City Charter Change Petition

[Suzanne Metelko]

To play the devil's advocate -


What is the downside of having a majority of city employees on the school board?

As a city employee on the school board, do I recommend a school levy when it might affect my ability to get a tax hike for raises at the city?

I would like to believe that when we elect people to office they will do their best job. If that's not the case then we need more charter amendments, not fewer.

I guess the inverse is to vote to restrict city employees from holding elected office in the school system?

If we're going to marginalize groups, let's at least try to appear fair. Either all public employees (city/school) are restricted from running or everyone can run. What are we really afraid of?

[stephen davis]

Suzanne,

Our collective experience has told us that there is a fine and delicate balance point between trusting our government enough to allow it to function, and protecting ourselves from it.

Be careful what you wish for.

Steve

[Suzanne Metelko]

These above statements are essentially accurate, although I'm not sure what the "state charter" is. I don't know if she is referring to state law, or some charter of a state department of education or school board that governs local school boards. I have asked a school board member about this, but I still don't understand the source of their governance.

Steve

Steve, the Lakewood City Schools are governed by the Ohio Revised Code. This rule for our system is in 3313.02:

In city school districts containing, according to the last federal census, a population of fifty thousand or more, but less than one hundred fifty thousand persons, the board shall consist of not less than two nor more than seven members elected at large and not more than two members elected from subdistricts by the qualified electors of their respective subdistricts.

[stephen davis]

Suzanne,

Thank you. I really didn't know.

Steve

[Kenneth Warren]

The school district's management of city recreational facilities, which may be covered in the city charter, is one potential matter of conflict or ethical consideration that might have some bearing on deliberations.

Kenneth Warren

[Grace O'Malley]

is one potential matter of conflict or ethical consideration

One too many in my opinion.

Again, non-teaching union rep from the schools spoke AGAINST the change in the charter.

City Council was concerned with conflicts of interest and voted against any amendment.

[Phil Florian]

Is there some historical information that shows this concern about a teacher's ability to teach children and lead the city is valid? Some past case of clear abuse of power and position? Or is this merely "What if" scenarios? If this is based on a parent who complains that a teacher is mistreating a child it is important to note that this happens all the time regardless of what the teacher does after school. While some parents might see this as a "new" reason to harass a teacher is this really a good reason to exclude a teacher from performing a public duty such as serving on Council?


Phil

[Kevin Butler]

The last city tax issue came up in the early 80s, from what I gather.

Correct. The last municipal tax increase was passed in November 1980. Just FYI.

Kevin Butler
(Councilman, Ward 1)
kmb@jeromelaw.com

[stephen davis]

There was an attempt at a joint city/school income tax in '93 or '94. It's too bad it failed at the polls. That was a pretty progressive idea that would have helped both, without putting added burden on unemployed, retired, and fixed income residents.

Steve

[Kenneth Warren]

Last night, while on safari to Crocker Park with Jim O’Bryan and Steve Davis, we explored potential scenarios for conflicts of interests that could face a school employee who serves on city council.

I said there are many potential areas of conflict concerning economic development - from Abatements to Tax Increment Finance.

Each of these deployments would bring the interests of both institutions to a head.

Likewise, there may be school properties that might be assembled and priced, one way or another, for purposes of economic development.

It might be possible to argue that a school employee who serves on city council will help ensure a balancing of interests. Yet this complex of interests is what brings the potential for conflict to a head.

Why construct a structure wherein an elected representative might have to abstain from votes on matters that might be extremely critical to the community and his/her constituents?

Kenneth Warren

[Jim O'Bryan]

Last night, while on safari to Crocker Park with Jim O?Bryan and Steve Davis, we explored potential scenarios for conflicts of interests that could face a school employee who serves on city council.

...Kenneth Warren

Ken


Come clean. No people, parking two blocks away, police on every corner in bright orange suits. Huge dead zones, parking lots for residents 1.5 block from their apartments.

It was like a scene out of the British TV Show "The Prisoner" 8:30: Arabica empty, Barnes and Noble 3 people, Irish Bar empty. Think of that, an IRISH BAR EMPTY at 8:30. Cheesecake Factory had a couple sitting in the front. NO PARKING! It was like the cars were for a movie set. A Hummer H2 on a loop, it would appear every now and then with no one ever in it!




.

[stephen davis]

Well, this topic has reared its ugly head again. I actually had to buy a Lakewood Sun Post for the first time in years.

In the Sun Post March 1, article "Councilman leads charge for change", Staff Writer Lisa Novatny states that "Councilman Ryan Demro will come before council Monday in an attempt to amend the city charter provision that prohibits employees of Lakewood schools, residing within the city, the right to seek public office."

Here are a couple of quotes from the article.

"I led this effort because I believe everyone is entitled to run for office," said Demro. "And this charter restricts residents' civil rights."

"I deeply believe that we shouldn't limit access to public office," said Suzanne Metelko"



Allowing employees of Lakewood Schools to hold elected office in the city may sound like a wonderful idea. It would be easy to assume that allowing members of this well educated, and often community minded group could really bring a lot to city council.

Unfortunately, it would more likely put restrictions on voter representation in that elected body. I’m not willing to give up my representation for their “rightâ€Â￾ to seek office. We voters may actually “limitâ€Â￾ our ability to support our schools through our representation on city council.

Although we all wish that the schools and city hall would work together for the common good, their budgets and missions are often quite separate, and sometimes in conflict. City council actions on issues like tax abatements, TIF’s, and land use may have a direct impact on our schools and their employees.

We have seen many instances where council members must recuse themselves from voting on issues where they may have a conflict of interest. We should all expect that they do so.

I think it’s clear that it wouldn’t take more than one or two of the seven member council having to sit out on an issue could very much impact a vote that may affect the schools in a negative way. I don’t want my representation sitting out on important issues.

I doubt that anyone that knows me would question my support of Lakewood Schools and teachers. With that in mind, I suggest that we would do better to elect council members that are also school supporters. That way, school supporting voters like me will actually have representation on council when we need it.

[Danielle Masters]

City workers are allowed to be on the school board and I believe school employees should be allowed to serve on city council. It seems logical that we allow all citizens an opportunity to serve. I feel that this issue should come before the voters, let us decide who we want to serve us.

[stephen davis]

Danielle,

Lakewood has home rule because of its charter, unlike Parma, for example. School Boards have their own set of rules that are defined by state law. We have the right to disallow school employees from serving on our city council. I would also be in favor of disallowing city employees from serving on our school board. We don't have that choice.

Steve

[Bryan Schwegler]

Lakewood has home rule because of its charter, unlike Parma, for example.

Ok, so dumb question...

What is home rule?