CLERGY, PAC THROW SUPPORT BEHIND WILLIAMS

The Four Independents Participated in a Forum.

YOUNGSTOWN -- More than 100 members of the local clergy and a
conservative political action committee are supporting the mayoral
candidacy of Jay Williams.

The Liberty Committee of Independence, Ohio, paid for 10,000 fliers
that compare Williams to Democrat Robert F. Hagan on "sanctity of
life" and "drug policy" issues. The flier doesn't specifically endorse
Williams, but the back lists Williams' job experience, education and
affiliation and board memberships.

The handbill states Williams "believes in the sanctity of all human
life," supports a ban on partial-birth abortions and is against
abortion on demand except for rape, incest or to save the life of the
mother.

As for Hagan, the flier states he voted against the ban on
partial-birth abortions and has a 100-percent voting record rating by
the National Abortion and Reproduction Rights Action League.

Regarding drug policies, the fliers state Williams is for tougher
penalties for drug offenders and opposed the legalization of
marijuana. The flier states Hagan is the sole sponsor of a bill to
legalize marijuana. The Hagan bill actually would legalize marijuana
for medical purposes only.

"They're distorting the truth," Hagan said.

Support of Clergy

Williams, who is running as an independent but who is a registered
Democrat, is the only candidate the Liberty Committee is supporting
this year.

Williams said he spoke to the Rev. John C. Adams of Huron, Ohio, a
pastor and the committee's executive director, about getting support
at the request of the Rev. Jay Alford and other local campaign supporters.

"The organization is interested in good government and integrity,"
Williams said.

The committee's Web site said it "seeks to recruit, train and support
conservative candidates for public office."

Williams said he doesn't consider himself a "conservative candidate,"
but welcomes the support.

"This is a conservative group supporting Jay Williams," Hagan said.
"He's not a Democrat. This proves he's a Republican."

The Rev. Mr. Adams said he was impressed not only with Williams'
positions on life and drug policy issues, but his financial and
government background.

In last year's general election, the PAC endorsed six candidates,
including Randy Pope of Alliance, defeated by state Rep. John Boccieri
of New Middletown, D-61st.

Distributing Fliers

The Liberty Committee handbills will be distributed by clergy members
in the Youngstown area who are endorsing Williams in Tuesday's mayoral
election.

The Rev. Mr. Alford, the former pastor at the Highway Tabernacle
Church in Austintown but a Youngstown resident, announced the clergy
endorsement. Of the more than 100 clergy members endorsing Williams,
none are Roman Catholics, though some were approached.

Mr. Alford said Youngstown area clergy members are supporting Williams
because "as a man of faith [he] is prepared to lead us to the next
level."

Mr. Alford emphasized that the clergy members were acting as
individuals and do not speak for their parishioners. Discussing their
support of Williams with parishioners is up to the clergy members, he
said.

Williams said he appreciates the clergy's support, or the support of
anyone, even those who don't believe in God.

"I have to question their motive," Hagan said of the local clergy.
"I'm a little reluctant to use God in the campaign. I don't think God
cares who wins this race."

Four Independents' Views

Also Wednesday, the four independent candidates -- Williams, Maggy
Lorenzi, Brendan Gilmartin and Joe Louis Teague --participated in a
mayoral forum sponsored by the Regional Chamber.

Republican Robert Korchnak didn't attend and couldn't be reached
Wednesday to comment.

Hagan skipped the forum because he already participated in a
chamber-sponsored forum. Hagan said the chamber and business leaders,
many of whom are Republican suburbanites, don't support him.

During the forum, the four discussed issues including reducing crime,
attracting business, enforcing housing codes and increasing
cooperation between the city and Youngstown State University.

The comment that generated the most buzz after the forum came from
Gilmartin about the city working closer with YSU.

A YSU graduate, Gilmartin said when he attended the university he
"wasn't expecting to see that many homosexuals in one" place. He also
said he joined a theater group in the city to get to know homosexuals
better.

Lorenzi and Teague criticized Hagan, Williams and outgoing Mayor
George M. McKelvey several times during the forum.

The four candidates said the city's 2.75-percent income tax is
unacceptably high.

As for making the city more business-friendly, Lorenzi said Youngstown
officials need to concentrate on pleasing business owners already in
the city. Teague said the city helps some businesses but not others,
saying tax breaks "shouldn't be determined by race."

Gilmartin said the city needs to ask business leaders how to improve
their relationship with the city.

Williams said many business owners say the tax incentives offered by
the city are good, but there needs to be better communication between
Youngstown officials and the business community.