Meeting Observed: Kent City Council / Democracy Day Public Hearing
Date of Meeting: 10/4/2023
Format: Virtual
Meeting Summary:
Democracy Day Public Hearing
Five minutes for citizens to share concerns about democracy.
Greg Coleridge of Cleveland Heights and the We the People Committee spoke about how corporations have been given the rights of persons that corporations are not mentioned in constitutions and how this has affected elections Money elections need to be amended. Petition circulated.
Bill Wilen of Kent spoke of the need not to own gas and oil stocks because those companies work in favor of greenhouse gases that bring about climate change. Urged all to sell gas and oil stocks.
Barb Hipsman Springer of Kent. Three-fold comments. 1. To honor Timothy Smith, KSU journalism professor who was an open records expert, who died the week before. 2. the role of newspapers/local media in protecting democracy. The current trend for local newspapers (e.g. Beacon Journal and Record Courier) to be owned by large companies, is a reduction in the number of reporters. Online independent Portager printing the Voters Guide. 3. suggests online newsletters to be offered by City Council members for their constituencies.
Andrew Rose, of Kent and director of the Haymakers Farmers Market. Outlined how the market connects local food producers with consumers. The 2022 year was the largest for the farmers market – 39,000 customers; $800,000 + the highest amount in sales. Thanked City Council for lease rate (e.g. $1 for outdoor location, etc., and supporting the weekly concerts).
Which members of the board/council were present: Jack Amrhein, Ward 2; John Kuhar, Ward 4; Gwen Rosenberg, At Large; Michael DeLeone, At Large; Roger Sidoti, At Large; Robin Turner, Ward 3. Absent was Garret Ferrara, Ward 1; Heidi Shaffer Bish, Ward 5; Tracy Wallach, Ward 6
Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes
Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes
Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes
https://kentoh.portal.civicclerk.com/
Observer: Kathleen Endres