The Observation Deck

I just noticed that Charlie Calanni was in court on October 29. Does anyone know anything about this?

There is a huge list of tax-delinquent properties in the PD this week. Calini was in there for his home AND his business!! So Bill Call if you are reading this, and want to know where all of the city's money is, we need to collect on delinquent taxes!!! How can he do so much business and not pay taxes??? what ever happened to the lawsuits accusing him of ripping of minorities and keeping people's cars and all of that?

Danielle Serino of 19 Action News did an investigation on shady car mechanics, including Calanni:

http://tinyurl.com/38mnmb

Reminds me of how Baker Motors on Detroit was in arrears over $2 million in taxes in 2005 but went through bankruptcy to clear it away. And there they are, still towing cars for the city.

Source of information: http://bankrupt.com/TCR_Public/050608.mbx

Brian Pedaci wrote:Reminds me of how Baker Motors on Detroit was in arrears over $2 million in taxes in 2005 but went through bankruptcy to clear it away. And there they are, still towing cars for the city.

Source of information: http://bankrupt.com/TCR_Public/050608.mbx

Are you serious??????? How could they even get that much in arrears and how could they still work for the city???????

Because they're the only game in town? Because it's an old boys' network?
Because they'd have to change all the signs? Think of the signs, Justine!

Purely speculation: if controlling interest in the company is sold as part of the proceedings, then the new owners would be afforded a clean slate. The property itself was sold in Jan 07. No idea about if/when the business changed hands.

Justine Cooper wrote:

Brian Pedaci wrote:Reminds me of how Baker Motors on Detroit was in arrears over $2 million in taxes in 2005 but went through bankruptcy to clear it away. And there they are, still towing cars for the city.

Source of information: http://bankrupt.com/TCR_Public/050608.mbx

Are you serious??????? How could they even get that much in arrears and how could they still work for the city???????

I always thought that tax liens could not be avoided through bankruptcy. In this case I would assume the previous owners are on the line for the $2 million.

However, I know of several business that went 10 years without paying workers comp and never had to pay a dime of the back taxes.

I guess only suckers pay their taxes.

If you look hard enough you can make a case for everything. Ford tells you that the car has met THEIR certification process so that they can sell it to you and that is the bench mark for honesty. When someone has concerns about their car and takes it to a mechanic and he finds something other than what the seller claims he is the bad guy for listening and acting on your request.

Let he who is without guilt cast the first stone !

Glenn Palmer wrote:If you look hard enough you can make a case for everything. Ford tells you that the car has met THEIR certification process so that they can sell it to you and that is the bench mark for honesty. When someone has concerns about their car and takes it to a mechanic and he finds something other than what the seller claims he is the bad guy for listening and acting on your request.

Let he who is without guilt cast the first stone !

I can't cast many stones, BUT I can cast them when it comes to paying taxes. Always have and don't have empathy or sympathy or those who don't. If a company owed Lakewood $2 in back taxes (and we now know Callinini owes back taxes on his business) I find it extremely troubling that OUR taxes will always be raised to cover deficits!! How many other landlords and businesses owe the city taxes but keep operating and taking in money???? That is outrageous!

Calanni's Delinquent Property Taxes:

- 15620 Madison (Storefront/Apartments) - $4697.85
- 1686 Parkwood (Apartments) - $6522.00
- 13728 Madison (Auto Shop) - $1177.02
- 17009 Madison (Apartments) - $5646.77
- 14764 Athens (Double) - $1802.41
- 2051 Richland (Double) - $2005.85
- 2039 Robin (Double) - $1224.75

Total Owed - $23076.65

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Rick Uldricks wrote: Wow. Ridiculous.

If the city would let this guy slide like this, I'm sure there are others.

I agree it's ridiculous, but the city does not collect property tax. It's the county that's failing to do it's job.

David Lay wrote:Calanni's Delinquent Property Taxes:

- 15620 Madison (Storefront/Apartments) - $4697.85
- 1686 Parkwood (Apartments) - $6522.00
- 13728 Madison (Auto Shop) - $1177.02
- 17009 Madison (Apartments) - $5646.77
- 14764 Athens (Double) - $1802.41
- 2051 Richland (Double) - $2005.85
- 2039 Robin (Double) - $1224.75

Total Owed - $23076.65

That's not all!

- 28538 Laughlin, Westlake (his home) - $4,352.98
- 17515 Madison (apartments) - $11,886.49
- 13731 Madison (retail) - $9,063.44
- 2068 Richland (Single) - $1,368.61

Total Owed - $49718.17 - Source

ALMOST FIFTY THOUSAND.

He's shafting his customers, the city, and the county. Why has the County Auditor allowed him to slide this far?

I believe that the city contracts tow companies from Cleveland. Maybe this is why.

BTW - It is much more of a deterrent to not get towed now that pickup is 20 minutes away. This will be the last time I forget about rush hour parking ban in front of my house!