July 15, 2008
Do You Want to Vote on the State Approved Home Rule Designation for Huntington?
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Huntington has qualified as one of the pilot cities for the state’s Homerule program. Although the proposal allows creation of a landbank and withholding of a portion of fire insurance proceeds until the building is demolished or repaired, the provisions also include implementation of a city income tax.
While the tax would be based on earned income, allowing those with more income to pay more and those on meager incomes to pay little or no city income tax, the proposal has been called another method of running professionals outside of the city limits.
Tom McCallister and Kurt McCaffey are willing to be two or the necessary three sponsors of a petition to bring the Home Rule authority for an up or down vote among Huntington’s residents. However, the City Charter states that one more sponsor is needed. Although it costs nothing to sponsor the petition, McCallister advised that your name and address must be provided to the clerk.
McCallister, an independent candidate for Mayor, said if a third sponsor volunteers, the petition will likely “be circulated in front of City Hall, we will announce where we are going to be, or we will carry it to them.”
Once the petition has its sponsors, anyone who is a resident of the City of Huntington can sign.
“I don’t know that there will be a major problem getting people to sign,” McCallister said. “The major problem is to take away some of the fear [of sponsoring it]. This city may want to sue you, they may want to put you in jail for speaking at a public meeting , or send a plumber to your house.”
The outspoken McCallister who prevailed in a first amendment federal court suit against the city stated that Home Rule “will require a charter change, hundreds of thousands of dollars to put in place,” as well as a thumbs up vote by City Council. “We want to let the public have a chance to vote directly on the question.”
To discuss the possible petition drive with McCallister, call 522-3192.
If no one steps up to the plate as the third sponsor, then , the opportunity to make your home rule wishes known at the ballot box will disappear.
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Do You Want to Vote on the State Approved Home Rule Designation for Huntington?
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Huntington has qualified as one of the pilot cities for the state’s Homerule program. Although the proposal allows creation of a landbank and withholding of a portion of fire insurance proceeds until the building is demolished or repaired, the provisions also include implementation of a city income tax.
While the tax would be based on earned income, allowing those with more income to pay more and those on meager incomes to pay little or no city income tax, the proposal has been called another method of running professionals outside of the city limits.
Tom McCallister and Kurt McCaffey are willing to be two or the necessary three sponsors of a petition to bring the Home Rule authority for an up or down vote among Huntington’s residents. However, the City Charter states that one more sponsor is needed. Although it costs nothing to sponsor the petition, McCallister advised that your name and address must be provided to the clerk.
McCallister, an independent candidate for Mayor, said if a third sponsor volunteers, the petition will likely “be circulated in front of City Hall, we will announce where we are going to be, or we will carry it to them.”
Once the petition has its sponsors, anyone who is a resident of the City of Huntington can sign.
“I don’t know that there will be a major problem getting people to sign,” McCallister said. “The major problem is to take away some of the fear [of sponsoring it]. This city may want to sue you, they may want to put you in jail for speaking at a public meeting , or send a plumber to your house.”
The outspoken McCallister who prevailed in a first amendment federal court suit against the city stated that Home Rule “will require a charter change, hundreds of thousands of dollars to put in place,” as well as a thumbs up vote by City Council. “We want to let the public have a chance to vote directly on the question.”
To discuss the possible petition drive with McCallister, call 522-3192.
If no one steps up to the plate as the third sponsor, then , the opportunity to make your home rule wishes known at the ballot box will disappear.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
