How has First Interstate tried to prevent voting on Oakwood?

Let us count the ways...

Part 1. Setting the table.

South Euclid City Council meeting January 11, 2011, Ordinance 01-11 was introduced to rezone Oakwood from residential R-75 to commercial C-3.

South Euclid City Council meeting February 14, 2011, Ordinance 05-11 was introduce to rezone Oakwood from residential R-75 to commercial, C-2. But this time, it was introduced as an emergency.

There was no reason to change from C-3 to C-2. It is more restrictive, not less restrictive.

The zoning request was changed from C-3 to C-2 in order to introduce the ordinance as an EMERGENCY.

Why? An ordinance passed as an emergency is not subject to referendum in almost all cities in Ohio.

Fortunately, South Euclid has a charter provision that states emergency legislation is subject to referendum.  

• The submission of the ordinance to rezone Oakwood as an emergency was a calculated effort by First Interstate to prevent a referendum.
• You will see that the emergency status of the ordinance was used over and over by First Interstate in their arguments with the Ohio Supreme Court.
• They argued repeatedly even if the South Euclid charter permitted the referendum, the Ohio constititution prohibited referendum being brought against an emergency ordinance.
• If it were not for the forethought of the people who wrote the South Euclid charter, the rezoning of Oakwood would have been a fait accompli as of February 14, 2011.

So if you know anyone related to the people who wrote the South Euclid charter--thank them for giving South Euclid residents a chance to vote on Oakwood!

Question: How could rezoning ever be an emergency?

 You'll find out tomorrow....

 

PLEASE TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO VOTE NO ON 96!

WE ONLY NEED ONE MORE VOTE THAN THE OTHER SIDE.

LOCAL ISSUES ARE USUALLY DECIDED BY VERY FEW VOTES.

14 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY!

 

If you are a South Euclid resident, and would like a yard sign, please contact us.