The race for Warren mayor, again, will be between David Wortman, this time the incumbent, and Councilman Phil Gilbert, running as an independent.

Gilbert’s decision to run as an independent gives city residents a choice rather than the uncontested races seen far too often throughout the county. And both men boast impressive resumes as involved and active citizens who freely give of their time to make Warren a better place.

Wortman touts the city’s lack of tax increases over the past three years, efforts to implement EMS agreements with neighboring municipalities that allow the city to recoup some of the cost to provide EMS services to neighboring boroughs and townships and upgrades to city parks as accomplishments over his first term as mayor. Wortman has also championed the Riverfront Development Project to improve access to the Allegheny River and has worked to form and invest in Warren Worx. The city’s Comprehensive Plan was also finalized during his first term.

Gilbert, meanwhile, served on the City Council since 2016, is the chairman of the Warren County Redevelopment Authority and Warren County Landbank. Gilbert said he has reduced costs and coordinated with delinquent taxpayers to reduce the number of properties going to tax sale. Gilbert said he has taken the lead on redevelopment issues, addressing blighted property in a fiscally responsible manner. That includes demolishing a dilapidated building in Sheffield Township that can now be transferred to neighbors or made available for new home construction. Gilbert also pushed to implement a Safe Exchange Place in the city that opened earlier this year to provide a secure, monitored location for online marketplace transactions and custody exchanges.

We endorse Wortman while recognizing the work Gilbert has done both on the council and with the county RDA and land bank. We are lucky to have both involved in government affairs, but Wortman has earned four more years to pursue his vision for the city.

Holding the line on taxes is important – especially given the unease amongst so many city residents with the ongoing property reassessment. Wortman also deserves another term to continue working on the multi-phase Allegheny River development project, the first phase of which is scheduled to begin in the spring while planning for the next three phases takes steps forward in the coming months. But perhaps the most impressive thing to be accomplished over the past four years is the growth in EMS reimbursements from surrounding municipalities.

Some would have caved to early opposition to the idea pushing so hard with neighboring townships and boroughs, but Wortman held the line. And in hindsight, the reimbursements help provide a break for city taxpayers while making sure a needed service remains for neighboring townships.

Warren has its share of issues. In our view, Wortman has earned another four years to help solve them.