NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — On Saturday, more than 50 North Royalton residents, first responders and their families participated in a protest against North Royalton Charter Amendment Issue 24.
Issue 24, recommended by the Charter Review Commission along with three other amendments, would give the mayor the ability to appoint or serve as the safety director and would take the authority to remove a police chief or fire chief from office by a majority vote and instead allow the mayor to fire them if necessary.
The issue would also abolish the civil service test requirement and allow the mayor to choose a replacement for chief with council approval. The only requirement for the position would be having at least 10 years of experience.
Dan Langshaw, former North Royalton Councilman who has a history of opposition to North Royalton Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz, said the issue is “another attempt” to “continue his quest to undermine public safety of the community by rewarding political cronies jobs, a power grab to silence any future chiefs from not doing his will or bidding, creates an opportunity to possibly defund our police department by making both police and fire divisions under a new 'Public Safety Department' if the Charter Amendment is approved, and worse.”
The protest took place on Royalton Road as demonstrators walked two miles with flags and signs urging residents to vote “no” on the issue.
