Democracy Day Discussion Continues on Brecksville Patch

The event was almost two weeks ago, but the debate continues.

Brecksville Residents Carry on Democracy Day Discussion

Monday's event was a success by most accounts... But the debate was only getting started.

Democracy Day Event Slated in Brecksville

The idea behind the first biannual event — slated to take place in the Brecksville Human Services Center at 6:30 p.m. — is to discuss the effect of corporations, unions, political action committees and Super-PACs on the city.

A group of citizens in Brecksville took a stand against the idea that corporations are equal to people and money is equivalent to speech. Those efforts are taking another step forward. The city’s first Democracy Day is set for Monday. The idea behind the first biannual event — slated to take place in the Brecksville Human Services Center at 6:30 p.m. — is to discuss the effect of corporations, unions, political action committees (or PACs) and Super-PACs on the city. According to its website, the organization wants to see a federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution stating that “inalienable rights belong to human beings only” and that money is not protected free speech. Voters in Brecksville narrowly OK’d the measure in the Nov. 6 election…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Rose Petsche

12:46 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013

Monday 2/25/13 6:30 - 9:30 pm at the Human Services Center -Gathering Room. Go up the hill past the rec center ...around the pool ...to the back of the bldg   more ›

“Money Is Not Speech” Issue Passes

According to unofficial numbers from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, the issue narrowly passed.

Update, 11:56 p.m. Rose Petsche, one of the residents who helped get Issue 25 on the ballot, said the group is "very happy" about the win. She wanted to thank the voters for getting behind the idea of the issue, adding that it was hard having to fight the city to even get it on the ballot.  Check Brecksville Patch on Wednesday for more on the passage of Issue 25. Update, 11:11 p.m. With just 51.5 percent of the vote, Issue 25 has passed in Brecksville.  All of Brecksville's 11 precincts are in, but results are still unofficial at this time. To learn more about the "money is not speech" issue and what its passage will mean for Brecksville, read the original post below. *All results are unofficial and are supplied by the Cuyahoga County …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Rose Petsche

12:56 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I just wanted to thank all the Brecksville citizens who understood this non-partisan issue and stood with us aginst the influx of money into our political system. What better place to start a movement then at the local level? Our voices are amplified when citizens stand together for a democratic process free from the overwhelming negative influence of unlimited, undisclosed money from …   more ›

“Money is Not Speech” Issue: How Do You Plan to Vote? (Poll)

Take our poll and tell us why in the comments.

It’s official—the “Money is Not Speech” issue will be on the ballot in November.  The issue, which was created through a citizens’ petition initiative, asks Brecksville residents if they would support adding a constitutional amendment saying corporations aren’t people and money isn’t speech. If passed, the mayor would have to send a letter to state and federal officials saying the city’s voters would support such an amendment.  The city had been fighting the measure, saying it was beyond their reach, but the Ohio Supreme Court denied those requests earlier this week.  The issue has sparked some conversation on Brecksville Patch so far, so tell us: how will you vote on the issue? After you take the poll, tell us why in the comments. 

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Rachel Abbey McCafferty

2:32 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012

Thanks for your thoughts, Patty. Anyone else want to share what they think about this issue?   more ›

Ohio Supreme Court Decides Citizens’ Initiative Can Go on the Ballot

The issue, which the city has been fighting, will go on the ballot in November.

The Ohio Supreme Court has decided that the city's citizens’ petition initiative can go on the ballot in November. The issue argues that money isn’t equal to speech and corporations aren’t equal to people—if passed, the city would have to send a letter to state and federal representatives saying Brecksville voters support adding a federal amendment saying just that. The city has been fighting this issue, saying it's beyond their reach. On Monday, the Ohio Supreme Court denied or dismissed all of the city’s requests, which means that the issue will go to voters in November. There were five justices in favor and two who dissented. The decision and the “slip opinion,” which is not yet formalized, can be read on the court’s website. …

•  13 Comments
• Photos (1)

Should the Citizens’ Move to Amend Issue Go on the Ballot? Poll

The city is fighting to keep a citizens' petition issue calling for a federal amendment off the ballot.

The city does not want a Move to Amend-related issue on the ballot this fall, but a group of citizens has been working hard to make sure that it does. A nonpartisan citizens group called Brecksville Citizens for Transparent Politics gathered signatures earlier this year to get an issue on the ballot. The issue would give residents the chance to say whether they’re for or against adding a federal amendment saying corporations aren’t people and money isn’t equal to speech, a push back against the Citizens United ruling. But the city has said this is beyond its reach. If the issue was passed, the mayor would be required to send a letter to state and federal officials, letting them know of residents’ views on the amendment issue, and the city …

• Photos (2)

New Business Opens and New Restaurant Coming to Brecksville: Week in Review

Catch up on the news this week.

If you missed a story or two this week, catch up quickly by reading the summaries below.

• Photos (1)

Secretary of State Says Brecksville Citizens’ Initiative Can Go on the Ballot

The city plans to ask the Ohio Supreme Court to rule on the decision.

Ohio’s Secretary of State thinks that Brecksville residents should see a citizens’ petition initiative on the ballot in November, but the city isn’t done fighting yet. Secretary of State Jon Husted today declared that the Brecksville Citizens for Transparent Politics’ ballot issue should appear on the ballot for voters this fall. The city plans to take the decision to the Ohio Supreme Court, said Law Director David Matty. The citizens group is calling for Brecksville to support adding a federal amendment saying that corporations aren’t people and money isn’t equal to speech. If passed, the mayor would have to send a letter to state and federal representatives, letting them know about the voters' support of such an amendment, and the city …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Teachers, Staff Contract Agreements Pass and Candidates Talk Finances, Economy: Week in Review

Catch up on the news this week.

Catch up on the news in Brecksville this week by checking out the summaries below:

• Photos (1)