BREAKING NEWS: Residents in Huber Heights Start Referendum Effort on Annexation

Citizens work to get Annexation on the Ballot

Last Month, the Huber Heights City Council approved a contentious annexation of just under 300 acres that would greatly impact Bethel Township and the Bethel Local School District. Later today, a group of residents will hold a press conference announcing an effort to secure over 2,100 signatures of residents to get this decision on the ballot through a referendum process. You can learn more about the annexation approval process below.

What is a Referendum?

Referendums in Ohio allow citizens to vote directly on certain local ordinances and measures. It might be helpful to look at the referendum process here in Ohio and how it works in relation to decisions made by local governments.

The referendum process in Ohio was established on September 3, 1912, when voters approved a constitutional amendment granting Ohio residents the right to overturn laws. This was part of a broader Progressive Era reform movement aimed at giving citizens more direct control over government. In Ohio, all statutory cities and villages have a mandated referendum process and charter cities and villages also have these provisions in their own charters.

Ohio courts have established that only legislative actions (those creating new laws or regulations) are generally subject to referendum. Administrative actions (those executing existing laws) are typically not subject to referendum. The referendum process in Ohio local governments provides a mechanism for citizens to have a more direct say in local lawmaking, serving as a check on the power of local legislative bodies.

Those that are leading this effort have provided this publication with this written statement:

Your voice REALLY does matter.

Last month, our Mayor and City Council, with approval recommendations from City Staff, approved the Annexation Proposal of 296 +/- acres that will equate to approximately 1500+ homes. Though numerous residents voiced concerns and disapproval, all voices were silenced and ignored when council approved the Annexation.

An opportunity is now being presented that will force the city to hear your voices and concerns!!! Residents of Huber Heights have formed a Political Action Committee (PAC). The purpose of this PAC is to impose a freeze on the Annexation and force the Annexation Proposal to be placed on a special election where the residents will decide if the Annexation should be approved or disapproved.

To accomplish the first step, we need to collect a specific number of signatures on petitions and submit them no later than Aug. 23rd. Petitions have been created for both Miami and Montgomery Counties. To be eligible for signature, you must be a Huber resident residing in Miami or Montgomery County and were registered to vote during the last gubernatorial election.

Volunteers will be out these next few days collecting required signatures.

This morning’s Press Conference will take place at 9:00 a.m. and be held near St. Peter’s Church at 6161 Chambersburg Road. Residents are encouraged to stop by and held canvass the community for signatures.

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