Madison County Democrat

WHAT IS CHARTER MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT?
(number five of a series)
The primary purpose of a Charter is to give a city maximum home-rule privileges allowed by the Ohio Constitution ... free from all interference of the Legislature. The Constitution of Ohio allows cities to govern themselves in purely local matters and, therefore, better city government can be expected through the use of a Charter.
Without a Charter, "home-rule" is but a figure of speech since the Legislature has control and jurisdiction through rather general laws which do not take into consideration such matters as size or individual needs. Every community varies in its problems and personality and, therefore, each would do better to practice "home-rule" by employing its own Charter.
We are now being governed under the so-called "State" form which is in most cases either complicated as to procedure, or impractical under present-day conditions. A Charter would place the City of London under the direct control of its own officials in all local matters. London would be free of all state domination or interference. It is apparent that local officials are much better acquainted with the needs and problems here than the State Legislature at Columbus.
A Charter can deal with all local needs and problems with a maximum of efficiency and with a minimum of expense to the community. Charter government is far more flexible than that provided by state laws. It can be changed from time to time as needed and by a vote of the people rather than through the whims and fancies of sometimes unscrupulous officials. Under the "State" plan such flexibility is hampered since any changes needed must be submitted and passed by both legislative houses in the state capital, after which the Governor must approve. The City of London can make and change its own laws at any time so long as such actions do not conflict with the Constitution of Ohio. Such an operation would be of a tremendous advantage to this or any other city.