I am puzzled and dismayed at the apparent apathy and/or complacency of the citizenry here in Cuyahoga Falls. The fact is that despite the many controversial issues that have faced and continue to confront and affect us, far too few of us (and to date regarding the City Charter, only one of us) have bothered to even attend and observe, much less offer suggestions at, the current Charter Review Commission (a body that I'll now refer to as the "CRC" in this posting). And yet, this is the body--albeit entirely mayorally appointed (yes, with the approval of a Council who has little grounds for objecting to those mayoral choices)--that decides whether the framework of our City government is entirely healthy and in step with the times.

Considering these difficult economic times, wouldn't it be better if the structure of goverment here were more shared--i.e., if Council had at least 50% of the real action-initiating, selection-determining (rather than merely approving) responsibility and power? Did you know that due to the way that the current Charter is written, and unless amended (arising not only from what makes logical sense but due to YOUR voiced concern), the Council can't even get an independent legal counsel and/or audit to double-check the validity of executive actions? Did you know that until recently (thanks to the wisdom of Council in making it a major point), the Mayor and his staff only had to report the financial progress of the City ONCE A YEAR? Did you know that this past year (for 2009), the City sustained considerable losses that were publicly neither disclosed nor adequately explained, albeit partially, until very late in that year, simply because there wasn't a mandate that required it? I'm told that, yes, NOW there's an ordinance that's been passed requiring MONTHLY financial disclosure to Council, but absent adoption of a proposal I've made for a minimum of quarterly reports, a future administration and/or council could simply repeal the current rule, once more making the Charter's far-too-infrequent annual reporting the only mandatory one each year. Do you want to see your taxes go up, or pay for undiscovered utility-billing errors AGAIN (i.e., after we all finish paying up for the more-than-annual shortfall of millions that ostensibly arose from an oversight) ???

Charter Review comes about once every FIVE YEARS. That's not an unreasonable period of time, but if several reviews go by without revisions to ensure just governance and reflect progress, we're not going to be an attractive place to live for very long (if indeed we even are, at this moment). Even if you strongly disagree with my viewpoint, PLEASE COME TO THESE IMPORTANT MEETINGS HELD EVERY 2ND AND FOURTH THURSDAY EVENING AT 6PM on the 2nd floor of City Hall at 2310 SECOND STREET.

I promise you that, if nothing else, it will prove to be a highly educational experience for you--and you might even have or get an idea or two to share. Public comment is limited to a total of 15 minutes, with 5 minutes being devoted to those who submit written proposals to the CRC. And, after hearing CRC comments at the initial time and at the following session's recap, brief rebuttal is permitted in case a proposing citizen wants to provide answers to objections.

CARE, and I'll SEE YOU THERE!

Barry Braunstein, concerned elector