Warren seeking go-getter for post

Warren needs pride in itself to be revitalized, a union leader says.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city needs to select one person to spearhead a concerted effort to lead its revitalization.
That's the conclusion drawn during a nearly two-hour brainstorming session Thursday in city council chambers.
The meeting brought together planners, labor leaders, economic developers and educators, and was called by Councilman Gary Fonce, chairman of city council's development committee.
"We have to do something. What we've been doing doesn't work," Fonce said.
Mayor Michael J. O'Brien will meet with Reid Dulberger, executive vice president of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce; Michael Keys, Warren's community development director; and Heather McMahon, urban designs and grants coordinator for Keys, to select that person.
O'Brien characterizes those attending the session as the "community development players." He agreed with Fonce that a lot has been said about the city's revitalization but little has been done.
The suggestion that a leader be chosen was offered by Chuck Joseph, a member of Warren GROWs (Grassroots Revitalization of Warren). He likened the effort to a football team that has talented players but needs someone to call the plays.
Dulberger told the group that the effort will take time because of the complex economic issues involved. He pointed to Cuyahoga County, where it took a year to put a revitalization plan together.
"It's not simple. It's not going to be done in an afternoon," said Dulberger, who may emerge as the group leader.
He said most communities don't attract new companies, but rather startup companies that can grow rapidly. And, the community needs to keep track of its college graduates to lure them back to the city to work in those companies.
Attitude is problem
Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 at Lordstown and a Warren resident, called attention to the area's negative attitude about itself.
"It seems like people in this city don't have pride in Warren, Ohio," the labor leader said.
The city doesn't have a winning attitude yet, Graham said as he called attention to the changed attitude that has resulted in downtown Youngstown's revitalization.
Dr. Kathryn Hellweg, superintendent of Warren city schools, told the group that she wasn't impressed with the city when she arrived two years ago.
But she found "people who want to make a difference," she added, noting that the city needs to market its facilities.
Edward Bolino, president of the Warren school board, urged the group to work together and put aside egos.
"We've been angry [at each other] for too long," Bolino asserted.
Donald L. French, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation, said his agency has helped fund 46 companies in six counties.
He suggested that if anyone hears of a company interested in coming to the area, "get them in the pipeline" because his agency has funds available to help them.
yovich@vindy.com