[I/We welcome signatures from every city across the country .. because if they can do it to me/us, your local gov't can do it (and may have already done it) to you]

Richard Taylor who ran for councilman in Maple Heights, OH (district 5), passed away before being sworn into office. Members of Maple Heights city council have decided to take away (district 5) registered voter’s right to elect their own council person. City council decided to take applications for that (elected) position; and they say they will decide who the next council person will be to represent district 5.

The council person they will choose, will represent the residents of Maple Heights, (district 5) for the entire term in office. [Members of council serve for a two year term.]

While it may be customary for a vacant seat to be filled on a short, temporary basis, until a special election can be held; this city council has decided that no special election will be held.

Furthermore, the law director cited a 1924 OH case law to declare that council seat vacant even before district 5's current council representative's term expired.

I, and many in my district, feel the actions of the Maple Heights law director, and Maple Heights City Council, are unconstitutional, and violate our civil and political rights. We've been told by certain politicians, not to fight this; however, we suspect they may have strong political ties to the present administration.

[By the way, ... African Americans represent almost 70% or more of the population, but are under-represented in Maple Heights government]

I/We need your help!

Stand with us, and please sign the petition and tell the Maple Heights Mayor, the Maple Heights City Council and the Maple Heights City law director to let the voters in district 5 choose their council person. They say what they are doing is legal; but even if it is, it's not right. Jim Crow laws were legal at one time too.