YOUNGSTOWN Ahead of the Youngstown mayoral election this November, some downtown business owners are looking for change.

Downtown for Derrick is a campaign comprised of business owners and leaders who are frustrated with the city's direction, and having no stake in decisions involving them.

"To put it very simply, the downtown has been going in a direction they don't want to see it go," said Joey Mamounis, campaign manager for Downtown for Derrick.

Mamounis says more than dozen business owners are supporting Derrick McDowell, an independent mayoral candidate, and challenger to incumbent mayor Tito Brown.

"This has been going on for years, you know it's driven away business, it's driven away customers and business owners," Mamounis added.

Some of the restaurants in this campaign include, Casa Di Canzoneta, Penguin City, V2, and Avalon Downtown. 

Avalon Downtown owner Anne Masullo-Sabella says business owners should be sitting at the table when decision that impact them are being made, but that that hasn't been the case.

"These streets were crammed down our throats and we were told it's going to be good for us. When someone isn't working my business everyday, how do they know what's good for me?" Massullo-Sabella said.

One the east end of Federal Street, Penguin City owner Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki tells 21 News that her and these other business owners share the same sentiment.

"I remember why I wanted my business here ten years ago, when there was this wonderful group of people. I saw all this opportunity and growth, and people coming together to make a change downtown. It's just so far from that. It's sad, it's really sad. We don't want to lose any more businesses downtown," said Lyras-Bernacki.

Michael Pontikos, brand manager, and a campaign manager says it's time for a change.

"This has been the heart of this valley. It's taken lumps, but we feel a candidate like Derrick McDowell is going to be that breath of fresh air," he explained, adding that the mayoral candidate will bring fresh ideas into an area that hasn't seen it in a while.

Members of the coalition also made mention that downtown is not the whole city, but an integral part of it.

"When the apple is rotten in the middle, it spreads out," said Massullo-Sabella, adding that it's the same principle in reverse.

When asked about the coalition, Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown said quote:

"We're listening to all of our residents. We're seeing unprecedented investment into all areas of the city. We've done all kinds of things for downtown and we won't stop. We're focused on issues that are moving our city forward, affordable housing. We're developing neighborhoods now. Crime is down fifty percent. We'll continue to support our downtown businesses."