by
Melinda Pillsbury-Foster
An
anonymous comment appeared in response to an article on Ashtabula
Times titled, “"Local
group proposes charter form of Ashtabula Cou..."
Saturday, May 25, 2013. The article was a repost, with appropriate
link and attribution, of an article appearing in the Star Beacon the
day before, May 24, 2013.
It
is unusual for older articles to receive new comments, and this was
the first this repost received on Ashtabula Times.
As
a matter of policy we treat anonymous comments differently than those
which identify the commenting individual. If these 'comments'
appear to have an agenda we often decline to publish them. This one,
commenting on an article made months ago, arrested my interest
because of the lapse in time and impending election.
The
as yet unpublished comment read, “Dave
Glotzbecker wrote to the Star Beacon and denied he was a member of
this committee or went to any of their meetings. Might want to check
with the Editor of the Star Beacon as they ran the item in June or
July. “
David
Glotzbecker's name appears on the petition circulated by the New
Ashtabula Charter Committee.
It
took little research to ascertain what happened, Dr. Malinowski said,
for publication, David and he are old friends. They, along with their
wives, had been going out to dinner together for many years. The
subject of problems with county government, about which Malinowski
and Glotzbecker, were both concerned, was a common subject for
conversation.
Then
the idea of a change in county government was raised Doc Malinowski
asked his friend, David, if he would like to be on a committee to
study, and suggest a change to a charter form of government for the
county. David enthusiastically agreed to serve.
The
two discussed the matter on many occasions over many dinners and on
the phone.
Over
the next weeks others were invited onto the committee, the wording
was finalized, and the petitions printed. All members of the original
group were named on the petition. Circulation of petitions began.
Abruptly,
David asked his name be removed from the petitions. Doc Malinowski
pointed out this was impossible. The petitions were being circulated
and signed by voters. From 20 people circulating the number of people
in the county committed enough to the measure had swelled to 85, all
volunteers.
For
a petition to be valid only three, not five, proponents are required,
by law. Pulling the petitions would waste time, be costly, and deny
to those who had already signed the voice the petition process
offers. Doc Malinowski told his old friend this was unacceptable.
David,
Doc said, had been enthusiastic in his support until after the
petitions were printed. Doc believes Dave was beginning to be
pressured but promised to make it clear to the Board of Elections
David wanted to be taken off the list of committee members as soon as
the signature drive was complete.
Later,
Doc learned David was being pressured by his wife and people within
the county who had seen his name on the petition.
Dave
told Doc his wife had threatened to divorce him because she, “did
not want him involved in politics.” Although he would not use names
for this article Doc admitted he knows who Dave was talking about.
These are politicians, he said, very active at the county level.
Disrupting
a life-long friendship, the two had no more contact until Doc heard
Dave had been hospitalized and in bad shape. During their visit, Doc
told him about the progress which had been made, moving the petition
onto the ballot for November. Dave said he was glad.
Circulating
the petitions
allowed circulators to discover party affiliation, making
it possible for the Charter Committee to confirm their belief support
for the change was coming very equally from both Republicans and
Democrats. Independents were also strong in participation.
At
the same time, it is clear a small number of people, associated with
County government, are strongly opposed to the change.
In
late June the completed petitions were handed over to the Board of
Elections in Jefferson.
Although
the Charter Committee had turned in 3,500 signatures 8% were invalid.
These signatures were declared to be illegible or from people not
registered to vote. Immediately, it was announced the petition had
failed and would not appear on the ballot in November. In answer to
objections, a special meeting was announced for Friday, July 5th.
Over
25 people crowded themselves into the small meeting room at the Board
of Elections in Jefferson in support of the Charter. After a tense
discussion, and by unanimous vote of the Board of Elections, time was
granted for the collection of 275 more signatures.
In
ten days, using 20 volunteer circulators, the drive ended. The Board
of Elections received over 650 signatures, almost all good. The final
count came to 300 over what was needed.
Granting extra time is routine, and guaranteed by law.
Further
objections by County Prosecutor Thomas Santini on the point a line of
print had not been BOLDED on the petition. The matter was formally
laid before John Husted, Ohio Secretary of State by two members of
the Board of Elections, Carol Lovas and Duane Feher. On August 2nd
Husted responded with this letter
making it clear this was not a matter of great portent.
The
Charter Committee moved right along, beginning to meet with town
governments to
explain how the new form of government will work.
Sitting
down with small groups the Charter Team went over the proposal in
detail from throughout the county from the time enough signatures had
been collected on.
A
rumor was floated the Charter was intended to replace town
government, an outright lie. The need to refute this and other
untruths shocked Charter activists, none of whom are seeking careers
in government.
The
County seemed to make every imaginable objection to the petition,
also using county funds to appeal to the Attorney General of the
State of Ohio to quash the measure.
Then,
in early September County Prosecutor Thomas Sartini found a provision
which seemed to him to indicate it was unnecessary for the
Commissioners to mail copies of the Charter Measure to voters. Soon,
the language
was explained
to him.
Sartini
admitted his error saying, “I
was incorrect in my interpretation of the law and I believe the
commissioners are obligated to provide a copy of the charter to the
electorate,” Sartini said. “I advised them of this as soon as I
realized my mistake and I believe they are going to do so in
compliance with the law.”
At
this time, Commissioners
decided they needed a new website, more professional and slicker, at
a cost of over
$50,000. The passed a Resolution
on this. They needed it immediately, ignoring how unnecessary this
would be if the Charter Measure was adopted by the voters in
November.
Meetings
included requests to speak to both the Democratic and Republican
Parties. The Executive Committee of the Democratic Party refused to
allow them to speak and in early October the Democratic Committee,
chaired by Duane Feher, having refused to allow the Charter Committee
to address them, voted to oppose
the Charter Measure. This is the letter generated by the vote of
the Democratic Party.
According
to the cross section of those signing the petitions, most members of
the Democratic Party of Ashtabula support the Charter.
The
first large meeting for debate on the Charter was sponsored by the
League of Women Voters. The Charter Team was told by Barb Schaab
three spokesmen would be present from the opposition, Tom Robertson,
George Distel, and Roger Corlett. The three appeared dressed in power
suits.
Only
Doc Malinowski was to speak for the Charter. Two more spokesmen were
added, Bernie Baranowski and Isaac Arthur.
Perhaps
the most memorable comment of the evening was from Bernie Baranowski,
who said about what Ashtabula produces, “our biggest export is our
children.”
Young
people, who do not return from college because of the lack of
opportunities in Ashtabula County, have been a recognized problem for
many years.
At
the back of the room sat County Sheriff William "Billy"
Johnson. He was not wearing a power suit.
The
Commissioners canceled meetings for the week of October 21st,
according to this email
from
Lisa L. Hawkins, Clerk of the Board.
A
certified letter was sent to Doc Malinowski, demanding the Charter
Committee participate in a forum to take place October 9th
at A Tech in Jefferson.
Doc
Malinowski responded with a letter, dated October 10th,
pointing out the Charter Committee had begun committing to a schedule
for debate in, “in July or August before the dates get booked up.”
He also mentioned they had already spoken to over 100 groups.
Malinowski
then said, “Our group is comprised mainly of ordinary citizens from
all walks of life who feel that our current government has let the
people of our county down and feel the charter will get our great
county moving again and give them a greater voice in the operations
of government and their futures. They do not have time for this type
of political gamesmanship.”
The
League of Women Voters, when it was pointed out to them could not
host an event if both sides were not participating, pulled out.
In
the days remaining until Election Day on November several questions
will be answered.
One
of these is how much money the Commissioners will spend on
advertising. Producing such a television ad was the most likely
motive for their demand for a forum which they, effectively,
controlled. This may also account for the rescheduling of meetings
for the week of October 21st.
The
second question is the source for the money they are spending in
their campaign against the Charter.
With
time, all questions are answered.
