Council mulls repeal of city’s ban on abortion
The new Mason City Council will consider repealing the city’s abortion ban at its first official meeting on Monday.
Warren County’s largest city passed an ordinance to criminalize abortions by a 4-3 vote on Oct. 25. The nearby city of Lebanon passed a similar ordinance in May.
There are no abortion clinics in Mason or Lebanon. The ordinance makes it illegal to procure or perform an abortion in Mason. It’s also illegal to “aid or abet” an abortion that occurs in the city, for example, by providing money or transportation or by giving instructions for a self-administered abortion.
The possession or distribution of “abortion-inducing drugs,” like misoprostol and mifepristone are illegal in Mason. Misoprostol and mifepristone require a prescription and are administered in some doctor’s offices.
Violating the ordinance is a firstdegree misdemeanor, which is punishable with up to 180 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, according to Ohio law.
The ordinance took effect on Nov. 24. More than 2,000 residents have signed a petition to let voters could decide the fate of the ban in either May or November 2022, Mason resident Joy Bennett, who led the petition effort, said.
The Warren County Board of Elections is currently certifying the signatures. The board has until Thursday to determine whether at least 1,451 signatures on the petition are valid and the ordinance will appear on the ballot.
The abortion ban is one of four pieces of legislation that could be repealed on Monday, according to the council’s agenda. The new council will also consider downtown zoning, a Downtown Mason development agreement with Keystone Lot LLC and a policy for nonprofit corporations engaged in political activity.
Voters reelected Councilmembers Ashley Chance and Diana Nelson, who voted against the ordinance in October, as did Councilmember Josh Styrcula.
Newly elected councilmembers Barbara Spaeth and Mark Haake have both said they believe the ordinance is beyond the authority of city council.
Councilmembers Kathy Grossmann and Tony Bradburn voted for the ordinance in October, along with T.J. Honerlaw and Mike Gilb who were up for reelection but came in last place.
At the swearing-in meeting on Dec. 1, the council elected Spaeth, who is serving her third term on council, as mayor and Nelson as vice mayor. Spaeth said this is the first time Mason has had a female mayor and vice mayor.
Mason City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 at 6000 Mason-montgomery Road.
Videos of the council’s meetings can be found at icrctv.com.
Erin Glynn is the watchdog reporter for Butler, Warren and Clermont counties through the Report For America program. The Enquirer needs local donors to help fund her grant-funded position. If you want to support Glynn’s work email her editor Carl Weiser at cweiser@enquirer.com to find out how you can help fund her work.
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