Future Plans on the Horizon and On the Ballot

Who Gets to Vote? Ohio Issue 2Ohio voters will decide this fall whether noncitizens can vote in local elections. State Issue 2, which would change the state constitution if a majority votes "yes", proposes that only adult U.S. citizens who legally reside and are registered to vote in Ohio for at least 30 days can cast a ballot in future state and local elections. Backers of the amendment say it's important to uphold the integrity of citizenship, while opponents argue it's an unnecessary part of a trend to cut down on voting access.Barberton Speedway Up For SaleBarberton Speedway, a presence in Norton before it was a city, is up for sale after the death of owner Greg Prunty in June. Sue Young, a sister of Prunty and executor of his estate, said in a recent phone interview that she is hoping to sell the speedway to a buyer who will continue racing at the quarter-mile track.Summit County Gun Buyback and Safety Training InitiativeWhile in the planning phase now, Summit County will spend 55,000 on gifts cards and advertising (including gift cards from Dick's sporting Goods, and Acme Fresh Market) to exchange for guns. I'll keep you posted when the dates are announced.Christmas GrooveThe Christmas Groove is an annual benefit concert that seeks to raise awareness and benefit those in need in Northeast Ohio. In 2004, a group of friends and a few musicians assembled for a common purpose: to create a family-friendly concert that would entertain and bless others during the Christmas season. www.christmasgroove.orgFree Women's Self Defense Class McEbright Community Learning Center at 349 Cole Avenue in Akron on Tuesday, September 27 from 6p-8p. Thanks to Akron Ward 7 Councilman Donnie Kammer for helping sponsor the event. (source: Sherri Bevan Walsh, Summit County Prosecutor)Citizen Oversight Board Presented to Akron City CouncilProposed Timeline of Ordinance:Introduced to Akron City Council – Sept. 12, 2022Second Reading at Council – Sept. 19, 2022Third Reading and Possible Passage at Council – Sept. 26, 2022If passed by a super majority (9 members of Council) the ordinance would go into effect immediately, if passed by a simple majority (7 members of Council) the ordinance would have a 30-day referendum period before implementationImmediately after passage, the Mayor’s Office would open applications to Akron residents who are interested in being on the Board (must be 18 or older) – Sept. 27, 2022Applications would remain open until October 31, 2022Mayor Horrigan will present his choices to City Council in Dec. 2022 (given that there have been enough applicants to fill the Board)A Board would be in place by the first quarter of 2023Mayor Horrigan would then work to create a City Charter initiative to go on the Nov. 2023 ballot enshrining the Citizen Oversight Board into Akron’s Charter

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