Questions over postcards encouraging legislation change in Boardman Township
BOARDMAN TWP., Ohio - Social media posts questioning why Boardman township is distributing postcards asking residents to consider a legislation change are getting attention.
The postcards are calling for changes in the law that would allow them more say over matters like deer hunting in the park
The MLO Bros sent 21 News a postcard that was handed out by the Boardman Township administration. The postcard reads:
“Please consider legislation for Large Urban home Rule Townships that have a Metro Park District located within its territory with the ability to regulate the hunting within the sections of the park that are with-in the boundary of the Township.
These Townships have large populations (15,000-plus) and Township Trustees do not have the ability to allow/prohibit hunts adjacent to these subdivisions located within the Township. This creates situations where residents are concerned that elected officials of large, urban townships have no resources to respond to their concerns.
Currently, Townships can allow/prohibit hunts in Townships Parks, but not for Metro Parks located within the boundaries of the Township.”
Larry Moliterno, Boardman Township trustee, told 21 News the township is not taking a side on the deer hunting concerns. Instead, the postcards are meant to encourage concerned residents to reach out to local legislators.
Moliterno said people have been coming to the administrators with concerns over the deer hunting in Mill Creek MetroParks. This is not the only time the township passed out postcards about a community concern.
“In the past, we’ve made things available when they’ve had issues with the railroad, when they’ve had issues with street closures through ODOT. And what we’ve always done is give them access by producing notecards and saying look, we have these, now you know how to get to your legislators,” said Moliterno.
The postcard also addresses another concern , which is the administration's inability to have control over what happens in the township's boundaries.
“This is not just about the park, but, we believe as a township, that if there are activities happening within the boundaries. We should have some input into what those things are,” said Moliterno. “As a city, for example, they can control what happens within their city limits. As a township we cannot because certain jurisdictions outrank us.”
Township administrator Jason Loree, township trustee Brad Calhoun and Moliterno agree that the Township is not taking a position on deer hunting. Although, they acknowledge they were printed using township resources.
“We are absolutely not taking a side or a position. What we are saying is that residents that live in our township who want access to our state legislators on any particular issue that is of importance to them, and that they’re passionate about, we are going to be able to support them in being able to do that,” said Moliterno.
Moliterno said the postcard was handed out after hearing the community's concerns on the issue.