Joel Day urges more participation by citizens in state government

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
·2 min read
Joel Day
Joel Day

NEW PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Joel Day is urging elected officials and citizens to get more involved in state government to prevent the Legislature from taking away home rule from cities such as New Philadelphia.

On Monday, the mayor told council that he attended the Ohio Municipal League (OML) Summer Regional Conference held last Friday in Athens.

"OML officials warned that legislation continues to be introduced in the Ohio House and Senate that threatens to remove New Philadelphia's home rule and put decisions that should be made locally into the hands of state government," Day said.

"One such measure being considered is House Bill 563, which would prohibit local regulation of short-term rentals like Airbnbs."

City officials had been considering a measure to regulate Airbnbs in New Philadelphia, but that effort is now on hold because of H.B. 563. There are currently three such businesses in the city.

"OML Executive Director Kent Scarrett told us that the lack of participation by local elected officials and citizens is giving special interest groups and lobbyists more say in writing legislation," Day said.

He urged people to learn more about bills being considered by the Legislature by visiting https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/ They can also find contact information for state Rep. Brett Hillyer, R-Uhrichsville, and state Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, who represent this area.

In other action, council approved a new three-year contract with the city's American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) — Clerical Unit.

The contract grants members of the unit a 3.5% pay raise in 2022, 3.5% in 2023 and 2% in 2024. Their medical insurance contribution will increase from 5% to 6.5%.

New Philadelphia has already reached contract agreements with the police union and the other AFSCME unit.

However, negotiations with the International Association of Firefighters have reached an impasse and are headed into the collective bargaining fact-finding phase, Day said. The city's presentation to the fact finder won't be made until July.

Council also gave final approval to a measure to increase sanitation rates in the city by 50 cents a month. The rate increase takes effect in June.

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This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Joel Day urges more participation by citizens in state government