Briefs: Johnstown recall petitions rejected
Johnstown recall petitions ruled to be insufficient
JOHNSTOWN — Johnstown City Council Clerk Teresa Monroe announced the petitions to recall Mayor Chip Dutcher and Council President Marvin Block have been rejected because they were determined to be insufficient.
Monroe said the petitions did not satisfy the charter's 6-month rule. The charter states a recall could be pursued for any council member who "has served at least six months of a council term." The recall effort began after five months of the council members' second terms.
Aaron Steffan, one of the petition organizers, said, "We highly disagree with that as a valid reason because they have served over four years."
Johnstown resident Stephanie Giannini delivered to council on July 5 recall petitions with 332 signatures for the removal of Block and 305 signatures for the removal of Dutcher, who is also a council member. Each petition must have valid signatures from at least 95 registered voters in the city.
Steffan said recall petition circulators have already started collecting signatures for a second time.
Brian Mead, deputy director of the Licking County Board of Elections had expected to receive the petitions on July 11 and possibly have a mid-to-late August recall election.
Newark Board of Control meets Tuesday morning
NEWARK — The City of Newark will have a Board of Control meeting 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor training room of the Newark Municipal Building, 40 W. Main St.
The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss lead service lines.
Cherry Valley New Community Authority meets Friday
NEWARK — A public meeting of the Cherry Valley New Community Authority board has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in the second floor conference room of the Newark Municipal Building, 40 West Main St.
For more information, contact Mark Mauter, the city's community development director, at 740-670-7533 or send an email to mmauter@newarkohio.net.
Newark Committee on Design, Preservation meets Friday
NEWARK — The Committee on Design and Preservation, Certified Local Government will have a public hearing at 2 p.m. Tuesday via zoom.
There are no applications to consider. If you want to participate, contact Chairman Mark Mauter at 740-670-7533 or send an email to mmauter@newarkohio.net, to be added to the zoom invite.
Newark Water Department announces hydrant flushing
NEWARK — The city of Newark Water Department's annual fire hydrant flushing program started last week and will continue until completed in zone 4-2, which consists of the area South of Ohio 16, north of Wilson Street, west of Fourth Street and east of Union Street.
A map of all flushing zones may be found on the city's website. Residents may experience temporary discoloration of their water during this period.
To prevent staining of laundry, water quality should be checked by allowing the cold water to run for a few minutes. Running the water will generally clear up any water quality problems. Signs will be posted in affected areas. For more information, contact the water treatment plant at 740-349-6765.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Briefs: Johnstown recall petitions rejected
