Parker fills council seat

By Thomas Clapper

CCM Reporter

Carrollton Council discussed the potential political signs lawsuit presented at the last meeting and approved a new councilman at its Oct. 28 meeting. 

Council received three letters of interest from village residents for consideration to replace former councilman Corey Yeager who stepped down due to health reasons. 

After an eight-minute executive session, Travis Parker was voted in fill the vacant seat.

Parker, who was not in attendance at the meeting,  will be sworn in at the next council meeting.

His father, Tom Parker, was a longtime council member.

In an unrelated matter, prior to the last meeting council received an email letter from Associate Council Nathan Moelker of the American Center for Law & Justice informing the village its political signs ordinance is a violation of First Amendment rights and stating, “there could be legal action.”

The document states the American Center for Law & Justice represents Denise and Kerry Green, residents of Carrollton, regarding ordinance 1189.05(a)(6) which prohibits political signs “no more than thirty days nor more than seven days after the date of any election.”

I think it is fine to have the signs up earlier, but we should keep the part of taking them down after the election,” said Councilman Dan Locke. 

“The organization won’t be satisfied with this because of the violation of freedom of speech,” said Solicitor Clark Battista. 

It was discussed that the village would most likely lose the lawsuit. Village Administrator Mark Wells said it would be in the best interest of council for Battista to draw up an ordinance for them to go over and vote on for next meeting. This action as approved and Battista will begin on the paperwork. 

In other business, council: 

-HEARD Wells report the village received a notice of grant funding award of approximately $125,000 fromm the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for the purchase of the property through the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. This is toward the land behind Mercy Health Center of Carroll County. Wells said they need $25,000 more to fully have the land and it will come in grants. Wells said he is very happy with the $125,000 number. 

-HEARD Councilman Christopher Barto thank the Carrollton Police Dept. for being around the elementary at bussing times and said speeding has seemingly been cut down significantly.

-HEARD Councilwoman Brittany Tangler announce the village has a new Facebook page. The page is up and running and called Village of Carrollton. There are announcements of information such as leaf pick ups, water advisories and more.

-LEARNED Councilman Locke has been researching cats. 

-PAID village bills of $89,283.93 in vendors, $63,353.53 in payroll and $3,333.28 of bills without prior certification. 

-SCHEDULED the next meeting Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. due to the Veterans Day holiday.