WARREN — Frustration and hope met in the middle at a 6th Ward community meeting as residents voiced concerns over neglected streets, blighted properties and a lack of resources, while Councilwoman Honyea Price, D-6th Ward, urged collective action to change things.

The meeting drew dozens of residents into the auditorium of Lincoln PK-8 School, many of them seniors, who shared stories of pothole-riddled roads, overgrown trees damaging homes and a feeling of being overlooked by city officials. Price, who organized the gathering, told residents to unite and hold local government officials accountable.

“I can’t do this alone,” Price said. “The power lies in the community coming together. If 10 of us call about the same pothole, it makes a difference. But if it’s just me, nothing happens.”

Residents like Virginia Hall, a longtime 6th Ward resident, shares that belief.

“Things have got to change,” Hall said. “We’ve got potholes, blight and people don’t even know where to go for help. We need committees, we need action.”

For Hall, the meeting was a source of hope.

“I was sitting at home, not doing anything,” she said. “But this gives me hope. This makes me feel like we can do something.”

By the time she left the meeting, Hall had signed herself up for every committee.

“I know I can’t do them all, but I’m going to make myself available. The ones that fit into my schedule, those are the ones I’ll focus on. We’ve got to get busy,” she said.

There were six committees in total, with names on each ranging from issues like streets to safety and fundraising. The most names appeared on the committee dedicated to senior citizens with 12 in total.

Hall shared her own struggle with a neighbor’s tree damaging her roof, while others lamented the lack of enforcement for property maintenance violations.

Price acknowledged the challenges, but stressed the importance of persistence. She pointed to recent efforts, such as sidewalk repairs and tree removals funded by ARP (American Rescue Plan) money, but admitted more work is needed.

“We’re so far behind,” she said. “It’s going to take 10 years to get our community back to where it should be.”

One glaring issue raised during the meeting was the lack of youth involvement.

Price noted that the room was filled mostly with seniors, with few residents under 40 in attendance.

“I don’t know why young people don’t come out,” she said. “This is their community, too. We need to hear from them.”

Residents like Hall agreed, expressing concern about the generational gap.

“You look around this room, and who do you see? Grandmas and grandpas,” Hall said. “Our bodies are breaking down. We can’t do all the things we used to do. The younger generation has to carry the torch.”

Price urged attendees to bring younger family members and neighbors to future meetings.

“We need the younger generation to understand the importance of community,” she said. “They are the future of this neighborhood.”

The councilwoman also called for greater civic engagement, noting that low voter turnout in the 6th Ward has contributed to its neglect.

“If we had 75% of people voting, we wouldn’t have these problems,” she said. “But when only 10% vote, we get overlooked.”

Price also highlighted the importance of attending city council meetings to make their voices heard.

“If you want to be taken seriously, you have to show up,” she said.

The meeting also featured presentations from local organizations, including Freedom Block, which offers training on navigating government systems, and West Counseling Services, which provides mental health support.