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Commission rejects nomination to Charter Review Board amid district-representation concerns
Summary
Commissioner Plaut's nominee Darlene Swaffer drew public and commissioner objections because she lives outside District 4. The nomination failed on a roll-call vote, 3–2.
Commissioner Thomas Plaut nominated Darlene Swaffer for a regular seat on the Charter Review Board. Plaut defended his choice as citywide and said the temporary board’s work relates to citywide charter questions, but several commissioners and members of the public urged that each district be represented on the advisory panel.
Commissioner Dino Shanetzky and multiple District 4 residents said optics and local representation matter for a board that will make recommendations about district-specific issues. “The Charter Review Board deserves to have representation from all parts of the city,” said resident Dan Herz during public comment. Several residents urged Commissioner Plaut to have promoted his alternate rather than appointing an outsider from another district.
After public hearing and commissioner debate on legal permissibility and district balance, Commissioner Plaut moved to appoint Darlene Swaffer and the motion was seconded. Roll-call vote: Commissioner Hudak — No; Commissioner Plaut — Yes; Commissioner Chenetzky — No; Mayor Drozsky — Yes; Vice Mayor Preston — No. The nomination failed.
What was decided: the commission did not appoint Darlene Swaffer; the seat on the Charter Review Board remains open pending further action by the commission.
