Vote to have a choice

On Election Day, we trust Wellington voters will not be confused by Issue 20, the question to frame a charter. This is not a vote to approve any particular charter that was written in secret.

This question simply asks voters "Do you want the state to tell you how to run the village -- so to be city -- or should that be left to Wellingtonians?" The charter, to be hammered out by an elected charter committee and subsequently approved by voters, would serve as a mini-constitution for Wellington, allowing us to determine the structure of our own government and how it will operate.

Without the charter, once the Census determines our population exceeds 5,000, the village will become a statutory city with a government structure determined by Chapter 7 of the Ohio Revised Code. This would require more public officials and more bureaucracy without increased revenue to pay for it.

A charter, and the home rule powers it would provide, would allow us to maintain the system of government that has worked so well for us. After Wellington has grown enough to require and pay for those additional officials, the charter could be amended.

We urge voters to approve Issue 20 for the future security of Wellington.