O'Hara council to consider potential changes to home rule charter

O’Hara council is expected in May to discuss potential changes to the township’s home rule charter.

A referendum could be placed on the November General Election ballot that would impact how vacant council seats are filled. Another referendum under consideration would repeal gender references in the charter.

A council workshop meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 4. Members could schedule a public hearing and vote to move forward with the two referendums during their May 11 voting meeting.

Allegheny County requires approval of an ordinance for the question to be placed on the ballot, Solicitor Dan Garfinkel said.

Specifically, if approved, a question on the fall ballot would ask voters to amend the charter to remove the political affiliation requirement for council vacancy appointments.

Currently, council must fill an empty position with a person of the same political party as the one who resigned.

Council has been approached by some residents who suggested the available positions should be open to all candidates in order to appoint the most qualified person, members said.

Councilman John Denny said he believes there is general support of council to move forward with the changes.

Fellow council person Greg Caprara questioned whether changing the rule would be disenfranchising voters who cast their ballot based on party.

Longtime resident Tom Portante spoke against the change, saying it weakens the power of the voter.

“I believe this is wrong because the voters had made the selection in the Primary to nominate a fellow citizen to represent that party,” Portante said. “That citizen was then duly-elected by the registered voters in that district to represent them on the council.

“When you appoint a successor, you should defer to the expressed wishes of the electorate to make your selection.”

The charter modification assumes the judgment of six council members is superior to that of the voters in a particular district, he said.

“This is directly contrary to the principles of representative democracy,” Portante said.

A second referendum, if approved, would amend the home rule charter to be gender neutral. In this case, all references to “he” would be replaced with “the manager” or “councilperson.”