Gov. Mike has signed a broad legislative package into law that includes a provision designating a portion of a Mahoning County highway to honor the late businessman and philanthropist Clarence “Sonny” Smith Jr.
      Senate Bill 52, which DeWine signed, officially names the northbound and southbound lanes of State Route 7 in Boardman between Washington Blvd. and Western Reserve Rd. as the Clarence ‘Sonny’ Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway. The Ohio Department of Transportation is authorized to place markers along the roadway.
      Active in the region, Sonny Smith was a strong supporter of Youngstown State University and Boardman High School, where he served as an elected member of the Boardman School Board from 1960-1971. A successful businessman, he was also a generous philanthropist for Youngstown State University, to which he donated a sizeable gem collection, received the honor of “Penguin of the Year,” and was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Clarence “Sonny” Smith, Jr. passed away on April 13, 2021, at the age of 92.
      He led the Mahoning County Republican Party from 1998 to 2010. He was also a member of the Mahoning County Board of Elections for nearly 15 years.
      State Sen. Al Cutrona, a Republican from Canfield, previously championed the road dedication through a separate bill, noting that Smith poured his heart and soul into the Mahoning Valley through his extensive business leadership and civic contributions.