Laserfiche WebLink
<br />24 <br />Mr. Feneli explained that when the ordinance was passed in 1981 it sent the <br />proposed charter amendments to the voters. Two pertained to the districting <br />of the community.into wards and another reduced the number of Councilpersons <br />from seven to f ive. Attached to that ordinance was the zone map prepared by <br />the Village Engineer, which was sent to the Board of Elections. He was not <br />aware they did not have the map until about a month ago. In late December or <br />early January he was contacted by Mr. Engel from the Board of Elections and <br />Jack McGinty, legal counsel for the Board of Elections, raising the same <br />questions Mr. Goley just raised. He sent them another copy of the ward map. <br />He has been advised they are now establishing the number of .persons in each <br />ward so anybody that wants to run for off ice can determine the persentage of <br />signatures they need on a petition: He sent a legal memo to Mr. McGinty about <br />two weeks ago stating that in his opinion the vote on the charter amendment <br />was valid, what the voters granted, namely a four year term for certain members <br />of Council, the voters could take away. He.further informed him that under the <br />Ohio law the Board of Elections does not have the discretion to judge the <br />validity of any municipal charter amendment. He has not heard from anyone <br />at the Board of Elections since that time and therefore is assuming that as far <br />as they are concerned they have all the informa.tion they need to establish the <br />number of signatures needed on a petition to prepare the ballot, etc. Mr. <br />Feneli asked that if Mr. Goley requests information again from the Board of <br />Elections and is told they do not have the information to contact him. He will <br />then contact Mr. Engel or Mr. McGinty and find out what the problem is. Mr. <br />Feneli said he was contacted by a Mr. Williamson from the County Prosecutors <br />Office last Wednesday and he explained the entire matter to his attorney that <br />represents the Board of Elections who was of the opinion everything would proceed <br />as the charter amendment called for. <br />Mr. Goley said the Board of Elections had not explained this to him, that he <br />was told they needed information from the village that was not presented to <br />them upon their request. <br />Mr. Bill Hite - 6515 Chase Drive - expressed appreciation for the nice quote in <br />the minutes of January 17. He feels, however, that some people may have the <br />misconception that he has been retained by certain members of the village safety <br />forces and was a part of the letter from Mayf ield Village employees that they <br />presented last month. He said that when he became aware of the situation he <br />acted as an individual citizen and was not retained by anyone. He questioned <br />what has transpired in the past month, if consideration had been given regarding <br />a pay raise for employees, making it retroactive to January, or responding to <br />their letter in an affirmative fashion. <br />Mr. Busa stated he was grateful for the letter from employees but did not <br />intend to answer it. He said he wished it had been signed by all employees - <br />because it was signed by only two-thirds. He said there is presently a <br />moratorium but thought is being given to pay raises. Their ambition is to <br />f ind some money to make adjustments to employees wages. He said if they have <br />the money and can do it, they will do it, which is his and Councils pledge. <br />However, if they do not have the money they will have to act accordingly.