Thanksgiving

The differing passionate visions residents have for Bay Village and that we can disagree is more a sign of harmony than it appears. It maybe the one thing we have in common. We all love where we live and want the best for our children, friends and neighbors. Everyone is essential, has a role and a place in the community. We all add to our town. For this I am thankful. Have a splendid Thanksgiving.

15 Days

http://westlife.northcoastnow.com/brickman-wants-to-revive-bay-luxury-apartment-project/

15 Days

15 days ago a precinct in Ward 2 that would be most directly impacted by proposed luxury apartments voted down the project.  15 days ago.

15 days is all it took for Bay Village Law Director Gary Ebert to say in today’s Westlife “the conditions are there for a development project to move forward, if people want it to.”  I find this so absurd I am almost at a loss for words. Almost.

The people spoke a mere 15 days ago– check the election results. For your convenience, let me sum it up:  THE PEOPLE DO NOT WANT IT – that is my understanding of a no vote.

So go ahead, one more person tell me to move on, to get over it, to let go.  I almost wiped the slate clean during Monday’s Council meeting.  I was ready for a fresh start.  Then take today, 15 days after election and first I see the Asst. Service Director article (with my concerns listed below) then I read this. Yes, my eyes hurt.

So when anyone wants to know why over 2,500 people want this administration gone, I submit arrogance of office is at the top of that list.

New Assistant Service Director hired for Bay Village

Some things stand out to me in the below linked article regarding this hiring:

North Olmsted: Public Safety and Service                                                                                   Bay Village: Service

North Olmsted: population: 32,354                                                                                        

Bay Village: 15,484

        

North Olmsted salary: $82,000                                                                                             Bay Village salary:  $87,000

         

Half the job responsibilities in a city with less than half of the population comes with a $5,000 pay raise. 

                                                                                                                                        http://www.cleveland.com/northolmsted/index.ssf/2013/11/north_olmsted_safety_and_servi_1.html#incart_river                                                                                  

Council Meeting 11/18/13

The atmosphere at Bay’s first Council meeting since the election was decidedly congenial last night compared to the events surrounding Toronto’s Council meeting.  That is a joke folks – there is thankfully zero comparison to that ignominious conduct.

Our meeting included a surprise regarding the need for a change with an electric code, the swearing in of our new Police Chief, and the Mayor saying now that the election is over it is time to put the derisiveness behind us.

I could say sure, I will if you will or okay, you first.  But that’s derisive then isn’t it?  Instead I will go forward with an open mind and take it one issue, one meeting at a time.  Join me.

Financial Forefront

At times like this I want city government to be more entrepreneurial and less political.  We have to reimagine tough economic times.  Reinvent ourselves and our resources.

One area I’ve always wondered about is Claque Parkway Plaza. There appears to be potential in and around those 4 storefronts.  Is there a way to maintain the existing businesses and attract a developer, a new industry?  Has this area reached its potential?

Has Bay Village reached out to towns of similar sizes and economic status and with particulars that mirror ours?

Has Bay Village pursued more innovative programs for our shared community spaces?

A major step would be to eliminate the border between public and government. City wide town hall meetings would be a great arena to exchange ideas.  There are no bad ideas or questions when brainstorming ….an idea fair, if you will.   Town hall meetings being more informal than a council setting may bring people and knowledge out.  We will never know if we don’t try. Engage youth and young adults in community decision making.  Sponsor a youth conference to envision a debt free future.

We could also transform the city website, using a corporate model for resident service and take it to the next level so questions and feedback can be submitted.  Since our society communicates differently today with increased technology, this may enable the ability to respond in an effective fashion.  Additionally many that would not offer input or ask a question in public may do so in this type of forum.

To truly scrutinize where to cut expenses we would need access to the paper trail, the actual receipts and bills instead of just the financial summary for the month.  Only then can residents offer support and decipher waste.

 

As one example; I cannot see the breakdown from these statements who has a city funded vehicle, the cost of the leases,  fuel,  maintenance, and  insurance.  It may be a minimal amount yet removing that perk would make a difference and send the right message.  Could more of the police force be on bicycles on warm days - conserving fuel while sending a positive message?

Here’s what not to do – from what I’ve read about cities that have suffered tough times, do not borrow money.

The Oct. 16^th blog entry “Bay Village Issues” and comments also reflect on this problem.  Under “Village Issues” from Oct. 15^th, among other ideas Scott suggests since we have the waterways and the lake we build hydro-electric power generation.  He also suggests renting the gun range.  He agrees that a think tank for the purpose of generating income is an idea whose time has come. 

It is upon us now

In case you missed it on other sites - This is the Bay Village Five Year Forecast. It has been pointed out that in the end we will be running a $3.9 million deficit.

Will everyone start to pay attention now? And not just pay attention, contribute questions, feedback, diligence and a presence to Council and the Mayor. How do we reach the people that defend all that transpires? We need to let them know they can still like who and what they want but this requires their participation as well. It's not about choosing sides anymore. It's about dealing with what is in front of all of us.  It could get better or it could get worse.

http://www.thevillagernewspaper.com/wordpress/2013/11/13/bay-village-five-year-forecast/

(to clarify - this is for the schools)

A Week Ago Today

Overheard in the last week – "The election is over – move on! It’s done! No more politics! Stop the political jargon! Enough til next election!"

It is when you vote that your efforts begin, not end. This would be true no matter who was elected. We can stay involved throughout the next 4 years or wait until a few months before the election to acquaint ourselves with issues. It generally doesn’t work to come in at the end of a 4 year project and be well versed. In your crash course, you will have to overlook most of the material.  You will focus on the outcome when the process may be more telling. The tendency is to look solely for what supports your agenda. You miss the subtlety and the momentum of what is being said and done. You draw conclusions without the last 4 years of background knowledge. It would be overwhelming to catch up; it is a chore, so why not just stay with it? Don’t wait that long to remove the blinders.

I commented how absolutely stunned I am that people ask for proof, then refuse to look at it.  Proof of why I and others feel the way we feel.  Proof of why I say the things I say and why we may have voted differently than they.  There’s rarely discussion because I surmise most didn’t read what was put in front of them.  It’s a small town, one day an issue will affect them, a loved one, their property or neighborhood, and then they will know what all the fuss is about.  They will have proof to call their own. Until then,  if someone is just curious or truly concerned, ask, don’t bait. Don’t cut and run - it robs us both.

An individual questioned if it is so bad where is the federal investigation.  Is that where the bar is now before one sees value in creating change?   Why wait until the water is over your head when you are already in up to your neck? 

Someone offered that we remove the personalities and focus on the problem.  While I agree, often times you cannot separate the two.  And if you have been following along you understand why.

“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.”  George Orwell

Finance Committee Meeting

To draw your attention to the Finance Committee meeting of October 28, 2013, I’ll start at the end of the report with some council members expressing concern about the budget preparation for 2014.

Other issues:  Police Department overtime is a long standing issue.  It seems the question is hire or keep staff on OT.

Accrued benefits - larger than anticipated in part due to retirement and several retired then rehired individuals, commonly referred to as double dippers. (Defined as someone who draws two incomes from the government - usually by combining a salary and a pension.)

Health insurance costs are an escalating issue.

The Department 114 Law is YTD over budget by $19,834,  as is Dept.322 Composting, by $6,800 in salaries.

The biggest issue remains the Bradley/Naigle Road Intersection Project.   A shortfall of $108, 000 due to the facts that the Director of Public Services did not know there was a 7% match for the grant. This should have been closed out by the end of 2012, then after July 1, 2013 (payments start 6 months after completion).  This project along with the tennis courts should have been tracked from inception.  The new City Hall tennis courts now have deep standing water puddles.  Another lawsuit?

Wouldn’t or shouldn’t the paperwork for the above mentioned grant have passed through several hands for reading, understanding, processing and approval then follow up?  How could everyone have missed that?

There is a comment made by the Finance Director regarding “the absence of a Service Director” as it applies to the 2014 Budget process.  This is a pivotal position as this person supervises the service department, parks and recreation maintenance, and is the interface between the city and the SAFEBUILT organization.  This person has the biggest equipment and personnel budget in the city. (Leaf, snow plowing, sewers, maintaining the parks, building maintenance, street patching, painting, etc).

http://www.cityofbayvillage.com/media/180520/2013_finance_minutes_10-28.pdf

http://www.cityofbayvillage.com/media/180899/october_2013.pdf

"What is so terrible in Bay Village"

Someone asked “What is so terrible in Bay Village that you would want to see a different Mayor. Please explain that to me.”

There is nothing terrible about Bay Village.  The neighbors are caring.  The schools create a wonderful atmosphere for the children.  It is quiet yet in a great location to major attractions. We can walk to the lake and through wonderful parks. It is a pretty town with little crime. These amenities have nothing to do with the Mayor. 

Does a mayor have to possess people skills? No.  Does a mayor have to be likeable?  No.  Does a mayor have to be respectful and forth coming? Yes.  When a system is in place and procedures are chronically disregarded with no explanation, I begin to doubt and mistrust the person put in charge of the system. If there are reasons to deviate from the laws, they are not shared with the citizens that raise concern; therefore I suspect hidden agenda.  The system is in place so that we are not governed by the whims of any one individual. Charter, ordinances, voting processes are instituted for a reason. A mayor should lead by enforcing procedure, not circumventing it.

 

Ever been told to attend a council meeting so the public can give input only to find out that a deal has already been sealed?  I have, several times.  Ever been to a council meeting to discuss an issue on the agenda only to have the mayor refuse to have that discussion?  I have, several times.  Ever been to a council meeting only to have the mayor engrossed in her ipad and sporting scores? I have. Ever been told one day a committee will be formed;  then attend a council meeting the next day to learn about the process of  participation only to be told the committee has already been chosen by the mayor with no public or council input? I have. This announcement was not just news to the audience; it was the first time council had learned this as well.   Ever looked at all the committees the mayor puts together to find bankers, developers, realtors and close friends as members of these committees? I have.   Ever been told, ask your questions I will get you answers.  I have, so I asked, I never received answers.  Ever witnessed a majority of voters in Bay Village overwhelmingly reject issues only for the mayor to state publicly that the citizens didn't know what they were doing?  An overwhelming majority of us have.  Regionalization was one issue.  Putting forth an effort to undo the primary process was another.

I respect that these issues may not be of importance to everyone but they do affect everyone sooner or later.

For more discussions on this issue refer to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/538603919551392/ and for  more thorough topics and comments keep reading through this blog.  Also you can go back a few months on the Secret Bay Village fb page. 

"So vote for the opponent because why?"

He is not self-serving in nature. He does not have a personal or political agenda. He is of good character. He embodies the basic values required of the position of a small town mayor. He is knowledgeable re city employees and a working structure that is already in place. The operations of the city will be maintained.  He will be on top of finances because he has no choice in this matter. It is required by the state to balance the budget. He will follow procedures. He can be trusted to show his work. He will explain himself if questioned. There is no reason to believe he cannot do the job.    

Our existing Mayor is a good example of why Mr. Mace will succeed. She became involved in city politics with a background in retail and worked and studied and figured it out with the assistance of people and rules already in place. He is someone with the capability and drive to do the same. He is an active listener. He will foster partnerships in a professional manner. He will adapt to situations at hand. He has only 1 focus and investment, Bay Village. The people will hold him accountable and he will respond to that. He will work to bring people together not apart. I believe a good leader sees that our vision is more powerful than my vision. 

With the current administration, when you put all the seemingly little things together, the behaviors, the attitudes, the reports, documents, council meeting minute notes (several of which are linked here and or on the facebook page) I feel the need for a change. 

Definition of a city

"A city must be a place where groups of women and men are seeking and developing the highest things they know." ~ Margaret Mead

What type am I?

Of the Mayor’s quoted comments on this blog, the one I find especially telling is in response to an email she received. The sender stated her dissatisfaction with a recent decision and said ‘AM so glad i didn't buy that bay v. house 5 yrs. ago, your city once had a good rep..’To wit the Mayoral response: “Bay is glad too. You are not our type.” I didn’t know Bay had a ‘type’ and I would enjoy hearing her define exactly what she means by that.