Amendment to eliminate Youngstown Park & Rec Commission on Nov. ballot

YOUNGSTOWN — City voters will consider a charter amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot to eliminate the park and recreation commission, a group in existence since 1935.

City council’s three-member park and playgrounds committee voted today to forward the recommendation for the amendment to the full council. With the other four city council members attending the meeting, and none objecting to the proposal, it is a mere formality for council to vote in favor of putting the proposed charter amendment on the ballot when the legislative body next meets Aug. 21.

“We have a layer of bureaucracy that doesn’t serve us well,” said Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th, a member of the park and playgrounds committee.

Council has until Sept. 6 to submit language for charter amendments for the Nov. 5 ballot.

With its members not discussing any other possible charter amendments, getting rid of the park and recreation commission is likely the only council-backed proposal city voters will consider in November.

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