DEAR EDITOR:

I am a lifelong resident of Youngstown’s 5th Ward. My parents were raised in the 5th Ward, and my father lived in the ward nearly his entire life. I spent most of my career working inside city limits. I’m proud of my heritage and the city in which I live. Over the years I have been both a registered Democrat and a registered Republican, sharing my parents’ values.

In November, I submitted the requested information to the Mahoning Democratic Party to be considered for the 5th Ward council seat vacated by Lauren McNally. I had hopes of sharing ideas and visions of what I feel would be best for the 5th Ward and the city.

After providing my information to the Democratic Party, I never received a phone call, email nor any kind of notification pertaining to an opportunity to address the committee. I was not notified of any meeting date or time.

After the selection of a replacement for Councilwoman McNally, it was reported by The Vindicator that myself and fellow candidate, Carie Watson, did not attend the meeting. Unfortunately, I feel this gave the residents of the 5th Ward the impression that we were not interested in the seat. While I cannot speak for Ms. Watson, I feel that the actions, or lack thereof, by the Mahoning Democratic Party, show total disrespect for myself and disregard for what I potentially could bring to the council position.

Perhaps it is because of my career choice, maybe my college education is meaningless, or could it be that I had the wrong letter beside my name? Regardless of their reason, the Democratic Party should have been in immediate contact to offer me a chance to speak. I don’t feel it should have been necessary for me to seek out this information, and I’m surely not going to beg.

Apparently, the Mahoning Democratic Party isn’t concerned about the fairness of the process nor interested in what all the candidates for this open seat had to offer. Or maybe filling this position was determined long before any announcement. No matter what the case, it was just politics as usual in the Mahoning Valley.

To those who chose to overlook me, I will say if I decide to do something, I don’t quit, I don’t give up without a fight, and I really don’t like to be slighted.

See you in November.

RICH YASLIK

Youngstown