Charter Commission to be on the ballot.
By David G. Fago
Speaking of citizens groups in Parma, another group is out tracking down signatures to put a Charter Commission issue on the ballot. City Council did not want to put an issue on the ballot for a charter commission because there is going to be an income tax increase issue on the ballot as well as police levy. Councilman Brian Day stated several weeks ago that City Council did not want to "overwhelm" voters by putting both an income tax increase on the ballot as well as a Charter Commission issue. Thanks Brian…I don’t want to overload my brain.
The truth is that Parma voters, no matter what party they claim to belong to, are some of the most intelligent voters in Cuyahoga County. I will put aside their support for Dennis Kucinich for the moment. They know the issues, and they don’t let the wool over their eyes. For instance, last year’s charter’s commission members voted 8-7 to put a tax provision on the Charter that read as follows:
SECTION 2.03 TAXATION
(a) In addition to taxes that may be levied by the City pursuant to and subject to limitations provided in the Ohio Constitution and the general laws of Ohio, Council may annually levy taxes on real and personal property in an amount not to exceed three (3) mills on the taxable value of real and personal property for
the purpose of providing for the operation of the City’s police, fire and ambulance services.
(b) The additional three (3) mills that may be levied pursuant to Division (A) of this Section shall be placed upon all real and personal property listed and assessed for taxation upon the tax lists and duplicates beginning with the year 2005 and first due in calendar year 2006, and each year thereafter. Upon said
additional three (3) mills being placed upon the tax lists and duplicates in 2005, such millage shall replace both the existing City of Parma’s one and one-half (1.5) mills Fire Levy, last renewed by the voters on May 6, 2003, and the prospective renewal of the City of Parma’s one and one-half (1.5) mills Police Levy, if approved by the voters on November 2, 2004, with each such voted levy being terminated and removed from the tax lists and duplicates in 2005.
(c) Nothing in this Charter shall operate as a limitation upon the power of Council to levy additional taxes upon such other subjects or for any lawful purposes and in such manner as may be permitted under the Constitution and laws of Ohio.
My view is that any member of the new charter commission that tries to railroad such a law through does not really want a charter for the city. This charter failed 75% to 25% (27, 538 – No vote; 8,772 Yes vote) [Source Cuyahoga County Board of Elections].
Marty Drabek and John Stover are leading the charge to get the signatures for the Charter Commission, and I hear they have well over the 2200 needed to get the issue on the ballot. As well as voting for the Charter Commission issue, the people will also be able to vote for the commission members. 15 people will make up the commission…hopefully those people will be against a tax provision written into the charter.
Mary Galinas (Councilwoman Ward 1) stated, "Many of the problems we're facing today are a result of our lack of a charter. We're the largest city in Ohio without a one. There is something wrong with that" (Joe Noga, Parma Sun Post, 6/30/2005). Mary Galinas at least understands that the city needs a charter, and I hope she is outspoken against a tax provision on the Charter. She could use her position to lead a charge against such a provision. In fact…I am calling on her to lead that charge.
More to come…
By David G. Fago
Speaking of citizens groups in Parma, another group is out tracking down signatures to put a Charter Commission issue on the ballot. City Council did not want to put an issue on the ballot for a charter commission because there is going to be an income tax increase issue on the ballot as well as police levy. Councilman Brian Day stated several weeks ago that City Council did not want to "overwhelm" voters by putting both an income tax increase on the ballot as well as a Charter Commission issue. Thanks Brian…I don’t want to overload my brain.
The truth is that Parma voters, no matter what party they claim to belong to, are some of the most intelligent voters in Cuyahoga County. I will put aside their support for Dennis Kucinich for the moment. They know the issues, and they don’t let the wool over their eyes. For instance, last year’s charter’s commission members voted 8-7 to put a tax provision on the Charter that read as follows:
SECTION 2.03 TAXATION
(a) In addition to taxes that may be levied by the City pursuant to and subject to limitations provided in the Ohio Constitution and the general laws of Ohio, Council may annually levy taxes on real and personal property in an amount not to exceed three (3) mills on the taxable value of real and personal property for
the purpose of providing for the operation of the City’s police, fire and ambulance services.
(b) The additional three (3) mills that may be levied pursuant to Division (A) of this Section shall be placed upon all real and personal property listed and assessed for taxation upon the tax lists and duplicates beginning with the year 2005 and first due in calendar year 2006, and each year thereafter. Upon said
additional three (3) mills being placed upon the tax lists and duplicates in 2005, such millage shall replace both the existing City of Parma’s one and one-half (1.5) mills Fire Levy, last renewed by the voters on May 6, 2003, and the prospective renewal of the City of Parma’s one and one-half (1.5) mills Police Levy, if approved by the voters on November 2, 2004, with each such voted levy being terminated and removed from the tax lists and duplicates in 2005.
(c) Nothing in this Charter shall operate as a limitation upon the power of Council to levy additional taxes upon such other subjects or for any lawful purposes and in such manner as may be permitted under the Constitution and laws of Ohio.
My view is that any member of the new charter commission that tries to railroad such a law through does not really want a charter for the city. This charter failed 75% to 25% (27, 538 – No vote; 8,772 Yes vote) [Source Cuyahoga County Board of Elections].
Marty Drabek and John Stover are leading the charge to get the signatures for the Charter Commission, and I hear they have well over the 2200 needed to get the issue on the ballot. As well as voting for the Charter Commission issue, the people will also be able to vote for the commission members. 15 people will make up the commission…hopefully those people will be against a tax provision written into the charter.
Mary Galinas (Councilwoman Ward 1) stated, "Many of the problems we're facing today are a result of our lack of a charter. We're the largest city in Ohio without a one. There is something wrong with that" (Joe Noga, Parma Sun Post, 6/30/2005). Mary Galinas at least understands that the city needs a charter, and I hope she is outspoken against a tax provision on the Charter. She could use her position to lead a charge against such a provision. In fact…I am calling on her to lead that charge.
More to come…
posted by David Fago at 10:01 PM
4 Comments:
You seem so high and mighty. What are you doing to to fix the city? All I hear is complaining, complaining, and more complaining. Get real.
After reading the charter last time, don't think I want to read another one. The council was going to get power that should not not be given, I am afraid want the charter members agenda is!
Paul,
That is whay you have to vote for a charter commission that has no ties to city hall. We pledge no taxes inside the charter, and no taxes without a vote of the people!!
Bezek, Michael
Drabek, Martin
Eichler, Otto
Emmert, Valerie
Fago, David
Fay, Ruth
Jakubowski, David
Metyk, Robert
Nice, Mary Ann
Sara, Frank
Soukup, Jerry
Stover, John R.
Wright, Patricia
Excellent information - thanks!
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