See the follow-up to this article: Republican Senator Lehner and Representative Butler Defend Ohio’s SB-5 At Kettering Town Hall Meeting
Tonight, Monday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m., in the Assembly Hall of David’s United Church of Christ in Kettering, the League of Women Voters, in cooperation with LIFT GreaterDayton and David’s UCC will sponsor a town hall meeting on Senate Bill 5 for residents of the Greater Dayton Area. Senator Peggy Lehner (R) District 6, along with representatives from the Kettering School District and Kettering Police Department will be on hand to listen to the public’s questions and concerns on this issue. David’s United Church of Christ is located at 170 West David Road, is free and open to the public.
With the likelihood Senate Bill 5 will be on the ballot this November, the groups feel it is important to begin to discuss this issue in the community. “This is not a referendum on SB5,” said Darryl Fairchild of LIFT Dayton. “The purpose of the town hall will be to create a space where citizens can learn about SB 5 and listen to the thoughts of other citizens in the area.” Brian Newcomb, Pastor of David’s UCC concurs, “We want to begin respectful discussion of the legislation and perhaps find some clarity on an issue that has caused so much debate and concern.”
Senate Bill 5, sponsored by state Sen. Shannon Jones (R District 07), eliminates collective bargaining for state employees and employees of state universities and colleges, and limits bargaining for other public employees. The Bill was passed by the Ohio Legislature in March and signed into law by Governor Kasich in April. Opponents of the Bill are currently in the process of collecting the 230,000 signatures needed to get the measure up for a vote of the people in the form of a statewide referendum to repeal the legislation this November.
“An informed and engaged electorate is key to preserving our democracy,” said Susan Hesselgesser Executive Director of League of Women Voters, GDA. “At this town hall we will discuss the reasons behind SB5, dismiss the falsehoods and address the concerns of the voters in a civil, respectful, nonpartisan way. We want everyone to feel comfortable being in the room and to walk away with a better understanding of SB5 and how it relates to themselves and their community.” For more information contact the League of Women Voters at 228-4041 or susan@lwvdayton.org.
