Income Tax Increase in May 2006

[Suzanne Metelko]

Mayor, thanks for the reply. When I get a chance to read and post on a forum, and as you can tell that's not often, I read and post where the sun shines, there is intelligent talk, and people take responsibility for their words and opinions. So, I'm not really up on any forum except this one.

I asked the question because this had been a topic of discussion last February and then kind of dropped off the community radar.

I don't think my post implied a conspiracy but I do know, first hand, that several of Lakewood's largest employers were completely unaware that it was back on the front burner and that Thursday's meeting was taking place. I am curious as to when or if the community at large and the business community in particular received notice of this meeting?

Again thanks,
Suzanne

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

Mayor,

1) You better check your facts, otherwise you are simply spreading more lies. City Council DID NOT approve any strategic plan for youth in this city. What we did endorse was a resolution stating that we approved of the City beginning the process of assembling a strategic plan for youth. That blue ribbon panel will soon be assembled and I will sit on it as the delegate from City Council. This plan is not finished, it is only beginning.

2) A strategic plan is far more involved than anything that Grow Lakewood produced. They identified strategic levers, but did not identify methods for implementation. A complete strategic plan flows like a funnel. It begins with large ideas or mission statements and ultimately flows down to the implementation points. You can make all the claims you want about being a senior planner but, given the state of Cuyahoga County, I would reassess whether or not you want to continue to use that as a credential.

3) Why were members of the School Board, Chamber of Commerce, First Federal, and other Lakewood Cares Coalition members caught off guard by this proposal?

4) I would like to know why it was so crucial for you and Bob Seelie to force this before Christmas? We have plenty of time for it to get to the Board of Elections and tonight's meeting of City Council is likely to be poorly attended. The excuse about the elections also doesn't fly. Just because Dever didn't want to have to face the voters over the issue doesn't mean it should have been held up. Nobody asked my permission to squelch the discussion, not that they needed to, and I never gave the go ahead. Everything about this reeks of politics as usual.

PS- Just because the budget book says that city council "develops consensus and adopts policy" doesn't mean that happens. Someone in this community has to lead and traditionally that is the executive. In the absence of any leadership from you, Bob Seelie should take a stronger role. In our case, neither has happened and instead city government has become a rudderless ship. Although Madeline was strong willed, at least you knew where she was headed.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Try something radical.

I think you mean try something sensible.

2006 is going to be a very interesting year. there is a troubled wind blowing through the city. The residents of this city are very engaged. the days of politics as usual and living in darkness are over.

The moves that I have seen made fall way short of expectations and the residents, the businesses, and city workers. They are starting to think outside the box, and question quite heavily what is going on.

The stories and letters sent into the Observer office show that the coming year is going to be a barn burner for putting things on the table in the light of day, and make sure all is are dotted and ts crossed.

Wherever I stop the questions are nearly the same, the statements show the frustration.

[Bill Call]

The filing deadline for a May issue is on February 15, 2006. Of what use is a meeting scheduled after the filing deadline?

There are indications that the 3-5% raise promised to City employees in 2006 is contingent upon passage of the income tax increase.

Is it wise to spend the income tax increase on raises? If employees are given 5% raise that will consume all of the money generated by the increase in only 18 months. Then what?

Right now I am leaning against any increase in the income tax until after the promised personnel reductions take place and only if the new money is dedicated to infrastructure.

What do you think?

[Suzanne Metelko]

Bill,

I'm thinking that without the CitiStat feedback and without the bottom line on your safety forces overtime and sick leave story, Lakewood can't possibly determine the validity of a tax.

Where are the council members on this?