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Monroe was my elementary school until it closed when I was in the third grade.

I now have a third grader of my own.

Why in the world is that school still not torn down?

wouldn't this be a case for eminent domain? If the property owner seems to want nothing to do with it, tear it down, make it a grass lot, or a park if they want to invest in the neighborhood, that would surely be for the best intrest of the public.

I agree with using emminent domain in this case. While I think many people in goverment do abuse emminent domain to line their pockets with developers cash, Youngstown has the opposite problem. Considering how many vacant properties there are and even less extreme, habited but run down properties, Youngstown could use this law to truly clean up the city. In neighborhoods where homes are true blights and magnets for criminal activity, entire blocks could be seized and demolished, making way for new growth and development. I have seen it done in other states with great sucess and Youngstown needs to be much bolder in it's redevelopment plans. Yes, Mr. Williams has increased the budget for demolitions which is a wonderful thing for the city but his next step needs to be considering rebuilding the neighborhoods where the homes are unsalvageable, crime is rampant and there are no jobs to be had. A clean sweep and some visionary and strict zoning laws could build wonderful modern communities that are accesible and safe for all levels of society. Simply start with the worst areas first. Buy out the current residents, raze the area, build nice homes of varying prices, duplexes as well as SMALL but nice apartment complexes mixed in with new businesses, provide neighborhood patrols and then see what an amazing difference the city can make one neighborhood at a time. Do this enough times, with a large enough difference and not only will you drastically reduce the crime rate, increase the cities image, rebuild the tax base and draw new residents but you will bring large companies and technology firms into the area completely reinvigorating the economy. Of course, you have to have the will, be just enough of an ass to get it done, and actually employ and enforce the new zoning laws properly. Youngstown has allot of potential, it just needs a good kick in the collective pants to get things going.

The South Side residents of Youngstown should be very proud of themselves. They rallied together to let city officials know, "That Monroe School must come down". They rallied via phone calls and letters of complaint. The key officials listened and responded. I am very impressed with Manyor Williams' vision and focus. He has set pointed expectations for the city of Youngstown and he is using his influence in these areas to get things turned around.

I live in central Illinios but am proud to say I am from Youngstown and from the South side of Youngstown, where I received my public education at South High School, which set a solid foundation for me to succeed thru a 4 year private college in Oklahoma. BUT THE FOUNDATION WAS SET IN YOUNGSTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Youngstown is on her way back to the top.........Let's rally around Mayor Williams and his pioneering leadership to move the city forward and let's rally around Supt Wendy Webb to improve our public schools. These are true home grown leaders who care about everybody who makes up the city of Youngstown.

I believe in the dream of Youngstown again becoming a heavy weight champion.........

Emminent domain was changed due to the supreme courts ruling , land must be for public use and not confiscated and given to a developer for better economic viability. It is now spelled out more clearly.

More then likely the city will have to remove an immediate hazard, send a bill to the owner and then confiscate the property in order to pay the bill after inaction over a period of time.


On another note..does anyone ever call the police when all this illegal activity is going on and do they ever get there and catch anyone.

And why does the above poster sound like a bad campaign ad in the last 2/3 of the post?

People call the police in Youngstown -- they just never show.

When I left Youngstown in 1980, it was going thru negative change then. I believe Youngstonw has bottomed out and is on the rise. Cities like Baltimore, Maryand and Sioux Falls, SD have turned around via strong political, private, and pulpit leadership. Youngstown must rally all its resources in order to keep this momentum
going. Mayor Williams is a great start. He is engaged, passionate and not-crooked-so that's saying a lot considering past people in this postiton.

Good hearted, educated and caring people is what makes a strong town- and Youngstown is full of people with these qualities- they just need to step up to the plate and take their rightful place.

I don't live in Youngstown now, but have many relatives there-so I have a vested interest and care dearly about the city where I grew up.

Can't we just all get along and move forward............The issues are great so our focus and resolve must be greater.........Good Luck Mayor Williams- you are a breathe of fresh air whose time has come.........You are in my prayers.........

I challenge the churches and church leaders of Youngstown to support Mayor Williams and thereby support the needed change in Youngstown.....I see light at the end of the tunnel.........I still miss Mill Creek Park......what a jewel.