STEP 1: 5 EMAILS
Email the Senate President, your local Senator, the Speaker of the House, your local House Representative, and the Governor. Click on each Legislator’s name to go to a fillable contact form that will send them an email, or use the email addresses provided.

Senate President Matt Huffman (R-12)
Huffman@ohiosenate.gov, 614-466-7584
Speaker of the House Jason Stephens (R-93)
Rep93@ohiohouse.gov, 614-719-6987
Governor Mike DeWine
Visit www.governor.ohio.gove/contact
Geauga area legislators (if you don’t know your district or you live outside the Geauga County area, click here):
Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-18)
Cirino@ohiosenate.gov, 614-644-7718
Sen. Sandra O’Brien (R-32)
O’brien@ohiosenate.gov, 614-466-7182
Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-28)
Sykes@ohiosenate.gov, 614-466-7041
Rep. Sarah Fowler-Arthur (R-99)
Rep99@ohiohouse.gov, 614-466-1405
Rep. Steve Demetriou (R-35)
Rep35@ohiohouse.gov, 614-644-5088

WHY EMAILS?
Emails to legislators become part of the public record, unlike phone calls. Even if you know your legislator is against this zoning takeover, please still send him or her an email so your wishes can be counted. Friendly legislators can use the number of emails they receive as a means to convince others of citizens’ wishes. State your opposition in the Subject line. You can copy and paste the same email for each legislator. (Feel free to use our sample wording.)

Sample wording for emails
Subject: I oppose SB 243 and all attempts to alter Township zoning authority

Dear Governor DeWine,
I am alarmed at the report issued by the Senate Select Committee on Housing and the creation of SB 243, “Declare intent to address local zoning that impedes housing.” As a Township resident, I am 100% opposed to any attempts to change the zoning authority of Ohio Townships. The rights of citizens in Townships to impact their local zoning decisions are very important and I urge you to do all in your power to make sure the state does not infringe upon them.

Thank you,
[your name]

STEP 2: 10 FRIENDS
After you send your 5 emails, contact 10 friends and ask them to do the same. If the Ohio Senate is “putting a toe in the water” to see what happens when they threaten our rights, then we need to be the shark that bites back. We do that with numbers. Here are some ways you can help get people aware and active:

• Email or call your acquaintances and direct them to this page so they can complete Steps 1 & 2. (www.FortifyGeauga.org/zoning)
  
• Speak with your neighbors. You can send them to this webpage or download and print out the flier below.
  
• Send letters to the editor of local publications explaining your stance and asking readers to complete Steps 1 & 2. Mention www.FortifyGeauga.org/zoning so they know what to do.
  
• Social media: share the link to this page on social media platforms and urge users to complete Steps 1 & 2.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Fortify Geauga will be continuing to advocate for the protection of our Township zoning rights. Check out these other opportunities. We will provide all the training and materials you need to help in this fight:

In-person efforts like door-knocking and handing out fliers at events or in community spaces. If you are interested in being part of a door-knocking team in your neighborhood, please send an email to FortifyGeauga@proton.me.

Testimony in Columbus might be necessary if this legislation makes it to Committee hearings. In that event, Fortify Geauga will organize a road trip to Columbus. If you’d be interested in testifying in a Senate Committee hearing or just tagging along for moral support, please email us at FortifyGeauga@proton.me and we’ll give you all the details you need.

Newsletter: Be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter where we will alert you to new developments.