GIRARD New rules target unruly spectators

The city will need an additional $500,000 next year to keep it out of the red.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Spectators might find themselves banned from youth sporting events or practices for up to a year if they misbehave.
That's the maximum penalty a committee can impose under legislation creating a youth sports code of conduct introduced during Monday's city council meeting.
Councilman Charles Doran, D-4th, chairman of council's building, grounds, recreation and cemetery committee, introduced the measure that includes the creation of a code of conduct committee in a separate measure.
Doran said the initiative is not because of any trouble at youth sporting events at city-owned facilities, but it will be in place should trouble occur.
The legislation pertains to any spectator who acts inappropriately.
It prohibits them from initiating a fight, threatening physical abuse, using obscenities or running onto the playing surface. It would also prohibit obscene gestures and racial, ethnic or sexual slurs.
The code of conduct committee could ban violators from city youth sports events for up to a year.
Fiscal emergency
Kathleen O'Connell Sauline, D-3rd, chairwoman of council's finance committee, said revenue will be $500,000 less in 2003 compared with the current budget.
She told her committee members before the council session that cuts in services and employees "seem unrealistic."
The city has been under a state-imposed fiscal emergency in the face of a $2 million deficit.
Sauline said she would not vote to place a revenue-generating tax issue on the November ballot unless it has the support of the administration and city employees.
Councilman Brian Kren, D-3rd, a finance committee member, questioned what authority the city fiscal oversight committee has over council.
Kren has announced he is resigning from council July 1.
Law director Mark Standohar said the commission can override legislation approved by council.
Councilman Joseph Christopher, D-at-large, disagreed, saying no commission can override a legislative body.
Trash collection
Mayor James J. Melfi said BFI, which has an exclusive contract with the city to collect trash, has the right to charge residents $35 to pick up an excessive amount of garbage.
Although the $35 is not in BFI's contract with the city, Melfi said the company can charge the fee because it is only required to pick up "normally expected materials generated by a household."
He said BFI should charge residents who line the curb or fill their front yard with trash.
yovich@vindy.com