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WARREN -- First-term Councilwoman Ashley McBride, D-5th Ward, hopes what she's done in the nearly year-and-a-half since taking office will help her defeat Democratic challenger Tiffany N. Stanford, who is running her first primary election campaign.
Stanford, 43, a co-owner of 5 Grands Boutique, 164 High St., also is the first lady of Progressive Baptist Church, 2258 Colonial St SE.
She describes this as a great time to invest in the city, and she wants to be a part of positive change as it continues its transformation.
McBride, 37, a wife and full-time mom, has been spending her time as a councilwoman working to convince city leaders to do infrastructure improvements on 5th Ward sidewalks and streets, providing increased police protection and recreational opportunities.
Stanford recalled her mother, Rosalyn Hill, in 2010 starting the woman's clothing boutique and convincing her to manage it.
"Since the opening, we've outgrown our first location and moved closer to Courthouse Square," she said. "We eventually want to be able to hire employees and expand."
TIFFANY STANFORD
Raised in Warren, Stanford has seen the city as it faced some loss in population and businesses -- but now is reversing in a positive direction, she said.
"I've seen my eldest daughter, other relatives and friends leave the city for job opportunities," Stanford said. "Things are turning around. I want to be able to leave a legacy."
Stanford said she's seen some community leaders providing bad examples of how to talk to their constituents and others.
"I believe we must find ways to work together," she said.
As the wife of the Rev. Jeffery Stanford, she often is kept busy working with various committees within Progressive Baptist Church.
"The 5th Ward is a tale of two cities," Stanford said. "Some parts are affluent while other areas have extensive needs."
Stanford said, if elected, she will strive to build relationships in the ward and with other city leaders.
"We need someone advocating for the needs of people of the 5th Ward," she said.
"We should have someone fighting to provide some type of community center and invest in our park. I've watched members of Community Concerned Citizens II fight for improvements in Quinby Park. We have not had that."
Stanford argues that citizens can effect change, but they have to ask for what is needed.
"I want to be that advocate," she said. "There are resources available. It is a matter of finding out where they are and seeking them out."
ASHLEY McBRIDE
McBride described working closely with the city's engineering department to identify the worst streets and sidewalks across the ward, so some of the city's annual road improvement dollars can be put toward them.
"I've allocated $25,000 from my American Rescue Plan Act funding to get more sidewalks built on Wick Street," she noted.
She also is working with city officials to address problems on Brier Street.
To address issues of crime and safety, McBride has provided $90,000 of ARP funds to update police equipment, including license plate readers and adding standard cameras.
City council last year voted to provide each member up to $500,000 of the ARP funds assigned to Warren to allocate for projects in their wards or in other areas of the city.
"I've pushed for more police in school corridors to keep our kids safe," McBride said.
McBride also provided $75,000 for an organization called LOSS, which advocates for individuals and families affected by suicide, and plans to use another $100,000 for an organization called TriYOUnity, 239 South Main Ave. SW. TriYOUnity provides opportunities for children and adults to reduce their stress and relax.
"I was going to push for a community center in my ward, but talking to residents and some teens I was told that they want to be able to go out of the neighborhood to other parts of the city," McBride said.
If re-elected, the councilwoman said she will push to find a way to get a grocery store in the ward.
"I'm actively working with Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce and state Rep. Nick Santucci to make the Ridgeview Plaza more appealing for businesses, including a grocery store," McBride said. "When we find a candidate willing to consider moving (into the area), I plan to be their voice on council to help them navigate the city government.
"I'd like to make it as easy as possible for them to come here, including helping remove barriers," she continued.
McBride emphasized one of the most important jobs she can do on council is to build consensus among her constituents and with other elected officials.