The Observation Deck

Mary Breiner wrote:Keep in mind: that is one quarter of one penny, 25 cents on one hundred dollars. Take all those petitions and all those people and energy and put it into something else. You seem to be undermining everything positive that is happening (or trying to happen) in Cleveland. Yes, they put this through without a vote of the people...but you must be used to that by now...just look at our President and his administration.
Just my opinion.

I hope that it is not the same bunch of Einsteins who talked the tax payers of Cuyahoga County into building a stadium on Lake Erie with out a dome. A Stadium funded by tax payers (booze drinkers and smokers ) for a millionaire so his millionaire employees could use it 8 times a year. But maybe this project will benefit the people who are paying for it more than the corporate welfare recipients.. just sayin

There are many things in Cleveland that need fixing and I think they are doing the people of Cleveland an injustice by not focusing on things to directly improve their standard of living.

Well said.

[quote="Joe Ott"][quote]

When is enough enough (that's been said here a gazillion times I think)? I'd still like to know when I voted on the R.I.T.A tax. What? I didn't get to? Hmmm. Nice.

quote]

Just to clarify, Ohio Revised Code allows municipalities to to levy an income tax up to 1% without the vote of the people. Anything above that must be approved by the electorate, so Lakewood's additional .5% was in fact voted on by the people of Lakewood.

Danielle Masters wrote:

There are many things in Cleveland that need fixing and I think they are doing the people of Cleveland an injustice by not focusing on things to directly improve their standard of living.

Well said.

I do not think that taxing the people of Cleveland is the solution to fixing city problems.

I am not sure how these things work, but I just read the resolution that was passed and it does NOT mention anything about a medical mart are anything specific. It is simply a raise to the general fund.

Once the money starts coming in is there anything holding Dimora and Hagan to this project or can they funnel the money anywhere they want?

Stephen Eisel wrote:

Danielle Masters wrote:

There are many things in Cleveland that need fixing and I think they are doing the people of Cleveland an injustice by not focusing on things to directly improve their standard of living.

Well said.

I do not think that taxing the people of Cleveland is the solution to fixing city problems.

Either do I. Especially since sales taxes hurt the poor the most. A few pennies might not mean a lot to some people, but when you are scrapping by every cent counts. Also an additional sales tax increase can be an incentive for those that can afford it to shop in another county. There just has to be a better way. How are they paying for that new county administration building?

Ryan Salo wrote:Once the money starts coming in is there anything holding Dimora and Hagan to this project or can they funnel the money anywhere they want?

This sales tax increase is not about the convention center, it is about the construction of a new County Administration Building.

My main problem with this whole affair is the bait-and-switch tactics used. We've been having the discussion on whether we need a new convention center, and where it should be located, for years. There's been some good and not-so-good proposals floated, each subject to public scrutiny.

Now, the County Commissioners have just railroaded that debate. We're just told that the tax is going in, the convention center is going up and it'll be on Sam Miller's choice of site - right next door to Tower City, like it or lump it. Of course, all the attention is diverted towards the Medical Mart. Some people actually think that the new tax is going towards building the Mart. And don't even get me started on the county administration building. The waste of money displayed in that deal is nauseating.

I don't see why the taxpayers should bear the burden of building a privately-owned convention center, regardless of the evident benefits it would bring. Enough of our tax dollars go to lining the pockets of the Millers and Ratners of the world. They'll make their money on the deal without the public welfare check.

The point of the petition is to put it on the ballot. Period.

If an individual doesn't want it on the ballot, then I suggest they don't sign the petition and if enough feel that way, then the effort will fail.

If the tax increase for the project and budget proposal holds merit, voters will pass it in March, if it doesn't, it will fail.

The system allows the Commissioner to pass it on there vote alone, and it also allows any voter to challenge that power.

It is not wasted time or effort to the people who are gathering the signatures. That's what makes this such a great country.

I will be helping head up this effort in Lakewood by gathering signatures, and will have a petition available at my home for anyone interested on
Saturday, Aug 4, all day 1469 Bunts Road, between Detroit and Franklin.
We will be set up in the front yard for foot traffic, or if driving-please park legally southbound on Bunts, or use our driveway.

Thank you,

Colleen Wing

Anybody want to wager on what city scoops up the Medical Mart after Northeast Ohio fumbles the opportunity? My guess is Minneapolis or Boston.

I think it is important to note that while the founders created the Republic as they did, the Progressives also found it necessary to create such reform mechanisms as RECALL, INITIATIVE, and REFERENDUM. These tools were used to reign in elected officials and political parties that were corrupt and simply using undemocratic methods to rule the people.

Those tools are part of our democracy. Yes, sometimes they annoy the well-heeled and all-knowing of places like Edgewater Drive; however, our own history here in Lakewood tells us that the method can accurately reflect the will of the people. In 2002, the Mayor and City Council refused to consider non-partisan elections, the electorate overruled them through an initiative petition at 71% of the vote. In 2007, City Council and the Mayor opposed the right of employees of the Lakewood City Schools to run for office, despite the fact that they were residents and taxpayers. The electorate once again overruled them at 58%. These were not close elections.

What really matters here is that grassroots support was teaming within the electorate for these issues and government was unresponsive. In the same way, the County Commissioners did not thoughfully consider public input. This process reaked of the West End. The process bred disunity from day one. I asked the Commissioners to consider another finance mechanism, as did Commissioner Jones. It was simply too much work for Hagan and Dimora. Now they will have to spend their time trying to stop an unstoppable referendum. Let's put the responsibility exactly where it lies, with Hagan and Dimora.

Beyond the political theory, shouldn't we consider the fact that this is supposed to be a "public-private partnership." Where is the "private" part? As it stands now, we pay for everything and Chris Kennedy and his giant corporation pay for nothing. Sounds like a great deal eh? Let us not forget about the lack of site selection, fate of the current convention center, or the knowledge of true construction costs.

I wonder if we as Lakewood voters would approve the same. It is somewhat hypocritical for those who put so much time into working out the details of a strong school recontrsuction program in Lakewood to fall lock, stock, and barrell for a "give us the money now and the details will come later" plan from a group of elected officials who have proven their fiscal irresponsibility over and over. I will not allow this debacle to be put on the backs of the poor and middle class. If Edgewater thinks it is so great let them pay for it.