Warren official withdraws from council race

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Citing personal and professional demands, Councilman Andy Barkley, D-3rd, has withdrawn his name from the race for his ward seat.

Barkley notified the Trumbull County Board of Elections last week that he wanted his name to be removed from the May 5 ballot. He will continue to serve through the remainder of this year.

Two other Democrats are running for the seat — John Brown and Manuel Michelakis.

Barkley said he was named vice president of operations at the Greater Warren Credit Union in the fall and also became a father for the second time six months ago.

He said these additional responsibilities, along with his involvement in other organizations such as Trumbull 100, a community group aimed at enhancing the city and Trumbull County, will make it difficult for him to devote the necessary time to council.

“I’ve always believed if you’re doing the job of councilman right, you have to put in some time,” he said.

Now that he will not have to campaign this year, he will be able to devote the necessary time to one of his first priorities as a council member — seeing that the city’s comprehensive plan is completed correctly.

The city hired the company Poggemeyer Design Group of Bowling Green, Ohio, at a cost of $182,000, to compile the plan. It is expected to be complete this spring.