Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams told a tale of two entities in his keynote speech, drawing parallels between the economic rise and fall and rebirth of his town with the similar story in Jefferson County.

Williams spoke of a dedicated group of business leaders and city officials, as well as concerned citizens, who created a vision about 10 years to make Youngstown a better place to live and work and raise families. Youngstown 2010, a citywide redevelopment plan aimed at re-shaping the city and helping to overturn its negative image, was based on four initiatives, Williams explained, adding the same initiatives could apply to Jefferson County.

He said officials realized that Youngstown was going to be a smaller city, population wise, although not an inferior city; that the city's role in the regional and global economy had to be redefined; the city's image of the quality of life had to improve; and that the call to action had to be owned by the people of Youngstown to have credibility.

He told those in attendance that Jefferson County is on the right road by celebrating its successes.

"Continue celebrating the good things, like this awards program. You're showing successes that make the community great. Making the area better starts right here at the Best of the County Awards Dinner," Williams said.

John Riley, who with his wife, Rita, founded Kwik King Food Stores and Riley Petroleum, became the first recipient of the Robert J. D'Anniballe Sr. Entrepreneur of the Year Award established by the D'Anniballe family. Karen D'Anniballe, who presented the award on behalf of her family, said Riley met the criteria established for the award - having a great impact on business in the county, being generous to the community and having a great love for the county.

Riley accepted the award, saying he would honor it for the rest of his life.

Laura Meeks, who oversaw the transition of Jefferson Community College to Eastern Gateway Community College, was presented the President's Award by Kenneth R. Perkins, president of the Community Improvement Corp. board of directors, which oversees Project Alliance. Perkins described Meeks as a cheerleader for the institution and its students. Meeks said the award was not about her but about the people who were instrumental in its success from its early days as Jefferson Technical Institute to the present, its teachers and other staff and its students, their families and other supporters.

Ed Looman, Progress Alliance executive director, presented Director's Awards to the city of Steubenville and Steubenville City Schools. City Manager Cathy Davison and Mayor Domenick Mucci accepted the city award, which noted the improvements in Belleview Park and the new city building as part of progress in the city. The award to city schools recognized its major improvements programs, including the new multi-media building and auditorium projects. It was accepted by Barry Gullen, assistant superintendent of schools.

Best of the County recipients were:

Trinity Health System, presented by Jim Emmerling of Em Media and accepted by Fred Brower, Trinity president.

Brent and Shawna Nemeth, owners and operators of an angus beef farm near Dillonvale, presented by Irene Moore and Wendee Zadanski of the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District.

Earl Cramblet, retired independent service station owner for Sohio and BP, presented by his nephew, Matt Underwood, the television voice of the Cleveland Indians.

Patricia Fletcher, retired educator and community leader, presented by Sue Hershey of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Rice, Signs Limited, presented by Mark Nelson of Nelson Fine Gifts.

Indian Creek School District, presented by Allison Latos of WTOV-TV and accepted by Superintendent of Schools Jene Watkins.

Center of Music and Art, presented by Wintersville Mayor Bob Gale and accepted by owners Jody and Carolyn Glaub.

Thomas Graham, Jefferson County commissioner, sang the national anthem and the Rev. Vaughn Foster of Zion United Church of Christ gave the invocation.

(City Editor Jody Powers contributed to this story.)