Rossford considers charter change to drop October primary

4/20/2011
BLADE STAFF

Rossford City Council is considering asking voters to approve changing the city's charter so primary elections within the municipality would not be held and eliminate the office of the treasurer.

The city's charter calls for holding a primary election in October if there are more than three people running for mayor or each council position, said Ed Ciecka, city administrator.

That October date, however, is less than 30 days after the filing deadline for candidates and less than 30 days before the general election, Mr. Ciecka said. That causes problems for absentee voting and getting ballots to military members, he said.

"That put us in violation of federal election law because we couldn't get the servicemen to vote," Mr. Ciecka said.

In recent years, Rossford has not had that many candidates running for elected office, he said.

The other proposals would be to eliminate the treasurer office and set up the office of a finance director in the charter. Treasurer duties, then, would be transferred to the finance director.

Council members are expected to vote next month on putting each measure on the November ballot.

City Council last week unanimously voted to accept a $52,250 grant for the Rossford Fire Department from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will be used to buy turnout gear, Mr. Ciecka said.