Twinsburg Proposed Charter Change Sparks Concern of Resident 'Defender of the Voters Rights' Sally Gaydosh

At the August 18th Planning Commission meeting, Sally Gaydosh, Statutory Agent for Active Citizens of Twinsburg, addressed the commission members and asked: Why was the Planning Commission bypassed and not requested to study, consider, and make a report/recommendation on any proposed Charter 7A.01 change(s) prior to proceeding to the November 4th ballot by either the Charter Review Commission (CRC) or City Council?

Has the Law Director and City Council ignored Ohio law(s) and our City Charter in bypassing the Planning Commission who has the duty of studying/reporting on plans and maintaining the maps for our zoning of ‘districts and zones’? According to Sally Gaydosh, it is clear the Planning Commission shall have all powers in the area of zoning, land use, and community planning for reviewing and making recommendations to the legislative authority.

Sally Gaydosh further commented that ‘local Charter Review Commissions are without power to substitute the Planning Commission authority, providing for “the basis of districting, zoning, and mapping.” A Charter amendment in conflict with the Ohio Law will prove to be null and void.’

In Charter Review Commission meeting videos, Law Director, David Maistros who drafted the proposed amendment language, says he is ‘clarifying’ Charter section 7A.01 which is tying the hands of the City. Sally Gaydosh has successfully represented the ‘people of Twinsburg’ in multiple law suits as defender the right of the people to vote on zoning issues protected under section 7A.01 of our Charter for the last quarter of a century or more. She strongly disagrees with the proposed amendment and believes this proposed change is poorly written, disregards historical case law, and by eliminating the defined word ‘districts’ appearing more than 450 times in the zoning regulations and Ohio law with an undefined words ‘classifications or sub-classifications’ is an attempt to untie the City’s hands and infringe on our right to vote on ‘zoning districts’ issues. This writer agrees with Sally Gaydosh, that any attempt to change Charter section 7A.01 requires concise and deliberate planning including the Planning Commission, especially when it involves the ‘people’s right to vote’ on ‘zoning districts’.

Intentionally or by ignorance; bypassing the Planning Commission is justification for City Council to pull this issue from the ballot. If this issue remains on the November ballot, the voters should send a loud and resounding ‘NO’ vote back to the City. Let’s not allow our Charter and zoning regulations to be corrupted for the sake of political expediency or personal agendas!

As Sally Gaydosh stated, if nine judges and the Ohio Supreme Court ‘clearly’ understand the current Charter section 7A.01, then it requires no further ‘clarity’.

Sally Gaydosh’s comments at the Planning Commission can be viewed at www.activecitizensoftwinsburg.com .

Loren Sengstock, Citizen Auditor

www.citizenauditorohio@yahoo.com

www.citizenauditorohio.com