According to the Thursday newspaper, Councilman Mike Ray and Councilman Paul Drennen faced the wrath of some other councilmen as both Ray and Drennen were demoted from positions they held on council and on council committees. Councilman Ray was removed as Council President Pro Tem and replaced by Councilwoman Janet Tarpley. Councilman Ray was also removed as chairman of the Economic Development Committee. Councilman Drennen was removed as Chair of the Park and Playground Committee and removed from the Community Development Committee.
What is the reason for all these changes? Councilwomen Tarpley and Gillam did not like comments Ray and Drennen made about ward redistricting.
Where was PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL CHARLES SAMMARONE when this was going down ... as President of Coundil he had the power to stop it and rule it out of order ... he, not Tarpley or Gillam run City Council, even though they think differently.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2014/feb/20/city-oks-m-in-loans-for-buildings/ (http://www.vindy.com/news/2014/feb/20/city-oks-m-in-loans-for-buildings/)
this makes my stomach turn... sadly this is how this office is operated.
Wow!
Lynz and others, this is why I keep crying out, we all need to speak up now and be heard.
I'm afraid that the Mayor is going to be in for a rough time with City Council, especially from Gillam and Tarpley.
If I were either of these councilmen, I would call a press conference and local
radio stations - and out as much dirt on the others as possible.
Did they give their reasons for all of these actions taken against councilman
Drennen and councilman Ray?
The whole thing wreaks of bull sh%t
The political writer for the Youngstown newspaper found the answer for this redistricting rift. The Gillams want their home residence to remain in the 1st ward. Mr. Gillam is considering running for his former ward council seat once his wife leaves office at the end of 2015.
I thought he is very sickly?
That duo has done nothing productive in the City IMHO.
The councilwomen causing the problem represent 16,350 residents.
The victim councilmen represent 22,184 residents.
In just this example, redistricting would essentially create a another ward on the west side. This may be what the ladies are trying to prevent.
Even more important is voter participation.
In 2011, voters in the ladies' wards only cast 2,434 votes.
Voters in the the men's wards cast 5,795 votes.
Jay, you're growing ba#ls! Good, turn your writing skills to good use for the community. Push to throw the bums out!
What might happen
Mayor indicted - resigns
President of Council - questionable campaign contributions, poor handling of sexual harassment scandal, wants to spend time with grandchildren, probably won't serve as mayor again
President Pro Tem - might become next mayor
McNally is not going to resign. He said so before he was voted in and maintains that stance now that he has, indeed, been indicted.
Redistricting will not create another ward. Ray and Drennen are not against condensing the 7 wards down to 5 with 2 'at-large' counselpersons, as the YSU maps suggest. That is what the rest of the council do NOT want to happen.
ARE YOU SERIOUS JAY? THAT WOULD MEAN THAT TARPLEY WOULD GET THE JOB AND THIS CITY WOULD GO STREIGHT TO **** IN A HAND BASKET SO FAST THAT IT WOULDN'T BE FUNNY! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?
GIVE US A BREAK JAY ... SHE'S NOT EVEN ABLE TO HANDLE THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM JOB WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE 7th WARD COUNCILMAN ... BESIDES SHE HAS HER EYES ON HAGEN'S JOB.
I am definitely in favor of reducing the number of wards and ward council positions,
given the population loss since last re-districting. Two at-large council persons? Don't
know if both would be needed.....
Is council president considered a council person at-large, or no?
I do not believe so, Allan.