Franklin Park votes to place government commission study question on November ballot

A vote to place a government commission study question on the ballot in November’s general election for Franklin Park residents, passed 4 to 2, after a vote at the July 16 council meeting.

Voting yes were Ward 1 representative and council President Uday Palled, Jiang Li of Ward 1, Laura Czekaj of Ward 2 and Brian Malkin of Ward 3.

Opposed were Thomas C. Schwartzmier of Ward 3 and Lucas Myslinski of Ward 2.

The passed ordinance is “to place a government study commission question on the ballot for the 2025 general election to allow voters in Franklin Park to determine whether a government study commission should be formed to study the existing form of government and consider the advisability of adopting a home rule charter. … and, if deemed advisable, to draft and recommend a home rule charter.”

Schwartzmier said the majority of constituents, neighbors and residents with whom he spoke were not in favor of the measure.

“Virtually, everybody I spoke to was opposed to this,” he said, adding as a representative to the people he serves, he had to vote against it.

Myslinki said he had similar conversations with an “overwhelming” number of residents not in favor.

Czekaj said she had the opposite experience. With those who had questions and concerns, she was able to explain the process. She noted the vote tonight was just to present a question to voters.

“All we’re doing tonight is putting it on the ballot,” Czekaj, adding there will be lots of opportunities for residents to ask questions.

If the majority of residents vote no on the question in this fall’s ballot, then the government study commission will not be formed. And a same question on the government study commission cannot be held within four years after the question has been defeated, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Both Li and Palled said they think this is a good option to consider since home rule gives more financial income flexibility for the borough and can help avoid raising taxes.

“There’s a reason why McCandless and Pine did this a long time ago, and both are financially stable,” Palled said.

Palled said the borough shouldn’t continue using the reserves to pay for expenses. And there are a lot of fixed items such as the police department, staffing and building that the borough has to fund.

“Expenses are piling up,” he said.

Mayor Dennis O’Keefe said he also would vote no if it required it, saying he is “still not convinced” this is the best avenue.

Schwartzmier acknowledged that council worked “diligently” on studying this process as a way to increase revenue for the borough.

“I still think there’s an opportunity to look for revenue in other ways,” Schwartzmier said.