YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Joan Riehm has seen the merits of regionalism first hand as deputy mayor of the Louisville, Ky. Metro Government. She'll share details of her home region's regionalization experience as featured speaker for a Youngstown 2010 program at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Regionalism: What Is It and Can It Work Here?” will be presented in the Kilcawley Center Chestnut Room at Youngstown State University.

Riehm will talk about lessons the Louisville region has learned after merging its city and county governments, and she'll share other examples of local government cooperation across the country.

Members of the audience will be invited to ask questions after Riehm's presentation.

Vince Bevacqua, co-anchor/reporter for 33 News-WYTV and co-host of “For the People” on MyYTV, will serve as program host.

The program will simulcast on PBS 45 & 49 and WYSU-FM at 8 p.m. Thursday, and will air again on PBS 45 & 49 at 6 p.m. Sunday. Attendees are asked to arrive no later than 6 p.m. so that taping of the program can begin promptly.

Producer Jeremiah Blaylock said PBS 45 & 49 has invited more than 325 elected and appointed officials from Mahoning and Trumbull counties to attend the program. “We hope they and community members will attend and ask questions about this timely and important topic,” he said.

The event is open to the public and free parking is available in the Wick Avenue parking deck, but seating is limited so reservations are required. To reserve seats, send an e-mail including the names of those who will attend to: 2010@wneo.org.

Thursday's event is the 14th in the PBS 45 & 49-produced “Youngstown 2010 Moving Ahead” series, produced in conjunction with the Business-Led Development Group for Mahoning Valley and supported by the Tony Lariccia family. Other programs topics have included race relations, the arts, neighborhoods and shrinking cities.

PBS 45 & 49 is owned and operated by Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio, Inc., a private, nonprofit corporation.

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