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WARREN -- Democratic voters living in the city's 1st Ward will have a choice between a longtime community activist and councilman, Larry Larson, and a political newcomer, Amanda Powell-Hebert.
Powell-Hebert's passion for animals and efforts to make sure they are treated humanely fuels her interest in becoming the Democratic candidate for Warren City Council's 1st Ward seat in the May 4 primary election.
Powell-Hebert, 54, said initially she sought help from Larson, who is her council representative, but he failed to respond. So now, she is seeking to take the seat from him.
"He could have returned my calls," she said.
Larson denies not responding to Powell-Hebert. He, in fact, expressed pride in his responsiveness to concerns of his constituents.
"I am a neighborhood guy," Larson said. "I've lived in this area since I was a teenager in the 1950s. I try my best to answer the questions of people needing help. I will keep asking department heads until I get an answer. The answer may not be what a person wants to hear, but I will get them an answer to their question."
Larson says he drives the ward's neighborhoods so he can see what is happening himself.
"I see potholes and call them into the operations department as soon as I see them," he said.
A General Motors retiree, Larson was first elected to his city council seat in 2013.
Larson has chosen not to participate in the Tribune Chronicle's endorsement interviews made available to all candidates in competitive races.
He previously worked as a precinct committee member for more than 20 years. He has been a member of Northwest Neighborhood Association, the Warren Strategic Planning Committee and the Trumbull County Senior Advisory Board.
Powell-Hebert described animal abandonment as a serious problem in the city that must be addressed before it gets worse.
She began attending, and then listening to, city council meetings on the city's website last November. She expressed her concern about strengthening city laws dealing with the treatment of animals.
"We need a clear definition of abandonment," she said. "What is abandonment? What is considered the abandonment of animals?"
Powell-Hebert looked at laws written in other Ohio cities, at the Ohio Revised Code, and laws from other states.
"We want to cherry pick -- copy and paste -- the best legal language already written in creating our ordinance," she said.
She also wants clearer guidelines for dogs housed outdoors.
Larson said he also cares about the treatment of animals.
"I have, and have had, rescue animals," he said. "I care about these issues. I understand exactly what is going on."
Larson said he spoke to Law Director Enzo Cantalamessa about ways the city could address abandonment issues.
A longtime city resident, Powell-Hebert expressed concern about what she perceives as an increase in crime in her neighborhood and others across the city.
"I am a big proponent of community outreach," she said. "I need people to let me know what is going on, so I can look to the city's safety service director or to the police to address issues."
Powell-Hebert doesn't know how the $29 million in coronavirus relief fund money should be used in the city.
"I would have to see the city's budget as a whole before making recommendations," she said. "I'm always looking at ways to save money."
She would like to see some money used for street resurfacing and sidewalk repair.
"I know that Councilman (Ron) White has interest in sidewalk repairs," she said. "It should not only be downtown sidewalks."
Larson said he would like to see some of the $29 million to be used for the demolition of the former St. Joseph Riverside Hospital on Tod Avenue and 418 Main Ave., where the city's Health and Community Development offices used to be located.
"How ever we are allowed to use the funds, I would like them put into long-term projects that will last 20 to 30 years," Larson said.
Powell-Hebert said she did not like seeing the bickering back and forth among council members during recent discussions about the impound lot and its funding.
"We're adults," she said. "We have to act like adults. They were very rude to one another."
Powell-Hebert admits she does not believe it will make nearly as much money as is being projected.
Early estimates have been the lot will earn nearly $30,000 per month.
"I would have rathered the city renegotiated with May's Towing to make sure it earns more from the storage of the vehicles, rather than build and operate its own lot," she said.
Powell-Hebert expressed disappointment that language that would have assured an appeal process for the tow fee was taken out of the ordinance.
"I did not think it was needed," Larson said. "We were told the necessary language would be in policy and procedures. We were told people will have the opportunity to appeal their fines. I do not think it is council's responsibility to micromanage the police department."
"I trust the police," he said. "I know not everyone has that same experience."
Powell-Hebert also expressed concern that supporters of the tow fee legislation would not set aside 15 percent of the profits earned for grass cutting.
rsmith@tribtoday.com