Cowboy Mayor & Cowardly Council Out of Control: Should Voters Dial Back "Home Rule"?

[Brian Essi]

Two huge storms have divided Lakewood and both have originated due City Hall abuses of "home rule": 1. the BSL tornado and 2. the Lakewood Hospital Hurricane.

The damage from both of these "home rule" disasters has yet to be fully assessed.

Yet all registered voters received a copy of the Third Amended Charter, at taxpayer expense, suggesting a vote will occur this November on this issue, even though City Council has yet to "Vote" to place the issue on the ballot.

The Third Charter has weak ethics provisions and gives the incumbent government advantages for further abuse and retention of power under broad "home rule" authority.

Home Rule--which was originally a Progressive Era device--has worked to make Lakewood regressive.

Is it time to dial back Lakewood's home rule?

https://www.ohiobar.org/ForPublic/Resou ... ority.aspx

[Bridget Conant]

Here is the ruling in Russ vs Reynoldsburg, the BSL challenge that went to the Ohio Appeals Court and the city law was struck down. The city argued that "home rule" gave them the authority to ban pit bulls even though that conflicts with state law.

Since the specific issue of home rule was addressed in this case, I find it hard to believe the mayor is so confident that he will prevail.

http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/do ... o-1471.pdf

[Dan Alaimo]

How many lawsuits have been brought against this administration compared to past administrations?
I'm thinking about Mark Kindt pointing out how many of their actions leave them - and the taxpayers - open to legal challenges.

[Bridget Conant]

The mayor and the current council members should be deposed.