Charter For The City Of Parma

I have been following very closely the work of the New County Council [Government] and their success. I am not a Parma Patriot, and I am not a Tea Party Member. I do not belong to the Republican Party, I am not a green, blue, yellow, orange, or communist party member, or any other political party but I am a Democrat. I am a Democrat that lives in Parma, and I can think independently of the party if I disagree with their ideas. I can make my own decisions, some of which I am sure are not popular with the party. But I must be honest with myself and the other people in Parma. We are the people that our nation's Constitution refers to and it was written for us -- for ''We, the People."

Yes, I was Councilman in Ward 1 of Parma. Yes, I am well-educated with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Education degree, and hours toward my Ph.D. Sure, I have to get around in a walker, but there is nothing wrong with my mind. I know a good charter would pass if it is not doomed at the last minute by attaching a tax levy for police, fire, schools, etc.  like some charter commission members did with the last charter submitted to the voters. It stands to benefit all of us as long as special interest groups don't try to doom it, but rather work together across political party lines. Our founding fathers crossed those lines for us.

A Parma City Charter would give ''We, the People" a bigger say in our own community and government. A city charter could put into place qualifications for elected officials. A charter would put in place home rule, specific to Parma. A charter could eliminate wasteful spending, grant voters an option to recall elected officials, or allow voters to vote on tax issues. A well-written city charter could make Parma City Hall more accountable with our tax dollars.

I urge voters to seize the opportunity to help obtain home rule in Parma. Don't be fooled by the notion that it is the wrong time. How can it ever be the wrong  time to adopt a [constitution] Charter, in our case?

By the way, the American flag hangs in front of my home 365 days a year and it is flanked by a USMC banner, and a POW banner. Their lives were for the rights and freedoms that I ask you to consider in voting ''Yes''on a City Charter, and keep in your prayers those who are chosen to draft this charter.