The Observation Deck

The voters were assured that money raised by the Third Frontier Bond Fund would be used to lure high tech 21st century business to Ohio. We were promised that the 1.5 billion dollar fund would provide seed money to make Ohio a leader in the high tech industry.

I voted against that bond issue because I had no faith in the ability of our government to resist the temptation to turn it into another government slush fund.

The Plain Dealer said it best:

http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.s ... edi&coll=2

Voters approve issues like the Third Frontier in the hopes that the various legal constraints associated with the issue will keep government (Republican or Democrat) from turning the program into another black hole slush fund. We are usually disappointed.

An example of how this process works at the local level is the way local governments spend the local share of the gasoline tax and the motor vehicle license tax.

These funds are supposed to be used for "repair and maintenance of streets". When I first saw that Lakewood received $1.8 million dollars a year in state gas tax revenue and vehicle license revenue my first thought was that $1.8 million dollars a year can pave a lot of streets. The reality is that the money is spent on things like street salt and general operations.

Before anyone out there considers signing on to a "Police Levy" they should think about how the City governments definition of "Police" will evolve over time. Your intent might be to add equipment or officers; the reality might be another round of raises.

Now, before you start sending the hate mail: There is nothing illegal about having a broad definition of streets and what Lakewood does is no different than what is done by other communities.

Just be on notice that a "Police Levy" like gas taxes and license fees may well end up evaporating into the general fund.

Bill:

You do raise a legitimate point in that for some communities passage of a police levy can mean the addition of these dedicated funds and the subtraction of general funds already assigned to the police budget.

The integrity of the budgeting process, the intention of voters, stewardship of council and ability to execute a policing strategy are all complex variables that cannot be underestimated or oversold.

If there is no trust in the local government to protect us, the only other option is a conceal-carry caped commando squad walking the beats of the city.

I do think that citizens, politicians, the police chief and Lakewood's FOP need to get on the same page and begin a deliberative process that addresses safety and a policing strategy. Given the condition of Cleveland and the migration of crime, psychiatric caseload and thugs, time is of the essence.

Kenneth Warren

Kenneth Warren wrote:I do think that citizens, politicians, the police chief and Lakewood's FOP need to get on the same page and begin a deliberative process that addresses safety and a policing strategy. Given the condition of Cleveland and the migration of crime, psychiatric caseload and thugs, time is of the essence.

I would have thought that the very sensible things you mentioned would already be well underway as part of a routine management process.

Rather than additional taxes in the form of a police levy I would suggest decreasing the minimum staffing requirements at the fire department. The previous finance director told me that each reduction would save $250,000 per year. That seems a little high but it's worth looking at.

The savings could be used for additional policing.

Bill,

I only reply to this because both your contention and your extrapolation from it are extremely poor it my personal experience. I mean no disrespect, but let me provide my personal experience.

The company that I work for just this past month received a 3rd Frontier Grant to bring to market a medical device of which I am a listed co-inventor on the patent (along with another gentleman from Avon Lake). The technology was originally developed for a NASA application (under a small business grant); our partner in it's development is the Cleveland Clinic (based on their excitement about its terrestrial applications).

The 3rd frontier program will help provide funding to the small minority owned company that I work forto get through the costly FDA approval process. Awards from programs like this are based on both your potential and your ability to turn technology into reality (a product).

I am a Lakewoodite. These funds are not slush plans; they do directly enable technology and job development here in our communities.