merle S. GorDen 216.292.1901 maYor proposed charter amendment Q & a Voters will decide on a proposed charter amendment at a special election on February 3, 2015. Beachwood voters will be asked if they want term limits imposed on the Mayor and City Council limiting them to a maximum of three (3) consecutive, four (4) year elective terms or fourteen (14) consecutive years whether elected or appointed. what if a resident wanted to keep a council person or mayor in office for a longer period? According to this amendment, serving a longer period, without a break in service would be prohibited. is this proposal unconstitutional? Brian Reali, Beachwood Law Director has researched this issue and opined that part of the proposal Beachwood will be voting on is "retroactive." In other words, the proposed amendment looks backward. As a result, it means an elected official's prior years of service would count against him/her and prevent them from continuing to hold the same office. According to the Ohio Supreme Court, a "retroactive" law is illegal. Usually, laws are only forward looking. For term limits to be legal, they must start with a new term and count the years forward, not backward. In Brian's opinion, the proposal before the voters violates this principle of law. if the retroactive portion of the proposal is illegal, why are residents being asked to vote on it? The retroactive provision can only be addressed by a court of law. If the amendment passes, a lawsuit would need to be filed to have it removed from our charter. Reali believes if legal action was taken, a court of law would eliminate the retroactive provision. why is the election being held in february? The circulators of this proposal submitted them to the City at such a time that state law mandates a special election in February. are any other issues on the ballot at the special election? No, this is the only issue on the ballot for Beachwood residents. The cost of the election to the City of Beachwood taxpayers will be approximately $23,000.00 according to the Board of Elections. where can someone find information on polling times/locations? Regardless of how you feel about this issue, voting is important and it is your right to exercise. For more information and the full text of the term limit issue contact the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at (216) 443-VOTE or http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/. FreD GooDman preSIDent 216.464.6624 martIn S. horwItz 216.464.6560 aleC ISaaCSon 216.291.2797 melvIn jaCobS 216.464.1541 mark mIntz 216.360.0330 jameS paSCh 216.630.9671 City Contact Information City of BeaChwood 25325 Fairmount Boulevard Beachwood, Ohio 44122 like us on faCeBook www.facebook.com/ BeachwoodOH follow us on twitter twitter.com/ BeachwoodOH follow BeaChwood poliCe on twitter twitter.com/BeachwoodPolice tv programming time warner - Ch. 96.20 at&t u-verse - Ch. 99 emergenCy Dial 9-1-1 Clerk of CounCil 216.595.5493 216.464.1070 www.beachwoodohio.com 26 Beachwood Buzz n January 2015 216.765.1921 mark I. waChter