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WARREN -- Pastor Todd Johnson announced Saturday on his Facebook page that Thursday will be his last day as 1st Ward city councilman after serving in the position since shortly after winning the seat in the November 2021 election.
Johnson, an independent, announced in January that he was taking on a new pastoral role in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, but that he would remain in his city council role until he had fully relocated to New York.
The Facebook post states that "When I announced my transition from my pastoral position at Second Baptist Church back in January, and relocation process to a church in New York City, I stated that I would remain serving on council until such time that my family transition was complete. That time has come and I am prepared to step aside so that someone else may step into the seat and continue serving the 1st Ward as I have strived to do."
He stated that he is "grateful to have served the 1st Ward and the city for the past five years, having been elected three times, and I am proud of what has been accomplished during my tenure. Getting to know our neighbors and assisting them in navigating issues and addressing concerns has taught me many lessons, the most important of which is 'every voice matters.'"
He stated that he has been blessed to be involved in projects including the conversion of the former St. Joseph Riverside Hospital site to a green space, extensive upgrades and investments in Burbank Park, the development of sidewalks and trails to connect parks, and better utilizing the Mahoning River.
He also mentioned the multiple road and sidewalks improvement projects and construction of a new pedestrian bridge from Perkins Park to the upcoming Peninsula Project area and the rebuilding of the pedestrian bridge connecting Packard Park to Tod Avenue NW.
He stated that "Most dear to my heart has been the funding of essential facilities and programs that serve our youth and underserved community members, including significant funding for the Warren Family Mission community room as well as financial support of multiple sports and development programs, and capital projects for our young people."
He also mentioned his joy in having advocated for $1.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds that are being used by the nonprofit organization Inspiring Minds to "build a community space for our youth." He is also excited about the new construction of homes on Drexel Street NW that are "providing Warren residents and those seeking to relocate here with new home ownership options that we have not seen in decades in a program that i s set to expand in our community and across the city."
He thanked Mayor Doug Franklin for his partnership, guidance, wisdom and friendship, along with Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large and former Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold, D-6th Ward, for their mentorship and commitment to seeing young voices step into spaces of leadership.
He thanked his wife, Shameika, and their three children and family for "unwavering support in this journey." And he thanked his church family at Second Baptist and beyond and others "for allowing me to work alongside you in bettering our community. My heart will always be with the city of Warren and I stand always willing to help my hometown in any way that I can."
His new position in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, is with the New Jerusalem Worship Center, a Baptist congregation, and a position at the school affiliated with the church.