Few attend meeting about Youngstown charter changes

YOUNGSTOWN

It was what the Youngstown Charter Review Commission isn’t recommending that drew some criticism – and a loud rebuttal from one of the committee’s members.

During Tuesday’s public meeting, Clarence Boles, a former school board member and city councilman, and the Rev. Kenneth Simon, senior pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church, questioned why the committee didn’t address term limits for the mayoral position.

All seven commission members were appointed by Mayor John A. McNally.

Boles said the decision gives “the appearance of impropriety,” adding that he wasn’t “accusing [members] of anything.”

Scott Schulick, a commission member, shouted, “Take it up with the mayor. I take offense to that.”

Chris Travers, the commission’s chairman, said McNally “has had virtually no communication with this board.”

The previous charter review commission in 2012 proposed removing term limits for those serving as mayor, something council members that year put on the ballot and was approved by city voters.

Council members can serve two four-year terms and then have to leave office for four years before they can run for another term.

Nikki Posterli, a commission member, said a proposal for term limits for the mayor was rejected quickly because it was approved by voters only four years ago.

The public meeting didn’t attract many people.

The committee next will meet July 12 with McNally to get his input and then with city council July 19. It will make final recommendations at a July 26 meeting.

Read more about the meeting in Wednesday's VIndicator or on Vindy.com.