Members of the Oxford Village Council made their feelings crystal clear Tuesday night ? they favor cityhood for the village.
‘I think it’s the right thing to do for the community,? said village President Steve Allen.
Council voted 4-0 to ‘thank? village resident Tracy Miller for organizing a pro-cityhood committee and researching the subject, and ‘encourage? him to continue his efforts.
Included in council’s approved resolution was the authorization to ‘begin the process of establishing a charter commission.?
If the village is to someday incorporate as a city, Miller, husband of Councilwoman Renee Donovan, told council that a new ‘updated? municipal charter would be required under state law.
Following Miller’s presentation outlining what’s necessary for the village to become a city and the benefits of such an action (the same presentation he made at the May 29 cityhood committee meeting), the Oxford Lakes subdivision resident asked council for it’s ‘blessing.?
‘I agree with you 100 percent,? Allen told Miller.
Miller warned officials that if the village were to incorporate as a city, it ‘could put the current council out of a job? because the new government would require a new elected officials.
Allen appeared unconcerned about this prospect saying, ‘Big deal.?
Councilman Matt Weber expressed his support for cityhood, stating that he ‘likes? the increased state and federal funding that Miller said is available to cities.
Donovan said cityhood would give the village ‘greater control of our destiny,? along with eliminating the duplication of services and expenditures under the present township/village system.
Agreeing with the comments uttered by his fellow council members, Councilman George DelVigna simply told Miller to ‘continue on.?
DelVigna asked Miller what kind of ‘timetable? is involved with converting the village into a city.
Miller estimated the effort could take between two and five years to accomplish.
Allen encouraged village residents to get involved in the cityhood effort.
‘We need maximum community input on this,? he said.