In 2001 a group of citizens in Sandusky, Ohio tried to change the city government to a mayor/ward system. This site tells about that election. The site remains for others to use for research or to learn what can happen in their own fight for change.

Sanduskians for Mayor/Ward 2001

"A mayor form and ward system basically provides more direct participation from the citizens. The government becomes more proactive, more goal-oriented, because there's basically a voter referendum every four years on the city's leadership." - Kevin Zeiher

"The ward system identifies a person with a particular area of town, and he'll be more responsible to those people in that area."  - Dannie Edmon

Introduction - Charter Amendment didn't pass

Read the comments about the City in the articles by the Sandusky Register (which is clearly against the mayor/ward charter amendment).  "The city -- hiding behind the spin of its legal boss Don Icsman -- is trying hard to convince folks that it was doing what was legal and they were holding everybody up to the same standard....Don't believe it for a second......The city -- including Icsman and City Manager Jerry Lechner and Ex officio Mayor Mike Kresser and Development Director Dan Sabolsky -- has been working against this issue since it started because they all would have been out of a job if a mayor got elected." - Todd Franko, editor [The only city employee who would really lose his job is the City Law Director....]

Advantages -  What are the advantages of an elected mayor instead of a hired city manager? 

Proposed changes - easy to understand basics

The Petition with highlighted changes 

Links - Sites on the web about strong mayors and cities with strong mayors [I searched the Internet looking for any studies on this issue. There wasn't much. What I did find supported having a strong mayor.-BFG]

Ohio Mayors  - Cities in Ohio with mayors, mayors & manager, manager...looks like the city-manager form is in the minority...

Barb's Opinion - City Manager vs Mayor , Politics vs No Politics, More on Sandusky's municipal government   Exception,  ORC & peculiar, What is good city government?,  Term Limits

ORC - Ohio Revised Code  - Sections of the Ohio Revised Code as is applies to municipalities. Notice that it assumes most municipalities have wards and mayors. Also note that our city charter restates sections of the ORC which it has to follow. Sections have been highlighted and comments added.

Sandusky Register Articles and Letters to the Editor - Links to articles, letters, and editorials in the Sandusky Register pertaining to the Mayor/Ward Charter Amendment Petition

Talking Points  - Background - A smooth transition is important. Citizens will elect mayor when current manager retires. This is not and has never been a referendum on any member of the City Commission or Administration. It is the group's position that all members of the City Commission and the Administration have been of great service to the City and its residents. However, the group believes that the citizens of the City should have a right to directly elect the person who ... runs the day to day operations of the City of Sandusky. 

Send me an email if you found the information on this site useful.

Website maintained by BFGregory