Breaking News
The November vote on the Trash and Red Light/Speed cameras
Anyone that was invovled in getting these petitions signed and would like to help in getting the message out onvoting for these issues... please send me an email of call Frank Wagner, Paul Long Or Ronald Finnerty.
We need to clarify WHAT voting YES or NO means.
I want everyone to read this!
As our councilman, as outlined in an earlier post were/are confused by the wording.
OK, YOU will be voting on whether the city should adopt a Charter Amendment in both cases. (Trash and Red Light/Speed Cameras)
Voting YES to either ballot issue will place the wording of the Charter Amendment into the citys' Charter requireing the city to follow their wording.
A YES on the Trash issue will stop the city charging for Trash Collection.
A YES on the Red Light/Camera Issue will make it ONLY legal for a Police Officer at the camera to use it in Garfield Heights, Banning un-manned vehicles or Traffic lights with Cameras in Garfield Heights.
The amendments say:
City of Garfield Heights
Proposed Charter Amendment (By Petition)
An amendment to the Charter of the City of Garfield Heights to enact Section 60 to abolish the tax on trash collection enacted by the Council and prevent any such future enactment.
City of Garfield Heights
Proposed Charter Amendment (By Petition)An amendment to the Charter of the City of Garfield Heights to enact Section 59 to limit use of photo-monitoring devices to detect certain traffic law violations.
So Please remember YOU are voting on whether to put these issues into the city charter.
Voting YES means you do not want cameras.
Voting YES means you do not want a Trash tax.
The CSU forum has come and gone and the turnout was surprisingly very good.
PLEASE if you are in Cuyahoga County you should view this video as soon as possible and tell your neighbors to also review it.
One of these people willbe leading YOUR/OUR county for the next 4 years starting in January 2011.
Please choose wisely and not by who some party leaders have decided you should vote for.
To put this another way, Would you vote those party leaders into this position? NO? Then why would you trust them to tell you who is the best candidate- please choose for yourself. WATCH THE VIDEO!
August 29, 2010
Cleveland State University College of Urban Studies is hosting a Cuyahoga County Executives forum.
What most people are unaware of is they have been tasked with helping to educate the Executive and new Council after they are elected in november but prior to them taking office in January. So not only will this be an opportunity to hear the candidates speak and ask them questions as well as meet the folkes who will prep them to take office. I would guess ethics might be one of the topics this group will teach to the newly elected officials after the november election results are in.
Here is their press release:
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
August 26, 2010
Pre- September 7th primary and debate.
"Next Broadway", a civic group, held a candidates "debate" night for District 8 Cuyahoga County Candidates at The Methodist Church in Garfield Heights.
In attendance was Garfield Heights mayor Vic Collova, who gave some encouraging comments about how much this new Council and the District 8 Council person were going to mean for Cuyahoga County in general and Garfield Heights in particular.
Ellen Psenicka, the Editor of the Neighborhood News ( one of the last local printed newspapers in the Cuyahoga County area) was on hand and acted as moderator and the proctor of the prepared and audiences' questions.
Candidates that were on hand were the one republican candidate Andrew Plavney, the one Independent candidate Henley, and 4 of the 8 democratic candidates vying for a place on the ballot in november with the September 7th primary. They were Brandon Boyd, Gerald Cooper, Ronald Finnerty and Henry Warren.
The turn out for this debate was very disappointing, two Cleveland ward council persons were in attendance but Maple Heights AND Garfield Heights went unrepresented save for the garfield Heights Mayor who was one of the speakers.
Apparently, these two councils do not think these types of debates are important enough to garner their attendance. That's a shame. I do not entirely hold these councils responsible for not being in attendance. The residents of District 8 including all candidates totaled under 25.
The Plain Dealer had reported that when they did spot surveys of District 8 residents they found over 60% did not only not know there was an election for the council in November but that we (cuyahoga count) had even voted in a new chartered government that would be taking seats in January, and managing the county.
While I applaude "Next Broadway" for putting on this series of "candidate debates" I have to state they have lacked in promoting these events, especially the one here in Garfield Heights. It was not until a few days prior to the thursday night event that some candidates recieved notice of the event taking place and many had to shuffle other events from this day to attend. When i spoke with the Moderator on Monday the 23rd about having just that morning recieving my mailed notice of the event, she replied she had recieved her notice when she was reviewing ads placed in the neighborhood newspaper and saw her name as modrator.
Even with all those issue the event was informative and went off well.
I would like to thank "Next Broadway" for putting together this event series. I hope they iron out promotional issues.
It is unfortunate that many people who will have voted in the September primary will have done so before any of these events have taken place by voting by mail.
As such many of these voters will have voted either based on who the political parties have endorsed and not on the merits and abilities of the candidates themselves.
I think many of the people present at this event found some great answers and thinking by many of the candidates. I have my favorite- and i bet you can guess who that would be. <wink wink>
On September 23rd (i believe- the date was announced as two different dates at the debate-so check online for more info) the "Next Broadway" group will host another event, although we will have to wait and see who will be speaking and what the scope of the event will be.
Let's all get out on September 7th and vote for the best candidates for the new county government.
Speaking of which, If you missed the channel 5 executive debate on tv let me just share some things that shocked me that were said.
I will paraphrase as I am not directly quoting them.
In answering the question about "if you are elected the new county executive, how will you staff the two financial positions in the county ?"(county Auditor and County Treasurer).
Mr Dolan, one of two declared republican candidates, replied " I will find the best qualified REPUBLICAN for the jobs". Well that was telling, but even more disconcerting was Mr. Lanci's answer... "I will look at the smart people that I have working at my companies and tell one of them they need to do the job."
Excuse me for saying this and please this is my interpretation and opinion but....that sounds too much like someone setting up a kingdom not a new more open, inclusive, transparent government. I guess you now know who I will not be voting for.
Personally, I am torn between 3 candidates- ok maybe 4.
Mr. Dolan and Mr Voinovich are both developer families and I think potential conflicts and the appearance of something not being done right are too high for me to back them. This doesn't mean they have no possibility of being good execs but I think we can do better.
Lanci, well he scares me. He stated "he will take a salary of $1 per year only and will appoint top positions from his "Large stable" of professionals and had previously stated that isn't the process he would allow for county hiring. His statement originally was "no recommendation, there's application, qualifications and hiring. Don't call me or anyone I know - I will down that. He may be great for the county but to me, human nature is to be paid for work perfomed and it seems there might be some other ideas on how that $1 won't be pay enough from the county. I'd rather he take the salary, I would have felt better about him if he hadn't said those two statements.
So who is Left? One of the counties previous treasurers Tim McKormick, former democrat running as an independent. He "knows where the bodies are buried" as they say, he can definitely make the quickest work of the fiscal state of the county of any of the candidates and i think he would be great at it. But I am not sure if he can do the other part of the job as well. That part is being the cheer leader for Cuyahoga County and bringing in outside businesses and investors. I could be wrong though.
Ms. Hamilton has a very impressive background with social services and Non-profits and I don't believe she is in anyones pocket. these are all good things since 45% of the counties $1.45 Billion dollar budget is spent on social services. So what is my concern? She seems soft spoken and gentle and just like Tim Mckormick I don't get a great County cheerleader vibe that will bring in the new businesses we need.
Down to the last two "viable" candidates.
Ellison is a green party candidate and because of that he has incredible political hurdles to overcome. That;s a shame because he spoke truths in the debate. he said the first thing he would do as county executive was to change the charter to limit the power of the county executive! The county executive has too much power in the new charter! I could not agree more. This directly addressed the concerns raised by Lanci's responses. "We didn't go from the three wise men( the county commissioners) to electing a king ( the new county executive)" those are my words not Mr. Ellisons. I wish he had a chance- I will vote for him because I want a chance for change in our county goverment and if making the new county government a workable system for the people isn't priority one for the new executive we will be headed for trouble, unfortunately Ellison is the only one saying this.
That leaves us with who I expect to become our first county executive Mr Fitzgerald, the previous mayor of Lakewood. He has the backing of the democratic party and that concerns me because they have backed candidates that were against the new charter for position under the new charter. That scares me that the system of cronyism we have worked to rid cuyahoga county of by voting a new system in will be hampered by the same old connected approaches.
We can't let that happen! We need a new responsible to the people government.
I am not saying these things above are facts, well not all of them. they are mostly my opinions and gut feelings based on what i have heard and observed.
I strongly suggest you review the Plain Dealer articles on the candidates and visit WKYC and watch the debate video if it is still online...it is an hour long.
Form your own opinions and vote not for who someone else tells you to vote for but for who your research leads you to believe is the best candidate.
I know I deserve to be represented by the best and believe you feel the dsame way.
August 14 Saturday 2010
FIRST MY OVERDUE SOAPBOX
I have been criticized that I provide help to those that receive these violation tickets/citations/mini-lawsuits whatever you call them and am not truly addressing the issue.
That issue is SAFETY ! I have been saying the city doesn't appear to have the right to issue these tickets according to my reading or misreading of the laws - hey that happens I am not an attorney.
But the bigger issue is this, I think the detractors of me specifically and the group that successfully got the Charter Amendment on the November ballot, have a valid point and I want to address it right here and now.
If you receive one citation, OK that can happen you lose attention for a few moments and you are over the limit. 11 mph over i am not so sure is so easy. If you received multiple tickets, then the first thing you need to do is not fight the citations, THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS MODIFY YOUR DRIVING BEHAVIOUR ! Whether the city is right or wrong in how they have issued these tickets is secondary to the danger you have exposed the rest of us to by your BAD driving habits. Please change those habits before you fight for the city following the Laws begin by following posted speeds yourself. Please and thank You.
NOW THE NEWS
Well folks, I can report that the city, even though the Law director argued with me about Rockside road being a state route, has placed the STATE LAW REQUIRED signs on Rockside road stating the city is using Photo Enforcement.
I can not say exactly what day and time it happened but I am certain some motivated person could request that information from the Service Garage as I believe they would have been the ones to install them. They are installed high above other signs, so a ladder would have been needed.
I will narrow the time down for those interested. The weekend before the August 9th Council meeting the signs were NOT in place. And on Saturday the 14th I shot photos of the signs in place.
I have video I shot of Rockside road and Granger road that i will put up. They still haven't moved the Granger road hill sign and it is located approximately 4/10th of a mile from the Entering Garfield Heights sign. And lest someone claim they couldn't locate the sign within the requisite 300 feet of city boundary, let me assure you they could as there are 12 (twelve) telephone poles between the two sign locations that could have had the Photo Enforcement sign installed upon. view the video.
August 10th, 2010
Garfield Heights City Council DID THE RIGHT THING !
Well, some of them didn't want to.
Council voted to put the two charter amendments onto the November ballot in a unanimous vote
of those council persons present.(Councilman Mahoneys' absence was excused)
Two of the council men felt it important to note that they were against the amendments and wanted to vote NO to putting them on the ballot.
What they failed to realize was they were not voting against the charter amendments but what they in fact were voting on was placing these issues onto the ballot to allow the residents of Garfield Heights to have their Constitutionally granted right to vote on them.
It appears Councilman Suster, who last year admitted to sending pornographic images in emails to his fellow council persons (see PD article) and had that swept quickly under the rug, and Councilman Dudley do not believe by their comments that the voters should have the right to vote on the Trash tax and Red Light Cameras.
Maybe we should rethink whether we want to vote them back in next year, if they run. I am unsure whether we as citizen should put someone into a position representing our interests as citizens if they can say in open council that they don't want the citizens to have the opportunity to vote on taxes. They said they are concerned and claimed the people that got the petitions together do not care about the city and do not have any ideas on how to help the citys' finances.
[I have yet to hear suggestion #1 from either on how to help the citys' fiscal condition. They parrot others already proffered ideas. Instead they voted to eliminate city safety personnel: 3 police and 2 firemen, when these people chose to leave.
(bold move-that saved how much money and when? If they don't retire for 30 years how will fix our budget this year?)
And if they would read a little bit on these pages they would see some ideas I have put forth months and months ago.- ed]
I have spoken to the mayor about some development ideas and other changes to structure of managers and we need to rethink the recreation center. Is the rec. center a good investment of the city.
Last year, if I remember correctly, it was reported the rec. center costs $16,500.00 per month to operate that's $198,000.00 a year. (I am not sure if that's the building alone of with staff, lifeguards, skate rental person, security etc) The Recreation Director Mr. Dobies reported the attendance is low and the pool will close during the last week of August after school starts. Maybe we could just buy club memberships for the individuals that would use the rec. center and save some money if attendance is that bad.
I have said many times elimination of one of the directors positions would save us between $90,000-$100,000.00 annually with salary and benefits. Further reductions could be accomplished through combining staff and staff duties between the Recreation Department and Service department.
Folks we are talking dollars not pennies and they do add up.
I will defer to the Mayors claim that the Hiring of the City Assistant Law Director actually saves us money. He says it has saved us almost $70,000.00 so far, so Mayor good job if that's true.
I also believe that Mayor Vic Collova played some part in some good news [and it is great to finally again be reporting some good news-ed.] the Mayor said it looks like some developers are very close to investing in the Bridgeview project again and as early as 18-20 months things could be happening there. Let's all hope that happens.
The Mayor also announced anyone who got a ticket for 10mph or less over the posted speed (except in school zone areas where it's less) 1) if they paid the ticket- they will be getting a refund- exactly when he isn't sure. 2) if you haven't paid the ticket- don't pay it. That is ONLY for tickets 10mph or less in most areas, not school zones.
The state auditor produced a fiscal forecast that shows if the city doesn't get the Trash Tax voted out the city will remain i the green. If both Trash Tax and red Light/Speed cameras are voted out the city needs to make some fiscal changes.
I personally am not against the Trash Tax but you need to decide what you as Garfield Heights are willing to pay. I am adverse to the city "returning to the well" as they say every time they make a bad fiscal decision. Rumours of No side street plowing this winter was brought up. And talk of the Tax Credit Reduction have again surfaced, and I am definitely against that! So I have concerns over whether the city will nit-pick services and we will be fees galore Garfield Heights.
The Mayor said, in a past council meeting, when asked about encouraging parking tickets be issued and he, again if I remember correctly, said $50,000.00 that isn't going to do it we need more. Granted we need more but $50,000.00 is a step in the right direction and more importantly it is one city secretary or workers salary we can pay for. So while it is not $1,000,000.00 it is moving the right direction.
I will commend Mayor Collova for his statement about the two charter amendments. He said "I WANT THE CITIZENS TO VOTE THEIR CONSCIENCE." [on this you and I agree whole heartedly mayor Citizens should vote their conscience!-ed].
In fairness to him he added "but I want people to know the facts." There is dispute of who is actually telling the true facts as everyone has "framed" the facts and the presentation of them. [I include myself in this-ed]
I also want to thank the Mayor for mentioning in council that I am running for Cuyahoga County Council for District 8. I wasn't campaigning at the Council meeting but I want to thank him for an unsought after plug for my campaign Thank you Mayor Collova !
So who am I? Ronald Finnerty and I am running for Cuyahoga County Council for District 8.
At the August 9th 2010 Garfield Heights Council meeting Mayor Vic Collova referred to me as "Garfield Heights' superhero Batman and Robin rolled into one."
I think of myself as just a concerned citizen...now to the bat mobile, holly politicos ! there's work to be done!
Remember the Primary is September 7 and vote for RONALD FINNERTY for District 8 or for whomever you believe is the best candidate to serve the needs of Cuyahoga County. Please do some research don't just vote for who someone else says you should vote for...again this includes me. I stand for responsible government that encourages involvement of the people in the process, I don't stand for back room deals, and dis-enfranchising voters. I want the contracts we enter into to be responsible to the people not to a select few individuals.
I stood up and asked for the Audit of the county Auditors office, have you been reading the news lately. that is after the State Auditor did her financial and performance audits that documents were found in the trash.
We can not afford to let any political parties machine continue to push there agenda to the detriment of Cuyahoga County.
We have the chance for this new council to be the government we all wish we had.
I don't believe we can do that if the political machines push their candidates on us and continue thier stronghold.
COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE PETITIONS !
August 9th, 2010 6:30 PM
at the
The Garfield Heights City Council Meeting 5407 Turney road, Garfield heights, Ohio 44125
It will officially be announced that the Red Light/Speed camera and Trash Fee will be placed on the November Ballot !
The residents of Garfield heights will get the chance to vote for what THEY want!
Please come out an show the city and the news how important this issue is to us all by being there.
THANKS TO ALL WHO SIGNED TO RETAKE OUR RIGHTS TO VOTE ON TAXES IN GARFIELD HEIGHTS !
July 30th 2010
I had a impromptu conversation with the city's "Law Director" and was shocked by his comments. (my best recollection follows-ed)
"May I speak to you for a few moments?"
He was getting ready to head out for the day of to lunch and was putting his things into his car at the time.
He said "what can i do for you?" We introduced ourselves and I told him I ran the Great Garfield website and wanted to get clarification on a few things.
I asked "are you aware the city is breaking a few local, state and federal laws by having the mobile camera SUV running unattended for 10 to 12 hours a day. If this thing accidently goes into gear it is going to kill someone. This is a safety hazard ! They are parked illegally, in no parking areas and sometimes people have reported them parked on sidewalks."
He said "...they are a "safety vehicle" and therefore they can park anywhere at anytime. just like a police car or ambulance."
I said "How can they be a safety vehicle they are owned by a private company outside the state and not the police, they are not plated for use in Ohio and ..."
He said "I decided they are a safety vehicle so they can park anywhere! When you go to law school and get a law degree you can come back and we will have a conversation."
I asked him if
"since, it appears, the city is in violation of Ohio Revised Code 4511.094(B)(1) and (B)(2) because it requires ALL STATE routes to have signs posted warning drivers that the municipality utilizes Electronic Enforcement (Speed and Red Light Cameras) PRIOR to ever being allowed to issue a single ticket or to collect any funds and Rockside road DOES NOT HAVE ANY SIGNS ON IT TO THAT EFFECT and it is clearly marked a State route TRUCK 17 will the city stop issuing tickets until they are in compliance?"
he replied.... "17 ? that's Granger road isn't it?"
I mentioned to him that it became Truck route 17 after the horrible accident 20 or 30 years ago killing 15 people on the hill.(actually i was wrong it was only 8 people killed -ed) That's when i believe it became Truck/Commercial route 17.
The Law director shocked me with his reply: "...the Police Chief informed me that we are in compliance with the law"
I said "excuse me? the police enforce the laws. isn't it your job to advise the city as Law Director of whether they have met the requirements of the Laws not the other way around?"
to which he replied " then we are in compliance."
I responded
" i beg to differ sir, the law clearly states ALL state routes and since Rockside road is commercial 17 and has not one sign the city is not in compliance and cannot issue any tickets. You need to tell the police to stop issuing tickets immediately or the city will get sued by someone, I will make sure people know about this and someone that gets a ticket will surely sue the city and for a lot of money! As Law director it is your job to advise the city of this."
He replied " You people just got the cameras on the ballot. just let the people vote on it. ain't that enough?"
I said
"NO, it is not enough ! I will not tolerate the city violating local and state laws and continuing to issue tickets illegally, you don't break laws to enforce new ones. And yes i hope they get voted out !
Authors note:
Now maybe it's just me, but it didn't seem like the Law Director was interested in doing as the Ohio State Constitution defines his job in 705.11 "The village solicitor or city director of law shall act as the legal advisor to and attorney for the municipal corporation,..." and in my opinion if he is advising them of the law someone is either not listening or they need to get another opinion.
July 19, 2010 Monday 4:00 PM Eastern Time
******************** Press Release ********************
You'll want to be there as a sign of support !
Citizens for a Greater Garfield Heights to file petitions to ban Red Light Cameras and to stop the Rubbish Collection Tax within the City of Garfield Heights.
Press conference 4:00 PM followed by petition filing with the Garfield Heights Clerk of Council
For immediate release: Monday, July 19, 2010
For more information: Frank Wagner, 216-799-2909 (Garfield Heights)
Christopher P. Finney, 513-720-2996 (COAST)
Citizens for a Greater Garfield Heights will conclude their successful 2010 dual petition drive to fight Red Light Cameras and to Ban the recently imposed Rubbish Collection Tax within the City of Garfield Hts.. The citizens group with the assistance of COAST will be filing their petitions with the Garfield Hts Clerk of Council to place the two Charter amendments on the November 2010 General Election Ballot. The details of the gathering are as follows:
The front steps of the Garfield Heights Civic Center
5407 Turney Road
Garfield Heights, OH 44125
Monday, July 19, 2010 at 4:00 PM
In 2009, at least three other cities in Ohio batted back Red Light Cameras. Pickerington residents defeated the plan with legislative action, and voters in Chillicothe and Heath, Ohio banned the cameras with ballot initiatives. In 2008, Cincinnati voters banned the pernicious and intrusive devices with a Charter Amendment.
The Garfield Heights Charter Amendment proposals are modeled after Cincinnati's and will effectively ban unmanned red light and speeding cameras from being enforced in City limits. The second charter amendment will ban the Rubbish Collection Tax imposed by the City Council and the current Administration.
August 10, 2010 update:July 12, 2010 Council meeting
"...DON'T PAY YOUR CITATION...IF YOU ARE 10MPH or less over the posted speed, in most areas"- Vic Collova
At the August 9, 2010 council meeting I heard Mayor Collova say these very words so I can confirm they have been said.
It was reported to me that, Mayor Vic Collova said at the Garfield Heights City Council meeting Monday night...
"...Don't pay your citation, if your Citation is for under 11 MPH over the speed limit.."
(Actually, upon reviewing statements made by Mayor Collova and Prosecutor Riley the numbers are 10mph over is allowed in MOST areas except school zones it is 6mph allowed over 7 mph over the posted limit will get you a ticket to pay. -ed) Apparently, the agreement with Red Flex was to issue citations for 11mph over the limit or more.
So exactly how many of the citations that were issued were for under 10mph over the limit.
I am just curious how little over the limit the lowest citation speed was.
If you think you have that citation please send me an email with the details. to: petition.ghts@gmail.com
(i admit the headline was just to get your attention and not exactly a full quotation- that's called framing an idea)
I want to again thank Mayor Collova for reading this website, He had printed pages from it in front of him at council meeting on August 9th, and quoted from it. Thanks Mayor Vic Collova for supporting the efforts of GreatGarfield in reaching the people. By the way he called me Garfield Heights' superhero Batman and Robin rolled into one. I am sincerely touched. I think of myself as just a concerned citizen...now to the bat mobile, holly politicos ! there's work to be done!
Thanks to all of you that came out and signed the petitions.
For those of the city that don't know MANY people were angry about having received their first TRASH TAX bill and/or at having received a citation from the RED LIGHT/SPEED CAMERA ENFORCEMENT MOBILE UNIT. it was reported in the plain dealer that over 4,000 were issued in a month. that's much higher than the old mayors projections apologize i didn't realize i lived in such a city of lawlessness and the police were missing such an opportunity for revenue.
IF you don't know what the mobile unit looks like some pictures were sent to me to help you .
I don't advocate damaging these vehicles nor breaking any laws, but i believe you have a right to know where your tax dollars are being spent.
July 10, 2010 Saturday Petition signing drive 
Cleveland Photo Enforcement sign at border to Garfield Heights on Warner road northbound. Notice proximity to city border.
Garfield Heights Photo enforcement sign on route 17 top of granger road hill eastbound. City border is greater than the required within 300 feet Ohio Revised Code 4511.094 B (1)(-in my opinion-ed)
Cleveland Photo Enforcement sign at border to Garfield Heights on Warner road northbound. Notice proximity to city border.
Garfield Heights Photo enforcement sign on route 17 top of granger road hill eastbound. City border is greater than the required within 300 feet Ohio Revised Code 4511.094 B (1)(-in my opinion-ed)
Well the city is fighting back !
The other day places used by petitioners had the owners of the property issued a citation by the city for Invalid occupancy and were warned about "IMPEDDING TRAFFIC FLOW"
The citations are graciously going to be defended by the COAST group attorneys.
It has also been raised as an issue a city ordinance restricting signs displayed on the property of residents for issues.
The city ordinance states signs can only be displayed within 30 days of a election. There is much support for this being unconstitutional and if raised by the city against some of the supporters COAST attorneys have offered to defend this Constitutional right.
It has been heard bandied about that our wonderful city is considering taxing/charging for street lighting? Personally, I don't think this could be true as this would be a safety issue and the city wouldn't want the slew of lawsuits sure to follow if the residents didn't pay for street lighting and their property or person was injured because the city shut off the lights. I write this rumor off as false or extremely suspect for validity. i only mention it because I have heard similar silly ideas.. Like TRASH TAX. but that would never happen in Garfield Heights.
LAST PUSH TO BRING IT HOME !!!
Where: Horton rd. and Garfield Blvd..
Time: 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM.
Come out sign a petition, meet with your neighbors, tell your neighbors.
July 9, 2010
FIRST GARBAGE TAX BILL HAS ARRIVED IN WARD 3
At my house.
Thank you mayor and city council, I love to pay twice for a city service !
And thanks for raising my property taxes $180.00 a year too.
Lets see census says the average household income in Garfield Heights is about $42,000 so that amounts to just under 1/2 a cent per every dollar you make.
Another way to look at this is after tax dollars you net about $13.12 per hour,
and the trash tax costs you 8-1/2 cents per hour every working hour of every day you work.
June 25, 2010
Last Weekend saw the third petition signing drive and it has been a very successful process so far.
We still need to gather more signatures and are seeking any help you can offer to either circulate petitions, work on the day of another signature drive or help out financially to cover expenses of printing flyers and renting space to hold the signature drives.
We are considering holding a fund raising dinner and if you would be interested in helping out with that or in planning other activities please contact Frank Wagner or Paul Long for additional information.
***PRESS RELEASE***
Petition Drive to Stop the Traffic Cameras and Rubbish Collection Tax in Garfield Heights will Host a Second Petition Signing Event
Due to the tremendous public support and the huge public demand -A SECOND public gathering will be held to gather signatures from registered voters from Garfield Hts to stop the traffic cameras and the rubbish collection Tax.The Second event will take place this Saturday, June 19, 2010.
Please come by and sign the petition or bring your walking shoes and help circulate a petition.
If you could volunteer a half an hour to an hour it would greatly help the cause and effort to get these two very important items on the November ballot for public approval to end the traffic cameras and the rubbish collection tax.
When: Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: 5637 Turney Rd.. (The Polish National Alliance Hall)
We will have a drive-thru for you to conveniently sign the petitions - or you can come in and get the latest information and sign the petitions – and you may take around petitions to be signed by friends and neighbors.
for more information contact:
Paul Long (216) 406-3075 or Frank Wagner (216) 799-2909.
****PRESS RELEASE****
Saturday June 5th, 2010
Time: Noon - 3:00 PM
Location: 5637 Turney Rd..., Garfield Heights, Ohio (Between Woodward and Shady Oak)
The Petition Signing drive to STOP the TRAFFIC CAMERAS and Rubbish Collection Fee is well underway in Garfield Heights.
The organizers need your help.
They are hosting a public gathering to continue the public support and to raise public attention and gather more signatures for the petition drive.
The event will take place this Saturday, June 5th 2010.
Please come by and sign the petition(s) or bring your walking shoes and help circulate a petition.
If you could volunteer a half hour it would be greatly help the cause and effort to get these two very important items on the November ballot for public approval to end the traffic cameras and the rubbish collection fee.
When: Saturday, June 5th, 2010
Time: Noon - 3:00 PM
Location: 5637 Turney Rd.. (between Woodward and Shady Oak) in Garfield Heights, Ohio.
We will have an area where you can simply drive through and sign the petitions - or you can come in and get the latest information and sign the petitions.
So if you want to sign the petitions or help out by taking around petitions to be signed on a targeted street please show up or contact:
Paul Long (216) 406-3075 or Frank Wagner (216) 799-2909.
We are in the midst of a Petition Signing Drive to stop Garfield Heights City Government from putting undue burdens upon it's residents by Tax increases and Fees for services and worse yet RED LIGHT/ SPEED CAMERAS.
WE NEED YOUR HELP - THE COMMUNITY MUST GET INVOLVED.
May 24, 2010
The city has decided its' new Financial Director (Interim) and his newly staffed department of one person (i believe-ed) can handle the collection of the trash fees themselves and "Save" the city the $18,000.00 they would have paid to outsource this fee/tax collection.(I sure hope that's just not garbage thinkiing -ed.)
In my opinion, this shows how much they believe the residents won't be paying the bills that they receive and the plan is to just toss the entire bill with penalties onto your property taxes come January 2011. It will show as a Garfield Heights City Special Assessment. I would guess the amount to be $135.00 plus whatever penalties they impose for the 2010 9 months of the fee at $15.00 per month. Then every 6 months a Special assessment of $90.00 on your future Property taxes.
Now I hope you noticed that the TRASH "FEE" is being collected in your PROPERTY "TAXES". Yes it's a tax. no matter what they called it.
My personal fear, and not that of all involved in the petition drives is that if we repeal the Trash TAX the city will vote to change the municipal tax credit and personally that will cost my household much more and drive us from this city. As that would equate to about 1% of your income per person who works outside Garfield Heights and for EVERY $10,000.00 of income, of everyone who earns money in your household, you would pay $100.00 so while I don't like the Trash TAX I really don't like my wife and I paying multiple times it's cost. So if your family together...Husband, Wife, Children.. earn $50,000.00 annually you would pay an additional $500.00 in this tax change instead of the $180 for the TRASH TAX.
Now I don't say the city won't do the Tax Credit Reduction change anyway, even if they get the TRASH TAX. They may come to us for both.
I don't want you to act on my fears. I want you to have the right to vote on how you feel.
That is is purpose of the petitions, no matter how they are worded.
One may say ban RED LIGHT CAMERAS, one may say REPEAL the TRASH TAX...that doesn't matter.
What matters is when you sign the petitions you say I want the right to vote how I and my neighbors feel about these issues and TAXES ect.
YOU can vote to keep things the way council has them or to change them.
I personally don't care how you personally vote.
I care that THE RESIDENTS OF GARFIELD HEIGHTS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR WHAT THEY WANT.
if Garfield heights decides they want to be taxed to the poor house that's fine THAT WOULD BE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
I would in turn put my house up for sale and take that loss and move. That is my right.
BUT I WANT YOU GARFIELD HEIGHTS RESIDENTS TO DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOU.
This is why this site was started, YOU as residents NEED to be involved and voice your opinions.
Don't just vote in the same people because you know their names.
If you don't like they way they look after your interests by voting the way you would like ...vote someone else into their council or mayoral position!
Monday May 10, 2010
The Petitions to Ban the camera use in Garfield Heights are ready and the Petition Signing drive has been underway since before the May primary elections.
If you are a registered Garfield heights voter and want to sign please contact us and we will get a petition in front of you for signing.
The most surprising canvasser for petition signing is a 76 year old Garfield heights grandmother who we think has taken to going door to door for signatures...now that's conviction!
So if you want to Sign or take around petitions to be signed contact either Paul Long (216) 406-3075 or Frank Wagner (216) 799-2909.
Garfield Heights Mayor Vic Collova announced the Mobile traffic cameras will be on the road and issuing tickets.
Yes, The Mobile Van is parked at the police station and will begin going out on the road of Garfield heights issuing tickets to SPEEDERS.
First target areas are school zones the mayor said and they are set to take a picture of anyone going OVER 10 mph over the limit for that area.
I wonder if Councilwoman Nancy Marincic feels ashamed and duped as she had voted:
"Yes to the cameras- ONLY if I am guaranteed they will only be used for RED LIGHTS and NOT for Speed!...My people (in my ward) have been very clear they don't want them used for speed." - Council woman Nancy Marincicïve as they are putting them out first for speed alone. so much for honour amongst thieves.-ed.]
IT has been reported to me that when asked about the Ohio State Law requiring signs to warn anyone that Garfield Heights is using Camera enforcement the Mayor may have said... Judge Wiler and Assistant Prosecutor Riley both agree that we ONLY need signs on State routes.
( I will be honest with you, I think it was said, I can't find documentation from meeting minutes to back up that it was said BUT it was reported to me by two very trustworthy citizens and each said essentially the same thing so I am sharing that with you here. As for signs I have heard there are only 5 (five) signs within the city. someone please go count them I personally saw only 2-ed.)
I may not be an attorney but I believe this is a misinterpretation of the letter and intent of the Ohio Revised Code
Certainly the intent is not that a municipalities responsibility to inform the public is limited to signs at the extreme edges of the the city for a state route and not for informing the public that enters the state route via alternate routes.
The only state routes in Garfield Heights are Route 14 Broadway Ave., Route 17 Granger Road. and let us not forget Interstate 480.
Strict interpretation implies signage at Broadway Ave North of Sladden and Garfield park, Broadway Ave. Just North of McCracken road., Granger Road mid-hill East of Canal Road, Granger Road west of the Maple Height bridge AND ALL ramps exiting into Garfield Heights from I-480 (E.98st exits east and west bound, Granger exits east and west bound, Broadway Ave. exits east and west bound) [ I count 10 signs minimum-ed]
If you receive a "ticket" during the first 30 days of operation it is supposed to be a "warning", If you receive a "ticket" after the 30 day period you will be "REQUESTED" to pay the FEE.
We here request you notify us of any tickets you receive as we are considering a "class action suit" to stop their distribution. It is your decision to pay or not pay the "ticket" we can not advise you on what action to take as we are not attorneys and cannot supply those services to you individually. [ if I personally get one, I will fight it on every means I can think of -ed.]
If these minimum locations for
Tuesday March 23, 2010.
Last night was the final vote on the Trash fee.
The Council passed the tax, albeit in a slightly modified form. ......So I will share the final version and how it will work.
The trash fee will be $15.00 per month ($180.00 per year) per household.
What this means is duplex and triplex, side by side, up/down apartments, ect. will be charged for each residential unit. There was a modification after many elderly complained about being on a fixed income to the amount they will pay...the passed version will charge the elderly $7.50 per month. ($90.00/year).
So how will the city collect this money?
The important thing to know is the OWNER of the property will be responsible for paying these fees- NOT THE RESIDENT !
Eventually, beginning in January 2011 the $180 annual fee will be added to the property tax bill you currently pay. But that's next year and Property owners will be paying in it six month chunks.
This year the city has hired a collection firm (for $18,000.00) to handle getting the trash fee from property owners. I don't know the logistics of how they will actually get you to pay this but it is presumed to go something like this.....
The company that Garfield Heights hired to collect the trash fee will send the first bill late June for the first three months of April, May June 2010 of $45.00. They will send bills in September for July, August, September and in December for October, November, December. In January the fee will be included in property taxes.
So I envision this happening through-out the city...The renter or the homeowner receives this new bill from a company they never heard of saying "Pay this $45 for Trash Collection". I bet most of these will be thrown away. Certainly the renter will not pay them nor forward them to the homeowner. So the next bill comes and says "Pay this $45.00 for Trash Collection AND the $45.00 you didn't pay last time and a Late fee on the first billing" so about $90 to $100.00. This will also get thrown into the trash. Well the last billing is sent out and now it Says "This is an attempt to collect a valid bill for trash collection service passed by Garfield Heights Ordinance 13-2010 and you have not paid for this service please pay $135.00 for trash collection and $25.00 in late fees (i am guessing on the amount of the late fee), failure to pay this will result in legal action against you" So again this bill is thrown in the trash, ironically.
So now the Collection firm the city hired has collected no money for the trash, they file a suit for collection against who? Not the renter that has thrown away the notices but the property owner. Nice system.
GET READY FOR THE LAW SUIT SEASON OF 2011 IN GARFIELD HEIGHTS.!
On a separate note: A rumor has surfaced that the city is considering selling the land they purchased on Hathaway road for a future state of the art recreation center. The suggested price they will sell at is unbelievably $1,500,000.00. Is it just me or do all the numbers floated by Garfield heights seem to be the same? The trash fee is to cover a ...yep $1,500,000.00 budget shortfall. If that's not strange enough...the ordinance passed by the city to collect the trash fee was promised by city council to be removed "as soon as the city no longer needs it." Well if they sell the property there will no longer be a shortfall so will they never take the fee? Wanna guess what i think? Good luck ever seeing the city not "need" the trash fee money.
Sorry, two other votes by council of interest, they passed a Ordinance limiting how many CATS a homeowner can have INDOORS to 3 and an Ordinance allowing "Internet Cafe" sweepstakes (some says gambling-ed.) at two locations in the city.
My understanding is the cat ordinance is to give the animal warden the ability to "enforce" better conditions for indoor cats but does NOTHING about the Ferrell (wild) cat population growth in Garfield heights. So be careful how many of your cats are Indoor cats and how many are outdoor cats. Silliness, this is what we waste our time on in council. By-the-way you can only have Two dogs in Garfield heights by Ordinance also, better watch the Gerbil and Hamster and Indoor Bird population is next.(Parakeets, Finches, Macaws, Parrots BEWARE!)
Old news now....
Thursday February 12, 2010
Mayor Vic Collova spoke at the Ward 3 Block Watch meeting this evening and requests the resident to attend the next three city council meetingsFebruary 22, March 8 and March 22, 2010 6:30 for Caucus and 7:00pm for Council Meeting because as he put it "we have some very important and difficult decisions to make."
What he wants residents to participate in is legislation will be introduced for the options mentioned on this site and others.
These are "Tax Credit Reduction", "Trash Collection Fee", and new is "Tax Increase". (I know I don't need to talk about a tax increase -editor)
The Mayor will introduce discussion on these issue via legislation before council.
Mayor Collova is to be commended for breaking with some long standing policies of the previous Mayor Longo. Under Tom Longo legislation was voted on the night it was introduced and became effective immediately after the meeting when signed. many believed this didn't allow residents to be informed and included in the discussion or the legislation. He didn't stop the news from broadcasting council meeting but didn't encourage open access via camera documentation either.
Our new Mayor Vic Collova announced
"These [legislations] will have three readings- no more read it and pass it! I want the residents to have the opportunity to be heard! If you want to throw tomatoes- come on and throw them. ... These meetingsFebruary 22, March 8 and March 22, 2010 6:30 for Caucus and 7:00pm for Council Meeting will be televised. Not right away or live, but I want every resident the chance to see what we are doing....The city is in bad trouble and we need to do some things we don't really want to but have to. So I am encouraging residents to attend these three meeting, I want to see a packed house that is overflowing-These are important issues and times for the residents and the citys' future."
Mayor Collova also said
"..if we don't do something the state commission meeting is the Wednesday after the last of these three meetings and they will take over the city and cut 35% out of the budget starting with layoffs. I won't let that happen, I will send out lay-off notices first on Tuesday before that meeting so the state can't take over."
So everyone needs to be at these meetings.February 22, March 8 and March 22, 2010 6:30 for Caucus and 7:00pm for Council Meeting We all agree something needs to be done.
But let's look at all the things going on here that you may be unaware.
The Mayor reported that "... the Trash pickup would be $15/month per house... bringing in about $1.6 Million the current cost of Trash pickup by J & J Refuse is about $1.61 Million -so it is a break even." (except we already pay for it and now will pay twice-editor).
"...The cameras Redflex says this year could bring in $750 thousand , I believe more like $300 to $400 thousand we will have to make up the difference somehow."
"...no one wants layoffs. We finished last year with a little under a 1-1/2 million deficit and we are short about a million in this years budget."
If all these are true, and I believe they are then why did the mayor HIRE two costly employees and move one to a position that was eliminated. One Director had taken the buy-out the city offered now returns at $69,900 annual plus benefits displacing the employee who advanced to a salary position and had to choose to give up his seniority he had accumulated as a service department worker manager. The service department manager position was then eliminated from the budget and the state commission approved the buyout and elimination as a budgetary fiscal adjustment. The displaced worker, under Vic was put back into the service garage; pay. status and benefits unknown. We would assume not less than his previous rates, even though the contract said he would come back as a new hire. The other Eliminated position was the Assistant Law Director, the state approved its' elimination but the Mayor hired the husband of one of the Judges to fill this no-longer existent position. His pay and benefits are also unknown.
What is known is the combination of these positions will cost the city somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000 for pay plus benefits. So where is that good fiscal planning? Spend our money then come to us to increase our burden. $300,000 is the projected revenue from the red light cameras, One fifth the fees from Trash Collection.
Previous Mayor Longo did some tricky moves but even he eliminated these positions before leaving, why when we realize we are in worse fiscal shape does Mayor Vic Collova put their burden back into the city and residents budgets.
I say that for a reason You have to think this through clearly, when the city has a financial burden and must deal with it in its' budget and handles it that is good budgeting. When they instead go to the residents to get more to pay for bad decisions then the budgeting is transferred from the city to the residents' personal household budgets.
My company cut our wages and hours when the economy got tough, my house budget got cut immediately. I did not have the option to go to the guy walking down the street and say..."I want to keep my budget the same and add some spending, my house is worth 1/3 to 1/4 what I owe on it... so you need to give me some money and then some more money"
That wouldn't happen. We are all hard hit by this economy and have to make some tough decisions. We laid-off and eliminated positions at my company as many companies had to.
The city under Longo did the same. None of us like it. No one wants to lose a job. But as the gruesome old saying goes
No where does it say sprout new ones while cutting. As a city we are in tough times and we have cut some fingers, some might even say a hand, but the pruning can continue."you cut off a finger to save the hand, a hand to save the arm, the arm to save the body."
Here are some options: $1,000,000 budget short fall for 2010
- RE-eliminate the positions just re-staffed that's $300,000.
- Combine Departments and Director positions. There is no need both Service and Recreation department have Directors- combine this is into one. $100,000 savings(pay+benefits). and since the charter says we have to have a recreation department title it Parks, Recreation and Services Department
- combine the work forces of these departments and close unneeded buildings.
- combine city department workers make them multi-department workers. eliminate UNNEEDED coverage. I say unneeded because everyone eschews their need for that person, we are not speaking of does it make us less comfortable or slower to do things ..of course it does but we are downsizing to survive right now.
- more actively promote the use of city facilities to individuals and groups and rent it to them.
- there are many more ideas yet to be investigated.. if you have one send it i may add it right here.
- we are already called "garbage heights" lets take advantage of this and do a joint venture with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and build a huge recycling center conplex...lets bring green home in may ways. Jobs, Environment, Taxes from these businesses.
OK that's not $1,000,000 but you have to admit the $400,000 off the top is quick easy and almost painless. The others start to hurt a little, but can save lots of money.
ALL I can say at this point is why this site is here...THE Residents should have the right to vote for the changes that effect OUR personal budgets. We need a Charter Amendment to require the city to do that. Vote for what we agree with and against what we don't. That's called democracy...wanna see my purple thumb?
But until that happens... RESIDENTS NEED TO ATTEND AND COMMENT AT THE NEXT THREE COUNCIL MEETINGS !!!February 22, March 8 and March 22, 2010 6:30 for Caucus and 7:00pm for Council Meeting
If you observe the process and feel you really didn't get a chance to be heard on these issues come back here and send us an email saying you want to sign a petition to get it on the ballot. That's the best we can do right now.
Be ready they are reaching for YOUR wallets right now. GOTO THE MEETINGS.February 22, March 8 and March 22, 2010 6:30 for Caucus and 7:00pm for Council Meeting Let's do as the mayor asked and pack the room so much they have to move the meeting upstairs to the big hall.
Council Meetings:
February 22, March 8 and March 22, 2010 6:30 for Caucus and 7:00pm for Council Meeting
2nd and 4th Monday every month at 7pm at City Hall
Send Us an email to petition.ghts@gmail.com to send comments or ideas and to request to help or sign a petition.
Please include your contact information (email address and home address and/or phone number) so we may get in touch with you when these are ready.
Again Thank you for your interest and Support
return to top of pageORC 4511.094 - Signs required for photo-monitoring devices.
(A) As used in this section:
(1) “Local authority” means a municipal corporation, county, or township.
(2) “Traffic law photo-monitoring device” means an electronic system consisting of a photographic, video, or electronic camera and a means of sensing the presence of a motor vehicle that automatically produces photographs, videotape, or digital images of the vehicle or its license plate.
(B)(1) No local authority shall use traffic law photo-monitoring devices to enforce any traffic law until after it has erected signs on every highway that is not a freeway that is part of the state highway system and that enters that local authority. The signs shall inform inbound traffic that the local authority utilizes traffic law photo-monitoring devices to enforce traffic laws. The signs shall be erected within the first three hundred feet of the boundary of the local authority or, if the signs cannot be located within the first three hundred feet of the boundary of the local authority, as close to that distance as possible, provided that if a particular highway enters and exits the territory of a local authority multiple times, the local authority shall erect the signs as required by this division at the locations in each direction of travel where inbound traffic on the highway first enters the territory of the local authority and is not required to erect additional signs along such highway each time the highway reenters the territory of the local authority. The local authority is responsible for all costs associated with the erection, maintenance, and replacement, if necessary, of the signs. All signs erected under this division shall conform in size, color, location, and content to standards contained in the manual adopted by the department of transportation pursuant to section 4511.09 of the Revised Code and shall remain in place for as long as the local authority utilizes traffic law photo-monitoring devices to enforce any traffic law. Any ticket, citation, or summons issued by or on behalf of the local authority for any traffic law violation based upon evidence gathered by a traffic law photo-monitoring device after the effective date of this section, but before the signs have been erected is invalid; provided that no ticket, citation, or summons is invalid if the local authority is in substantial compliance with the requirement of this division to erect the signs.
(2) A local authority is deemed to be in substantial compliance with the requirement of division (B)(1) of this section to erect the advisory signs if the authority does both of the following:
(a) First erects all signs as required by division (B)(1) of this section and subsequently maintains and replaces the signs as needed so that at all times at least ninety per cent of the required signs are in place and functional;
(b) Annually documents and upon request certifies its compliance with division (B)(2)(a) of this section.
(C) A local authority that uses traffic law photo-monitoring devices to enforce any traffic law at an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals that exhibit different colored lights or colored lighted arrows shall time the operation of the yellow lights and yellow arrows of those traffic control signals so that the steady yellow indication exceeds by one second the minimum duration for yellow indicators at similar intersections as established by the provisions of the manual adopted by the department of transportation under section 4511.09 of the Revised Code.
Effective Date: 2008 HB30 09-12-2008.