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Trustees cautious about promoting fire levy
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - September 09, 2009)
Trustees cautious about promoting fire levy
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township Trustees have decided to use a town-hall-style meeting in an effort to educate voters on a 2.5-mill fire and rescue levy.
Trustees looked at setting up a committee to promote the levy but decided a meeting at Township Hall may better serve their intentions.
Trustees agreed last week that they would hold the meeting at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, Trustee Michael Brown said.
The idea of initiating a committee to promote the levy caused concern among trustees. That concern arose from not what would be done improperly, but just how it may appear to the public.
"I don't want to jeopardize it over a technicality," Trustee Charles Strazinsky Jr. said.
He said he would be willing to spend his own money to buy more levy signs but does not want to become involved in a committee promoting the levy for fear the public would perceive the trustees' involvement as improper.
"I'm nervous about creating an issue," Mr. Strazinsky said.
That concern was shared by Mr. Brown, who said trustees may not want a "big presence" in any committee that would be involved in promoting the levy.
Robinson Road resident James Schumann had suggested forming the committee and volunteered his services, saying he believed some type of promotion was necessary because the proposed levy would be an increase in taxes for residents.
Mr. Brown said he has met with several residents while passing his re-election petitions who also have volunteered their assistance. But, he said, while individual resident support is welcome, it may be best if trustees are not involved.
Instead, he said, the town-hall style meeting, involving members of the Chardon Fire Department who live in the township, may be the best option for officials.
He said he planned to advertise the meeting in the next issue of the township newsletter.
"I just think it's the right way to go about it," Mr. Brown said.
He said even the announcement in the newsletter will be reviewed by the prosecutor's office before being mailed out.
Mr. Schumann repeated his concerns for the levy's passage and the need to promote it as much as possible. He said the expiring 2-mill levy will be replaced by a 2.5-mill, which residents will see as a tax increase.
He said he believed the meeting may be a good place to start with promoting the issue, but said he still would be willing to offer his services to help get out the word on the levy.
Mr. Brown said he checked with the prosecutor's office and learned that residents still could take contributions and pass out fliers without having to take the formal action of forming a political action committee.
"A promotional piece to every household would be a helpful tool," Mr. Schumann said.
Mr. Brown said he has heard differing opinions on trustees' involvement in promoting issues, although individuals appears to have more freedom.
Dorothy Stange, chairman of the Geauga County Board of Elections, said it is the appearance of impropriety, not actual wrongdoing, on the part of elected officials that trustees should concern themselves with. Even if they do nothing wrong, they may "cast a shadow" on the efforts, she said. She said it it better to let citizens handle any promotional fliers sent out.
Fiscal Officer Joan Windnagel said officials may want to first see how the meeting proceeds before taking further action. If there appears to be misinformation or a lot of questions from the public at the meeting, the board may want to find another way to address those concerns with the public.
Township Road Superintendent Donald Mohney said trustees may simply want to visit some of the more close-knit neighborhoods in the township. He said trustees may be able to spread the word and answer questions in those neighborhoods. In turn, he said, those neighborhoods are likely to spread the information through much of the township.
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