WARREN CITY COUNCIL Measure backs split from congressional district

Council will address the resolution Friday.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A resolution expressing the city's desire to split from the 17th Congressional District is being resurrected.
The measure was held off at council's last meeting and Mayor Hank Angelo recommended that lawmakers take no action on it.
But Alford Novak, D-2nd, is bringing forth a revised resolution, saying the city should support a split because it receives little congressional support and "we need some federal relief."
It will be addressed at a special council meeting at 4 p.m. Friday.
The previous resolution addressed the city and county's desire to split, but Trumbull County commissioners, who have considered it, decided not to take a stance on the issue.
The revision deals only with Warren, and Novak said he wants to see the city split from the 17th Congressional District without being separated into two other districts.
"I want the city to be placed in a new district as a whole," he added.
Past discussion: Redistricting was the topic of a few meetings city and county officials attended, called by Commissioner James Tsagaris.
Officials have said they think it would net the area more in federal funding and make Warren the largest city in a new congressional district.
The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce and local union representatives have blasted the plan, saying it will hurt regionalization efforts and splinter the area's strong union and minority base.
Councilman Bob Marchese, D-at-large, said he's concerned redistricting isn't the answer.
The area is lacking in economic development, he said, explaining that with a concerted effort, Youngstown and Warren could be the next Akron-Canton.
"Shame on us for not pulling that off in the past," he added.
Budget: Also on council's agenda for Friday's meeting is the 2002 $26.8 million budget.
Council has been going over it with a fine-tooth comb for a few weeks now, taking issue with various line items.
Marchese said some council members are concerned because the administration has proposed funding for positions they didn't want to see filled.
Novak said council is also worried because the budget doesn't include money for capital and road repair projects.
Council's finance committee was to meet today to continue discussing the budget.
Members aren't sure whether they'll be ready to vote on the document Friday or if they'll need to call another special meeting after Christmas.
The budget must be in place before Jan. 1.
The proposal includes salaries of police officers and firefighters who will be hired to bolster the understaffed departments since voters approved a 0.5-percent income tax increase approved by voters in May.
The document also outlines 2.5 percent cost-of-living increases for officials including the mayor, safety-service director, law director, assistant law director, auditor, deputy auditor, council and council president.
davis@vindy.com