SALEM FIRE DEPT. Ballot wording raises concern

Firefighters want council to be allowed to continue its studies.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Board of Elections will seek legal advice on the wording of two ballot issues that could determine the fate of the Salem Fire Department.
Board members decided Thursday to ask for advice from the county prosecutor's office as soon as possible. Voters have placed the issues on the Nov. 2 ballot.
John Payne, director of the elections board, said, "We want to try to be fair to everyone."
Past and present firemen circulated petitions to put two initiative petitions before voters in the November election.
The issues would prevent the city from either abolishing the fire department or joining a fire district without a public vote.
The petitions describe at length what each proposed ordinance would do.
But voters will see on the ballot shorter language that was adopted from the titles of the two proposed ordinances.
That language, turned into the form of a question, asks whether an ordinance prohibiting Salem from abolishing or eliminating the fire department, or joining a new district, should be adopted. The city is considering the move to save money.
Language at issue
Justin Palmer, who has coordinated the effort, and Michael Burns, the president of Salem Firefighters Local 283, questioned the ballot language.
Burns wondered whether the it would allow the city to continue its studies on the dissolution or creation of a new district.
Those involved in the petition drive say they want council to be allowed to continue its research but want people to have the final say at the polls. They're concerned council would vote as an emergency measure to do away with the department.
Palmer said, "We want the vote in the ballot language."
The board hopes to get a response from the prosecutor in about a week.
The county has to have the ballots printed 35 days before the election.
In other action, the board said the ballot group needed to register as a political action committee.
wilkinson@vindy.com