Panel studies Warren charter idea

By ED RUNYAN

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

The 13 members of the Warren Charter Committee started their three-month task of determining whether the city should join the 73 percent of Ohio cities with a charter form of government.

First they met the three professors affiliated with Kent State University and the two others who will help educate the committee over the next two months on the pros and cons of a charter government.

Drs. John Hoornbeek and Melinda Holmes of Kent State University emphasized at the Thursday session that their role is to educate the committee members regarding their options.

Dr. Thomas Pascarella, professor emeritus at Hiram College and director of administration for the city of Tallmadge, however, made it clear he is an “unabashed proponent of charters.”

Warren has a statutory form of government, meaning it follows Ohio law in how it operates. Cities and villages that write their own charter have much more say in how their city operates, the professors said.

Youngstown is a charter city.

Holmes said one can view a charter city as one that has reached maturity and is ready to “cut the apron strings from state government.”

Councilman Al Novak, who attended the meeting as an observer, asked city council to place a charter issue on the ballot seven years ago, but council said no.

Dan Crouse, former councilman, is chairman of the charter committee and appointed its members. John Homlitis, part-time Warren treasurer, also is on the committee. The 11 other members are private citizens, including two Severstal Steel employees, two accountants and one assistant principal.

The committee will learn more about charters over the next three meetings, the first one being at 5 p.m. next Thursday in council chambers.

The committee must give its recommendation to council by July 1. If approved by council, the charter concept and a list of candidates would go before voters at the general election.