Warren councilwoman organizes project to cut grass on vacant city properties

By ED RUNYAN

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

Though city residents and the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office are doing their best to keep the grass cut on vacant city properties, Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold felt more needed to be done.

She especially noticed that the problem was severe in the 6th Ward, the southwest side of the city she represents on council.

She talked about the problem with several people, including Mayor Michael O’Brien. They met with the Trumbull County Department of Job and Family Services to put together a plan that involved several local organizations and JFS clients.

The plan, to be implemented this week, involves JFS clients cutting grass as part of their assistance program, and nonprofit organizations providing the equipment and transportation.

Bill Turner, workforce administrator for Trumbull County’s JFS, said the loss of the Summer Youth employment program this summer as a result of decreased federal and state funding reduced the amount of work and funding for community clean-up this year.

It’s the first time in 30 years that Turner’s agency has not had a summer youth program, Turner said.

Last summer’s youth employment program gave jobs to about 350 income-eligible youths age 15 to 24. It paid them $7.30 per hour, 30 hours per week June 14 to Aug. 6.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and at Vindy.com.