Warren seeks firm to create comprehensive plan

Warren is soliciting five firms for a comprehensive plan, the first in 47 years.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- Warren Mayor Michael J. O'Brien says the area can grow only through the cooperation of all segments of the community.
"Only one person can be elected mayor, but the mayor can't work in a vacuum," O'Brien said Friday during the "Good Morning, Warren" breakfast at the Avalon Inn.
"Negative thinkers can only think in the past," the mayor told more than 200 who attended.
The breakfast was an event of the Regional Chamber and sponsored by the Kent State University Trumbull Campus.
He said proposals were sent out Friday to five firms seeking to perform the first citywide comprehensive plan in nearly 47 years.
It will deal with neighborhood, economic development and community development strategies and parks and entertainment.
An inventory of water and sewers will be included.
Here's good news
In reflecting on the city's achievements and challenges, O'Brien said the city was able to spend 1 million on street resurfacing in 2006 and will resurface 43 streets this year at a cost of 1.3 million.
He pointed to Packard Music Hall with its 1.5 million addition and another 1 million that will expand the National Packard Museum.
In the safety forces, he called attention to five new police cars that will be purchased this year, an annual program to reduce maintenance costs of vehicles.
There has been a resurgence in block watches in the city, an indication that residents are involved in quality-of-life issues, the mayor noted.
In the area of water supply, O'Brien explained that the water department wants to expand its service area. He called attention to an agreement to sell treated water to Southington Township, while the city is in discussions with Bazetta Township and Cortland as possible customers.
The city has changed all of its water meters so employees can read then from their vehicles, making readings more efficient.
In discussing neighborhood revitalization, the mayor said that 100 old houses were demolished by the city in 2006 and the same number will be razed this year. This is compared to the usual 30 houses a year in past years.
O'Brien said that if owners won't take care of their properties, the city will. This will leave more vacant lots in the city, however.
O'Brien explained 23 people received 135,000 in incentives to purchase houses in the city, up 62 percent from the previous year.
The city will save about 25,000 this year with prisoners from the Trumbull Correctional Institution maintaining the vacant lots. In addition, 40,000 will be spent this year for sidewalk improvements with 45,000 going toward removal of dead trees.
"When my grandchildren are adults, I want them to remember that we were good stewards of our time," O'Brien commented.
Library honored
During the breakfast, the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library received the new Upton Community Service Award. It is given to a nonprofit social service or government organization that exemplified superior ethical, moral and professional standards.
Also, Stephanie Sferra, executive of the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau, outlined the many attractions the county has to offer.
Sferra said an added feature will be ice skating on Courthouse Square sponsored by Trumbull 100 from November through mid-January.
Also, representatives of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula and Geauga counties will meet May 23 to discuss how tourists can be attracted to the region.
yovich@vindy.com