By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The voices of cities and towns in Ohio are being drowned out at the state level, according to mayors across the state. So city leaders throughout Ohio are teaming up to speak up for needs of municipalities.
Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards shares the concerns voiced by the Ohio Mayors Alliance, which is made up of the state’s 30 largest cities.
Edwards said he and other mayors see the state gradually dismantling the authority of municipalities bit by bit.
“Little by little, by little” legislation is being passed that usurps the power of cities and villages, he said. For example, the state just passed bills that stop cities from banning concealed firearms in municipal buildings, from raising their minimum wages, from monitoring speed limits with cameras at intersections, and from keeping cell companies from placing mini towers on city structures.
Edwards believes part of the problem is the declining number of people with municipal backgrounds going into state legislature. In the past, city government was often a stepping stone to state legislature positions. But that is no longer the case, he said.
“There’s this attitude of many members of the general assembly,” Edwards said. “Sometimes I think it reflects a lack of understanding with local government.”
So the Ohio Mayors Alliance was created to promote that understanding.
“We don’t want to sound like we’re a bunch of whiners,” but the mayors want state leaders to know the value of strong municipalities, Edwards said. “Mayors and members of council understand and are collectively expressing increasing concern.”
Some of the recent state legislation makes it easier for businesses to avoid local standards. That occurred with the mini cell tower legislation, which allows cell companies to skip local hearings on placements of the towers. The change gives local residents and governments little control, while allowing cell companies to avoid the time and costs of making sure they meet community standards.
Edwards said State Senator Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, understands that issue and voted against the bill allowing the mini cell towers. “His vote really reflected that,” the mayor said.
The mayor is hoping to see similar understanding on the part of State Rep. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, who served on Bowling Green City Council prior to be elected.
Though Edwards said he normally tries to avoid making issues political, he believes Ohio Republican leaders seem to be straying from the party’s platform of keeping government close to the people. “I see that moving increasingly in a different direction,” he said.
That direction was apparent when the state made drastic cuts to the Local Government Fund. Bowling Green’s share of the slashing left the city with $800,000 less annually than a decade ago. Though always hopeful, Edwards doesn’t envision restoration of those Local Government Funds. “I just hope they don’t do deeper cuts,” he said.
The cuts have resulted in 28 fewer city employees. “It’s really had a profound impact,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, grassroots government is responsible for providing the same standard services to city residents. “The citizens expect cities to provide basic services.”
Edwards is troubled by some overtures by the state to pass tax legislation that would allow people who work in the city but live elsewhere to avoid paying some city taxes.
“Increasingly, there’s an attitude of wanting to pull more into the state,” he said.
Edwards said some state officials seem to not grasp the link between strong cities and a strong state.
“We are the engine for economic growth in the state,” he said. “You need strong healthy local governments. Good economic development happens at the local level.”
