Limited charter vote may spur referendum, recall

July 17, 2012 at 7:09p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

City council could face political repercussions for wanting to put only four of 17 charter amendments proposed by a citizens committee on the Nov. 6 ballot, members of both bodies say.

“The public gave us those proposals,” said Jerome Williams, president of the charter-review committee. Council “forgot who they work for: the citizens. The citizens have spoken. If [council is] not sure what the citizens want, then put it on the ballot and let them vote.”

As to the potential fallout, Williams said, “They may lose their jobs.” That’s because citizens could gather enough signatures on petitions to place their own charter amendments on the ballot to make it easier for a recall vote.

A citizens initiative to get proposed charter amendments on the Nov. 6 ballot would require 1,793 valid signatures, a number equal to 10 percent of city residents who voted in the last presidential election, submitted by Aug. 8.

It’s more likely that citizens will get the needed signatures for charter amendments on the 2013 ballot, said Phil Kidd, a member of the charter-review committee.

Also, he said, “There are groups out there willing to do what’s necessary to file a civil lawsuit” over redistricting the city’s seven wards so each would have similar populations.

Ward redistricting hasn’t been done in more than 30 years.

While proud of the work done by the committee, William Carter, a member of the charter-review committee, said everyone knew from the start that the final decision rested with council.

On Monday, council approved having the city law department write ballot language for only four of the 17 proposed charter amendments recommended by the 11-member charter-review committee. It’s a step necessary before the proposals can go on the ballot.