Suburbs

Business is starting to pick up in the debate over the full-time mayor question in Germantown.

As early voting started this week, the lobbying for voters ratcheted up with mailers arriving from both sides of the referendum. There’s a significant amount of bickering on social media about the issue. We have published several guest columns on the subject, including earlier this week from former Alderman Jon McCreery, who sponsored the idea that got us here.

Patrick Lawton, the former Germantown city administrator, has also weighed in with his opinion of the suggested change.

All of this now reaches the voters, who will decide whether to change things to transition from a part-time elected leader of the suburb to a full-time mayor. After the early voting period runs through April 30, the official Election Day is May 5.

To clarify, all Germantown residents are eligible to vote on the referendum — whether voting in the Republican or Democratic primary. The question is tucked at the end of the primary ballot for both parties.

This column is not intended to promote one side or the other. Back in the days when publications had editorial pages, endorsements were a double-edged sword — they could be the kiss of death for one side of the issue and a knowledgeable stance to the other.

Anyway, there’s little doubt that the question has drawn a large level of interest from Germantown residents. They are debating whether the city needs a full-time leader, or if its current arrangement with a professional manager/administrator at the daily helm is working fine.

However, the question has turned into somewhat of a referendum on Mayor Mike Palazzolo. Opponents are saying this is all an arrangement to get him a full-time gig. They even note that Palazzolo has been at the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church early voting location, campaigning in favor of the referendum, while also touting his run in November for a fourth term.

Alderman Tony Salvaggio has announced he will try to unseat Palazzolo in the mayor’s race. Salvaggio has said he doesn’t favor the change.

If Palazzolo’s campaigning on both issues is a surprise to anyone, you haven’t been paying attention. Palazzolo has supported the full-time mayor’s role, and he announced in September 2025 that he would run for another term.

So, why shouldn’t he take care of campaigning for both while he has a bunch of Germantown voters showing up? Seems like a good, efficient use of campaign time, even though the mayor’s race is more than six months away.

It also should be noted that neither Palazzolo nor Salvaggio voted in regards to the referendum. The measure passed by a 3-2 vote in October 2024, and Palazzolo only votes in case of a tie. Salvaggio wasn’t an alderman at that time. He took over the Position 5 seat when McCreery did not seek reelection.

So, the main question regarding this will be whether Germantown voters want to go the full-time route for the mayor.

And, the second question is whether the interest in the suburb will mean a higher percentage of voter turnout than the primaries for the countywide offices. -Suburbs editor, Clay Bailey

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