City park board files objection to strip its autonomy

City park board files objection to strip its autonomy

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Park and Recreation Commission filed a formal objection with the Mahoning County Board of Elections to stop the city from placing charter amendments on the November ballot to strip much of the body’s autonomy.

Also, Maggy Lorenzi of East Midlothian Boulevard, a citizen activist and former mayoral candidate, filed a similar objection.

The elections board will meet at 8 a.m. Tuesday to hear the protests.

Thomas McCabe, the county elections director, isn’t sure the board has any legal authority on this matter.

“When it comes to charter cities [such as Youngstown] on issues, it may not fall under our jurisdiction,” McCabe said.

The elections board has asked the county prosecutor’s office for a legal opinion on its authority regarding the protests and what could be done if it does have that authority.

Mayor Jay Williams, who is strongly pushing for the amendments that would overhaul the commission, says the city is well within its power to put an amendment on the Nov. 6 election ballot through city council approval.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.