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Editor:
Residents of Columbiana live under constant threat today that a small number of individuals are able to take away basic property rights, simply by interpreting an overly broad and vaguely worded section of city zoning code. The code states that uses not permitted under zoning are prohibited, and the city of Columbiana is employing this code in ways that have never come up in the 40 plus years since it was enacted.
This newspaper has reported many times in the past, including Wednesday, 12/6/17, about the twists and turns around section 1260.05(a) of the Columbiana zoning code. The most recent in this chain of events is that five electors have formed a committee under article XI of the city charter to remove this piece of legislation. As you also reported, the city rejected our affidavit, the only explanation being that it "did not appear" to meet charter requirements.
So that everyone understands, the affidavit we presented is only the first step in changing a law. When the city finally allows us to move forward, they will specify petition forms that we must use. The committee will then need to gather enough signatures, 10 percent of the number that voted in the last gubernatorial election. Only after the city certifies the signatures will the petition go to council. If council does not take action, or rejects the proposed initiative, it will go to the voters.
While section 1260.05(a) is still an issue for me today, I am now far more concerned that the city has taken the stance that they can now reject the right of citizens to petition government, simply because it does not appear to meet requirements, and without further explanation. This right is so important that the founders chose to include it in the First Amendment to the Constitution, right along with freedoms of speech, religion and the press.
We commend council members Richard McBane, Crystal Siembida-Boggs, and Skip Liston for going on the record to try to get us an explanation. We also have to ask why members Rick Noel, Dan Bekar, and Ted Souder, along with Mayor Bryan Blakeman, remained silent. Is it not the duty of every elected official to, first and foremost, protect the rights of the people they claim to represent?
Dan Dattilio
Columbiana