(7-28-22) A citizen’s group push to make Celina a Sanctuary city hit a ‘road bump‘ last week.
Email reply sent to the Outlook on July 18th on the status of the filing of a Sanctuary City ordinance petition from Kristi Rable, Director, Mercer County Board of Elections-
A petition was filed on July 18 and withdrawn today (July 20).
Should the petition for the ordinance be refiled, Celina city residents would have the opportunity to pass it and have it become law bypassing the city council… who voted down a similar proposal last November. Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel and council members have not committed to supporting either side of the issue, but seem relieved that the issue is ‘out of their hands‘.
- Celina City Council Votes Against Sanctuary City Ordinance 4-3 On 3rd Reading
- Celina City Council To Hear 3rd Reading Of Sanctuary City Ordinance
- Celina City Council Votes Down Sanctuary City Ordinance 4-2 For 2nd Time
- Celina City Council Votes Against Abortion And Sanctuary City Ordinance 4-2
- Celina City Council To Vote On Amended Abortion Ordinance Tonight
- Celina City Council Discusses Possible Legislation In Regards To Abortion Clinics
The recent Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade has stimulated some friction between local groups that took place at a recent Mercer County Right to Life gathering at the Mercer County Courthouse.
- The Trans Atheist: Nurse Fired for Reproductive Freedom
- Video Of Pro-Abortion Protestors At Recent Mercer County Right To Life Rally
- “Roe v Wade Falls” At Mercer County Courthouse
- Roe v. Wade Overturned By US Supreme Court
- 10 Year Old Denied Abortion In Ohio, Plans To Have Procedure Done In Indiana
- 1,000 Ohio Physicians Want State’s Abortion Bills Overturned
- ACLU Of Ohio Files Lawsuit In Ohio Supreme Court Seeking To Block SB 23 Abortion Ban
The ordinance would eliminate elective abortions at any stage of pregnancy in Celina and prohibit Celina residents from aiding elective abortions. The petition that was submitted said that those who seek or receive an abortion would not be subject to persecution or penalties.
The Sanctuary City status would only be for the City of Celina, Mercer County would not be included.
No official reason has been given on why the petition was withdrawn.
Mercer County Outlook 
Although enough signatures were secured, the process according to Ohio Revised code is that the petitions must 1) be officially stamped by the Recorders office 2) signatures gathered and 3) returned to the Board of Elections for validation. Due to a misunderstanding of the process, step 1 was not followed. Thus, the petitions were not officially recognized. This will be rectified before the filing deadline. No one is to blame. This is the first time in Celina history that such a process has been attempted. So, it is a learning process for all parties involved.
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