Lorain/Elyria, OH
Mayor Grace recall vote will be Dec. 22
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ELYRIA — The recall election deciding the fate of Mayor Bill Grace will take place on Dec. 22, City Council decided Wednesday night.
Grace
All 10 members of City Council who were present voted for the date and there was no discussion of the fact it would be three days before Christmas. Councilman Kevin Krischer, I-5th Ward, was absent.
The earliest the issue could have been put to a vote was Dec. 12, and the latest was Dec. 27, according to the city’s law director, Terry “Pete” Shilling.
Two frequent critics of Grace, Councilmen Mark Craig, I-4th Ward, and Garry Gibbs, R-3rd Ward, said after the meeting they had no problem with the date that was selected.
“The sooner we do the election, the quicker we get it over with,” said Craig, who said he will personally vote to recall Grace.
“We need to get on with it,” Gibbs said, while saying he has not yet decided how he will vote. Gibbs said it is debatable whether a date so close to Christmas would help or hurt the recall effort.
Meanwhile, Council also voted on a resolution supporting Grace in the recall, but failed by one vote to get the necessary eight votes to suspend the rules and pass it as an emergency measure.
The vote was 7 to 3, with Councilman Larry Tanner, D-1st Ward, voting with Craig and Gibbs against suspending the rules.
Those voting to suspend the rules and immediately vote on the resolution were Council members Kenneth Burkhard, D-7th Ward, Victor Stewart, D-at-large, Thomas Callahan, D-at-large, Michael Lotko, D-at-large, Kevin Brubaker, D-at-large, Forrest Bullocks, D-2nd Ward and Donna Mitchell, D-6th Ward.
Before the vote, Craig asked if the grounds for the recall were legally sufficient. The recall petitions listed several reasons for the recall: allegations of failed leadership, financial mismanagement of the state Route 57 project and failure to rein in administrative costs.
Shilling, the law director, said the city charter does not detail what would be sufficient grounds for recall. However, Shilling said interpretation of Ohio law is clear: The reasons for a recall don’t even have to be true for a recall election to take place.
Shilling said Grace could challenge the grounds for recall through court filings, but Grace said after the meeting he has decided to allow the recall to go ahead without a legal challenge.
In addition to questioning whether grounds for the recall were sufficient, Craig also asked a number of questions about the language in the proposed Council resolution supporting Grace.
The resolution recommended to Council by the Rules Committee states that Council “finds the grounds alleged in the recall petition unfounded,” that it is “disruptive to the City to remove the Mayor for no just cause” and that Council opposes the expense to the city for the election estimated at $50,000.
Stewart, who chairs the Rules Committee, said, “The mayor has not committed any crime, any felony, any unjust reason or malfeasance for this recall election and in my opinion he was elected in 2007 by the majority vote. … 2011 is when he runs again if he so chooses and voters have the choice then.”
Stewart called the recall “a blatant waste of taxpayer money” but said Grace’s opponents “did do what is within their right — brought in the signatures that were required under this charter.”
Lorain County Board of Elections Director Jose Candelario said the special election will cost between $36,000 and $52,000, but the final bill won’t be known until after the election is over.
It costs between $900 and $1,300 to operate a precinct, he said, and Elyria has 40 precincts.
Craig said he did not think there was a rush to act immediately on the resolution supporting Grace in the recall, and said he thought Council should “at least” get an opinion about whether considering the resolution was the proper thing to do.
Tanner said he didn’t think Council should be weighing in on the matter.
“It’s not a Council fight — we shouldn’t even be here talking about it,” Tanner said. After the meeting, Tanner declined to say how he would personally vote on the recall.
The one person who did not say anything about the recall or the proposed Council resolution supporting Grace was Craig Bevan, a retired firefighter and EMT who co-founded Stand Up Elyria — the recall group.
Bevan raised his hand to speak Wednesday night before the Rules Committee forwarded the legislation to Council, but Stewart said he did not see Bevan before the vote was taken.
After the meeting, Bevan said he hopes Council will not pass the resolution supporting Grace.
“My feeling is if you have 3,500 people sign this petition … it should be a non-political issue for the Council members — they shouldn’t be involved,” Bevan said. “Even if it were on my side I wouldn’t want the endorsement because I don’t believe it is fair.”
After 2,267 valid signatures were submitted to the Council clerk, Grace, elected in November 1999 after defeating former Mayor Michael Keys in a primary election, had until Tuesday to resign, based on guidelines spelled out in the City Charter.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Grace said he had decided not to submit any letter or document declining to step down. He said Shilling told him “unless I am stepping down, let the time expire.”
Under the city charter, city Safety-Service Director Chris Eichenlaub would become mayor if Grace is recalled.
Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.
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John Q Citizen
You could be correct except I know hundreds of people who are unhappy with Grace. So by your thinking then the rest were influenced. Bull.
That is the easy answer for Grace and all his supporters, “it is a vendetta by the EFD.”
Nobody had the forsight to connect I90 to Midway Mall. Isn’t the Mayor supposed to have that vision?
And I suppose your okay with the time it takes Grace to getting around to fixing the roads?
When the vote comes for his recall Grace might not be voted out but I think everyone who has been happy with Grace and is poor mismanagement of this city are going to be suprised at how many citizens are unhappy.
In the mean time just keep telling yourselves that it is a vendetta.
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Some people that post here want to talk of personal vendetta, and the Fire department, there were other groups that wanted this Mayor gone along time ago. Do you people realize that if Noble would of drop out of the race last election Quinn would of won, so that right there tells you the people of Elyria wanted change back than. I look at the TMCNEWS.NET site and GRACE is losing by almost 75%, So it is not just a few that want him out of office it is alot more. And after what he did to the seniors and their water rates he best kiss my vote goodbye. People keep on forgetting a few years back when Bill Grace told a group of us that seniors need to step aside that they are blocking progress.
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Bill Wallace
There is no need for a messy recall. Let the regular election decide in 2011. It’s just another reason for the region to look at our city as a joke.
I’m leaving now, so, SEE YOU ALL IN HELL!!!!!
Oh, we’re already there, it’s called Elyria.
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John Q,
What position of mine are you unclear of?
My problem with your reasoning is your assumption that the Fire Deparment had 3000 friends in Elyria sign the petition. I respect that this is your opinion. However, I seriously doubt your conclusions.
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I just like the idea of that if the mayor can ruin our city , then we should be able to recall him and ruin his resumae …..
Posted by a FakeName poster because it bother Sico ……
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I like the idea that if Grace is removed that it may give the new mayor and the existing city workers the idea that we are sick of mis spent money in gov.
It may not be all Graces fault, but it’s common for the leader to be held responsible for the city’s actions.
Just they way it goes.
I hope it scares the crap out of city and they actually try to work within a reasonable budget.
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I am NOT a firefighter or related to any. I worked for a short time with the recall committee. Fortunately I was able to rent my home out and MOVE out of Elyria. Everyone that I saw sign the recall petition once they had an office had a story…… ALL of them normal citizens…. As I said I have moved but get DISGrace recalled. I still own property there and have family there! and NOT a no name it is right there for you Sito figure it out!!!!!
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inyouwetrusted
There have been 30% to 40% of the people that never voted for the Mayor.
Elections are about the majority. More votes than the other candidates.
You will always find a few thousand people that are against the incumbant.
Should the city keep paying for recall elections until the losers finally win? Sounds stupid and wasteful to me.
What is your point?
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“Should the city keep paying for recall elections until the losers finally win”?
Nice try little man. This recall is the FIRST, IN THE HISTORYOF ELYRIA. What does that say about your beloved mayor?
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Video of last night’s special council meeting is on youtube, (Elyria Mayor Grace & The Recall Election Date) or if you like go to Loraincountyspeaks .com sign up it is free, then join in on the conversation as well as view the two part video on there.
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Or, go to youtube and find it yourself.
And join in the “Czar Brian” controlled conversation! We live in America not a Communist country with Big Brother watching what you say.
Thanks
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Big brother is always watching and we are more like a socialist country, not communist, I agree
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http://www.fas.org/irp/program/process/echelon.htm
ECHELON!!!
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Elyria Mayor Grace & the Recall Election Date
Check it out on Youtube.
More exciting than Grey’s Anatomy!
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Come on Chris D., you act like it’s some big “cospiracy”. Or is it “conpiracy”? LMAO!!!!
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I JUST got a phone call asking me if I knew which way I was going to vote on the Mayor.
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On TMCnews.net site there is a story about a late night Fire on Infirmary Rd. Now by the story it seems that there were some propane tanks in the area of the Fire and the only way to fight the Fire safety was with the new Fire Truck Tower 8, you know folks the one that was featured in the Chronicle twice, once about the Fire fighter getting overtime in the Memorial Day paraded and when it was reported to be just sitting because it wasn’t being used. Gee I wound what would have happened if they didn’t have the new Truck that has a long reach. Maybe it will be in tomorrows Chronicle.
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“Gee I wound what would have happened if they didn’t have the new Truck that has a long reach.”
A fire truck with a long reach would have come from a city that had one. Just like any city that does not have a truck with a long reach.
Kind of like when you have a major fire such as General Industries. When you need more help, it comes from other cities.
What is your point?
———-
Also
it’s “wonder” not wound.
And use a ? at the end of a question.
Just makes things more readable and understandable.
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Sitting Bull
Nice avatar!
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Sito
By the time a truck from another city would have arrived, it may have been too late. From the article it seemed that time was of the essence.
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All the residents should be given a bucket so they can respond to local fires.
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I have no prob with Grace being recalled..I personally think a few more councilman should go with him! We’ll work on that next! Once politicians stay in office to long they start forgetting who works for who! It wasnt just Mr. Bevan who had his hand up to speak at this council meeting but multiple other citezens as well, but these politicians dont want to here from the folks who pay their salary! There again they forgot who they work for! Every once in a while you need to sweep the floor clean, elyria council chambers needs its floor sweeped clean.
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It hasn’t even been a month that this city voted them all right back in.
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Win or lose, I think the pressure of the recall has had a good effect on our local government. Better ideas seem to be popping up.
We figured out that we did not need a middle-man in the EFD to dispatch calls.
Disclosure that our EPD is top-heavy.
It seems miracles only happen during desperate times.
Signed 4 Sito,
Ben Dover
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Mike Snodgrass
They are available for questions all the time. People do not call, visit with them before and after meetings, come to Town Halls etc. 55,000 citizens and maybe we average 5 to 10 at a meeting. Committee meetings only have proponents or opponents (maybe). And at a council meeting, little ciique’s show up, sit together and laugh or giggle, then head back to their computers and make ignorant comments.
I guarantee you that 95% of the whiners/complainers on these sites have never taken the time to introduce themself to the Auditor, Mayor, Law Director or Council members and ask a question. My 8 year old can do it!
If you have questions/concerns and are not getting a response, you are not trying. You may hear a different opinion, but you will get an answer.
If an 8 year old can do it, there is no excuse for an adult.
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Loving Life
They are back because many of us educated voters have met and know the incumbants and understand what is going on with the city finances.
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Sito,
I would also argue that people in Elyria and Lorain tend to vote for Democrats. It also does not help that Republicans do not know how to run an election in Elyria.
If people are doing their job and doing it well, they should be voted back in.
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You are correct. When you compare the two parties, on a scale of 1 to 10, the R’s would be a 1 and the D’s would be a 10. I give the R’s a 1 only because they make sure they get 5 people to run for At-Large to get Gibbs on the ballot.
No comparison and sadly no real effort.
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I wish there were three real competitive, active party’s in Elyria. It would produce even more qualified choices for us.
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I agree with you, Sito.
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County residents sent a message to the Commissioners by voting down issue4 that they do not trust them either with taxpayer’s money anymore, just like the citizens sent a message to Grace by voting to fail isse10. Has any of you folks wondered why the people voted to keep the incumbents in council but voted down issue10?
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Well, I think as a general rule of thumb people don’t like taxes.
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Yes
The people are frugal and they know the incumbants are frugal with their tax money.
Ken Behner, are you registered to vote in Elyria?
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Jason
No paying taxes isn’t the favorite time of the year, as the old saying goes, The only thing a person has to do is pay taxes and die. The citizens do not trust Grace with their money, but when Chris Eichenlaub becomes Mayor things will change, I bet Chris will do the job as Mayor and Safety Director saving the general fund some money and maybe he can bring back a laid off Police officer or a Fire fighter. Also when Chris takes over I would venture t say Chris will not even think about being president of NOACA, Elyria needs and has needed a full time Mayor not someone who wants to add to their political resume, remember when Grace became President of NOACA he said he would have half to split his time between being a Mayor and President of NOACA?
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What the heck does…
“would have half to split his time” mean?
I am sure the Mayor did not say “would have half to split his time”. No one would understand what he was saying.
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Well just as I called it I went home for lunch today and in the mail a invitation from the YES ELYRIA group requesting money to attend a function at SPRING VALLEY
and as I was sure it would be TERRE MOYER is the return address, you can be sure that COMP time will be charged to the CLERK of COURTS OFFICE ,and ERIC will allow it to go through and Pileski will compensate her, Just wonder how many other CITY workers are spending their time on the clock working on saving GRACE
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Interesting!
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Having lived in the city of, Elyria from 1966-72, I feel a connecti\on to today, and having followed events in the city since then, I must conclude that the present, Mayor, Bill Grace, is the best Mayor the city has had for the past four decades. The citizens who are in favor of recalling the Mayor are entirely within their rights as quaranteed in the First Amendment to our Constitution which, in this and similar cases, implies that our form of government is expensive, but is the best form as devised by man to now. The freedom to protest, as well as to recall elected officials, is innate in our lives and should be preserved and protected regardless of the validities of motives. Mayor Grace has done nothing wrong and a lot that is correct, and should he receive an over-whelming vote of confidence from the electorate in December..
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Dennis, you surely don’t believe that the mayor has set up his friends and family with jobs? Promoted those that back him? Raises every fee and service charge to the max? Has people driving around the city because they have nothing to do but find MINOR violations under the property maintenance code? If you like the mayor so much why did you leave the city? We keep paying more taxes through out government because of stupid projects like roses and fancy lights on Rt57. Prisoners won’t be able to keep up with all the roses alone on 57. I think if you knew all the facts that you wouln’t drink the kool-aid.
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I loved kool-aid as a child, but not now. I left Elyria in, 1972 which was much before , Grace was elected as Mayor. Whether or not Grace has, “Set up his family and friends with jobs”, perhaps you should educate yourself on the history of this country from, George Washington to now since you, yourself, would hopefully, appoint to positions of power, those who you trust and have the most faith in. It appears that your, web-name, ‘Whatajoker’, is apriori.. As for,”Knowing all the facts” it appears obvious that it is more in the interpretations of ‘the facts’ that we differ in the most.
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Please people we need your support this administration is getting off the hook just because of our local paper protecting him and his administration.
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