Charter Amendment: Issue 29

Legislating a Speech That Already Happens

A second and even more baffling Charter Amendment proposal, sponsored by Stow City Council President and At-Large Councilman Jeremy McIntire, would change our city charter to include a “State of the City” address by the Mayor.

Again, at face value, that doesn’t seem unreasonable – having the mayor give an annual speech before council. But, here’s the thing – City Council is trying to legislate something that’s already being done and where there is no problem:

1. The mayor already gives a “State of the City” type of speech each year at a meeting of the Stow Chamber of Commerce, and City Council is invited. A “State of the City” report is published online and available for anyone to read. It actually has its own link in the Government navigation menu of the website, so it’s easy to find. You can see the "State of the City" report here.

2. John Pribonic attends virtually every City Council meeting and near the top of their agenda each meeting is the “Mayor’s Report.”

3. If council wanted a formal “State of the City” speech from the mayor, why don’t they just invite him to give one? Does this really require legislation of any kind, let alone for the people of Stow to vote on it?

Of all the times to look for a charter amendment, City Council decides during a generationally competent and communicative mayoral administration that NOW is the time to include language requiring the Mayor to speak at the first meeting in March of each year?? Does Council not look at their own agenda every month?

Asking Stow citizens to vote on adding a charter amendment for a speech for no other reason than to have council’s fingerprints on foundational city charter language is an abuse and misuse of their time, legislative authority and effort.

In introducing this legislation to council, McIntire admitted that this information is already provided to council in other forms. Councilmen At-Large David Licate and Cyle Feldman and Ward 3 Councilman Brian Lowdermilk questioned the necessity of creating a charter amendment for a speech when council could easily just ask the mayor to give a speech. But, ultimately, the measure passed 5-2, with McIntire, Lowdermilk, Ward 2 Councilwoman Sindi Harrison, Ward 4 Councilman Mario Fiocca and Ward 1 Councilman Matt Riehl voting for the amendment. Licate and Feldman voted against.

See council’s discussion of this amendment:

Stow citizens know we have an extraordinarily accessible mayor, who not only is widely visible and active at multiple public events every week, but who also communicates personally and publicly on a regular basis, whether through social media, events or public meetings on topics both big and small.

While McIntire says this amendment isn’t about Pribonic, it absolutely is. It’s McIntire’s way of inserting himself in the mayor’s job.

Meanwhile, other more important issues before council have languished. While City Council was discussing adding this charter amendment to the ballot, it had tabled legislation to update the compensation of valued city employees who haven't had merit pay increases for 15 years. Let’s talk about that.