the funding or if there is a surplus, would that money be rechanneled back to the state and redistributed to other communities of need/with capacity (i.e. Youngstown). The State said that that was a legitimate question and that they have considered creating such a review process. Janet Tarpley asked about a timeline to which the State said that they had no timeline at present but would inform us of any and all updates as discussion continues regarding looking for additional funding.
William Murdock discussed Clean Ohio funding and how it is not only a great resource for communities like Youngstown but further commented on how Youngstown is taking great advantage of the program.
Pastor Harrison thanked everyone for attending the meeting and the meeting adjourned at aprox. 4pm.
Phil Kidd
Phil,
Just an fyi, Councilman Paul Drennen 5th ward was present as well via phone. His ward is greatly impacted by these funds.
Why does this remind me of a quote by Alan Sherman? - "A committee is a group of individuals who all put in a perfectly good color,and it comes out gray."
Everyone wants more funds. Well, folks the taxpayers are tapped out and the current financial crisis is just starting to play out. Get ready for, and used to doing more with less money. We taxpayers have been doing so for quite some time.
this is just another scam by jedd and most of his flunkies to scam more money for this godforsaken city of thugstown! and the uncle tom council folk just are going along for the ride, what a bunch of pricks!
so if this city gets oh, $2mil more for demolition/foreclosures, off the top, $mil goes to the jeddster (taxation, without representation, you know we must render unto caesar)! then what's left will go to where these clowns will deem it necessary 1st!
what this city NEEDS is new leadership, not inept, money hungry, uncle tom pickaninnies, like we have now!