A ballot initiative to redraw Ohio's political district boundaries will be on the November ballot if enough petition signatures are obtained by July 4th. Why is this important? Were not the boundaries already drawn? Yes, but it was done behind closed doors in ways that communities were split up and districts were configured in distorted ways to favor the state's dominant political party thus reducing opportunities for competitive electioneering. Some would prefer to let the dominant party leaders redesign the congressional and state district boundaries even if their political party does not have an effective voice. They prefer to take the risk that after the next census THEIR party might be dominant and can then redraw the lines to favor them. This is the way it has always been done when legislative districts have to be reconfigured after each 10-year census.

The problem is that the politicians redraw district boundaries to select voters favorable to them. Elected officials do not have to worry about accountability to their electorate as they are assured that a majority will always be of the same party as themselves. This contributes to deadlocked and uncompromising legislatures that have resulted in political gridlock that plagues Congress and state general assemblies.

As a result of the gerrymandered way the districts were reconfigured in Ohio, a movement of the citizenry was launched to petition for a nonpartisan commission to reconfigure the legislative districts. They include the League of Women Voters, the Ohio Council of Churches, Common Cause, Ohio Citizen Action and others. An Ohio Citizens independent Redistricting Commission would be selected and empowered to redefine the districts. There would be four Democrats, four Republicans and four independents none of whom could be present or potential office holders. Districts could not be drawn that would favor a political party, incumbent, or a potential candidate. Politicians would no longer be able to draw their districts.

All meetings would be open and accountable to the public. The Commission would consider plans submitted by the citizenry. The plan adopted would have to meet the following criteria:

1. Preserves communities by minimizing splits of counties, cities and townships
2. Maximizes the number of politically balanced districts
3. Fairly reflects the preferences of Oho voters
4. Creates compact districts

If it passes reconfigured districts will take effect in the 2014 elections.

Lee H. Lybarger
188 Bridgeport Way
Delaware, OH 43015
740-369-9093

POWELL, O. – John K. Hartman, Democratic candidate for Delaware County commissioner, today urged the adoption of the charter form of government.

“We are operating under a 19th century model,” Hartman said. “We need to update and streamline in order to free up more money for economic development, public safety, and other important services while avoiding tax increases.”

Hartman said that in the near future he will be asking the county commissioners to put on the ballot a measure asking voters to support the election of a home-rule charter commission that could recommend an updated governmental structure that could consist of an elected county executive and a part-time board of county commissioners of 5-9 members.

“As Delaware County approaches a population of 200,000, the charter form of government would allow commissioners to be elected by districts, thus making representation closer to the people,” Hartman stated.

Cuyahoga County recently switched to the charter form of government and it has resulted in closer cooperation between the county, its cities and townships and the elimination of one part of the county poaching jobs from another part, Hartman explained.

“It has increased accountability by having an elected county executive who oversees all county offices as opposed to the current system of fragmented responsibility,” Hartman said. “And it has freed up $100 million for economic development.”

Summit County has had the home-rule charter, county executive form of government for nearly 30 years. Nearby Licking County is considering it as is Lucas County in northwest Ohio.

“A benefit of a larger board of commissioners would be to permit private discussions between commissioners about county business,” Hartman said. “With the current 3 member board, 2 members are prohibited from those discussions because they constitute a majority and violate the Sunshine Law.”

Hartman first proposed the adoption of the home rule-charter form of government at the League of Women of Delaware County Voters Town Hall meeting at Willow Run on April 30.

A resident of Liberty Township, Hartman, 66, is seeking one of two open commissioner seats on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.