Massillon's Mayor for Life threw his hat into the ring and announced he would indeed be running for an unprecedented 7th four year term as the City of Massillon's top dog. At the end of his next term, if he wins, he will have served 42 consecutive years as a Massillon elected official.
The various Massillon insiders who predicted he would retire because they believed he saw the handwriting on the wall were wrong. The final prediction of the Massillon Review was dead wrong. In the end, we thought he would see he was in a no win situation, and leave. He did not. Only our source from deep within the mayor's inner circle, who claimed Cicchinelli would stay, was absolutely correct. We will pay closer attention next time.
www.massillonreview.blogspot.com/2010/07/big-announcement.html
We failed. We failed to heed those words we have written so often on this blog, words which now burn into our collective consciousness. Mayor for Life means mayor for life.
A Celebration
According to the Independent, "Councilman Paul Manson celebrated the decision." We bet he did. Manson is among the most faithful of the mayor's allies. The rubber stamps on council are dancing in the streets, because they will continue to have someone to tell them how to vote, because thinking causes headaches.
As Julius Caesar turned Rome from a republic into an empire, Massillon's Mayor for Life has turned Massillon into a monarchy. Please raise your glasses and join us in toasting Frank Cicchinelli, Massillon's Mayor for Life. God save the King!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBwm9X6574c
Friday, July 30, 2010
Final Thoughts on The Decision
According to multiple sources, Massillon City Hall insiders are generally predicting that Massillon's Mayor for Life, Frank Cicchinelli, will be calling it a career after a quarter century in the city's top job. Cicchinelli loves being mayor. Why would he leave?
Because he knows he can't be re-elected.
Massillon is broke. Cicchinelli only survived financially the last several years because of budget gimmickry and tricks. A one time "Civic Grant" from Ohio Edison saved the day as a result of city residents voting to approve Electric Aggregation last year. Raiding insurance money from the Parks and Recreation Department when the chapel at the old state hospital grounds was set on fire paid the bills the year before. The Parks and Recreation Department paid the insurance premiums, and Cicchinelli grabbed the settlement money. When former Parks and Recreation Board President Joe Luckring complained, Cicchinelli replaced him. Inheritance taxes from wealthy residents who passed on helped fill the budget gap from time to time, but smart financial planning isn't hoping rich people die. Deferring employee pension payments until the following year, which happens to be this year, was another budget gimmick. Unfortunately, it's now time to pay the piper.
The mayor is facing a one million dollar deficit for 2010. There are only five months left to come up with the cash, and Cicchinelli is out of tricks. City Council, which is loaded with the mayor's rubber stamps, is on a "Summer Vacation" schedule, and couldn't craft a budget solution if their lives depended on it. They are rubber stamps. They follow the mayor's lead. They don't create solutions. Blind loyalty is a double edged sword. The only member on council who appears to have a clue is Kathy Catazaro-Perry. She called for a performance audit of city government to root out waste and inefficiency, and to save the city some money. The mayor killed her idea because it was her idea. She doesn't rubber stamp for the big guy, and he doesn't like her as a result.
Massillon is broke and is saddled with debt. The Park system is a mess, because money from the .3% income tax passed by the voters to fund parks and recreation has been hijacked to subsidize the failing Legends of Massillon Golf Course. Cicchinelli approved spending $199,000 just this year to buy the restaurant at the golf course. It has no business plan. We spend Community Development Block Grant Money to pay the mortgage for a private hotel, the Hampton Inn. The City of Massillon has financially hit the wall, and the mayor can no longer pull a rabbit out of his hat.
We hope he stays. Next year's mayor's race would be spectacular entertainment if he stays and battles for a 7th four year term, Why quit after a mere 24 years on the job? Mayor for Life means mayor for life. We can't imagine he wants it to look like Eddie Elum, or Kathy Catazaro-Perry drove him from office. We believe he wants to stay and fight. After all, you don't get to be Mayor for Life by running from the battlefield. He wants to stay. If he leaves, it is only because he knows he has no more bullets in his gun, and no more tricks up his sleeve to stave off financial Armageddon. It won't be because he tired of the job. He will only leave if he realizes he absolutely can not be re-elected.
Final Prediction
Frank Cicchinelli retires after 38 consecutive years of holding elected office in Massillon. He is smart and he his savvy. He knows he absolutely can not be re-elected.
Because he knows he can't be re-elected.
Massillon is broke. Cicchinelli only survived financially the last several years because of budget gimmickry and tricks. A one time "Civic Grant" from Ohio Edison saved the day as a result of city residents voting to approve Electric Aggregation last year. Raiding insurance money from the Parks and Recreation Department when the chapel at the old state hospital grounds was set on fire paid the bills the year before. The Parks and Recreation Department paid the insurance premiums, and Cicchinelli grabbed the settlement money. When former Parks and Recreation Board President Joe Luckring complained, Cicchinelli replaced him. Inheritance taxes from wealthy residents who passed on helped fill the budget gap from time to time, but smart financial planning isn't hoping rich people die. Deferring employee pension payments until the following year, which happens to be this year, was another budget gimmick. Unfortunately, it's now time to pay the piper.
The mayor is facing a one million dollar deficit for 2010. There are only five months left to come up with the cash, and Cicchinelli is out of tricks. City Council, which is loaded with the mayor's rubber stamps, is on a "Summer Vacation" schedule, and couldn't craft a budget solution if their lives depended on it. They are rubber stamps. They follow the mayor's lead. They don't create solutions. Blind loyalty is a double edged sword. The only member on council who appears to have a clue is Kathy Catazaro-Perry. She called for a performance audit of city government to root out waste and inefficiency, and to save the city some money. The mayor killed her idea because it was her idea. She doesn't rubber stamp for the big guy, and he doesn't like her as a result.
Massillon is broke and is saddled with debt. The Park system is a mess, because money from the .3% income tax passed by the voters to fund parks and recreation has been hijacked to subsidize the failing Legends of Massillon Golf Course. Cicchinelli approved spending $199,000 just this year to buy the restaurant at the golf course. It has no business plan. We spend Community Development Block Grant Money to pay the mortgage for a private hotel, the Hampton Inn. The City of Massillon has financially hit the wall, and the mayor can no longer pull a rabbit out of his hat.
We hope he stays. Next year's mayor's race would be spectacular entertainment if he stays and battles for a 7th four year term, Why quit after a mere 24 years on the job? Mayor for Life means mayor for life. We can't imagine he wants it to look like Eddie Elum, or Kathy Catazaro-Perry drove him from office. We believe he wants to stay and fight. After all, you don't get to be Mayor for Life by running from the battlefield. He wants to stay. If he leaves, it is only because he knows he has no more bullets in his gun, and no more tricks up his sleeve to stave off financial Armageddon. It won't be because he tired of the job. He will only leave if he realizes he absolutely can not be re-elected.
Final Prediction
Frank Cicchinelli retires after 38 consecutive years of holding elected office in Massillon. He is smart and he his savvy. He knows he absolutely can not be re-elected.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Decision
Will Massillon's Mayor for Life, Frank Cicchinelli, be running for his seventh term as Massillon's undisputed boss? Or will he be packing up, following LeBron James, and taking his talents to South Beach next year? After a 37 year run in Massillon politics, Frank Cicchinelli will be announcing to the community at a Friday press conference if he will continue, or if he will step aside. And the rumors are pouring in.
"Cicchinelli is retiring and Tim Bryan is running for mayor."
Interesting. It would explain why Tim Bryan ran a soft, hands off campaign against Cicchinelli last time. Perhaps Cicchinelli promised Tim the keys to the castle next time. We can't help but remember how Tim Bryan was against merging the golf course with the parks department because it was a trick to use park tax money to subsidize the golf course before he was for it, and voted to do it.
"Cicchinelli is retiring and Mike Loudiana is running for mayor."
Also interesting. Loudiana is Cicchinelli's Safety-Service Director, and as a result, Frank's right hand. He might even hire Cicchinelli as his Safety-Service Director, so Cicchinelli can still run the city without having to run for mayor again.
"Kathy Catazaro-Perry is running whether Frank runs again, or not."
Maybe. Catazaro-Perry is the only member of the current council who consistently does right by our tax dollars. She opposed the restaurant buyout, voted against paying the mortgage on the Hampton Inn, and tried to stop the practice of annual, unvoted pay raises every year for the mayor, council, council president, auditor, and law director.
The chatter indicating that our Mayor for Life is stepping down is on the rise. Massillon Review Sources are increasingly indicating that our Mayor for Life is indeed announcing his retirement Friday. The truth is, no one is certain. We will wait and see.
The time for speculation is over. We now await The Decision. Indeed, we are all just witnesses!
"Cicchinelli is retiring and Tim Bryan is running for mayor."
Interesting. It would explain why Tim Bryan ran a soft, hands off campaign against Cicchinelli last time. Perhaps Cicchinelli promised Tim the keys to the castle next time. We can't help but remember how Tim Bryan was against merging the golf course with the parks department because it was a trick to use park tax money to subsidize the golf course before he was for it, and voted to do it.
"Cicchinelli is retiring and Mike Loudiana is running for mayor."
Also interesting. Loudiana is Cicchinelli's Safety-Service Director, and as a result, Frank's right hand. He might even hire Cicchinelli as his Safety-Service Director, so Cicchinelli can still run the city without having to run for mayor again.
"Kathy Catazaro-Perry is running whether Frank runs again, or not."
Maybe. Catazaro-Perry is the only member of the current council who consistently does right by our tax dollars. She opposed the restaurant buyout, voted against paying the mortgage on the Hampton Inn, and tried to stop the practice of annual, unvoted pay raises every year for the mayor, council, council president, auditor, and law director.
The chatter indicating that our Mayor for Life is stepping down is on the rise. Massillon Review Sources are increasingly indicating that our Mayor for Life is indeed announcing his retirement Friday. The truth is, no one is certain. We will wait and see.
The time for speculation is over. We now await The Decision. Indeed, we are all just witnesses!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Plot Thickens
According to the crack Massillon Review investigative team, we may have another candidate who is ready to battle Massillon's Mayor for Life for the opportunity to lead our fair city. Who is this usurper ready to challenge King Frank Cicchinelli for his throne?
None other than Massillon Judge Eddie Elum.
Elum and Cicchinelli have been sparring for years, and apparently Elum is tired of the mayor's mismanagement of city finances, as well as how the city's park system has been raided to prop up the failing Legends of Massillon Golf Course. According to state law, Elum would have to hang up his robe before he can run, but Elum is allegedly giving serious thought to resigning as judge in order to challenge our Mayor for Life.
The relatively weak Tim Bryan almost upset the mayor in 2007, losing by a mere 258 votes. Three years later, the city is in worse financial shape, facing monstrous budget deficits, the park system is a mess, and the mayor is less popular than he has ever been.
The Massillon Review believes that if Judge Elum runs for mayor, Cicchinelli gets crushed. If Cicchinelli were honest with himself, he would realize that too.
We still predict that Cicchinelli will announce his intentions to run for a 7th term. We certainly hope so. An Elum vs. Cicchinelli campaign for mayor would produce a lot of fireworks.
Reader Mail
One of our faithful readers dropped us a line blaming us for some of the the negative esteem currently surrounding Massillon's Mayor for Life. Really? It's our fault? We never told the mayor to approve a budget that was not balanced. We never thought he should raid the park tax money to subsidize his golf course. We never thought building a 6,500 seat arena to host a team in a defunct teenage hockey league was a good idea either. We never thought he should approve legislation giving himself an annual, unvoted pay raise. We didn't believe using park tax money to buy a restaurant, with no business plan, was a prudent decision. No, Frank Cicchinelli has only the man in the mirror to blame for his decisions. It was also suggested that we change our blog title to the "Anti-Massillon Review." How witty. We have always been impressed with the razor sharp intellect of the mayor's cronies. That's why we own a failing golf course, a failing restaurant, and are paying the mortgage so someone else can run a hotel. It must have taken days to come up with that line. Sadly, it must have taken days.
Another reader enjoyed the Massillon's Review's exclusive video of Mayor Frank Cicchinelli training and getting into shape for his 7th mayor's race. This reader wanted to know where the mayor was working out. It was, of course, Reservoir Park. Didn't you notice the rubberized walking track lacking a rubberized surface? Must have been Park Vandals.
None other than Massillon Judge Eddie Elum.
Elum and Cicchinelli have been sparring for years, and apparently Elum is tired of the mayor's mismanagement of city finances, as well as how the city's park system has been raided to prop up the failing Legends of Massillon Golf Course. According to state law, Elum would have to hang up his robe before he can run, but Elum is allegedly giving serious thought to resigning as judge in order to challenge our Mayor for Life.
The relatively weak Tim Bryan almost upset the mayor in 2007, losing by a mere 258 votes. Three years later, the city is in worse financial shape, facing monstrous budget deficits, the park system is a mess, and the mayor is less popular than he has ever been.
The Massillon Review believes that if Judge Elum runs for mayor, Cicchinelli gets crushed. If Cicchinelli were honest with himself, he would realize that too.
We still predict that Cicchinelli will announce his intentions to run for a 7th term. We certainly hope so. An Elum vs. Cicchinelli campaign for mayor would produce a lot of fireworks.
Reader Mail
One of our faithful readers dropped us a line blaming us for some of the the negative esteem currently surrounding Massillon's Mayor for Life. Really? It's our fault? We never told the mayor to approve a budget that was not balanced. We never thought he should raid the park tax money to subsidize his golf course. We never thought building a 6,500 seat arena to host a team in a defunct teenage hockey league was a good idea either. We never thought he should approve legislation giving himself an annual, unvoted pay raise. We didn't believe using park tax money to buy a restaurant, with no business plan, was a prudent decision. No, Frank Cicchinelli has only the man in the mirror to blame for his decisions. It was also suggested that we change our blog title to the "Anti-Massillon Review." How witty. We have always been impressed with the razor sharp intellect of the mayor's cronies. That's why we own a failing golf course, a failing restaurant, and are paying the mortgage so someone else can run a hotel. It must have taken days to come up with that line. Sadly, it must have taken days.
Another reader enjoyed the Massillon's Review's exclusive video of Mayor Frank Cicchinelli training and getting into shape for his 7th mayor's race. This reader wanted to know where the mayor was working out. It was, of course, Reservoir Park. Didn't you notice the rubberized walking track lacking a rubberized surface? Must have been Park Vandals.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Big Announcement
Massillon's Mayor for Life, Frank Cicchinelli, will be making his announcement this Friday regarding his intentions to run for a 7th four year term as mayor. There has been speculation that Cicchinelli is ending his run in Massillon government, where he is currently serving his 37th consecutive year in office, as a councilman and mayor. He cancelled his annual golf outing fund raiser set for August, which began the rumors that he was leaving after the end of his current term. On the other hand, Cicchinelli has scheduled 6 ninety minute town hall meetings throughout the city, one in each ward. Cicchinelli is also in fighting trim, having lost weight and gotten into shape, preparing for what many believe to be the next election.
The Massillon Review has exclusive video of Mayor Frank Cicchinelli in training over the winter. Kathy Catazaro-Perry better watch out.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZA6mvMXxBQ
We don't believe he has any intention of leaving. Cicchinelli sees the mayor's office as his birthright, his personal fiefdom. It would kill him to see someone else running "his" city. He dominates the city council, filling it with his "rubber stamps," people who would vote and pass the most odious of legislation, merely because the mayor tells them too. He runs the show. He does what he wants.
A Massillon Review reader, deep within the mayor's inner circle, who believes it is time for Cicchinelli to retire and move aside, has told us to tell our readers that our Mayor for Life is not going anywhere. We will see on Friday.
The Massillon Review has exclusive video of Mayor Frank Cicchinelli in training over the winter. Kathy Catazaro-Perry better watch out.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZA6mvMXxBQ
We don't believe he has any intention of leaving. Cicchinelli sees the mayor's office as his birthright, his personal fiefdom. It would kill him to see someone else running "his" city. He dominates the city council, filling it with his "rubber stamps," people who would vote and pass the most odious of legislation, merely because the mayor tells them too. He runs the show. He does what he wants.
A Massillon Review reader, deep within the mayor's inner circle, who believes it is time for Cicchinelli to retire and move aside, has told us to tell our readers that our Mayor for Life is not going anywhere. We will see on Friday.
Monday, July 26, 2010
It's Not Personal
Apparently, the Massillon Board of Education has not reached a final decision on whether to punish Superintendent Lisa Carmichael for her derogatory comment to Board Member Marshall Weinberg at the July 7th Board of Education Meeting. At that meeting, Weinberg tried to kill ratification of a new teachers' contract. It would have passed whether Weinberg voted yes, or no. He believed, falsely, that if he abstained, only two members of the five member board would have participated in the vote, and the vote would not count. Marhsall was wrong. As the board had a majority present (4 of 5 members), the contract passed with two yes votes, and two abstentions. Marshall abdicated his responsibility by not participating in the vote. It has been suggested that he was unhappy because he was not allowed to be part of the negotiating team, and therefore threw a tantrum and tried to kill the contract because he was not a part of drawing it up. How dare Superintendent Carmichael not realize the brilliance that is Marshall Weinberg, and let him run the schools all by himself.
The Board of Education met in Executive Session last week for about an hour, to discuss if Carmichael should be punished. According to a story in the Independent, "Both Elum and Weinberg, the target of Carmichael's outburst, say the board agrees that something needs to be done" (July 24, 2010). In the same article, Weinberg states, "None of this is personal."
Bull****!
It's all personal. Carmichael's outburst gave the "Football First" faction on the Massillon School Board the ammunition to go on the attack. Carmichael opened the door, and the "Friends of the Program" are storming the castle. Carmichael opposed the "reorganization plan" for the Athletic Department, reorganization meaning football first and foremost. The head football coach would be the athletic director, and the assistant athletic director was to have been former offensive coordinator, Alex Wood. Carmichael balked. The football guys thought they had the votes anyways. Phil Elum and Tom Seesan were on board, and the newly converted "Friend of the Program," Marshall Weinberg, made three. Except that Seesan saw this "reorganization" for what it really was, a plan to create full time jobs for football coaches. When Seesan voted no, the assorted "Friends of the Program" were vicious in their personal attacks, even going so far as to plant yard signs throughout the city calling for Seesan's resignation. These football boosters blamed Seesan, and blamed Carmichael for the plan's failure. They are aggressive, vicious, and have long memories. Carmichael slipped up, and now they are in for the kill.
Lisa Carmichael opened the door by her outburst. Now the vandals are storming the castle. She should have realized that when she upset the "Friends of the Program," she should carefully watch every move she makes, as they would not let this rejection of their "reorganization plan" go without some sort of retaliation. It's how they operate. Not everyone, not the fans, not the majority of the booster club, but that small faction of people who believe they own what is not theirs to own, our Massillon Tigers football team.
The Board of Education met in Executive Session last week for about an hour, to discuss if Carmichael should be punished. According to a story in the Independent, "Both Elum and Weinberg, the target of Carmichael's outburst, say the board agrees that something needs to be done" (July 24, 2010). In the same article, Weinberg states, "None of this is personal."
Bull****!
It's all personal. Carmichael's outburst gave the "Football First" faction on the Massillon School Board the ammunition to go on the attack. Carmichael opened the door, and the "Friends of the Program" are storming the castle. Carmichael opposed the "reorganization plan" for the Athletic Department, reorganization meaning football first and foremost. The head football coach would be the athletic director, and the assistant athletic director was to have been former offensive coordinator, Alex Wood. Carmichael balked. The football guys thought they had the votes anyways. Phil Elum and Tom Seesan were on board, and the newly converted "Friend of the Program," Marshall Weinberg, made three. Except that Seesan saw this "reorganization" for what it really was, a plan to create full time jobs for football coaches. When Seesan voted no, the assorted "Friends of the Program" were vicious in their personal attacks, even going so far as to plant yard signs throughout the city calling for Seesan's resignation. These football boosters blamed Seesan, and blamed Carmichael for the plan's failure. They are aggressive, vicious, and have long memories. Carmichael slipped up, and now they are in for the kill.
Lisa Carmichael opened the door by her outburst. Now the vandals are storming the castle. She should have realized that when she upset the "Friends of the Program," she should carefully watch every move she makes, as they would not let this rejection of their "reorganization plan" go without some sort of retaliation. It's how they operate. Not everyone, not the fans, not the majority of the booster club, but that small faction of people who believe they own what is not theirs to own, our Massillon Tigers football team.
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Governor Is Stopping By
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland is coming to town today. He is stopping by the home of a Massillon resident. Who is Governor Strickland coming to visit? Massillon Third Ward Council Representative Kathy Catazaro-Perry.
We bet Massillon's Mayor for life is none too happy. Our Mayor for Life sees Catazaro-Perry as his arch political nemesis because she does crazy things like voting against using park money to buy a restaurant with no business plan, or voting against the mayor's unbalanced budget, or voting against spending our tax dollars to pay for the mortgage of a private hotel, or by asking for a performance audit of city government to root out waste and mismanagement, or demanding that the mayor and council give up their annual, unvoted pay raises. No, she thinks for herself and doesn't rubber stamp for the mayor. That makes her evil. Worse than evil, that makes her "Anti-Cicchinelli."
Catazaro-Perry must have some serious political mojo to have the Governor of Ohio pop by the house for a chat. Maybe she is running for mayor. Any one who can get the Governor to drop by their home for tea and cookies is someone to be taken seriously.
Our mayor, never one to hold a grudge (cough, cough) is probably screaming about how "Anti-Massillon" Strickland is to anyone within earshot. We can almost hear him...
"Strickland hates Massillon. He tried to get rid of Obie."
We are going out on a limb and speculating that our Mayor for Life will not be on Catazaro-Perry's guest list.
We bet Massillon's Mayor for life is none too happy. Our Mayor for Life sees Catazaro-Perry as his arch political nemesis because she does crazy things like voting against using park money to buy a restaurant with no business plan, or voting against the mayor's unbalanced budget, or voting against spending our tax dollars to pay for the mortgage of a private hotel, or by asking for a performance audit of city government to root out waste and mismanagement, or demanding that the mayor and council give up their annual, unvoted pay raises. No, she thinks for herself and doesn't rubber stamp for the mayor. That makes her evil. Worse than evil, that makes her "Anti-Cicchinelli."
Catazaro-Perry must have some serious political mojo to have the Governor of Ohio pop by the house for a chat. Maybe she is running for mayor. Any one who can get the Governor to drop by their home for tea and cookies is someone to be taken seriously.
Our mayor, never one to hold a grudge (cough, cough) is probably screaming about how "Anti-Massillon" Strickland is to anyone within earshot. We can almost hear him...
"Strickland hates Massillon. He tried to get rid of Obie."
We are going out on a limb and speculating that our Mayor for Life will not be on Catazaro-Perry's guest list.
The Truth Shall Set You Free!
Our Massillon Board of Education met tonight to discuss the renewal of a school levy, and the possible disciplinary action of a school employee, believed by many to be Superintendent Lisa Carmichael.
According to today's Independent, "In other business, the board adjourned into executive session, but took no action. It is believed the board met to discuss Superintendent Lisa Carmichael's outburst against board member Marshall Weinberg at the July 7th meeting in which she repeatedly called Weinberg a derogatory term."
Lisa Carmichael used a slang term to infer that Marshall Weinberg was "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces."
As no action was taken, that probably means three of our school board members, most likely Tom Seesan, Gary Miller, and Vicki Becherucci had the common sense to let this issue die. Perhaps they believed that Carmichael has indeed been punished enough by having to work for Marshall Weinberg. Maybe they believed Carmichael to have been truthful, and that they too believe Marshall Weinberg to be "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces." Perhaps they are just as tired of Weinberg's self serving antics as Carmichael is. Maybe they knew what was really going on. That this ruse was merely an opportunity to "pay back" Carmichael for not getting on board with the "Football First" plan, and allowing the "Friends of the Program" to run Washington High School athletics.
The truth is, many people think Marshall is an ***hole, and has no business running our schools. A number of people probably believe Carmichael merely called him out.
According to today's Independent, "In other business, the board adjourned into executive session, but took no action. It is believed the board met to discuss Superintendent Lisa Carmichael's outburst against board member Marshall Weinberg at the July 7th meeting in which she repeatedly called Weinberg a derogatory term."
Lisa Carmichael used a slang term to infer that Marshall Weinberg was "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces."
As no action was taken, that probably means three of our school board members, most likely Tom Seesan, Gary Miller, and Vicki Becherucci had the common sense to let this issue die. Perhaps they believed that Carmichael has indeed been punished enough by having to work for Marshall Weinberg. Maybe they believed Carmichael to have been truthful, and that they too believe Marshall Weinberg to be "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces." Perhaps they are just as tired of Weinberg's self serving antics as Carmichael is. Maybe they knew what was really going on. That this ruse was merely an opportunity to "pay back" Carmichael for not getting on board with the "Football First" plan, and allowing the "Friends of the Program" to run Washington High School athletics.
The truth is, many people think Marshall is an ***hole, and has no business running our schools. A number of people probably believe Carmichael merely called him out.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Hasn't She Suffered Enough?
It looks like the Massillon City Board of Education will be discussing possible discipline for School Superintendent Lisa Carmichael, for using profane language in describing board member Marshall Weinberg. As the Massillon Review is a family blog, we won't repeat that language. Suffice to say, anatomically speaking, it is "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces."
Carmichael lost her temper with Weinberg at the July 7 school board meeting when he refused to do the job he was elected to do. Weinberg abstained from voting on the new teacher's contract. He didn't vote yes, and he didn't vote no. He apparently believed by abstaining, he would kill the vote, and the contract, as board member Phil Elum was not present because of a flight delay, and board member Becherucci abstained because she had family members who would be covered by the contract. Only two actual votes were registered from the 5 member board, two yes votes, with two abstentions. Marshall was incorrect in his assumptions. According to the district attorney, the contract was ratified with two yes votes, and two abstentions, because a quorum (majority of the members) was present, even though a majority did not vote.
It has been alleged that Weinberg was miffed because he didn't get to participate in the contract negotiations. The opportunity to utilize his financial wisdom and general brilliance was overlooked by Lisa Carmichael, and Marshall was none too happy.
We have two questions. Firstly, hasn't Lisa Carmichael suffered enough? She works for Marshall Weinberg. Whatever petty disciplinary action the board metes out pales in comparison with having to deal with Weinberg on a day to day basis. Secondly, did she lie? Can Marshall accurately be described as "the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces." If the majority of the school board can answer yes to both of these questions, Carmichael should not be disciplined.
The truth of the matter is that several board members are using this opportunity to punish Carmichael not for using an obscenity, but for opposing the "Football First" plan. Carmichael opposed making the head football coach the Athletic Director, and making the offensive coordinator (formerly Alex Wood), the assistant athletic director. This is what has put Carmichael in the cross hairs of the "Friends of the Program," the various football boosters who think they own their high school football team. She may be disciplined tonight, but it isn't for calling Marshall an ***hole, it is retribution for opposing the will of the football boosters.
Carmichael lost her temper with Weinberg at the July 7 school board meeting when he refused to do the job he was elected to do. Weinberg abstained from voting on the new teacher's contract. He didn't vote yes, and he didn't vote no. He apparently believed by abstaining, he would kill the vote, and the contract, as board member Phil Elum was not present because of a flight delay, and board member Becherucci abstained because she had family members who would be covered by the contract. Only two actual votes were registered from the 5 member board, two yes votes, with two abstentions. Marshall was incorrect in his assumptions. According to the district attorney, the contract was ratified with two yes votes, and two abstentions, because a quorum (majority of the members) was present, even though a majority did not vote.
It has been alleged that Weinberg was miffed because he didn't get to participate in the contract negotiations. The opportunity to utilize his financial wisdom and general brilliance was overlooked by Lisa Carmichael, and Marshall was none too happy.
We have two questions. Firstly, hasn't Lisa Carmichael suffered enough? She works for Marshall Weinberg. Whatever petty disciplinary action the board metes out pales in comparison with having to deal with Weinberg on a day to day basis. Secondly, did she lie? Can Marshall accurately be described as "the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces." If the majority of the school board can answer yes to both of these questions, Carmichael should not be disciplined.
The truth of the matter is that several board members are using this opportunity to punish Carmichael not for using an obscenity, but for opposing the "Football First" plan. Carmichael opposed making the head football coach the Athletic Director, and making the offensive coordinator (formerly Alex Wood), the assistant athletic director. This is what has put Carmichael in the cross hairs of the "Friends of the Program," the various football boosters who think they own their high school football team. She may be disciplined tonight, but it isn't for calling Marshall an ***hole, it is retribution for opposing the will of the football boosters.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Financial Oversight? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Oversight!
Monday night, Canton Councilman Greg Hawk called a special meeting of the Finance Committee to discuss Canton's budget at the half way mark for 2010. Members of Canton City Council, and representatives from the Canton Mayor's office, and Canton Auditor's office participated. They wanted to review revenues and spending, and make sure they were on track to make it through the end of the year. They had a wide ranging, open discussion, and while Canton's finances are tight, everyone appears to be working together to keep spending in line. It looked like prudent financial oversight from council, the mayor's office, and the auditor's office.
We could do that in Massillon, right?
Nope.
First of all, Finance Committee Chairman Paul Manson won't call a meeting to discuss Massillon City finances unless our Mayor for Life tells him to. Secondly, our Mayor for Life doesn't want an open discussion of Massillon's finances, as he is probably gearing up to run for yet another term as Massillon's mayor for life. The City is one million dollars short this year, and one and a half million dollars short for 2011. To close that gap, revenue has to be raised, or services have to be cut. Those are unpopular options. Publicly, the Mayor's asserts that the money will be there, and that the rest of city government shouldn't worry about it. Fortunately for the mayor, the rest of city government isn't worrying, nor do they have the will to act on their own, especially as city council is enjoying its well earned Summer Vacation.
The Mayor doesn't want the finances examined publicly, which is why he is opposed to a performance audit. Cicchinelli is looking for yet another in a long line of budget gimmicks to buy him another year of fiscal solvency. Whether it is raiding insurance money from the Parks Department, or not making pension fund payments until the next year, which we did last year, so we actually owe last year and this year. What the heck, lets pay last year, this year, and next year, next year.
Cicchinelli is hoping for another miracle. His luck is amazing. He usually gets his miracle. Perhaps a wealthy Massillonian will pass on before the end of the year, and the city's share of the inheritance tax can help plug the hole. Perhaps he'll merge the street department with the parks department because parks are often near streets, and isn't that really why we passed a park tax, so Street Superintendent Mike Stevens can rack up overtime when it snows while not actually plowing any snow? Cicchinelli is a political magician. Stand back while he pulls a councilman out of his hat. We can't wait to see how he maneuvers out of this budget mess. What we do know is that this process won't be a public process, and there will be no budget review meetings by Paul Manson's Finance Committee.
We could do that in Massillon, right?
Nope.
First of all, Finance Committee Chairman Paul Manson won't call a meeting to discuss Massillon City finances unless our Mayor for Life tells him to. Secondly, our Mayor for Life doesn't want an open discussion of Massillon's finances, as he is probably gearing up to run for yet another term as Massillon's mayor for life. The City is one million dollars short this year, and one and a half million dollars short for 2011. To close that gap, revenue has to be raised, or services have to be cut. Those are unpopular options. Publicly, the Mayor's asserts that the money will be there, and that the rest of city government shouldn't worry about it. Fortunately for the mayor, the rest of city government isn't worrying, nor do they have the will to act on their own, especially as city council is enjoying its well earned Summer Vacation.
The Mayor doesn't want the finances examined publicly, which is why he is opposed to a performance audit. Cicchinelli is looking for yet another in a long line of budget gimmicks to buy him another year of fiscal solvency. Whether it is raiding insurance money from the Parks Department, or not making pension fund payments until the next year, which we did last year, so we actually owe last year and this year. What the heck, lets pay last year, this year, and next year, next year.
Cicchinelli is hoping for another miracle. His luck is amazing. He usually gets his miracle. Perhaps a wealthy Massillonian will pass on before the end of the year, and the city's share of the inheritance tax can help plug the hole. Perhaps he'll merge the street department with the parks department because parks are often near streets, and isn't that really why we passed a park tax, so Street Superintendent Mike Stevens can rack up overtime when it snows while not actually plowing any snow? Cicchinelli is a political magician. Stand back while he pulls a councilman out of his hat. We can't wait to see how he maneuvers out of this budget mess. What we do know is that this process won't be a public process, and there will be no budget review meetings by Paul Manson's Finance Committee.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tiger Pride
According to a wonderful story in today's Independent, members of the Massillon Tiger Football Team, Coach Jason Hall, the Cheerleaders, Band, and Obie the tiger gave Paul Helsel the birthday gift of a lifetime.
Paul Helsel, a resident of the Country Lawn Nursing Care Center in Sugarcreek Township, suffers from Downs Syndrome. Helsel just turned 68, but is in declining health. According to nursing home staff, Paul Helsel loves talking about the Tigers.
Coach Hall, his players, cheerleaders, band and Obie the tiger showed up at Country Lawn to help Paul celebrate his 68th birthday. What a wonderful gesture. Coach Hall and these Washington High students should be commended for their kindness. It is actions like these that make the community proud of our football program, more proud than any victory on the field could.
Congratulations to Coach Hall, the players, cheerleaders, and the band who made Paul's birthday truly special. Tiger Pride is definitely community wide.
Paul Helsel, a resident of the Country Lawn Nursing Care Center in Sugarcreek Township, suffers from Downs Syndrome. Helsel just turned 68, but is in declining health. According to nursing home staff, Paul Helsel loves talking about the Tigers.
Coach Hall, his players, cheerleaders, band and Obie the tiger showed up at Country Lawn to help Paul celebrate his 68th birthday. What a wonderful gesture. Coach Hall and these Washington High students should be commended for their kindness. It is actions like these that make the community proud of our football program, more proud than any victory on the field could.
Congratulations to Coach Hall, the players, cheerleaders, and the band who made Paul's birthday truly special. Tiger Pride is definitely community wide.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Reading the Tea Leaves
Last month, the Independent wrote an article pondering whether or not Massillon's Mayor for Life, Frank Cicchinelli, would be seeking a 7th four year term as mayor in 2011. There was speculation that he would not be running again, as he cancelled his annual Golf Outing Fund Raiser, slated for this August. Mayor Cicchinelli is supposed to be announcing his decision sometime this month. As today is July 19th, we should be hearing his announcement shortly.
The Independent just published a schedule of the Mayor's annual town hall meetings. He has scheduled one 90 minute meeting in each of Massillon's six council wards (districts). The first meeting is slated to be held in Ward 6, Massillon's far West Side Ward. The town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 9 at 7:00PM at St. Barbara's Catholic Church Life Center Building, 2813 Lincoln Way West. The next meeting is the Ward 5 meeting, scheduled for Monday, August 23, also at 7:00PM at the Massillon Boys and Girls Club, 730 Duncan Street SW. The Ward 4 meeting is next, scheduled to take place on Monday, August 30, at 7:00PM at Friendship Baptist Church, 920 3rd Street SE.
We of course urge Massillon's residents to attend these meetings and share with our Mayor for Life our various concerns for the community. Perhaps we could ask him why our parks are in such poor shape, while our golf course is immaculate. Perhaps someone could ask him how he planned on plugging the million dollar budget gap this year, and the 1.5 million dollar budget hole next year. Oh wait... Auditor's problem. Maybe someone will want to know why he deserves an annual, unvoted pay raise every year. Perhaps he will show us his business plan for the restaurant we bought.
When reading the political tea leaves, it would seem odd for someone who planned on leaving office to schedule six 90 minute town hall sessions throughout the city. On the surface, it looks like the actions of a politician getting ready to run for office again. We could be wrong. We doubt we are. Mayor for Life means that you are the mayor for life. Besides, can anyone really imagine Frank Cicchinelli standing quietly on the sideline while someone else runs his city?
The Independent just published a schedule of the Mayor's annual town hall meetings. He has scheduled one 90 minute meeting in each of Massillon's six council wards (districts). The first meeting is slated to be held in Ward 6, Massillon's far West Side Ward. The town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 9 at 7:00PM at St. Barbara's Catholic Church Life Center Building, 2813 Lincoln Way West. The next meeting is the Ward 5 meeting, scheduled for Monday, August 23, also at 7:00PM at the Massillon Boys and Girls Club, 730 Duncan Street SW. The Ward 4 meeting is next, scheduled to take place on Monday, August 30, at 7:00PM at Friendship Baptist Church, 920 3rd Street SE.
We of course urge Massillon's residents to attend these meetings and share with our Mayor for Life our various concerns for the community. Perhaps we could ask him why our parks are in such poor shape, while our golf course is immaculate. Perhaps someone could ask him how he planned on plugging the million dollar budget gap this year, and the 1.5 million dollar budget hole next year. Oh wait... Auditor's problem. Maybe someone will want to know why he deserves an annual, unvoted pay raise every year. Perhaps he will show us his business plan for the restaurant we bought.
When reading the political tea leaves, it would seem odd for someone who planned on leaving office to schedule six 90 minute town hall sessions throughout the city. On the surface, it looks like the actions of a politician getting ready to run for office again. We could be wrong. We doubt we are. Mayor for Life means that you are the mayor for life. Besides, can anyone really imagine Frank Cicchinelli standing quietly on the sideline while someone else runs his city?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Famous Quotes
Give me Liberty, or give me Death!
-Patrick Henry, American Founding Father
No Taxation Without Representation!
-Reverend Jonathan Mayhew, American Revolutionary
tax "comes with the territory," noting he's tired of hearing arguments about "taxation without representation."
-Massillon 5th Ward Councilman Donnie Peters, The Independent, 4/13/10
The Buck Stops Here
-President Harry Truman
He said it was a mistake to build the additional nine holes urged by possibly overzealous golfers.
-Massillon Mayor Frank Cicchinelli discussing the debt at the Legends of Massillon Golf Course at a city council meeting, The Repository, 8/21/07
I cannot tell a lie
-George Washington
Cicchinelli claims that his proposal was "not a big scheme to have the parks department cover the golf course's expenses."
-Mayor Frank Cicchinelli, The Repository, 12/17/2002
Give Peace a Chance
-John Lennon
"One of these days I'm going to hit you in the mouth."
"Hey, Slagle, (expletive) you!"
-Massillon 5th Ward Councilman Donnie Peters to Councilman Larry Slagle
The Independent, July 29, 2008.
Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get
-Forrest Gump
"Recent issues, including an assistant coach and booster club member growing and selling marijuana, could have been avoided , Weinberg said, if the football coach could report directly to the superintendent."
-Massillon School Board Member Marshall Weinberg, The Independent, 3/30/10
"You're an ***hole, Marshall"
-Massillon Schools Superintendent Lisa Carmichael to Board Member Marshall Weinberg
The Independent, March 8, 2010
-Patrick Henry, American Founding Father
No Taxation Without Representation!
-Reverend Jonathan Mayhew, American Revolutionary
tax "comes with the territory," noting he's tired of hearing arguments about "taxation without representation."
-Massillon 5th Ward Councilman Donnie Peters, The Independent, 4/13/10
The Buck Stops Here
-President Harry Truman
He said it was a mistake to build the additional nine holes urged by possibly overzealous golfers.
-Massillon Mayor Frank Cicchinelli discussing the debt at the Legends of Massillon Golf Course at a city council meeting, The Repository, 8/21/07
I cannot tell a lie
-George Washington
Cicchinelli claims that his proposal was "not a big scheme to have the parks department cover the golf course's expenses."
-Mayor Frank Cicchinelli, The Repository, 12/17/2002
Give Peace a Chance
-John Lennon
"One of these days I'm going to hit you in the mouth."
"Hey, Slagle, (expletive) you!"
-Massillon 5th Ward Councilman Donnie Peters to Councilman Larry Slagle
The Independent, July 29, 2008.
Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get
-Forrest Gump
"Recent issues, including an assistant coach and booster club member growing and selling marijuana, could have been avoided , Weinberg said, if the football coach could report directly to the superintendent."
-Massillon School Board Member Marshall Weinberg, The Independent, 3/30/10
"You're an ***hole, Marshall"
-Massillon Schools Superintendent Lisa Carmichael to Board Member Marshall Weinberg
The Independent, March 8, 2010
We Don't Believe This, Either
There is another rumor swirling around town asserting that it was Massillon School Board Member Marshall Weinberg who called Governor Strickland to convince him to change his Executive Order so that Massillon could keep its baby Obie tiger mascot. We don't believe this rumor either. Marshall would still be on the phone.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Another Enemy of the People
As if having to deal with School Board Member Tom Seesan wasn't enough, we have yet another anti-Massillon, anti-Tiger, and anti-Obie enemy of the people. Who is this interloper who hates our city, its football program, and storied traditions?
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.
Here's why. Governor Strickland was about to sign an Executive Order reached after negotiations with animal rights groups, including the Humane Society. The order mostly deals with the care of livestock. However, there was a provision dealing with the purchase of "exotic animals," and the keeping of those animals as pets. The intent of the order appeared to be, according to Wayne Pacelle, President of the U.S. Humane Society, "to stop the flow of dangerous, wild animals in the pet trade for keeping by people ill-equipped to care for them and provide them with a suitable environment" (The Independent, July 8, 2010). The problem is that this order would have banned future baby tigers from serving as Massillon Tiger mascots. The tradition of the live mascot goes back 41 years and is a hallmark of the Tiger lore and legacy. It absolutely should continue.
Our guess is that our Governor, busy running an entire state, probably did not realize that this would impact the Massillon community and its live Obie tiger. We imagine that after Strickland was told this, he would probably amend the order to allow live mascots, such as Obie, who are properly fed and cared for. In Obie's case, well cared for.
So what is the response from some of the "Friends of the Program?" It was to condemn the governor. He "hates Massillon." He "should be investigated." It's part of an "agenda." There were calls for rallies, protests, and for the Governor's resignation. We were waiting for "Strickland Resign" signs to start popping up in people's yards. What a tyrant that Strickland guy was. Heck, he was probably opposed to the head football coach being the athletic director. Off with his head.
This problem was quickly resolved. Rumor on the street is that Clerk of Courts Johnnie Maier, a pal of the governor, made a phone call, explained the situation, and Strickland fixed it. Live mascot programs would continue. We seriously doubt Ted Strickland's intent was to hurt the traditions of Massillon. We are guessing he just didn't know the effect that order would have here, in Massillon. Problem solved with a phone call. No rally. No hanging in effigy. No sign campaign. No overzealous BS.
If it is true that Maier made the call, this episode, in a nutshell, shows why he is the type of person who should be mayor. He didn't hold a press conference. He didn't fan the flames of hyperbole. He didn't criticize anyone. He didn't call the governor names. He picked up the phone, and fixed the problem. And that is how government should work.
Obie can continue, living the good life at Stump Farm, probably enjoying his summer a whole lot more than we are.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.
Here's why. Governor Strickland was about to sign an Executive Order reached after negotiations with animal rights groups, including the Humane Society. The order mostly deals with the care of livestock. However, there was a provision dealing with the purchase of "exotic animals," and the keeping of those animals as pets. The intent of the order appeared to be, according to Wayne Pacelle, President of the U.S. Humane Society, "to stop the flow of dangerous, wild animals in the pet trade for keeping by people ill-equipped to care for them and provide them with a suitable environment" (The Independent, July 8, 2010). The problem is that this order would have banned future baby tigers from serving as Massillon Tiger mascots. The tradition of the live mascot goes back 41 years and is a hallmark of the Tiger lore and legacy. It absolutely should continue.
Our guess is that our Governor, busy running an entire state, probably did not realize that this would impact the Massillon community and its live Obie tiger. We imagine that after Strickland was told this, he would probably amend the order to allow live mascots, such as Obie, who are properly fed and cared for. In Obie's case, well cared for.
So what is the response from some of the "Friends of the Program?" It was to condemn the governor. He "hates Massillon." He "should be investigated." It's part of an "agenda." There were calls for rallies, protests, and for the Governor's resignation. We were waiting for "Strickland Resign" signs to start popping up in people's yards. What a tyrant that Strickland guy was. Heck, he was probably opposed to the head football coach being the athletic director. Off with his head.
This problem was quickly resolved. Rumor on the street is that Clerk of Courts Johnnie Maier, a pal of the governor, made a phone call, explained the situation, and Strickland fixed it. Live mascot programs would continue. We seriously doubt Ted Strickland's intent was to hurt the traditions of Massillon. We are guessing he just didn't know the effect that order would have here, in Massillon. Problem solved with a phone call. No rally. No hanging in effigy. No sign campaign. No overzealous BS.
If it is true that Maier made the call, this episode, in a nutshell, shows why he is the type of person who should be mayor. He didn't hold a press conference. He didn't fan the flames of hyperbole. He didn't criticize anyone. He didn't call the governor names. He picked up the phone, and fixed the problem. And that is how government should work.
Obie can continue, living the good life at Stump Farm, probably enjoying his summer a whole lot more than we are.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Two More Who Should
As Massillon sits on pins and needles waiting for the Mayor for Life to decide whether or not he wants to run for a seventh term, we have been examining the possible contenders to succeed him as the city's new leader. We have divided the candidates into two categories, those who shouldn't run, but probably will, and those who should run, but probably won't. The pretenders and the contenders. Today we examine several contenders, two people who we believe would be fine mayors, but probably won't step up to the plate.
Margy Vogt, Local Historian and Author
As we have said before, Margy Vogt is so much more than a local historian. Margy is the keeper of the Massillon story. We would be challenged to find someone more passionate about their community than Margy Vogt. Margy Vogt's involvement with the Massillon Museum runs long and deep. The Massillon Museum and Margy Vogt are almost synonymous. It is hard to think of one without the other. Margy's agenda would not be a political agenda. It would be a community agenda. She would bring people together, which is in stark contrast to our current mayor, who strives to create division. She would receive support from Democrats, Republicans and Independents because the voters would realize that she would always do what was best for the community she loves so much.
Kathy Catazaro-Perry,
Director, Golden Key Center and Massillon 3rd Ward Councilwoman
Kathy Catazaro-Perry is, without question, Massillon Mayor for Life Frank Cicchinelli's biggest political nemesis. Why? Because she questions what he does, and refuses to rubber stamp for the big guy. Kathy Catazaro-Perry suggested the city conduct a performance audit to improve efficiency. Frank and his minions of rubber stampers shot it down. Kathy refuses to spend our tax dollars on the privately owned Hampton Inn. The rubber stamps criticize her for this. When the city was broke, when employees were being furloughed and laid off, Kathy tried to repeal the ordinance granting the mayor and council unvoted, annual pay raises. Council President Glenn Gamber and the rubber stamps shut this down. They wanted to keep their unvoted, annual pay raises while the employees took cuts.
Kathy stands up for her beliefs, opposes bad ideas, and refuses to go along to get along. Catazaro-Perry's life would be a whole lot easier if she just went along with the Mayor like so many others do. She refuses. Cicchinelli, a Democrat, tried to defeat her in 2007, and openly backed a Republican, former councilman Dale Walterhouse, to defeat her. Walterhouse, with Cicchinelli's backing, ran one of the nastiest campaigns in recent memory. The result was predictable. Kathy kicked his behind. Independent. Honest. And more, shall we say, testicular fortitude, than anyone else on council.
Either of these two women are the kind of leaders our city desperately needs. It is unlikely either will run. Vogt is not a political animal, and Catazaro-Perry is busy running a daycare center for special needs children. They may not run, but they represent the type of candidate who should run.
Margy Vogt, Local Historian and Author
As we have said before, Margy Vogt is so much more than a local historian. Margy is the keeper of the Massillon story. We would be challenged to find someone more passionate about their community than Margy Vogt. Margy Vogt's involvement with the Massillon Museum runs long and deep. The Massillon Museum and Margy Vogt are almost synonymous. It is hard to think of one without the other. Margy's agenda would not be a political agenda. It would be a community agenda. She would bring people together, which is in stark contrast to our current mayor, who strives to create division. She would receive support from Democrats, Republicans and Independents because the voters would realize that she would always do what was best for the community she loves so much.
Kathy Catazaro-Perry,
Director, Golden Key Center and Massillon 3rd Ward Councilwoman
Kathy Catazaro-Perry is, without question, Massillon Mayor for Life Frank Cicchinelli's biggest political nemesis. Why? Because she questions what he does, and refuses to rubber stamp for the big guy. Kathy Catazaro-Perry suggested the city conduct a performance audit to improve efficiency. Frank and his minions of rubber stampers shot it down. Kathy refuses to spend our tax dollars on the privately owned Hampton Inn. The rubber stamps criticize her for this. When the city was broke, when employees were being furloughed and laid off, Kathy tried to repeal the ordinance granting the mayor and council unvoted, annual pay raises. Council President Glenn Gamber and the rubber stamps shut this down. They wanted to keep their unvoted, annual pay raises while the employees took cuts.
Kathy stands up for her beliefs, opposes bad ideas, and refuses to go along to get along. Catazaro-Perry's life would be a whole lot easier if she just went along with the Mayor like so many others do. She refuses. Cicchinelli, a Democrat, tried to defeat her in 2007, and openly backed a Republican, former councilman Dale Walterhouse, to defeat her. Walterhouse, with Cicchinelli's backing, ran one of the nastiest campaigns in recent memory. The result was predictable. Kathy kicked his behind. Independent. Honest. And more, shall we say, testicular fortitude, than anyone else on council.
Either of these two women are the kind of leaders our city desperately needs. It is unlikely either will run. Vogt is not a political animal, and Catazaro-Perry is busy running a daycare center for special needs children. They may not run, but they represent the type of candidate who should run.
Thud
The sound you just heard was Massillon's Mayor for Life throwing City Auditor Jayne Ferrero under the proverbial bus. Frank Cicchinelli, never one to let the buck stop at his desk, immediately put the kibosh on Jayne Ferrero's plan to pursue a tax levy to help pay for police and fire protection. The City of Massillon is one million dollars short of making budget this year, and one and a half million short of making budget next year, because the mayor doled out half a million dollars in pay raises for the various city unions in 2011. It is an election year, after all, and the Mayor certainly wants the city employees to bask in the warmth of his generosity. He just can't pay for it. Cicchinelli's solution to the budget shortfall is the hope and pray plan.
"We'll be able to pay for these increases," Cicchinelli said. "I'm not concerned about it. We will be there. I feel confident the dollars will be there to make it through this year and we'll have the dollars to make it through next year." (The Independent, July 6, 2010).
Problem solved. Don't worry, be happy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9K4BKkLaCI
It is the job of the mayor, with approval from city council, to pass a budget. Not the auditor. The mayor is responsible for overseeing most of the department heads, and most of the city's day to day operations. Not the auditor. If there are cuts to be made in spending, it should come from the mayor, not the auditor. If there are tax levies to propose, they should come from the mayor, not the auditor. Massillon's Mayor for Life has Auditor Ferrero believing it is her job to cut spending, and her job to increase revenues.
The crack Massillon Review legal team dug deep into Ohio Law to find the job description for city auditor. "The city auditor shall keep the books of the city and exhibit accurate statements of all moneys received and expended, of all property owned by the city and the income tax derived therefrom, and of all taxes and assessments."
The job of city auditor is not a policy making position. It is the city's bookkeper.
Whenever the girl scouts have a cookie drive, Mayor Cicchinelli is there to take credit for the economic activity generated. When there is a problem, like a budget shortfall because city council passed the mayor's unbalanced budget, that is someone else's problem. Under the Cicchinelli regime, the auditor is responsible for making cuts and raising revenue. Why? Because it is unpopular to cut services, or raise taxes, and you don't get to be Mayor for Life by doing either.
Auditor Jayne Ferrero is a Cicchinelli loyalist. She is part of our Mayor for Life's ruling junta. She takes the hits for the boss. She believes Cicchinelli when he tells her that she is responsible for the city's fiscal problems. She does the dirty work, and he keeps his hands clean. A cynic might argue that while Cicchinelli slams Auditor Ferrero for proposing a tax increase, he might actually want council to put it on the ballot, while he maintains a safe distance from the fallout.
So now, our Mayor for Life, master politician, is on record as being opposed to higher taxes. Auditor Jayne Ferrero now wears the black hat, as she wants to raise taxes on the cash strapped citizenry of Massillon. Frank Cicchinelli made the mess, and Jayne Ferrero thinks she has to clean it up.
"We'll be able to pay for these increases," Cicchinelli said. "I'm not concerned about it. We will be there. I feel confident the dollars will be there to make it through this year and we'll have the dollars to make it through next year." (The Independent, July 6, 2010).
Problem solved. Don't worry, be happy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9K4BKkLaCI
It is the job of the mayor, with approval from city council, to pass a budget. Not the auditor. The mayor is responsible for overseeing most of the department heads, and most of the city's day to day operations. Not the auditor. If there are cuts to be made in spending, it should come from the mayor, not the auditor. If there are tax levies to propose, they should come from the mayor, not the auditor. Massillon's Mayor for Life has Auditor Ferrero believing it is her job to cut spending, and her job to increase revenues.
The crack Massillon Review legal team dug deep into Ohio Law to find the job description for city auditor. "The city auditor shall keep the books of the city and exhibit accurate statements of all moneys received and expended, of all property owned by the city and the income tax derived therefrom, and of all taxes and assessments."
The job of city auditor is not a policy making position. It is the city's bookkeper.
Whenever the girl scouts have a cookie drive, Mayor Cicchinelli is there to take credit for the economic activity generated. When there is a problem, like a budget shortfall because city council passed the mayor's unbalanced budget, that is someone else's problem. Under the Cicchinelli regime, the auditor is responsible for making cuts and raising revenue. Why? Because it is unpopular to cut services, or raise taxes, and you don't get to be Mayor for Life by doing either.
Auditor Jayne Ferrero is a Cicchinelli loyalist. She is part of our Mayor for Life's ruling junta. She takes the hits for the boss. She believes Cicchinelli when he tells her that she is responsible for the city's fiscal problems. She does the dirty work, and he keeps his hands clean. A cynic might argue that while Cicchinelli slams Auditor Ferrero for proposing a tax increase, he might actually want council to put it on the ballot, while he maintains a safe distance from the fallout.
So now, our Mayor for Life, master politician, is on record as being opposed to higher taxes. Auditor Jayne Ferrero now wears the black hat, as she wants to raise taxes on the cash strapped citizenry of Massillon. Frank Cicchinelli made the mess, and Jayne Ferrero thinks she has to clean it up.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
We Don't Believe It
According to The Indpendent, Massillon School Board Member Marshall Weinberg issued a 1,000 word email to the Massillon Education Association explaining why he refused to vote on their contract (Weinberg abstained from voting). We don't believe this is true. We don't believe Weinberg kept his email to only 1,000 words.
Let's Check in on the Rec Center
It is well known that our Massillon City Parks do not receive proper maintenance, upkeep, and repair. Our parks and our recreation center should be cathedrals of recreation, as the voters of Massillon passed a .3% income tax specifically for parks and recreation. Unfortunately, Massillon's Mayor for Life merged the Legends of Massillon golf course into the parks and recreation department to help subsidize the enormous debt on the unprofitable golf course.
The official line from Parks and Recreation Czar Kenn Kaminski in regards to the tragic state of our parks is that our problems are the result of "Park Vandals." No, it isn't a result of a lack of funds, because our park tax dollars are helping to prop up the golf course. It's the vandals. No, the problem is not a lack of money because Glenn Gamber, David Hersher, Dave McCune, Ron Mang, and Larry Slagle voted to spend $199,000 of our park tax dollars on Club Legends, the restaurant at the golf course, without having a business plan. It's the vandals. Let us hope these "park vandals" have not snuck into the Massillon Recreation Center, too...
Uh Oh, Houston, we have a problem. One of our loyal Massillon Review readers sent us a report from the Massillon Recreation Center.
According to our faithful reader, "the rowing machine has been this way for a few weeks. There are a total of 6 elliptical units (first 3 without arms & the second 3 with arms). The below #3 unit is going on its 3rd week out of order. Further, the #2 elliptical (like the #3 below unit) is the only one that is battery operated. Its battery, the resistance, and incline have all been messed up since February, 2010. Since the start of 2010, all six of these elliptical have had on and off repair problems. Member demand for these ellipticals is high, and although there are six of them, most members never even use the battery operated unit because of its poor condition. Although several members have asked for these to be fixed, it's not getting done."
What our reader doesn't realize is that we must now be facing "Rec Center Vandals." Rec Center Vandals are an awful lot like "Park Vandals," except they like to be indoors.
The official line from Parks and Recreation Czar Kenn Kaminski in regards to the tragic state of our parks is that our problems are the result of "Park Vandals." No, it isn't a result of a lack of funds, because our park tax dollars are helping to prop up the golf course. It's the vandals. No, the problem is not a lack of money because Glenn Gamber, David Hersher, Dave McCune, Ron Mang, and Larry Slagle voted to spend $199,000 of our park tax dollars on Club Legends, the restaurant at the golf course, without having a business plan. It's the vandals. Let us hope these "park vandals" have not snuck into the Massillon Recreation Center, too...
Uh Oh, Houston, we have a problem. One of our loyal Massillon Review readers sent us a report from the Massillon Recreation Center.
According to our faithful reader, "the rowing machine has been this way for a few weeks. There are a total of 6 elliptical units (first 3 without arms & the second 3 with arms). The below #3 unit is going on its 3rd week out of order. Further, the #2 elliptical (like the #3 below unit) is the only one that is battery operated. Its battery, the resistance, and incline have all been messed up since February, 2010. Since the start of 2010, all six of these elliptical have had on and off repair problems. Member demand for these ellipticals is high, and although there are six of them, most members never even use the battery operated unit because of its poor condition. Although several members have asked for these to be fixed, it's not getting done."
What our reader doesn't realize is that we must now be facing "Rec Center Vandals." Rec Center Vandals are an awful lot like "Park Vandals," except they like to be indoors.
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Actually, the machines are in perfect shape. Our reader must be Anti-Cicchinelli.
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"There is no doubt the parks and recreation department is getting more criticism this year (than in the past)," he said. "I think the reason is two things. One there will also be anti- (Mayor Frank) Cicchinelli people. If he says the sky is blue they will say it is green and, two, there are people who are continually looking for something to pick on."
- Parks Director Kenn Kaminski, The Independent, May 10, 2010.
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Not only is the Recreation Center subsidized with our tax dollars, but to use it, one must pay a membership fee as well. Hey Kenn, the machines are broke. It's not that people are "anti-Cicchinelli." It's that the machines are broke. Do your job. Get them fixed.
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You know, we never have any complaints about the condition of the golf course. We certainly realize what is a city priority, and what is not.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Those who should, but won't
The Independent reported last month that Massillon Mayor Frank Cicchinelli is contemplating whether or not he should run for a seventh term as mayor. Allegedly, he is supposed to announce his decision some time this month. The Massillon Review is examining the contenders and pretenders to succeed Massillon's long serving "Mayor for Life" should he decide to step aside. We have divided the group into two categories, those who shouldn't run, but will, and those who should run, but won't. We have recently examined a couple of candidates who shouldn't run, Council President Glenn Gamber, and Ward 5 council representative Donnie Peters.
Our story on Peters;
www.massillonreview.blogspot.com/2010/06/men-who-would-be-king.html
Our story on Gamber;
www.massillonreview.blogspot.com/2010/06/on-deck.html
Today we examine two people who should run, but won't. We look at two public servants, one Republican, and one Democrat who have the background, skills, and competency to successfully lead our city. The Republican is respected by Democrats and could draw bi-partisan support, and the Democrat is respected by Republicans, and could draw bi-partisan support. They have served in public office with distinction and both would bring maturity, common sense, and an ability to work with others to do what is best for the community.
Richard Kettler, retired Massillon Judge
Rick Kettler served our nation with distinction during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Air Force. He came home to Massillon to practice law, and was elected judge on three occasions, the last two times unopposed. He could have, no doubt, served on a higher court, where his legal knowledge would have served a broader community most admirably, but he chose to stay in his community. "Working with fellow judge Edward Elum and Magistrate Roland Centrone, the respected jurist (Kettler) has restored order and respectability to a bench once plagued by inefficiency and inconsistency" (The Independent, January 11, 2007)
Johnnie Maier, Massillon Clerk of Courts
Johnnie Maier served Ohio with distinction in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was well respected for his common sense, no nonsense approach. He came home to serve Western Stark County as Massillon Clerk of Courts, where he was elected twice with landslide sized margins. He could have, no doubt, served in higher office, and probably would have been elected to congress, where his legislative skills would have served our nation well, but he too chose to stay in his community. "His (Maier) fiscal responsibility has proven to not only serve the office of Clerk of Court, but the entire city" (The Independent, 11/01/2005).
These two public servants are exactly the kind of candidates Massillon needs as mayor. No, they won't run. Kettler is retired and serves as a visiting judge, and Maier is serving as Clerk of Courts, and living on his farm in Tuscarawas Township. Maier is just outside the city limits now, but we could always annex him back into the city.
We need serious people to be serious candidates. We need a mayor who will work with others to do what is best for the city, who will bring people together, not drive them apart. These two individuals are two people who should be running, but won't.
Our story on Peters;
www.massillonreview.blogspot.com/2010/06/men-who-would-be-king.html
Our story on Gamber;
www.massillonreview.blogspot.com/2010/06/on-deck.html
Today we examine two people who should run, but won't. We look at two public servants, one Republican, and one Democrat who have the background, skills, and competency to successfully lead our city. The Republican is respected by Democrats and could draw bi-partisan support, and the Democrat is respected by Republicans, and could draw bi-partisan support. They have served in public office with distinction and both would bring maturity, common sense, and an ability to work with others to do what is best for the community.
Richard Kettler, retired Massillon Judge
Rick Kettler served our nation with distinction during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Air Force. He came home to Massillon to practice law, and was elected judge on three occasions, the last two times unopposed. He could have, no doubt, served on a higher court, where his legal knowledge would have served a broader community most admirably, but he chose to stay in his community. "Working with fellow judge Edward Elum and Magistrate Roland Centrone, the respected jurist (Kettler) has restored order and respectability to a bench once plagued by inefficiency and inconsistency" (The Independent, January 11, 2007)
Johnnie Maier, Massillon Clerk of Courts
Johnnie Maier served Ohio with distinction in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was well respected for his common sense, no nonsense approach. He came home to serve Western Stark County as Massillon Clerk of Courts, where he was elected twice with landslide sized margins. He could have, no doubt, served in higher office, and probably would have been elected to congress, where his legislative skills would have served our nation well, but he too chose to stay in his community. "His (Maier) fiscal responsibility has proven to not only serve the office of Clerk of Court, but the entire city" (The Independent, 11/01/2005).
These two public servants are exactly the kind of candidates Massillon needs as mayor. No, they won't run. Kettler is retired and serves as a visiting judge, and Maier is serving as Clerk of Courts, and living on his farm in Tuscarawas Township. Maier is just outside the city limits now, but we could always annex him back into the city.
We need serious people to be serious candidates. We need a mayor who will work with others to do what is best for the city, who will bring people together, not drive them apart. These two individuals are two people who should be running, but won't.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
We Are All Witnesses
Massillon School Superintendent Lisa Carmichael had long tired of Board Member Marshall Weinberg's tiresome and unending antics and grandstanding at school board meetings and used a pejorative term to describe him. As this is a family blog, we will not repeat the particular slang term, suffice to say it is "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces."
When Marshall Weinberg foisted his candidacy for board of education on an unsuspecting community, he promised to be a different kind of school board member. He wanted to run our schools like a business. Under the Marshall Plan, it was going to be academics first. The football first guys? They weren't going to push Marshall Weinberg around. That lasted until he became one of them.
Marshall pushed to combine the post of head football coach with school district athletic director. This move was going to save our school system. This was such a critical personnel move, that its positive impact would reverberate through the community. According to Marshall, having the head football coach as athletic director may even have prevented an individual from growing and selling drugs in our city (The Independent, March 30, 2010). This was not some scheme to give the football program even more primacy in the athletic department food chain. This was not some scheme to satiate a wealthy donor and the rest of the "friends of the program." No, this was going to curb drug abuse in our community. Superintendent Carmichael balked at this scheme, saw it for what it really was, opposed it, and Marshall was none too happy.
Fast forward to Wednesday night. The new teachers contract was up for a vote. For over half an hour, Weinberg rambled on in opposition to the teachers contract. By all reports, it was bargained for in good faith by both the teachers and the administration. So, did Weinberg vote no? Nope. So that means Weinberg voted yes? Nope. Weinberg didn't vote. He was elected to make decisions, a critical decision being the ratification of a new contract for teachers. He abstained. He pouted, took his toys out of the sandbox, and stomped off home. If you didn't like the terms of the contract, it is your right and duty to vote no. You were elected to make decisions. Now, we realize that a contract for teachers pales in importance next to sucking up to the football boosters and assorted "friends of the program," but it is your job, your task, and your responsibility.
Why would Marshall abstain? Rumor on the street was that Marshall was unhappy that he didn't get to be a part of the negotiating team. He wanted to put his financial wizardry to good use. How could Superintendent Carmichael not see what an asset Marshall would have been to the negotiating process. Why, once Marshall was done, every key administrative post could have been filled by someone who coaches football. Marshall would have put our priorities straight. Is it possible that Marshall didn't vote because Marshall didn't get to run the show? If that is the case, then Superintendent Carmichael is indeed correct. Marshall Weinberg is truly "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces."
When Marshall Weinberg foisted his candidacy for board of education on an unsuspecting community, he promised to be a different kind of school board member. He wanted to run our schools like a business. Under the Marshall Plan, it was going to be academics first. The football first guys? They weren't going to push Marshall Weinberg around. That lasted until he became one of them.
Marshall pushed to combine the post of head football coach with school district athletic director. This move was going to save our school system. This was such a critical personnel move, that its positive impact would reverberate through the community. According to Marshall, having the head football coach as athletic director may even have prevented an individual from growing and selling drugs in our city (The Independent, March 30, 2010). This was not some scheme to give the football program even more primacy in the athletic department food chain. This was not some scheme to satiate a wealthy donor and the rest of the "friends of the program." No, this was going to curb drug abuse in our community. Superintendent Carmichael balked at this scheme, saw it for what it really was, opposed it, and Marshall was none too happy.
Fast forward to Wednesday night. The new teachers contract was up for a vote. For over half an hour, Weinberg rambled on in opposition to the teachers contract. By all reports, it was bargained for in good faith by both the teachers and the administration. So, did Weinberg vote no? Nope. So that means Weinberg voted yes? Nope. Weinberg didn't vote. He was elected to make decisions, a critical decision being the ratification of a new contract for teachers. He abstained. He pouted, took his toys out of the sandbox, and stomped off home. If you didn't like the terms of the contract, it is your right and duty to vote no. You were elected to make decisions. Now, we realize that a contract for teachers pales in importance next to sucking up to the football boosters and assorted "friends of the program," but it is your job, your task, and your responsibility.
Why would Marshall abstain? Rumor on the street was that Marshall was unhappy that he didn't get to be a part of the negotiating team. He wanted to put his financial wizardry to good use. How could Superintendent Carmichael not see what an asset Marshall would have been to the negotiating process. Why, once Marshall was done, every key administrative post could have been filled by someone who coaches football. Marshall would have put our priorities straight. Is it possible that Marshall didn't vote because Marshall didn't get to run the show? If that is the case, then Superintendent Carmichael is indeed correct. Marshall Weinberg is truly "the opening at the end of one's digestive tract used to control the expulsion of feces."
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Massillon's Mayor for Life is doling out a half a million dollars in pay raises to various city employees next year. The Police, Fire, Parks Department, Street Department, Solid Waste Department, and Wastewater Treatment Plant employees will be receiving 4% pay raises in 2011. It's important to have the employees happy as Massillon's Mayor for Life runs next year for what we expect to be his seventh term as mayor for life.
Of course, the mayor, auditor, treasurer, law director, and council president will be receiving their annual, unvoted pay raise next year, thanks to the 1995 ordinance, approved by Mayor Cicchinelli, granting these folks annual unvoted pay raises tied to the Consumer Price Index. If you are going to be Mayor for Life, you may as well get a pay raise every year for ruling over your kingdom.
City Council receives these raises as well. Rubber stamp for the mayor, get a pay raise. Spend Park tax dollars on a restaurant, get a pay raise. Spend tax dollars to subsidize a private hotel, get a pay raise. Council member Kathy Catazaro-Perry did try to strike down the law granting these annual unvoted pay raises, but Council President Glenn Gamber marshaled the troops, and stopped her cold.
The crack Massillon Review staff has been busy crunching the city's budget numbers all day. If the city is one million dollars short in making budget this year, and the mayor hands out half a million dollars in pay raises next year, that would mean that next year, the city would be one and a half million dollars short. On the surface, we should be concerned, but we are confident that our mayor has a well thought out, detailed plan for dealing with the shortfall.
"We'll be able to pay for these increases," Cicchinelli said. "I'm not concerned about it. We will be there. I feel confident the dollars will be there to make it through this year and we'll have the dollars to make it through next year" (The Independent, July 6, 2010).
Relax. He's confident the money will be there. Just as he was confident Massillon would have a 6,500 seat hockey arena for minor league hockey. Just as he was confident that merging the golf course with the Parks Department was a way to streamline city government, and "was not a big scheme to have the parks department cover the golf course's expenses" (The Repository, 12/17/2002). He's confident. We should chill. The 1.5 million dollars will magically show up. It will be there. Don't worry.
Of course, the mayor, auditor, treasurer, law director, and council president will be receiving their annual, unvoted pay raise next year, thanks to the 1995 ordinance, approved by Mayor Cicchinelli, granting these folks annual unvoted pay raises tied to the Consumer Price Index. If you are going to be Mayor for Life, you may as well get a pay raise every year for ruling over your kingdom.
City Council receives these raises as well. Rubber stamp for the mayor, get a pay raise. Spend Park tax dollars on a restaurant, get a pay raise. Spend tax dollars to subsidize a private hotel, get a pay raise. Council member Kathy Catazaro-Perry did try to strike down the law granting these annual unvoted pay raises, but Council President Glenn Gamber marshaled the troops, and stopped her cold.
The crack Massillon Review staff has been busy crunching the city's budget numbers all day. If the city is one million dollars short in making budget this year, and the mayor hands out half a million dollars in pay raises next year, that would mean that next year, the city would be one and a half million dollars short. On the surface, we should be concerned, but we are confident that our mayor has a well thought out, detailed plan for dealing with the shortfall.
"We'll be able to pay for these increases," Cicchinelli said. "I'm not concerned about it. We will be there. I feel confident the dollars will be there to make it through this year and we'll have the dollars to make it through next year" (The Independent, July 6, 2010).
Relax. He's confident the money will be there. Just as he was confident Massillon would have a 6,500 seat hockey arena for minor league hockey. Just as he was confident that merging the golf course with the Parks Department was a way to streamline city government, and "was not a big scheme to have the parks department cover the golf course's expenses" (The Repository, 12/17/2002). He's confident. We should chill. The 1.5 million dollars will magically show up. It will be there. Don't worry.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Buck Stops Somewhere Else, Again
It seems like when a teenager picks up a paper route to earn some spending money, Massillon's Mayor for Life is there to take credit for the job that was created. However, whenever something bad happens, it is someone else's fault.
City is short on making budget? Auditor better recommend spending cuts. Aqua Ohio wants a higher water rate? That's city council's job. Let's send the new guy in to negotiate with a multi-million dollar corporation. Golf Course expansion turns out to be a bad idea? Don't blame the mayor, that was the fault of "golf enthusiasts" who "just got a little overzealous" (Mayor Cicchinelli, Massillon City Council Minutes, August 20, 2007). City loses lawsuit and owes $12,000 for not providing public records to an attorney? Call Law Director Perry Stergios.
Stark County Judge Taryn Heath ruled that the City of Massillon owes Attorney Paul Cushion $12,000 of our hard earned taxes because the mayor, law director, and auditor did not provide Attorney Cushion with the public records he lawfully requested. Hey, its only 12,000 bucks. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the million dollars the city is short in making its 2010 budget. Of course, when contacted by the press, the mayor offered a detailed explanation on why his office did not properly turn over public records that were lawfully requested, right?
"When contacted Friday, Cicchinelli deferred all comments to Stergios" (The Independent, July 3, 2010).
That's the Law Director's Problem.
City is short on making budget? Auditor better recommend spending cuts. Aqua Ohio wants a higher water rate? That's city council's job. Let's send the new guy in to negotiate with a multi-million dollar corporation. Golf Course expansion turns out to be a bad idea? Don't blame the mayor, that was the fault of "golf enthusiasts" who "just got a little overzealous" (Mayor Cicchinelli, Massillon City Council Minutes, August 20, 2007). City loses lawsuit and owes $12,000 for not providing public records to an attorney? Call Law Director Perry Stergios.
Stark County Judge Taryn Heath ruled that the City of Massillon owes Attorney Paul Cushion $12,000 of our hard earned taxes because the mayor, law director, and auditor did not provide Attorney Cushion with the public records he lawfully requested. Hey, its only 12,000 bucks. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the million dollars the city is short in making its 2010 budget. Of course, when contacted by the press, the mayor offered a detailed explanation on why his office did not properly turn over public records that were lawfully requested, right?
"When contacted Friday, Cicchinelli deferred all comments to Stergios" (The Independent, July 3, 2010).
That's the Law Director's Problem.
Monday, July 5, 2010
He's Your Daddy
Donnie Peters. Republican. Business Owner. Conservative. Independent. That was the man who ran as a Republican for Massillon City Council in 2005. Just two years ago, he was opposed to city council taking a Summer vacation. Violently opposed. Threatened to punch fellow councilman Larry Slagle in the mouth as a result of the contentious debate. The city is now a million dollars short in making budget, and Donnie wants a vacation. He voted for the Mayor's unbalanced budget which put us in to the Annual Summer Financial Crisis. He votes to use our tax dollars to subsidize a private hotel. Money that could have been used to pave streets and sidewalks. He's tired of hearing all this talk of taxation without representation from the peasantry. If Donnie Peters were at the Boston Tea Party, we suspect he would be the one in the red coat. He once was a Republican. The only Republican on city council. Instead of acting as the loyal opposition and holding the administration accountable, he now donates to the mayor's campaign. Councilman Peters, what happened to your principles? Who's your daddy?
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He's your Daddy.
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Massillon's Republicans had hoped you would lead they way. Now they realize just how lost you are.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Independence Day
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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
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Thomas Jefferson from The Declaration of Independence,
Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776
Friday, July 2, 2010
Mayor for Life's Summer Concert Series
According to a May 10, article in the Independent, the total cost for the Summer Concert Series, which includes 9 acts, was estimated to be $45,800. The Mayor solicits donations for these concerts from private contributors and businesses. Past major contributors have included Aqua Ohio Water, who, coincidentally, just negotiated a rate hike with the city, which means our water bills go up. It is alleged that the Mayor pays various promoters who then hire the acts.
The Massillon Review Staff was perusing the list of acts scheduled this Summer for the Mayor for Life's Summer Concert Series. The Glenn Miller Orchestra kicked off the concert series a couple of weeks ago. We don't want to seem nit picky, but Glenn Miller went missing and presumably died in 1944. If he were still alive, he would be 106 years old. Spicy Rhyme is a cover band that plays at the Holiday Inn on Friday nights. We have an Elvis impersonator, and a Frank Sinatra imitator on the bill. You can hire LaFlavour to play at your wedding. Seriously, check their website. If you miss them in Massillon, you can catch them at the East Sparta Homecoming Festival. We aren't trying to be critical. These acts work hard and put on a fine show, but $45,800? Back in the day, the concert series had Air Supply, and Taylor Dane, people we heard of whose songs have played on the radio. Now we have Tailor Made Classics and Mike Albert as Elvis. Fine acts, but not nationally recognized headliners.
Perhaps if the Mayor booked these acts without the help of middlemen, he could negotiate a better rate. Perhaps he should give it a shot.
The Massillon Review Staff was perusing the list of acts scheduled this Summer for the Mayor for Life's Summer Concert Series. The Glenn Miller Orchestra kicked off the concert series a couple of weeks ago. We don't want to seem nit picky, but Glenn Miller went missing and presumably died in 1944. If he were still alive, he would be 106 years old. Spicy Rhyme is a cover band that plays at the Holiday Inn on Friday nights. We have an Elvis impersonator, and a Frank Sinatra imitator on the bill. You can hire LaFlavour to play at your wedding. Seriously, check their website. If you miss them in Massillon, you can catch them at the East Sparta Homecoming Festival. We aren't trying to be critical. These acts work hard and put on a fine show, but $45,800? Back in the day, the concert series had Air Supply, and Taylor Dane, people we heard of whose songs have played on the radio. Now we have Tailor Made Classics and Mike Albert as Elvis. Fine acts, but not nationally recognized headliners.
Perhaps if the Mayor booked these acts without the help of middlemen, he could negotiate a better rate. Perhaps he should give it a shot.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
People Start Pollution... People Can Stop It
Last Thursday, the musical group Spicy Rhyme headlined the Mayor for Life's Summer Concert Series. Spicy Rhyme is a trio, that, according to their website, performs covers of acts from the Bee Gees, to Kool & The Gang, to Frank Sinatra. You can find them most Friday nights performing at the Belden Village Holiday Inn, and most Saturday nights at T.J. Dillons on Erie Street. Their Summer Concert Series concert was held on First Street, next to Duncan Plaza and City Hall. The crowd appeared to be well behaved, and put their trash in the city's trash receptacles on Duncan Plaza. A Massillon Review reader submitted this picture to us five days after the concert, because the city had yet to empty this trash from the concert.
We can rest comfortably knowing that this kind of neglect would never happen at the Legends of Massillon Golf Course, only in our parks and in our downtown.
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