More than 79-thousand signatures supporting the effort to let the public vote on a county government overhaul were presented to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
The proposed plan would end the three commissioner system of government. In its place, there would be an eleven member elected county council, and elected county executive. The offices of treasurer, recorder and auditor would be consolidated under an new appointed 'fiscal officer.' The plan is being pushed by County Prosecutor Bill Mason and Parma Heights Mayor Martin Zanotti, among others.
Zanotti says getting people to sign the petitions proved to be a simple task.
MARTIN ZANOTTI: "People feel the need for government reform right now, and they feel the need for better economic policies and job creation and accountability. They're speaking loud and clear with their involvement that they want the opportunity to vote on this."
But there are dissenting opinions.
Current county commissioner Peter Lawson Jones is not against a county government re-structuring, but doesn't like this plan. He says the creation of 11 county districts, each with its own council member--is flawed.
PETER LAWSON JONES: "The last thing you want to do is watch people haggle over where a road is going to be built, or which district is going to get an economic development or work force development project, but that's exactly what would happen if this proposal were to pass."
Jones is pushing his own proposal but has yet to release details.
Although it would seem to be more than enough, the nearly 80 thousand signatures will be vetted by the board of elections, The threshold for making the November ballot is 46-thousand valid signatures.
Zanotti says the group will continue its petition drive.... just in case.
