WARREN Six council members face opposition

Flooding problems and decreasing finances are among the issues.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Six of the 11 Democrats on city council face opposition next week from Republicans or independents.
At-large Councilmen Gary Fonce, Robert A. Marchese and Daniel E. Polivka face Republican challenger Charles Burger to retain their seats.
Council President William "Doug" Franklin is being challenged by Republican William B. Maurice. Two ward seats also are being contested.
Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, faces independent Brian M. Cox, and in the 5th Ward, where Brendan J. Keating declined to seek re-election, Democrat Vincent S. Flask and independent James J. Mann Sr. face off.
Burger points to his experience in management, including his nearing completion of a master's degree in organizational leadership, as one of his strengths.
The incumbents point to their experience. Polivka has been a councilman since 1983, Marchese was first elected in 1992 and Fonce, a former city police detective, is in his first term.
Flooding
Flooding that plagued much of the Mahoning Valley over the summer has generated spirited debate.
"It's been something that's been going on for years and years and nothing's been done to address it," said Fonce, who thinks a citizens committee, with representatives from all areas of the city, should be established to develop priorities to address storm sewer problems.
Polivka said the Community Development Block Grant application passed by council last month is a start. That included $50,000 to provide the match for about $400,000 in state Issue 2 money to separate combined sewers on Washington Street.
Burger favors using the next community development block grant funds to improve the storm-water system only, rather than for the varied functions for which the money is used.
He also would lobby state legislators to get more grant money.
Marchese says an outside engineering firm should examine the storm-water system and devise the best way to address its problems. He supports borrowing money or applying for grants for it.
Regional approach
To address the city's dwindling finances, Marchese casts an eye toward regionalization.
"We need to start looking at working with the Valley," he said. "We could start by thinking of Warren and Youngstown like Akron and Canton think of each other."
That's a way to market the area to try to attract new businesses to provide jobs, Marchese said.
Fonce advocates a similar approach.
"This community has to start working together for what's best for Trumbull County, not just Warren City or Howland Township or Warren Township," he said.
Polivka said a better job must be done in selling the area's good points such as proximity to airports, transportation and low cost of living. He also favors working with, instead of against, neighboring communities, such as establishing Joint Economic Development Districts to retain existing businesses and attract new ones.
Burger thinks traveling to different areas to find companies considering relocation and touting the benefits of Warren is a possible solution.
He said he also would support a 10 percent salary reduction for all elected city officials. The change couldn't be effective before the next term in office.
"If elected, I would voluntarily give my salary back to the city," Burger said. "That would cause the other elected officials to take a stand."