Tuesday, February 3, 2009

DISCUSSION: ANNEXTION FIGHT BETWEEN JACKSON/NORTH CANTON? SHOULD HARMON RECUSE HIMSELF? HE CALLS JACKSON FISCAL OFFICER GONZALES: HIS BEST FRIEND?


The fight is on. The Repository reports this morning that Canton City Council passed the necessary legislation at last night's council meeting to go forward with filing annexation petition with the Stark County commissioners.

North Canton already has a competitive petition before the county commissioners.

But a "huge" question looms.

Should Commissioner Harmon be voting on the two petitions?

Why not?

Because he describes himself as being "best friends" with Jackson Township fiscal officer Randy Gonzales. Readers of the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) will recall that Gonzales is a major player if not the "prime mover" in working out Jackson's deal with Canton.

Here is the video of a December 2, 2008 commissioners' meeting in which Harmon is heard describing Gonzales has his best friend.

Does this attribution disqualify Harmon from voting?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gonzales is not a voting member of the board of trustees. There is not a conflict.

Anonymous said...

While he may not be on the board, he can still influence voting. You would like to think that the Commissioners would be very neutral in this decision but the fact is that people get swayed by things that shouldn't be part of the decision. I hope the Commissioners do the right thing and vote objectively.

Anonymous said...

Bosley and Ferguson both have friendships with members of both North Canton and Canton administrations and council's. Should they recuse from the vote also?

Anonymous said...

NO HE SHOULD NOT VOTE PERIOD.

Anonymous said...

LET HARMON VOTE... HE SEEMS FAIR TO ME....

Anonymous said...

FRANKLY HARMON SHOULDN'T VOTE!

Anonymous said...

Let the other two handle it and keep harmon out of it.

Anonymous said...

this should be voted on by both cities before Mr. Harmon is allowed to vote.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Harmon and the other commissioners are to lazy to face the public more then once a week, you honestly think he will try to get the opinions of both cities? Right, and who elected these Democrats? Oh that's right, the voters of Stark County! Way to go Stark!!! Uphill progress!!

Anonymous said...

Harmon is a fair person who will make the right decision. I value the the thought process of voters in Stark county. They selected three good commissioners. I think all three will be re-elected overwhelmingly.