11/03/2020
I do not support Issue 4.
I believe that Brecksville is best served by seven at large councilmembers.
My parents and I moved to Brecksville in 1957 just prior to our becoming a city. Those that drafted our charter were brilliant, I believe, in the way they constructed our government. They were able to give the public opportunities to make changes to their representation while maintaining continuity and being able to select the best people for representation. Although I was not aware of these benefits as a child growing up here, they became very apparent to me when I began to become involved in our city government in the late 1980's.
Over my 30 plus years on City Council I have received many comments from people on how well and professional our city operates. I have responded that in addition to quality people who have Brecksville's overall best interest at heart, much of the credit goes to the structure of our Charter as it does not create political or geographical divisions, pointing to our at large system of government, staggard 4-year terms and the fact that a majority of council is elected every four years. Council members in other communities have regularly told me that they wish that their city was all at large to avoid all the petty bickering.
I believe that wards create automatic division among the residents instead of thinking of ourselves as one united community. Politics becomes present on supporting issues, such as, I won't support your issue because you didn't support mine. Plus, who is to say that your ward councilmember supports your point of view on an issue? Yes, you can reach out to the three at large councilmembers, but that is less than the six you would have in an at large system.
As a councilmember, I am as aware of issues in other parts of the city as I am in my own neighborhood. I welcome calls from residents throughout the City and am interested in their concerns. It is our job as councilmembers then to prioritize how we proceed with the interests of the entire city in mind.
I prefer that issues of this nature that are so significant to our charter are discussed and vetted in our Charter Review Commission. This allows for public input and discussion which has not been the case with this initiative petition.
- Lou Carouse
