City councilman disagrees with city attorney’s opinion
By JODY MURPHY, jmurphy@newsandsentinel.comPARKERSBURG - When City Attorney Joe Santer nearly reversed himself in ruling an ordinance providing for the an election to consider City Charter amendments was null he found a dissenting opinion from at least one city councilman.
When the ordinance came up Tuesday, Councilman Dorsey Cheuvront made the motion to remove it from the agenda. Cheuvront noted council rules state all standing and special committees shall consist of five committee members, including the chairman. Cheuvront noted the special committee appointed by council President Mike Reynolds consisted of only three members, Tom Joyce, Jim Knapp and Reynolds.
Santer agreed with Cheuvront. Though moments later Santer was on the verge of reversing himself, stating if there were three sponsors for the ordinance it would be OK. However, since the committee approved the ordinance by a 2-1 vote, it was null. At least one councilmen, Brad Kimes, disagreed with the Santer's opinion.
"I would have to disagree with that," Kimes said. "They were forwarding it as a committee, not as council members. Saying that it's three individual council members is circumventing the committee process."
"If we don't abide by our rules and regulations we shouldn't have no rules or regulations," Councilman Dorsey Cheuvront said chiming in. "It is spelled out in black and white."
Following Cheuvront's lead, council voted unanimously, 8-0, to remove the item. Councilman Don Godfrey was absent.
After the meeting, Santer stuck by his recommendation. He said if the ordinance had three sponsors it would have been allowed to proceed.
"If all three of them had voted for it, all three of them would have sponsored it," Santer said.
Could I be wrong? (Heck) yeah," he said. "Am I? I don't know. But I don't think I am. My point is there would have been three sponsors."
Santer said all an ordinance or resolution requires to make the agenda is three sponsors - regardless of committee.
"That is all we require," he said. "I understand what they are saying and I agree with Mr. Cheuvront and Mr. Kimes in that it was not an effective committee because it was not enough. If it had been a 3-0 vote - quite frankly I'm glad it wasn't -otherwise, we would have had an issue, wouldn't we?"
Santer said he expected the ordinance would be on the next council agenda with three sponsors.
"They already have two all they need is a third," he said.
In order for the amendments to make the ballot for the November election the ordinance, which is subject to two readings, must be approved by council before Aug. 29.
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vortex
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07-24-08 9:40 PM
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Why is Pothole Bob having his dirty work done by proxy? Is he afraid to come before the public? Maybe he can’t stand the heat (truth) that we people that have our eyes open can see. Is it true he wants these changes so he can hire his Old Squeeze? With any luck maybe we will get to see how to replace a Mayor.
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HereinPburg
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07-24-08 6:10 PM
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Councilman Reynolds is only doing what Prince Pothole Bob told him to do. Have we forgotten that the Prince is the one who wanted the changes to the charter? He needs an opening for city attorney; it’s the old birds of a feather thing, or maybe the ole keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, oh well. As for the Ohio plate, why would anyone care, we now have city employee’s working at the farmers market, IIIII, I mean visiting the market on city time, and employee’s operating ATV’s illegally in the streets, anyone else would be ticketed. The Prince will go down in history as the royal jester.
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charter14
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07-24-08 12:38 AM
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if the ego maniac mayor (columbo lite) would have done this charter committee properly for the begining, and if certain council members had a mind of their own, this problem would have never occured. Perhaps some council-members should be retired, especially those with ohio license plates.
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