Trending
If, as Warren Councilman Ken MacPherson tells us, he is frustrated that he has struggled to accomplish his goals in his current elected role, we wonder how he hopes to accomplish more as mayor.
"We have had decades of excuses of why we can't accomplish things," MacPherson told members of the Tribune Chronicle editorial board during a recent candidate interview. "The city makes easy problems difficult and hard problems impossible. I come from a background where we work the problem."
We don't disagree. But we also aren't so sure a different administration will solve this longstanding problem in government.
In fact, under the current setup of Warren's government, spending plans and other ideas put forth by the administration may not be implemented without the blessing of council.
MacPherson, first elected to council in 2017, is challenging three-term incumbent Mayor William "Doug" Franklin in next month's Democratic primary. The successful Democratic nominee will move on to the November General Election. So far, no challenge to the Democratic nominee has been filed for November.
We like that MacPherson is not shy about scrutinizing ideas put forth by fellow council members and by the mayor. It's challenges like these -- provided they are done respectfully -- that help keep the bar high in local politics.
Unfortunately, MacPherson has been known to allow his frustrations to show, and there have been examples in which his language has devolved to levels unbecoming a city official. For example, after directing a crude comment to another council member last year, MacPherson refused to adhere to council's demand that he publicly apologize to the elected body.
We also don't agree with using city American Rescue Plan funds for things that are less than visionary, including some of the ideas the MacPherson has put forth, such as repairs to city sidewalks. We believe these funds should be spent on more significant capital improvement projects that would leave a mark on the city for years to come.
In an odd turn of events, MacPherson also is heavily involved in a push to convert the city from its current form of government spelled out under the Ohio Revised Code to a locally established charter form of government.
The possible establishment of a committee to create a charter also will appear on Warren's May 2 ballot. If approved, 15 freshly elected committee members will go to work creating a new local form of government that will be voted on later. If that happens, the potential exists to dilute even further the mayor's powers by possible creation of a city manager's position.
Franklin, meanwhile, opposes the charter idea and is seeking a return to office under the current form of government.
Franklin also has taken up an unorthodox allegiance with his previous political challenger, Warren resident Dennis Blank, in creation of the "Fund for Warren's Future," a public-private partnership that has raised some $350,000 for use on economic development efforts, marketing and other projects to promote city growth.
Among the group's projects is what is being promoted as a $100 million downtown expansion project being planned with help of Dayton-area developer Larry Dillin. Board members and donors to the project include Anthony Payiavlas, president and CEO of AVI Foodsystems in Warren, and Sam Covelli, owner and CEO of Warren-based Covelli Enterprises.
While details of the project have not been released publicly, the project is said to be transformational for the entire region and will open new corridors for potential growth for the south and west sides of Warren.
To be clear, we remain steadfast in our criticism of this administration for the many years it took to demolish the former St. Joseph Riverside Hospital.
Likewise, we have been critical of Franklin for other blight throughout the city, and hold the administration and building officials responsible for the slow cleanup and demolition of other blight. Slow development of promised jobs by Auto Parkit on Dana Street is equally frustrating.
Notwithstanding delays, however, the Tod Avenue NW hospital's demolition finally has come to fruition, and Franklin lists finding a good mixed use for the newly vacant acreage among his goals.
We also are excited at the potential for the downtown development project in the works, and believe the public-private partnership should be permitted to evolve under the mayor's tutelege.
We endorse Franklin for the Democratic nomination for Warren mayor.
And until a decision is made regarding the proposed charter, we encourage Warren council to act more assertively in terms of demanding cleanup of our city and in allocation of funds with a vision focused clearly on economic development and long-term improvements to our city.
editorial@tribtoday.com