Fostoria charter panel supports strong-mayor

1/27/2006

FOSTORIA The commission that s drafting a city charter for Fostoria has decided the document will call for continuing the strong-mayor form of government, but other changes are recommended.

The 15-member commission voted against switching to a weak-mayor system during a meeting Wednesday night. But the panel decided that City Council should be given the authority to approve or reject the mayor s choice for safety-service director. The mayor can fill the position without input from council.

Commission members also voted to have the charter permit the city to hire police and fire chiefs from outside the departments. Fostoria traditionally has been limited to inside candidates for those positions, though the city this week won approval in Seneca County Common Pleas Court to include external applicants in its search for a police chief.