LIBERTY Looking ahead to '03 primary, trustee promotes home rule

Because Liberty's population is below 15,000, trustees cannot impose home rule.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- With last-minute politicking leading up to Tuesday's balloting, one Liberty Township trustee has an eye on the May 2003 primary election.
Trustee Jack Simon is laying the groundwork in hopes of placing home-rule government before voters in an effort to deal with suburban problems.
So far, Howland, Austintown and Boardman are the Mahoning Valley townships that have seen home rule imposed by their respective boards of trustees.
In Austintown, the issue was mandated by trustees after being defeated by voters three times.
Liberty has no choice but to put the issue before voters.
If a township has a population under 15,000, trustees can't impose home rule. Liberty has a population of 12,661.
Other officials' views
Simon said he has the support of Patrick J. Ungaro, township administrator, but hasn't discussed the subject with fellow trustees Gary Litch and Patrick Durina.
Litch said he hasn't made a decision about home rule.
"I think it's something we have to look at," Litch asserted, noting he has been focusing on the issue of improving infrastructure such as water and sewer lines and roads to foster development.
Traditionally, Litch said, townships were developed to govern rural communities, where farmers were opposed to any restrictions.
Durina explained that the township has comprehensive zoning and property maintenance codes that are enforced. "At this time, I see no benefit to home rule in Liberty," he said.
Home rule, Durina stressed, would only add another layer to township government.
Home rule gives a township the ability to enforce its own regulations, such as the nagging problems of loud vehicles, barking dogs and strip clubs, Simon said.
But just as important to Liberty, home rule gives a township the ability to create its own water district, Simon explained.
Liberty has been pushing for the creation of a water district so lines can be extended to spur residential and commercial development. They are now controlled by the county.
Simon noted that home rule doesn't allow trustees to impose taxes, establish criminal offenses and fines or affect hunting, trapping or firearm control.
Under home rule, Simon noted, resolutions must have two readings, unless passed as emergencies, and would give the township a seat on the county planning commission.
If approved, home rule would become effective Jan. 1, 2004. The township's status would remain for three years -- and would remain unless it again goes before voters and can be returned to regular township government.