YOUNGSTOWN Forums to gather ideas for charter

The forums are not gripe sessions about city services, officials said.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The public gets its chance next month to make suggestions for changing the city charter.
The charter review commission has set a series of forums -- one on each side of town -- during July where people can give their opinions about the document that governs the city.
Commission members stressed Thursday that the forums are not gripe sessions about city services, or lack thereof. Instead, they want people to read the charter before they arrive and be prepared to address specific items within the document. Copies of the charter are available at the council clerk's office in city hall.
"We'll make every attempt to relay to the public the intent of the meeting," said William M. Carter, the commission chairman.
Speakers will be given a time limit, he said.
The commission may ask speakers to clarify their comments, but there won't be discussion with the audience, Carter said. The forums are for the commission to gather a full range of items to consider, not a debate, Carter said.
The meetings will start at 6:30 p.m.:
UWednesday at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 707 Arlington St., on the North Side.
UJuly 10 at East Middle School, 1544 E. High Ave., on the East Side.
UJuly 17 at Chaney High School, 731 S. Hazelwood Ave., on the West Side.
UJuly 24 at Woodrow Wilson High School, 2725 Gibson St., on the South Side.
What's next
The commission will decide after the last forum on what to do next.
The commission faces an August deadline to make suggested changes to city council for those moves to be on the November ballot. Council ultimately decides what changes, if any, will appear on the ballot.
By state law, charter changes would have to wait two years until the November 2005 ballot if the commission or council lets this year's deadline pass. A special election, which the city would have to pay for, or a petition drive could put charter amendments on the ballot in the meantime.
Commission members have indicated they probably need more time to research and discuss the myriad of issues broached already. Topics raised so far include the number and type of council members, their pay and their status as full or part time.
rgsmith@vindy.com