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Toronto discusses rezoning of wards

TORONTO – The possible rezoning of city wards was discussed during Monday’s City Council meeting.

Bob Bertram, a Wallace Heights resident, approached council inquiring whether residents in the subdivision annexed into the city two weeks ago would be placed in the city’s 1st Ward or whether the city was going to create an additional ward for a total of five wards.

I’m suggesting we can leave the ward where it’s at,” said Bertram, adding the city could choose either option. “The city can (add the new residents to any ward or create a new one) under Ohio Revised Code.”

Later in the meeting, Councilman at large G.R. Dickinson, chairman of the zoning committee, said he had studied the issue with other members of the zoning committee and arrived at a solution.

“Back in June, I was told we needed to look at rezoning of wards,” said Dickinson, adding being a councilman at large he was impartial to how zones would be divided. “I tried to get the wards as close as possible (by registered voters.) We thought it was in the best interest to leave wards three and four alone.”

Dickinson said there were 155 registered voters in the Wallace Heights subdivision, according to the Jefferson County Board of Elections. The proposed rezoning would include moving residents in the southern section of Pierce Avenue and all residents of Wentworth Avenue from the 1st Ward into the 2nd Ward.

Dickinson presented council with the proposal, which would add 82 registered voters to each of wards one and two, increasing the number of voters from 826 currently in the 1st Ward to 899, and increasing voters from 853 to 935 in the 2nd Ward. The number of voters in the 3rd Ward would remain at 949, along with 836 registered voters in the 4th Ward.

First Ward Councilman Diane Julio objected to the proposal.

“We should be looking at the number of residents in the wards – not registered voters,” said Julio, adding she had discussed the issue with board of elections officials.

Dickinson disagreed, adding he was told to rezone districts by registered voters. He added he was confident his decision was for the best.

“I recommend it, and my committee members recommend it,” said Dickinson.

City Solicitor Craig Allen said it was up to council how members wished to arrange wards.

“Council can do whatever it wants (by ordinance),” Allen said. “(The ward system) was set up to be a political decision.”

Mayor John Parker told council members they might want to table the matter, allowing the zoning committee time to revisit the issue. However, Dickinson said he preferred council at least consider crafting legislation on the matter. Council voted 5-2, with Julio and 3rd Ward Councilman Jason Fogle dissenting.

In other matters:

¯ It was announced the city pool will close Aug. 31 and not be open Labor Day weekend due to a lack of lifeguards.

¯ Fogle, chairman of the safety committee, asked city motorists to use extra caution now that children were back in school.

¯ Council approved a resolution of congratulations to city high school baseball coach Brian Perkins and the Red Knights baseball team for a successful season.

There will be a meeting of the zoning committee at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The water and sewage committee will meet 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 with a service committee meeting to follow. All meetings will be in council chambers.

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)

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