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Residents protest camera measures as council delays camera resolution; public testimony focuses on referendum rights
Summary
Public commenters at the Newton Falls council meeting strongly criticized council actions on speed/school-zone cameras and the use of emergency or resolution language; petitioners and residents urged that a recently filed referendum be respected and that voters decide the issue.
A wave of public comment at the Newton Falls council meeting focused on a contested proposal to expand speed cameras and on perceived council efforts to limit a referendum; several residents demanded that voters be allowed to decide the matter.
Multiple speakers said a valid petition had triggered a referendum process and warned council against repealing or sidestepping the petition. "The council generally may not unilaterally rescind the ordinance to avoid a referendum," resident John Bar6 North said on the record while citing statutory language about petition certification and ordinance suspension. He told the council: "A valid petition is filed... the ordinance is suspended and the petitioning process is triggered."
Other residents voiced frustration with agenda errors, emergency ordinances, and perceived lack of transparency. Several speakers said the contract materials released earlier contained inaccuracies or that the agenda had been produced with copy-and-paste errors, and they accused council of avoiding public scrutiny. Charlotte Simmons said she was "really, really appalled" at attempts she perceived as taking away voters’ rights, and a wheelchair user, Bailey Morgan, urged council attention to sidewalk safety.
Councilors responded in the closing remarks by thanking petitioners for civic engagement and by saying they expect voters will have a chance to weigh in in 2026. Some council members said that if voters reject cameras in a school-zone referendum, that result should halt broader camera deployment. Council also removed certain camera-related items from tonight’s agenda to allow more time for review and public input.
The meeting record shows no final action on adopting camera contracts tonight; council instead delayed presentation items and emphasized that future votes or contract approvals would come back to council with more information and, where legally required, public process.
