The Patriot Corner

As a resident of the city of Parma all you need to do is look around this once great city and wonder where the jobs have gone, where the businesses have gone, and where the people have gone. Vacant houses dot our neighborhoods, and empty storefronts greet you as you travel our main roads. When businesses, jobs, and people leave the city, the city’s tax base leaves with them. This means that thousands of dollars in tax revenue no longer flows in to support and pay for the municipal functions of the city. This can affect a wide range of services from trash collection to emergency services.

There are a few ways to address the problems. The city can just raise taxes on everyone, or come up with a myriad of new fees on services to make up for lost revenue streams. The recent passing of the school levy by a narrow margin indicates the people feel they are paying all they can and just can’t afford any more. The other solution is to drastically cut the city budget. I think everyone can agree that we are in a place where there are no easy solutions.

In addition to facing grave financial challenges, the City of Parma is operating, as it has since its beginning, without a city charter. Right now the size and layout of the city government is dictated by the Ohio Revised Code. Parma is a “statutory city,” which means that all decisions regarding the offices and function of our municipality are made in Columbus. Adopting a city charter would bring about “home rule,” where decisions as to the size and function of the city government would be made by the people who live here. A charter would allow the city to control what they spend, and would put the citizens in control of their local government. The charter could include language that does not allow for a tax increase without the consent of the citizens.

Please support a charter for our city because it is what we need to face the difficult economic times ahead.  Our county government recently underwent reformation and it is time for our city to do the same.

THIS IS YOUR CITY!