Four Eastern Suburbs Consider Merging

[Bryan Schwegler]

From the Scene:
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-hea ... er-merging

County Exec Ed FitzGerald announced this morning, along with the mayors of Moreland Hills, Orange, Pepper Pike and Woodmere, that the four richy-rich eastern suburbs are discussing a possible merger.

Obviously this takes regionalism beyond just sharing SWAT trucks. Could we see more of this?

Maybe we should talk to Rocky River, Fairview, and Linndale about recreating Rockport?

[Bill Call]

From the Scene:
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-hea ... er-merging

County Exec Ed FitzGerald announced this morning, along with the mayors of Moreland Hills, Orange, Pepper Pike and Woodmere, that the four richy-rich eastern suburbs are discussing a possible merger.

Obviously this takes regionalism beyond just sharing SWAT trucks. Could we see more of this?

Maybe we should talk to Rocky River, Fairview, and Linndale about recreating Rockport?

If the four suburbs merge they will have a smaller population than Fairview Park. It's one of the few city mergers that make sense. Mergers of Parma and Parma Heights or North Olmsted and Fairview Park might make sense. Why would Westlake want to merge with anyone? Would Rocky River merge with Lakewood? Fat chance.

Efforts at regionalization actually diminish the region.

Sunday's Plain Dealer contained this opinion piece on regionalization:

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index. ... hould.html

The article contained this gem:

"What collaborations, consolidations or mergers of city services will you pursue if elected?"

If the answer is something along the lines of "None that I can think of," or "No, we're good," end the conversation right there. "

Really? So Lakewood should merge its water department with Clevelands water department? Wait! isn't Cleveland's water department in such disaray that they can't even send out water bills? I though bigger was better?

Really? So Lakewood should merge its Library with Cuyahoga County Library even though that CCL is overburdened with debt and far more costly than Lakewood Library?

Really? A recent study found that merging fire departments would not save any money.

Really? So NOACA pushes more freeways, more freeway inner changes and more development farther and farther from the central core and that's good for us? NOACA is a regional agency so it must be so.

If bigger is better why not one County Fire Department? Why not just one State Fire department?

Politicians like to talk about regionalization because that discussion lets them avoid the real problem:

Cuyahoga County has some of the highest levels of taxation in the entire Country, a political culture that really believes that the economic engines are non-profits that cannot survive without subsidies and thinks that true economic growth comes from big pensions, early retirement and more sick days for government employees.

Here is a gem from H. L. Mencken:

"The country is divided between those who work for a living and those who vote for a living."

The real reason the region is suffering is because the region is run by people who vote for a living.

[Bryan Schwegler]

Efforts at regionalization actually diminish the region.

How?

[Bill Call]

Efforts at regionalization actually diminish the region.

How?

Because there are only so many hours in the day and every minute our "leadership" spends sitting in the corner thinking about how great it would be if we had regionalism is a minute of wasted time.

I'm not opposed to regional effort in theory but no one has offered any concrete example of how having one really big corrupt, bloated bueracracy is the cure for all that ails us.

Lakewoods sewer rates are $36.20 per thousand cubic feet:

http://onelakewood.com/PublicWorks/Wate ... ollection/

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer Districts Rates are $48 per thousand cubic feet:

http://www.neorsd.org/rates.php

I might be missing something so take a look.

If the regional/bigger is better mentality has merit then why are rates for the bigger NEORSD 37% higher than Lakewoods?

Water rates in Avon Lake (they have their own system) are $1.19 per thousand cubic feet.

http://www.avonlakewater.org/faq/faq_br.html

The way I read this the water rates for the larger regional City of Cleveland water system are $12.58 for the first 1,000 cubic feet.

http://www.clevelandwater.com/Resident/rates.aspx

Those numbers are so out of whack I must be missing something.

If bigger is better then Cleveland's water system must be better run and less expensive than Avon Lakes, right?

It seems water and sewer are one of the most obvious candidates for regionalization and yet the bigger entity is more expensive. Is more expensive better?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bryan

Next to fall will be Parma, Parma Heights, and Seven Hills. They also share a school district
and have already begun discussions.

The "Regional Map" has 11 regions, with Lakewood being thrown into Cleveland.

FWIW

.

[Bill Call]

The "Regional Map" has 11 regions, with Lakewood being thrown into Cleveland.

I see the truth of it.

If the regional effort really takes hold Lakewood WILL be merged with Cleveland. We have to merge with a contiguous entity and the only two are Cleveland and Rocky River. Anyone think Rocky River will agree to merge with Lakewood?

Another option is to co-opt the regional effort and counter with an effort to break up the City of Cleveland. Lakewood gets West Park and the Edgewater area and the others fight over the rest.

Downtown gets to be its own entity, something like Washington D. C. except Downtown sends money to the surrounding communities instead of the other way around.

Is Ed Fitzgera selling us down the river?

[Jim O'Bryan]

The "Regional Map" has 11 regions, with Lakewood being thrown into Cleveland.

I see the truth of it.

If the regional effort really takes hold Lakewood WILL be merged with Cleveland. We have to merge with a contiguous entity and the only two are Cleveland and Rocky River. Anyone think Rocky River will agree to merge with Lakewood?

Is Ed Fitzgerald selling us down the river?

Bill

It is fascinating to watch Ed, who pulled us out of RITA with many benefits for Lakewood
now look towards the regional dream. I would say that by his very job description it would
be hard to pin it on him though. It is his job if he believes it is correct.

The questions is what other civic leaders are now willing to trade in Lakewood's sovereignty
for a handful of shekels, a modicum of more power, political favors, or just to be able
to be with the "in crowd." All very big reasons within this county and community.

I also find it interesting how many of Lakewood's elected officials, civic leaders, and
ex-officials will now openly say, "There is nothing special about Lakewood..." It is
a thought process that sells us very short, and greases the skids towards regionalism.

Make no mistake about it, the regional map has Cleveland ending at Rocky River, not
Highland Ave, not West 210.

FWIW


.

[Matt Jones]

If the regional effort really takes hold Lakewood WILL be merged with Cleveland. We have to merge with a contiguous entity and the only two are Cleveland and Rocky River. Anyone think Rocky River will agree to merge with Lakewood?

If I'm understanding state law correctly, any merger of two or more municipalities would have to be approved by a majority of voters in BOTH cities. I can't see any way that Lakewood voters would agree to a merger with Cleveland as it exists today.

However, Rocky River is another matter. I think that a River-Lakewood merger would initially be a very tough sell in River, largely because of Lakewood's higher property tax rate (and, to a lesser extent, snobbery). But if benefits could be identified for River residents in areas such as water and sewer rates and servicing (I bet Rocky River would LOVE to break free from Cleveland Water's billing department), and if other savings could be realized through consolidation of various municipal services, it MIGHT be possible to get it passed in both cities in a more regionalism-friendly climate, i.e. if the Chagrin Hills merger occurs smoothly.

The bottom line is that very few of these theoretical municipal mergers in Cuyahoga County have any chance of happening, unless the state laws are changed to allow or require cities to be unwillingly swallowed up by their neighbors. I can't see a GOP-controlled state legislature going along with such a blatant overriding of home rule principles.

[Jim O'Bryan]

If the regional effort really takes hold Lakewood WILL be merged with Cleveland. We have to merge with a contiguous entity and the only two are Cleveland and Rocky River. Anyone think Rocky River will agree to merge with Lakewood?

If I'm understanding state law correctly, any merger of two or more municipalities would have to be approved by a majority of voters in BOTH cities. I can't see any way that Lakewood voters would agree to a merger with Cleveland as it exists today.

However, Rocky River is another matter. I think that a River-Lakewood merger would initially be a very tough sell in River, largely because of Lakewood's higher property tax rate (and, to a lesser extent, snobbery). But if benefits could be identified for River residents in areas such as water and sewer rates and servicing (I bet Rocky River would LOVE to break free from Cleveland Water's billing department), and if other savings could be realized through consolidation of various municipal services, it MIGHT be possible to get it passed in both cities in a more regionalism-friendly climate, i.e. if the Chagrin Hills merger occurs smoothly.

The bottom line is that very few of these theoretical municipal mergers in Cuyahoga County have any chance of happening, unless the state laws are changed to allow or require cities to be unwillingly swallowed up by their neighbors. I can't see a GOP-controlled state legislature going along with such a blatant overriding of home rule principles.

Matt

I am not so sure on any of these things. While I believe our city charter would call for a vote
though I am not sure, does everyone's?

Also what we have been watching for decades is an erosion underneath the slippery slope
to regionalism. The sharing of services, which is going on one way or another all over the
region. Right now we have a working agreement to help Rocky River with Fire Services which
is why they get away with 6 Fireman on duty to our 20 something. Of course the risk of
a worse fire seems to be higher in Lakewood with 100 year old homes, funky wiring, and
the close proximity of homes to each other.

It is my understanding that we are always in Rocky River helping, but to date they have
only come over here once, and the truck was involved in an accident which caused Lakewood
to answer even more calls.

So they erode under the cliff of public perception then one day, you are so in bed, might
as way make it legal. However what I do not understand if it is so good for everyone, it
should be a much easier sale. They have spent possibly over a billion dollars the past 10
years through hundreds of programs and names to convince us it is a cure for all ills.

Yet, only the politicians are buying it right now. But when you look at donors, of course they are.

.

[michael gill]

I'm not sure if it's only the politicians buying regionalization now, or if that were the case, what that would mean.

There's the fact that we have 57 (I believe) municipalities in Cuyahoga County. That's 57 governments. 57 mayors. 57 city councils.

If the four cities that started this discussion did actually merge, they will go from four mayors and four councils to just one of each. Three mayors and maybe a dozen or twenty city council reps would be out of work.

So if it is only the politicos that see regionalization as a good thing, they do so despite that it could put many --in this case most of them--out of a job. From that perspective it's just about christ-like.

But I don't think it's just the politicos that see the idea as a potential benefit. I share concerns about the loss of identity, loss of control, dilution of hard won assets. But having fewer governments--and therefore less complication, less opportunity for poaching, less balkanization, and frankly fewer politicians--is a pretty easy argument for any taxpayer to grasp.

[Bill Call]

The bottom line is that very few of these theoretical municipal mergers in Cuyahoga County have any chance of happening, unless the state laws are changed to allow or require cities to be unwillingly swallowed up by their neighbors. I can't see a GOP-controlled state legislature going along with such a blatant overriding of home rule principles.

The GOP controlled legislature is happy to everturn home rule for the right price.

This merger makes sense. Other mergers might make sense as well. The problem as I see it, from a very selfish point of view, is that the only merger candidate for Lakewood is Cleveland.

I don't see a legally binding effort to force the merger of cities but County and State officials can use other means to "encourage" the merger of cities or their services.

Will Lakewood be forced to merge services under the threat of loss of funding or reduced funding?

Will Lakewood officials feel the need to merge some services with Rocky River and Fairview to bind us to those communities rather than Cleveland even if those mergers make no sense?

The study of the westshore merger of fire department services determined that no money would be saved yet efforts continue to merge those services?

Will the people in Ward two in Lakewood have more control over the quality of city services if they were the residents of Ward 46 in the City of Burning River?

If bigger is better why do we have so many colleges in this town. Why not just one college? One medical service provider, one non profit agency and one live theater? I mean we have Beck Center why do we need Play House Square? Think of all the efficiencies!

[Jim O'Bryan]

This merger makes sense. Other mergers might make sense as well. The problem as I see it, from a very selfish point of view, is that the only merger candidate for Lakewood is Cleveland.

I don't see a legally binding effort to force the merger of cities but County and State officials can use other means to "encourage" the merger of cities or their services.

Will Lakewood be forced to merge services under the threat of loss of funding or reduced funding?

Will Lakewood officials feel the need to merge some services with Rocky River and Fairview to bind us to those communities rather than Cleveland even if those mergers make no sense?

Will Lakewood officials be sucked in because:
1) They are looking to further their political careers?
2) Because they have no real tie to Lakewood
3) Because they already work for the county and to say no would cost them.
4) Because they feel, Lakewood is nothing special, we need to
5) Because it is now a Democratic process and they are good democrats?
6) Because Ed Fitzgerald helped them get in and elected?

These 6 reason are sitting on council right now. And we have not even talked of the virtues
of the entire endeavor to make us hold and kiss the anchor on the Titanic.

In the end, like with Old Yeller if some one has to put us down, at least it is one of our
family members doing it.

Still it is funny that that billions spent on convincing us how great it is got them nothing,
but back a few candidates, get them on board, and here we go!

.

[Bill Call]

In the end, like with Old Yeller if some one has to put us down, at least it is one of our
family members doing it.

A man should shoot his own dog.

Politicians like big, combersome, opaque and convoluted bureaucracies because the average citizen has no way to exerte any influence, the corruption can continue by other means and the gravy train never ends.

The Plain Dealer knew all about the corruption and croynisim in Cuyahoga County for years. They remained silent until they discovered the corruption could be used as a vehicle for regionalization. Now that regionalization is on its way the PD will go back to sleep.

Personally I'm more upset about the behaviour of institutions like Tri-C and NOACA. Rather than build the core they are embarked on a bold effort to expand the concept of the region to Youngstown, Toledo and Columbus. At what point does the word region cease to have anymeaning?

Hey!! why so many school districts? why not just one Cuyahoga Regional Association of Publicschools, CRAP? I finally have a campaign slogan: CRAP, the bridge to the future!

[Jim O'Bryan]

In the end, like with Old Yeller if some one has to put us down, at least it is one of our
family members doing it.

A man should shoot his own dog.

Politicians like big, combersome, opaque and convoluted bureaucracies because the average citizen has no way to exerte any influence, the corruption can continue by other means and the gravy train never ends.

The Plain Dealer knew all about the corruption and croynisim in Cuyahoga County for years. They remained silent until they discovered the corruption could be used as a vehicle for regionalization. Now that regionalization is on its way the PD will go back to sleep.

Personally I'm more upset about the behaviour of institutions like Tri-C and NOACA. Rather than build the core they are embarked on a bold effort to expand the concept of the region to Youngstown, Toledo and Columbus. At what point does the word region cease to have anymeaning?

Hey!! why so many school districts? why not just one Cuyahoga Regional Association of Publicschools, CRAP? I finally have a campaign slogan: CRAP, the bridge to the future!

Bill

We live in a perfect storm. That is nearly impossible to explain.

Tri-C, you cannot get in a class right now. So common sense says grow. College tuition is
an insane price everywhere but Tri-C and CSU. Then they turn to the colleges of Urban
Affairs and Business for advice, and the snake oil of the decade is regionalism. So where
there is money for campaigns, and the ability to pass the buck and hide behind the idea,
the politicians flock. Even if it is against their own self interest. If they are willing to go
against their own self interest, how can anyone expect them to worry or represent our
interests. Then you have other state funded schools raiding their territory with faux
classrooms, that are really recruiting centers to get people into their real schools, and it
starts to get crazy. For the schools from a business point of view and yes they are businesses.

People are under attack from so many different angles as we run from one demon we run
to another for protection, which is just as harmful.

This is why I have said, ignore Cleveland for now. Wait on jumping into the regional dream
we have enough going on here to wait and see what happens. Other cities like East Cleveland
do not have this luxury, they need a dance partner now! WE backed out of RITA and it has
worked though I am sure we will hear shortly it was a mistake, and we must join with RITA.

Back o old yellow, with Ed at the helm, who still lives here, at least maybe he will make it
swift and painless. God knows, they could make it very painful if they chose to.

.