Warren panel: Let voters decide on government

WARREN — A 13-member citizens committee unanimously has recommended to Warren City Council that it allow voters to decide whether they want to create a new form of city government, known as a charter form of government, or home rule.

The Warren Citizens Advisory Committee on Charter Government released its report tonight at a council committee meeting attended by 10 of the 11 city council members.

None of the council members’ comments suggested any stiff opposition to the idea, though several did raise questions about how much it would cost to prepare and mail the finished charter document to Warren’s registered voters in fall 2011 if council gives its blessings.

Councilman Bob Dean, who already has expressed his opposition to a change to a charter government, did not attend the meeting.

Dan Crouse, chairman of the citizens committee and a former councilman, said the committee didn’t calculate the cost to prepare a charter proposal for voters, in part because there are a lot of variables that will determine the price.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com