WARREN - John Hanick has a sweet deal for the first four General Motors Corp. workers who take advantage of an incentive plan to buy a home in Warren:
The 77-year-old GM retiree is donating $1,000 of his own money to the city, which already is offering $1,000 to new third-shift workers. With Hanick's contribution, the bonus will grow to $1,250 for the first four who qualify.
Hanick also is challenging other GM retires to donate $250 - or more -to help additional families move into Warren.
''As many as want to help out,'' he said.
Hanick, a Korean War veteran, was one of the first employees at the plant, starting before the first Chevrolet Impala moved off the assembly line in 1967. His brother, James Hanick of Niles, did the first body drop on that Impala.
After he read about the $1,000 incentives the city offered, Hanick decided he would leave his mark on Warren by adding his money to the program.
''Pretty soon I'm going to lose my place in line. I'm 77 years old,'' he said. His wife, Helen, passed on April 1. ''If I can, I want to get someone else in line to help out the area.
''I haven't paid city taxes for about 20 years,'' he said. ''Since 2007, I haven't paid property taxes.''
But helping to get new working families into Warren, which is facing a $1 million deficit, will help build the tax base.
Mayor Michael J. O'Brien said Hanick's donation ''is a wonderful example of a person who spent his life working at GM who would not like to give back to his community by helping future GM employees.''
Anyone who wants to accept Hanick's challenge can contact O'Brien's office at 330-841-2601 or Auditor David Griffing's office at 330-841-2586.
Through affiliated organizations, The Cafaro Co. is donating $500 to GM workers who come from outside Trumbull County and buy a house here, and workers who locate in Warren, Niles or Lordstown will get an additional $500 income tax break from the respective city. Employees can apply through their union hall.
Lordstown passed its incentive plan unanimously Wednesday for anyone who works in Lordstown and relocates there from outside Trumbull and Mahoning County after June 1 through the end of 2010. Mayor Michael Chaffee said the plan anticipates the growth of any new sub-suppliers that could pop up along with the new GM jobs.
"We're hoping that it sparks something," he said. "And this way we're not cherrypicking people from a neighboring community."
Hanick would up working at GM for 22 years and eight months, mostly in the final process area.
''GM has been really good to me, Helen and my family. I saved up money and enjoyed my retirement. Seven family members worked there at one time or another,'' Hanick said.
His son, Jim, retired in January after 30 years.
Reporter Bill Rodgers contributed to this report.