Gilbert, Wortman make pitch to be next mayor of Warren
Dave Wortman
Phil Gilbert
Dave Wortman
Phil Gilbert
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Both candidates seeking election as Warren's next mayor tout experience, leadership and collaboration.
Republican Dave Wortman and Democrat Phil Gilbert are both seeking to fill the role being vacated by Maurice Cashman.
Wortman brings over 20 years of experience in business with United Refining as well as over 30 years as an Army officer, both as an active soldier and guardsman. He's previously served on city council and the county school board.
Gilbert, the county's tax claim director, currently sits on city council and highlighted other community involvement -- chairing the county Redevelopment Authority and service with the Farmers Market, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest food drive, Warren Area Student Union and Innovault Co-Work.
"Over the past seven years, I have demonstrated a commitment to community service and to redevelopment in the city which makes me the most experienced candidate in this race for Mayor," Gilbert said. "As Mayor, I will bring that level of commitment and ability to work with others, of all political persuasions, and bring everyone together to accomplish big and bold projects for the city that are desperately needed to change the trajectory of our region into prosperity."
Wortman said his desire to serve is a desire to give back to a city "that has given me and my family so much. … Warren has always been special to me."
Growing up on the southside, Wortman said he and his wife, Jennifer, decided to move back to the city to raise their family. "I have traveled around the world, and I have never been to a place that has what Warren does, it's an incredibly beautiful, giving community full of hard-working industrious people," he said.
"There are many challenges facing our society today and I think that I have the leadership and experience to be able to serve the city as it's Mayor and make a positive difference."
Wortman identified population loss as the biggest issue facing the city but called it a "symptom of the underlying problems themselves, most importantly the exodus of many of our businesses and specifically manufacturing companies that provided the family sustaining jobs this city and county need."
He acknowledged there's no "silver bullet" but said "the role of government is to set the conditions for our businesses to thrive. Our best businesses to help address this problem are right here in Warren." The city's role then, in his view, is to provide a "favorable tax structure, safe and secure working environment, quality educational opportunities, affordable housing and high-quality life sustaining services provided by our city."
He also addressed one other issue that he deemed a "disaster" -- the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Market Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
"During my campaign that is still the No. 1 concern of our citizens, they don't want it and it's not good for Warren. How our residents and business community were not listened to when making this decision is not acceptable and needs to be remedied going forward. The big problem now is what to do about it. The next steps for the new council will be difficult but necessary and that is to reopen up the conversation with PennDOT and explore what it will take to stop this from happening."
Gilbert identified the EMS crisis as the most pressing issue but said he feels "we have a good solution coming there."
"With that being addressed, we need to focus on business development and increasing tourism," he added. "As Mayor, I will bring the council members together, involve the local business community, engage with the nonprofits and other community agencies, and build a coalition based on our existing strategic plans to rebuild Warren and create an environment for success."
He spoke about the importance of marketing, something he thinks the city has not done a good job of.
"As Mayor, I would take a strong leadership position on Marketing and make it a priority," he said. "That would include building a marketing website with local business collaboration; creating a stronger collaboration with agencies like the WCCBI and the Visitors Bureau; and coordinating our events and promotion for maximum effect. We need to bring the right people together and push the idea home."
In the city's structure of government, the mayor chairs the meetings but his vote doesn't count more than any other councilmember. But both candidates see more to the job than chairman.
"It's bringing the council together, actively working with members of the council on goals and projects; engaging the community and its business leaders, and providing leadership to accomplish bigger goals," Gilbert said.
"I believe the community is ready for a change and ready to try new things, and we have an opportunity to drive this momentum forward, but we need participation and ideas. Nothing will be accomplished without engagement and communication. As Mayor, I promise to engage with all of the relevant parties and work to move the business and community together with a sense of shared purpose."
"In terms of the 'business of the City' the mayor needs to be a team leader, an effective executive who can set direction and work with the council," Wortman said, "city staff and the city constituency to do what is in the long-term best interest of the city. Equally if not more importantly, the mayor needs to be a visible leader in the community engaged in the activities of our youth, our great service organizations and representing our city within the business community."
One of the areas where growth has been seen in recent years is development along the downtown riverfront. HIY, Inc. has transformed the former Loranger Building and the WCCBI is facilitating the Trestle to Trestle Task Force to chart a plan for that area. City staff have proposed a boat launch and many of the parcels in that area are owned by the city itself.
There's clearly more work to be done there. What should that work be?
Wortman said future development there would be part of the ongoing long-term strategic plan that is being developed.
"The riverfront is an incredibly valuable asset to our city and what happens there as part of a broader long-term initiative is key," he explained. "Certainly, the Trestle to Trestle initiative will be part of that effort but it can't be viewed in isolation. This must be done in a manner that sets the city up for long term success and foremost in the analysis of any actions taken on behalf of the city is the financial impact it will have."
He was critical of council's decision to raise taxes last year "placing a tremendous burden on our residents in an already very difficult year."
"In a situation where we are choosing between raising taxes, losing services and/or paying for projects," Wortman said, "the cost benefit analysis of said projects must be at the forefront of our decision analysis."
Gilbert's view on riverfront development was quite straightforward – "the more voices the better."
"You never know when an idea might pop up which could be gold," he explained. "There are many groups that want to help and see Warren move forward. What's key is to make sure these groups are speaking to each other and communicating."
He spoke about the "need to realize the potential we have in that area" and said "it has seen the greatest turnaround of any sector in the city" in recent years.
"This gives us an opportunity to make it the touchstone for a renaissance of business and recreation in the city," he said. "The council needs to engage with the Trestle to Trestle task force, the businesses downtown, regional leaders, and state officials to make sure we get our plans moving and that all development is done with input and collaboration from all parties. We cannot wait, the time is now for action."
So what does the future look like then? And what can the next mayor do to shape it?
"I believe a successful vision for the city would include several long-lasting and meaningful partnerships between the business community, the city council, the nonprofit and community development agencies, the county, and the state which results in several major projects being completed that are the redevelopment spark that creates long-lasting and meaningful growth in prosperity," Gilbert said.
"Without bringing these groups together and working as a team with shared purpose, we will not be successful. Collaboration and input will be my focus as mayor."
Wortman said it's his hope that his children are "able to and want to raise a family here as well.
"Warren has so much to offer but there is work needed to be done to strengthen our future. The role of the government is to set the conditions for the community to be strong and thrive."
He said city government has a role in helping shape that future "but the real and lasting work is done by strong business, philanthropic and faith communities. I am hopeful that with the support of the voters the decisions and accomplishments during my time as mayor of Warren will strengthen our city's future for decades to come."