Cleveland Charter Review Process Begins

Friday, February 1, 2008
Topics: Politics
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Cleveland's Charter Review Commission has begun a process that comes around only once every 20 years -- deciding whether to make changes in rules for the city's general operation and government structure. One hot button issue is sure to be intensely debated. ideastream politics reporter Kymberli Hagelberg has details.

The size of city council is likely to be a top issue the 15-member commission - all Clevelanders - will tackle. Council President Martin Sweeney favors reducing council from 21 members to 17, based on a decline in population.

Commission Chairwoman Phyllis Cleveland says a series of public meetings will be scheduled so citizens can weigh in.

Cleveland:  “This is government at eye level.”

Cleveland says she’s confident council members could vote impartially—even if it meant cutting the members in their own body.

Cleveland:  “I was a foreclosure magistrate for two years and it’s heartbreaking to see somebody lose their home. But I had to follow the law, and apply the law to the facts that were before me. So I’m certainly capable of doing that and I have done that for many years and I think my colleagues can as well.”

The commission will make its recommendations to council in August. City council will decide whether to put the commission’s recommendation on the November ballot. If it decides not to act, citizens could get it on the ballot by petition.

KymberlI Hagelberg, 90.3