Council members express optimism for making Warren a ‘greater city.’

Staff report

WARREN

Two new officials took the oath of office Monday at the start of the new session of Warren City Council — Council President Jim Graham and 1st Ward Councilman Larry Larson — along with the nine returning members.

Remarks given by the members reflected the hope that 2014 will bring a new optimism.

Graham, former president of Local 1112 of the United Auto Workers union at GM Lordstown and Mayor Doug Franklin’s opponent in the 2011 Democratic primary for mayor, was among those with an opinion on how to achieve that.

“I think between the mayor, the city council, myself, and some other resources, we can make that turn that we need to make,” he said.

“A lot of times, we overemphasize the negatives in our city. Something bad happens, we run with it for two weeks. Something good happens, the next day it’s forgotten. It shouldn’t be that way.”

He added, “We have the most beautiful downtown area in the state of Ohio. We have resources we can reach out to. Doug [Franklin] and I have talked extensively on this issue.”

Graham, who has attended many of city council’s meetings throughout 2013, said his fellow council members deserve credit for the work they do.

“You would be shocked at how hard these people work for that $1,000 a month,” he said. “If you divide that out, it comes to about $5 an hour.”

Larson, a longtime Northwest Neighborhood Association block watch member, became emotional when talking about his love for Warren and his gratitude for being elected.

“I’m a Western Reserve Raider,” he said. “We no longer have a high school. Our high school is gone, but we will remember.” He was referring to Warren Western Reserve High School on the city’s West Side, which was demolished several years ago when the school district built all new schools.

“I love this city. It’s a great city. Everybody here had a choice where they wanted to live. We chose Warren. I’m half a mile from where I grew up. It’s a great city. I think it can be a greater city.”