http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/07/25/20060725-D2-01.html
Voters to review Gahanna government Eminent-domain rules among ballot issues Tuesday, July 25, 2006 Jim Woods THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Gahanna voters will decide Nov. 7 whether they want to make it harder for the city to use eminent-domain power to seize private property. It is one of eight proposed changes to the city's charter. Gahanna's Charter Review Commission meets every five years to review the city's rules. The seven-member commission recommended the eight charter issues for the fall ballot. Gahanna City Council last night was obligated to place the charter issues on the ballot. Most of the recommendations are for minor matters, such as making the charter wording gender-neutral. The most controversial proposal concerned eminent domain. In June 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its Kelo v. New London ruling, found that the Connecticut city had the right to seize private property for developments that generate more tax revenue. That caused some states and cities to adopt their own rules limiting the use of eminent domain. The Ohio General Assembly approved a moratorium on eminent domain for municipalities through the end of this year. Gahanna City Council last September approved an ordinance that restricted the city's use of eminent domain. But Councilmen John McAlister and Nick Hogan, both Libertarians, said the ordinance didn't go far enough. McAlister said he doesn't oppose the city's use of eminent domain to obtain private property to build roads or sewers, but seizing private property for economic development is another matter. "The charter is like the constitution of the city. Therefore, if it is ever going to be changed, it will have to go to the vote of the people," McAlister said. William Dilts, a member of the charter-review commission, said he thinks the council ordinance sufficiently covers the issues. However, Dilts said the commission decided it was best to let the people vote. Another significant charter change to be decided by voters is whether to allow the mayor to appoint administrative positions without having to seek the confirmation of council members. They now ratify the mayoral appointments of the directors of finance, public service, public safety, development and human resources, and the city engineer. PEACE Steven R. Linnabary, Treasurer Franklin County Libertarian Party (614) 891-8841 P.O.Box#115; Blacklick, OH 43004-0115 "When you make peaceful revolution impossible, you make violent revolution inevitable" John F. Kennedy ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Yahoo! Groups gets a make over. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/WktRrD/lOaOAA/yQLSAA/KlSolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ForumWebSiteAt http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
