O’Hara considering referendum on vacant council appointments
Share this post:
Changes could be coming to the way O’Hara fills council vacancies.
Residents got the chance to weigh in on two proposed changes to the township’s home rule charter during a May 11 council meeting. The discussion of whether to change how council vacancies are filled drew much attention, with several members of the audience speaking out.
“This would widen the pool of applicants,” resident Ann Sokalski said. “You would be able to interview more people, not exclude them.”
Council is considering a referendum on the November General Election ballot that would remove party affiliation requirements from vacancy appointments.
Currently, council must fill an open position with a member of the same political party as the person who resigned.
Some residents argued that the change would give council more options and the ability to choose the best candidate for the open job.
Liz Voltz said she hoped political affiliation was irrelevant in the way council steers the township.
“I don’t think either party matters, I think it should be a concern for our local community,” she said.
Others, such as resident Tom Portante, oppose the move, saying it circumvents the system in place for more than 200 years.
“The voters have already had their say,” Portante said. “That seat was voted on by party.”
“Asking to change that because a few people don’t like the system is way beyond what needs to be done.”
Resident Cindy Harris believes the people of O’Hara should be able to weigh in on possible changes to the age-old charter.
“This is about asking the voters whether they would like to make a change,” Harris said. “We won’t know what the voters want unless we put this on the ballot.”
A second referendum will also be considered by council. It would amend the home rule charter to be gender neutral. References to “he” would be replaced with “the manager” or “councilperson.”
No one in the audience spoke out about that change.
Allegheny County requires approval of an ordinance for a referendum to be placed on the ballot.
Council is expected to vote whether to move forward with both referendums during its June 8 meeting.