Geauga County approved controversial NOACA bylaw changes as a judge delayed intervention in a lawsuit challenging the rule change.
Geauga County commissioners voted 2–1 to ratify a NOACA bylaw change affecting alternate delegates, as a former commissioner withdrew a request for an emergency court order and a lawsuit continues.CHARDON, Ohio -- Geauga County commissioners voted 2–1 this week to ratify a Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency bylaw change that tightens eligibility rules for county alternates to the NOACA board.
Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri cast the lone dissenting vote as the commissioners signed off on amendments approved earlier this month by the NOACA board.The changes tighten eligibility requirements for county alternates who serve on the influential regional planning body. The vote came as former Geauga County commissioner Walter “Skip” Claypool withdrew a request for an emergency restraining order that would have temporarily blocked actions related to the bylaw change.The dispute centers on a NOACA amendment that requires county alternates — who vote in place of commissioners or their appointed representatives when needed — to be either current county employees or elected officials. Claypool does not meet either criterion. Spidalieri had sought to reappoint Claypool as his alternate on the regional planning board, which oversees transportation and infrastructure funding across five counties. The rule change followed a heated Jan. 6 meeting of Geauga County commissioners, when Commissioner Carolyn Brakey objected to Claypool’s reappointment and cited a 2014 disciplinary letter issued during Claypool’s prior tenure on NOACA’s board. The letter accused Claypool of unprofessional conduct and placed restrictions on his interactions with agency staff. Claypool has denied the allegations and characterized the issue as politically motivated. Spidalieri has defended him, arguing the matter is more than a decade old and that Claypool was known for challenging NOACA’s leadership and financial priorities. Claypool filed suit earlier this month against Brakey, Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvorak and NOACA, alleging that private communications surrounding the bylaw change violated Ohio’s Open Meetings Act. NOACA has asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing the amendments were not final because they had not yet been ratified by member counties. With this week’s vote, Geauga County joined those approving the change, even as the legal challenge continues. Molly Walsh covers Lake and Geauga Counties for The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com. Previously, she covered business, criminal justice and breaking news. Molly also worked as a reporter for the Akron Beacon...
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