Limited home-rule proposal rejected

Franklin Township voters decided against giving their elected officials more governing power in Tuesday’s election.

With an affirmative vote, the township of about 9,650 people in western Franklin County would have joined 32 others in Ohio with a limited home-rule form of government.

But about 61 percent of residents rejected the proposal with all precincts reporting.

The switch would have given officials more control over zoning, economic development and resident complaints. In a similar way to city officials, they would have been able to adopt property maintenance codes, set up water-sewer districts and issue more debt, among other changes.

The township also would have needed to appoint an administrator, according to state law.

John Fleshman and Ralph Horn, the trustees who voted to place the issue on Tuesday’s ballot, have not returned calls or emails from last week seeking comment. They also didn’t return calls Tuesday about the results.

A notice posted on the township’s website says they had hoped to use the new authority to do a variety of things, including promoting economic development in the Westland Mall area, regulating troublesome properties and responding more quickly to concerns from residents.

Don Cook, the trustee who voted against putting the issue on the ballot, said he opposed it because he didn’t want too much power to be placed in undeserving hands.

“Tonight, the voters have spoken,” Cook said.

Ohio established the option for townships to acquire limited home rule in 1991.

Several in central Ohio already have done that: Blendon, Perry and Prairie townships in Franklin County; Delaware Township in Delaware County; and Violent Township in Fairfield County.