YOUNGSTOWN — The last five men who have served as Youngstown mayor advise Mayor-elect Derrick McDowell to surround himself and rely on capable people, work hard and keep the best interests of constituents in mind when making decisions.

The Vindicator asked the four living ex-Youngstown mayors and outgoing Mayor Jamael Tito Brown to provide insights into how McDowell, who has never held elected office or worked in city hall, can best navigate the position. McDowell’s term starts Thursday.

The five are: George M. McKelvey, Jay Williams, Charles Sammarone, John A. McNally and Brown.

Williams, who served as mayor from January 2006 to August 2011 — resigning to join the administration of then-President Barack Obama — said McDowell needs to “remember what got you elected, but realize governing is much more different than campaigning and less enjoyable. It’s important to keep campaign promises, but you have to understand that running the city is challenging.”

Williams, who spoke to McDowell during the campaign, said of the mayor-elect: “His humility and passion will serve him well. The most important early decisions you make are who you surround yourself with. That will make or break your administration.”

Brown, who has spent the past eight years as mayor, said McDowell needs to “make sure he surrounds himself with folks who know what’s going on. But, also, when someone gives you a recommendation, your personal thoughts can’t be the deciding factor. It’s got to be based on stats and metrics. Listen to the data and listen to the information that’s given to you, but don’t be the only one with the answer in the room.”

Brown added: “If he’s in a room, and he’s the only one with the answer, he’s in the wrong room. I always made sure there were experts in that particular field that understood what was being discussed.”

McKelvey, mayor from January 1998 to December 2005, said: “I’d tell him to be patient. He’s made good choices for department heads. I’m impressed that he recognizes the talent in city hall, and I find that very encouraging. I’m also encouraged by the things he’s said. He has very much a customer-service approach to managing government for the people.”

McKelvey added: “He needs to ignore politics and focus on his constituents. He will bring his business background to the office. When you sit in that chair it can be overwhelming. But I’m a man of faith, and that higher power guided me through those eight years. I’m sure it will be the same for him.”

McNally, who served from January 2014 to December 2017, said: “Being mayor, you need to be accessible and open to people. For Derrick, he doesn’t have much government experience unlike all of his predecessors. His first four to six months will be more of a learning period. He’s got to pay attention and listen to those department heads he put in place. He can learn so much from those department heads and from people who are in city government. He’s making decisions he’s comfortable with. Time will tell with those picks.”

Sammarone, who went from longtime council president to mayor when Williams resigned, said: “You’ve got to be willing to work hard, and you’ve got to make sure the people you oversee are working hard.”

Mayor from August 2011 to December 2013, Sammarone said: “You have to communicate with people and give them what they want. Potholes need to be fixed and snow needs to be plowed. It’s like a coach. There’s no advice to guarantee you win games. You prepare hard and make sure your players are ready. Cabinet appointments are very important. You’ve got to make sure the people around you are qualified and can do the job. Try to keep it simple: work hard and make sure the people you supervise are working hard. Make sure you’re doing what the people want.”

WORKING WITH COUNCIL

The former mayors said it’s critical for McDowell to build a strong relationship with city council.

“Navigating city council is a challenge,” Williams said. “They are a co-equal branch of government. I’ve read statements where council members say they have to show him the ropes. I get it if it was said in the spirit of getting him up to speed. But it’s a strong mayoral form of government. He needs to understand the purview of the executive branch. Keep council informed, but the executive and legislative branches of government are separate.”

Sammarone said: “You have to build rapport with council. You’ve got to communicate with council as they can stop what you want to get done or help you move things along. It’s going to be a challenge for him. If you’ve never been in government there’s a lot more you have to learn than someone with experience. You’ve got to keep your head down and work hard.”

McNally said: “Working with city council is going to be a learning experience. You have some veteran city council members and he should listen to them and be respectful of their positions.”