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The Lordstown mayor’s seat has long been held by an administrator who works consistently to bring economic growth to Lordstown, and therefore, to our Mahoning Valley.
Under Mayor Arno Hill’s watch, Lordstown successfully brought in giant employers like Ultium Cells LLC, Foxconn and TJX Distribution Center here, along with other companies ranging from aluminum plant Metalco, to a massive power plant with plans for a second. He also shepherded his community through economic and fiscal challenges after General Motors shuttered its plant here.
If asked, Hill, who is retiring at the end of his term, would argue that without the help economic incentives like tax abatements, much or all of this new local growth never would have happened.
During conversations with each of the four candidates hoping to replace Hill, a common theme we heard, particularly among three of the four candidates, was that property abatements must be scaled back, and spot zoning, also often used to lure potential businesses, should be avoided.
“If we don’t value ourselves, then how can we expect businesses and others to value us?” asked candidate Robert Bond, 68, a longtime councilman.
Candidate Mark McGrail, 69, was critical of handling of development of the TJX Distribution Center, saying the project “skirted all manner of zoning rules.”
“I am not against TJX. I want the zoning code followed,” McGrail said.
He maintains that refusal by village officials to use development tools to secure the new businesses in Lordstown likely would not have made any significant difference in negotiations.
“They (businesses) have researched all the zoning laws before they ever set foot in your town,” McGrail said. “If our zoning code was so horrible or anti-development, they wouldn’t want to come here. People want to come to Lordstown because of what we have. They aren’t philanthropists.”
He believes things like location, access to highways, infrastructure and access to specific high transmission power lines would have been sufficient business attractions.
On the topic of abatements, candidate Jackie Woodward, 39, said, “We need to minimize the abatements that have been given. The IRS expects you (businesses) to start turning a profit in five years. Why are we giving them 15 years to get ahead?”
She believes Lordstown simply could have negotiated better with potential developers for the jobs and tax dollars they promised. She echoed comments made by McGrail
“Why are they even looking here to begin with if they don’t want to be here?” she asked.
While we respect the candidates for their strong belief in the value of our region, we also know it isn’t realistic to believe our region’s value would be enough on its own to draw businesses here without further significant incentives.
To hear these three speak, one would think attracting new business growth is, well, easy.
But economic development experts know it’s not easy. Industry looking to grow always shops around for the best deal, and scant few would settle in a community only based on location and no other stimulus offers.
Of the four mayoral candidates, only one appeared to grasp the challenges and hard work that come with economic development.
Danielle Watson, 39, has worked as a manager of three local businesses, giving her insight into what residents want as well as business operations.
Watson was critical of her three opponents for what she described as opposition to new Lordstown development.
As mayor, she said she would work “to balance the growth of the many large employers we have in Lordstown with the desire of residents to maintain a small, tight-knit feel to the community.”
She would do that by focusing on expanding infrastructure and maintaining the village’s full-time safety forces.
Watson focused on the fact that without large business and industry, the small community never could enjoy the full-time services of police and fire, road departments and other benefits.
“We can continue to fund them because we have such strong economic development from employers like Foxconn and Ultium,” Watson said. “I believe that I have the relationships with people both in our community and throughout the region to be able to have the tough conversations about how we can continue to bring in investments that fund our safety services without overloading our community.”
Watson said she has taken it upon herself to try to find answers to issues like bringing natural gas to residents.
“I have been working with other local legislators to identify funding from the state budgets to help improve this infrastructure and lower utility costs for residents,” she told us.
If we could endorse Arno Hill to keep his seat, we would. But since that is not the case, instead we will endorse the next best person.
We endorse newcomer Danielle Watson for Lordstown mayor because she demonstrated to us an understanding of the value of business and economic growth not only for Lordstown, but for our Mahoning Valley.
editorial@tribtoday.com
SCRIPTURE
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
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