Warren’s residency law heads to Ohio Supreme Court

WARREN — The residency battle involving Warren and its employees now goes to the Ohio Supreme Court, where it can be heard along with residency debates involving several other Ohio cities.

On Wednesday, the Ohio Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of the ruling issued by Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. The ruling, which sides with Warren’s employees and their right to live outside of the city, was upheld by the 11th District Court of Appeals.

Other courts have stood behind the cities, such as appellate courts covering Akron, Cleveland and Lima. The Ohio Supreme Court agreed to review their decisions as well.

Greg Hicks, Warren’s law director, said he doesn’t know whether the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision to accept the Warren case for review means that all of the cases will be heard together, but he hopes it means that the top court will reach one decision that guides all Ohio cities.

“Hopefully this will decide it all at one time,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll rule in a broad decision that applies to all.”