Trending
WARREN -- Mayor Doug Franklin's win over Councilman Ken MacPherson was so overwhelming that voter support in one of the city's 26 precincts was six times greater than for his challenger.
Franklin scored 60 percent, to MacPherson's 40 percent, according to unofficial data provided by the Trumbull County Board of Elections.
The mayor won 2,471 votes in the Democratic primary election. MacPherson, D-at Large, had 1,646 votes.
In all of Trumbull County, there were 13,090 votes cast in the May 2 election, representing 15.32 percent of the county's total eligible voters, according to the elections board.
WARD BREAKDOWNS
MacPherson earned the most votes in only five of the city's 26 voting precincts. He earned the most votes in two 4th Ward precincts, in a single 3rd Ward precinct, a 5th Ward precinct and a 7th Ward precinct.
MacPherson formerly served as the 5th Ward councilman.
Franklin's greatest strength appeared to be in the city's 6th ward, where the voting margin between the two candidates was the greatest. Franklin received 443 votes in the 6th Ward compared to the 112 received by MacPherson.
Franklin also won a majority of the votes in all of the city's 1st and 2nd ward precincts, and the majority of votes in four of the five 3rd Ward precincts; four of the five 5th ward precincts and two of three 7th Ward precincts.
MacPherson received the most votes in the 3rd Ward's 3G precinct, which includes Beechwood Street NE on its southern border, Tiffany Drive NE and Nocturne Street NE, Elm Road NE, Irene Avenue NE and Plaza Avenue.
He also received the most votes in two 4th Ward precincts, 4A and 4D.
Precinct 4A includes a small portion of Youngstown Road on its southern border, East Market Street on its north, Woodbine Avenue SE on the west and Adelaide Avenue SE to the east.
Precinct 4D includes a portion of Scott Street NE on its southern border, portions of Washington, Belmont and Atlantic streets NW on its northern border, Elm Road to the east, and a small portion of Park Avenue on its eastern border.
In the 6th Ward, D precinct, Franklin's voter support was six times greater than was received by MacPherson. Franklin received 102 votes to MacPherson's 17. This ward includes Second Street SW as its southern border, South Street SW to the north, Tod Avenue to the west and Main Avenue SW.
MAYORAL SUPPORT
Councilman Ronald White, D-7th Ward, said Franklin had support because his administration has done a good job.
"People are complaining that things are going too slow, but you have to be careful when you're using taxpayer money and when you're trying to (bring about) development in the city," White said.
Former Councilman Alford Novak, who had represented the city's 2nd Ward, said he contributed to Franklin's campaign and voted for him because the three-term mayor has continued to make sure many of the things he wanted done are being completed.
"People are giving him credit for many of the things that have been done, such as the demolition of the Downtown Motor Inn in 2021 and the tearing down of other abandoned commercial buildings," Novak said. "I really think he has done a good job as mayor."
Novak said Franklin's leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as his cautious approach in the spending of the American Rescue Plan Act funds, also may have convinced some voters to support him for another term.
"These things could have pushed people to go in another direction and drove people way," he noted. "However, many voters believe experience is important."
"Anyone can point to something they don't like, but overall, I believe he has done a good job," Novak said.
Various council members, including President John Brown, Greg Greathouse, D-3rd Ward, and Todd Johnson, I-1st Ward, were openly supporting Franklin's re-election campaign. Former Mayors Dan Sferra and Michael O'Brien also gave their support to Franklin.
Johnson, 40, who is completing his first term on council, said Franklin faced challenges when he was first elected mayor. "To finally see the kind of development and growth in jobs happening is positive," he said. "The city is a work in progress."
Johnson said when he was growing up in Warren, many people his age expected to move away when they graduated. They didn't think they would find good-paying jobs so they could have families of their own.
"Twenty years ago , the mantra of young people was to leave the city," Johnson said. "It takes a lot to turn things around after 35 years of devastation and Mayor Franklin stuck with the work needed to change the city's direction."
Johnson said the 1st Ward is directly benefiting from the work the current administration has done, and is working to do, including the demolition of the former St. Joseph Riverside Hospital and the planned development of the peninsula area.
"They have attracted businesses and development," he said.
WANTED CHANGE
Councilman Andrew Herman, D-2nd Ward, wanted to see MacPherson win the primary because he does not believe the city is strong.
"I want to see change," Herman said. "When I look at the number of violent crimes happening, the number of drug houses and the level of blight in Warren I don't believe there is a plan to get better."
Herman said for too long one city leader would pass the torch to his underling and nothing changes.
"I thing Ken (MacPherson) would have provided that change," Herman said.
Although his preferred candidate lost, Herman said he will work with the next administration, because his ultimate goal is to make the city better.
"One of the things I want is to get more transparency in city government," Herman said. "I don't believe there is enough."
The councilman said he will work over the next two years to encourage more citizen participation through neighborhood groups.
THIS FALL
Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold, D-6th Ward, filed to run as an independent candidate against Franklin in the general election.
Saffold will have served on city council for 14 years by the end of 2023. She currently heads council's economic development and legislative committees.
Saffold said she believes it is her time to seek the mayor's seat.
"I believe I've served my city well as councilwoman," she said. "The city needs new leadership."
Trumbull County Board of Elections Director Stephanie Penrose said the board on June 6 expects to do certifications of the 14 independent candidates who applied to run in the November election.
"I am going to talk to the board's attorney about Saffold's application because we've never had a sitting elected official, currently affiliated with a party, file to run as an independent candidate," she said. "This is a first."
Saffold also is a 6th ward Democratic party committee representative.
"If she is certified as an independent candidate, anyone may file a challenge," Penrose said.