TRUMBULL COUNTY 2 file suit over parking dispute

The plaintiffs say the city is illegally taking the alley.
WARREN -- Tired of a string of 20 parking tickets in a downtown alley, two bail bond agents have filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the city and its police and fire officials.
But the city's fire chief, Ken Nussle, says the alley between the Comfort Inn and All American Big Bob's Bail Bonding Inc. on North Park Ave. is a fire lane. He said his sole concern is public safety for patrons of the inn's banquet room.
There's a public exit into the alley as well as a fire department connection there for the sprinkler system, Nussle said. "Why are there three and four vehicles parked in there?"
Two All American agents, Robert Cregar and Dwayne Lacey, filed the suit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, claiming harassment and vehicle damage at the direction of city fire and police officials.
Those named
They seek $1 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages from each defendant: City of Warren, Warren Police Department, Warren Fire Department, Nussle and fire Capt. Curtis King. The case is assigned to Judge Andrew Logan.
The city erected a sign stating that the alley is a fire lane. Lacey, however, said an alley is defined simply as "the space between two buildings."
Cregar and Lacey's suit says harassing and threatening notes have been left on vehicles, and vehicles have been damaged by towing.
They claim the city has failed to institute eminent domain proceedings regarding the alley and, therefore, has illegally taken the alley "which is the property of" Cregar.
Nussle said the department's information is that the alley's ownership splits down the center between Cregar and the Comfort Inn's owner, who has been sent specifications for painting a fire lane.
One is OK
The fire chief said he's OK with one vehicle at the end of the alley as long as egress from the inn isn't impeded.
The city's ordinance requires there shall be a fire lane at hotels and motels, no matter the ownership, he said. "What if they can't get out?"
Cregar and Lacey, who also seek $25,000 for vehicle damage when towed from the alley, are represented by Atty. John H. Large.