WARREN Lone female candidate: Look past party lines

Niki Frenchko-Nagy is running for an at-large seat on city council.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A change in Warren's political landscape could open the door to a new way of doing things.
And all Niki Frenchko-Nagy says she needs is a chance to get her foot in.
She may look young and align herself with the unpopular political party, but Frenchko-Nagy, 27, says she's ready to battle the odds to become the only Republican member of city council.
The Mulberry Ave. N.W. woman is running for an at-large seat.
She faces veteran incumbents Dan Polivka, who was elected to council in 1983, and Bob Marchese, who was 3rd Ward councilman from 1992 to 1996, and at-large in 1996-1997, and 2000 to the present.
Also running: Former city policeman and political newcomer Gary Fonce, who was successful in the May primary, is also vying for a spot.
Frenchko-Nagy said the county's weak Republican Party doesn't offer candidates a chance to network well in the local political scene.
She says it's time for people to look past party affiliation.
Craig Bonar, GOP chairman, said he thinks Warren voters are ready to see a Republican in office.
Wilfred McManus of Northfield Avenue N.W., is a registered Democrat who says he'll have to look closer at the at-large race before deciding who he'll back.
He's voted Republican before and said he'd be willing to do it again, depending on the issues.
Shirley Peterson of Palmyra Road S.W. wants to know who stands for what before she considers party affiliation. Peterson, a registered Democrat, said that being the only woman in the race should work to Frenchko-Nagy's advantage.
"I like to see young females [in politics]," said Carolyn Kalman of Homewood Avenue S.E. "I think we need more women to get involved."
Betty Simcox of Federal Street N.W., a Republican, said it's refreshing to see Frenchko-Nagy run for office. She likes the candidate's ideas and goals, including her promise to make officeholders accountable.
Of the 24,842 registered Warren voters, 11,352 are independents, 11,772 are Democrats and 1,718 are Republicans.
GOP seat: Bonar said he's not sure if Warren ever had a Republican in an at-large council seat, though candidates have made a run in the past.
The last Republican to serve as a ward councilman was John Bentz, who represented the 3rd Ward in 1996 and 1997.
Bonar said Frenchko-Nagy is intelligent, serious and will use her military background and education to serve the city well.
Frenchko-Nagy says she'd like to see a charter form of government because she sees a lot of apathy among lawmakers.
Polivka wants to see city streets repaired and says improving neighborhoods and quality of life is essential, along with hiring more police officers and firefighters.
Fonce is offering himself up, not to oppose anyone, but rather as "an alternative to the way things have been done." He says the city needs to boost finances, safety services, arts and recreation and regional development.
Economic growth, civic rehabilitation and improving the job market and workforce are priorities for Marchese.
Budget issues: Frenchko-Nagy said she's analyzed the city's budget for a class she took and studied the organization of the city, from management down. She's also looking at ethics in Warren's government for a class project.
The mother of three grew up in Warren's north end and served in the Army Reserve for eight years.
She considers her family "working class" and says she'll be a watchdog to provide a better community for her children and others.
Frenchko-Nagy says her opinion of current city politics can be summed up by this quote from Albert Einstein: "The level of thinking that created the crisis can't be expected to solve it."
davis@vindy.com