NEWTON FALLS Voters decide to keep city manager position

The issues failed by nearly 3 to 1.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- The city will continue to operate under its current form of government, though it's still unclear who will serve as city manager.
Less than one-fourth of the city's registered 2,705 voters cast ballots in Tuesday's special election, which allowed residents to determine whether to do away with the position and instead adopt a mayor-council form of government.
None of the eight issues on the ballot -- which covered everything from eliminating the city manager position to creating two new council seats and president of council -- passed. Most were voted down by close to a 3-to-1 majority.
The amendment to do away with the current form of government failed 362 votes to 157, and an issue to create a full-time mayor position was defeated 392 votes to 155.
Other issues defeated were:
UCreating two additional council seats, 365 to 176.
UEliminating the city manager position, 407 to 154.
UChanging existing references in the city charter from city manager to mayor, 370 to 175.
USetting the rate of pay for a full-time mayor and new council seats, 380 to 167.
UChanging the responsibility of awarding contracts for the city from the city manager to the mayor, 427 to 122.
UGiving all administrative duties handled by the city manager to the mayor, 387 to 150.
Some voters said though they were not happy with people who have served as city manager, they were happy with the position.
Opinions
"I voted to keep the position," said Tom Banyas Jr. of Bridge Street. "I don't think there is any problem with the position. While I don't doubt that there are qualified people in Newton Falls to lead the city as mayor, I think it's a job that takes a lot of education people don't realize.
"It takes a lot more than being a resident and caring for the city of Newton Falls," he continued.
Walter and Yolanda Nussle of Liberty Street echoed Banyas' sentiments, saying they think the current form of government is working and they didn't see a need for a change.
"An elected mayor can't do the job that a professional city manager can," Walter said.
Though there was low turnout for the special election, those who did head to the polls said they believed it was important to voice their opinion.
Poll workers said voters seemed to know coming in how they wanted to vote but were confused by some of the language.
"People are asking a lot of questions; it's confusing the way it's written," said Mary Ann Johnson, who worked the polls at the Newton Falls Community Center.
Council had already taken steps to fill the vacancy of city manager by advertising for applications earlier this month. The position has been open since the departure of Roger Eberhart, who was ordered to resign or be fired by last Saturday. Eberhart served as city manager since August 1999.
Eberhart, council and residents were at odds for months over a number of issues, including Eberhart's job performance.
The battles led to a special election last fall, when voters recalled two council members who offered Eberhart a four-year contract. A third council member resigned over the matter.
Earlier this year, the new council rescinded the contract, and residents petitioned for the position to be done away with. Eberhart is suing the city in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court seeking to keep his job.
slshaulis@vindy.com