More Gross Mismanagement by City and School Board

[Leo Wetula]

Sorry for re-posting, but originally posted in wrong place....

As we all review our new 2015 proposed property tax values, I bring to your attention the issue of the situation at 1482 W. 117th Street and 1486 W. 117th Street (my former neighbors) as an illustration of the incompetence and/or corruption of our city’s leaders (that includes the school board). Below is a summary only (I have records documenting most of this nonsense if anyone is interested).

The City of Lakewood acquired a building at 1482 W. 117th Street in February 2010. Per the county, that building (including land) was valued at $184,900 and the owner paid $6,000+ in property taxes per year. The city paid $55,000 for the building. The city used federal government dollars (“economic stimulus” money I believe) to tear down the building. I was told by the city at the time that the building was deemed to be obsolete because it contained one bedroom apartments, which apparently (per the city) no one wants. I was also told that the building was so well constructed that they had a hard time even taking it down

Since 2010 the parcel where that building stood has become a derelict mud pit (and the city is allowing people to illegally park there) and has not generated one dime in tax revenue for Lakewood City Schools or the City of Lakewood. Let’s see, no property taxes (about $30,000 so far), no income taxes on building residents, no ancillary revenue from other economic activity. Gee, what a great investment for the city (and federal government)!

Immediately south of 1482 is 1486 W. 117th Street. The owner of this building acquired the property in 2009, has not paid property taxes in about five years, and currently has an unpaid property tax balance of $84,126.04. Those of you who are property owners in Lakewood are probably wondering how can that be? Certainly the school board, city, or county would take some enforcement action! Nope. So I asked Mary Louise Madigan, my council person at the time, about it (via email). Here I am thinking, as a citizen, “the schools and city need this revenue, right?” Well, wrong I guess. In fairness to Mary Louise, she did report it to our crack Law Director, Kevin Butler, where the issue died.

Now the link between the two properties. The City-owned property (1482 W. 117th) and 1486 117th share a drive called Nelson Court. Until a few years ago, this drive was actually a city street maintained by the City of Lakewood. It is on maps as a street and is recognized by the postal service as a street. The city suddenly pasted a yellow sticker over the street sign and designated it a private drive (another “funny” City of Lakewood story). So, now the drive is owned half by the city (which owns 1482 W. 117th) and half by the owner of 1486 W. 117th. This drive (which used to be a street) was basically rubble and was dangerous. So, of course, again I notify Mary Louise Madigan.

What happens? The city originally tries to charge me and the owner of 1486 W. 117th for repairing the drive, even though I do not own the drive (and, remember, I am the one who reported it to the city) and the city does own it. OK, that got sorted out in a couple weeks. Finally, on May 20, 2014, the city issued a correction notice to the owner of 1486 W. 117th Street requiring him to repair or replace the drive (Nelson Court) due to its poor condition. Inexplicably, rather than forcing the owner of 1486 W. 117th to make the repair, the city itself repaves the driveway* for the building owner (the same one who owes $84k in property taxes) for absolutely no charge. Surely the city planned to charge the owner after the fact? Nope. Surely the city would place a lien on the property for the cost of the repair? Nope. Nice! No taxes, no maintenance costs, no having to comply with city laws. I want to be this property owner (not really…I pay my taxes).

There are many more details to this story and much more lunacy, but I hope I have made my point. How much of this nonsense is going on in our city? No wonder property taxes are so high. How dare the school board ask for levies when they cannot be bothered to even collect taxes that are already rightfully owed. Lakewood citizens should be outraged at this mismanagement and special treatment of some residents and/or property owners.

More importantly, our Mayor, city department heads (Dru Siley-community development, Jennifer Pae-finance, etc.), and school board members (Linda “Bulldozer” Beebe-running for her ninth term on the board), are spending all their time fighting a battle against Lakewood citizens on the hospital issue when they should be taking care of the business in the city. There are huge development opportunities across the city. Just drive up and down Detroit and Madison (or Berea Road) where there are buildings and large parcels that are actually vacant and/or for sale. There are areas that could be redeveloped that truly need to be redeveloped. What we have in city hall right now is truly madness. I personally have had enough with these dullards who are more interested in politics and loyalty to each other than what is good for the City of Lakewood and its residents.

*Note: I fully expect to be harassed by the city to no end for this post. In fact, I have no problem with the Building Department. They probably did the right thing in repairing the drive immediately. That being said, why the special treatment for the owner of 1486 W. 117th Street? I will probably never know.

[Lori Allen _]

Several years ago, I telephoned Linda Beebe for help because one of my kids with special needs was not getting the services that were outlined in their Individualized Education Plan. She was very rude to me and told me there was nothing she could do for my child. When a child has an IEP , by law, the schools have to provide services. I contacted Senator Skindell , who at that time I believe was our State Representative, for help. He met with me personally twice, and was able to get me and appointment with Dr. Esdrop who was the superintendent at the time. Dr. Esdrop was not returning my calls. Esdrop was rude and unhelpful too. I ended up filing 38 complaints against the Lakewood City Schools with the Ohio Department of Education. ( they just loved me! ). I don't believe Linda Beebe cares about children with special needs. She just likes the title. She needs to resign. She has been there too long and is to old to change with the times. Woody was correct at the debate Thursday night. People need to go to the Ohio Department of Education web sight and see the ratings breakdown of each school. We are #37 out of 77. We have good teachers, but, there needs to be oversight of children with Individualized Education Plans to ensure that the law is being followed and these kids get their services. I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Mentor. I have helped several Lakewood Parents over the past few years.

Beebe, Einhouse and Shaughnessy supported Mike Summers and Council on the Brewery that is supposed to be opening across the street from Harrison Elementary. I assume the bar owner must be a friend because I can't think of one good reason why these three school board members would agree to this. We need new leadership. These people, along with Summers need to go.

A big thank you to Mike Skindell, he was the only one that showed care or concern for my child.