Our Extraordinary Mayor for 122 Days, King Francis the Temporal, Lord Sovereign in Absentia, does not feel that the representation he currently receives as a resident of Massillon's Fourth Ward is satisfactory.
As a matter of fact, his dislike of Ward 4 Councilman Tony Townsend is so strong, that our mayor makes extraordinary efforts to dislodge Councilman Townsend from his council seat every two years.
This past spring, Jackie Carter was the mayor's candidate of choice. It was the First Lady for 122 days who circulated Jackie Carter's nominating papers so that Ms. Carter could appear on the ballot to challenge Mr. Townsend in the Democratic primary.
The mayor, unfortunately, failed yet again in his biennial quest to secure more palatable representation in the Fourth Ward.
Last year, when Councilman Townsend made what appeared to be a simple request to rename a park in his ward after trailblazing Massillon Councilman, the late T. Roy Roberson, Cicchinelli, according to multiple sources, worked to kill the idea.
It is believed that while publicly making 'The Pledge,' he privately had his park board lackeys and council rubber stamps kill the name change.
Remember 'The Pledge?'
"Mayor Cicchinelli told 4th Ward residents there are no plans to sell Shriver park, or many others, and he pledged to Councilman Tony Townsend that he would help him rename Shriver by urging his Parks and Recreation Board appointees to vote in favor of it" (The Independent, August 31, 2010 - One year ago today).
The Park Board Lackeys voted No.
In addition, Council President Glenn Gamber and Councilman Larry Slagle worked feverishly to prevent council from even taking a vote.
And the idea to honor T. Roy Roberson was killed.
Not because it was necessarily a bad idea, but because it was Tony Townsend's idea.
There may have been legitimate reasons to oppose the name change.
But it sure was strange how the name change proposal had little opposition when Tony Townsend first proposed it in June, but was made increasingly complicated by August. The efforts made to prevent a vote from even occurring were impressive.
It was a simple proposal to rename a park.
Either vote yes, or vote no.
But it became the big issue of the summer.
Back to the present.
Our extraordinary mayor has an extraordinary problem.
Apparently, his street needs repaired.
And since we only have dollars enough to fix five streets this year, his may as well be one of them.
Of course that would look bad.
So City Engineer Keith Dylewski told The Big Lie;
that these "select streets" "scored high on a ratings system used by his department" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
In what our long time readers will see as a shocking development, we later learned there was no city rating system for streets, and that the streets in the mayor's neighborhood slated for repair weren't even on the State of Ohio's street ratings list.
"Correcting an earlier report, Dylewski said the paving project was not scored on a ratings system..." (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
and further;
"However, since concrete streets such as Cyprus Drive were not included in the ratings, it was not one of the factors used by Dylewski and his staff to determine the project priority, he (Dylewski) said" (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
To some, this sequence of events could possibly look like the mayor is receiving preferential treatment, and that perhaps maybe the streets in his neighborhood may not be among the five worst in the city.
And what does Councilman Townsend say?
He supports the repaving.
We expect better from Tony Townsend.
This proposal stinks. The city engineer lied about a ratings system determining the need for repairs on the mayor's street.
Whether these repairs are slated for Townsend's ward, or not, he should do the right thing and work to kill this ordinance.
Or he can simply follow the mayor's example.
Tony Townsend can pledge to the people who live by the golf course, in Frank Cicchinelli's neighborhood, that he whole heartedly supports the repairs of these five streets.
With the same passion and commitment that Frank Cicchinelli gave to upholding his pledge to rename Shriver Park.
For that would most surely kill the street repairs in the mayor's neighborhood.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
By Gum
"I guarantee intelligent, educated and trained people in the room connect to me."
- Our School Board President, Marshall Weinberg
The Independent, June 17, 2011
"By now most people realize that I'm not a, "tell you what you want to hear, don't rock the boat, what's in it for me kind of Board member" (Marshall Weinberg campaign advertisement).
No way.
He's a man against the world, swimming against the tide.
He is the humble one, Massillon's own Hero.
"With decades of experience in finance and management I have pushed through the "personal agenda politics" of others that have held our District back for so long" (Marshall Weinberg campaign advertisement).
The "personal agenda politics" of others?
As opposed to what, the "personal agenda politics" of the 'friends of the program' football boosters?
The "intelligent, educated and trained people in the room" are coming together to support their School Board President.
Help them help Marshall.
The campaign to re-elect Marshall Weinberg to the Massillon Board of Education will host a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 at Elum Music Co., 280 Federal Ave. NW.
A $25 donation is requested.
We assume pizza and pop will be served.
A small price to pay to celebrate a "decision made out of strength."
Come rejoice that the 'Friends of the Program' have hijacked, excuse us, "reorganized" our school system.
See for yourself if Marshall's lips move when Rik Goodright speaks.
It will be the next best thing to actually attending a football booster club meeting.
Don't miss it, by gum.
- Our School Board President, Marshall Weinberg
The Independent, June 17, 2011
"By now most people realize that I'm not a, "tell you what you want to hear, don't rock the boat, what's in it for me kind of Board member" (Marshall Weinberg campaign advertisement).
No way.
He's a man against the world, swimming against the tide.
He is the humble one, Massillon's own Hero.
"With decades of experience in finance and management I have pushed through the "personal agenda politics" of others that have held our District back for so long" (Marshall Weinberg campaign advertisement).
The "personal agenda politics" of others?
As opposed to what, the "personal agenda politics" of the 'friends of the program' football boosters?
The "intelligent, educated and trained people in the room" are coming together to support their School Board President.
Help them help Marshall.
The campaign to re-elect Marshall Weinberg to the Massillon Board of Education will host a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 at Elum Music Co., 280 Federal Ave. NW.
A $25 donation is requested.
We assume pizza and pop will be served.
A small price to pay to celebrate a "decision made out of strength."
Come rejoice that the 'Friends of the Program' have hijacked, excuse us, "reorganized" our school system.
See for yourself if Marshall's lips move when Rik Goodright speaks.
It will be the next best thing to actually attending a football booster club meeting.
Don't miss it, by gum.
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Truth Shall Set You Free
The City of Massillon is broke.
As a result of its deplorable financial condition, the city could not undertake a program of street repaving this year.
"Lack of funding is keeping the city from undertaking a paving program this year, but select streets have been chosen for patchwork repairs" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
"Select Streets"
Including the street where our Extraordinary Mayor for 125 Days, King Francis the Selected, resides.
We were told it is merely coincidence that the five streets scheduled to be repaired in the city this year are in the mayor's neighborhood.
We were told that this is mere coincidence, because in Massillon, our city engineer makes these decisions not based on the whims of his boss, the mayor, but on a rating system that rates the worst streets in the city.
According to City Engineer Keith Dylewski, these "select streets" "scored high on a ratings system used by his department" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
"scored high on a ratings system used by his department"
The crack Massillon Review research team was suspicious of this "ratings system."
The crack Massillon Review research team believed the only "ratings system" employed was that the mayor wanted his street fixed, and by god, it was going to be fixed.
They didn't believe the mayor's street was among the "worst in the city," and asked to see Dylewski's rating system.
Of course, there wasn't one.
Go figure.
Business as usual for the Extraordinary One and his lackeys.
"Correcting an earlier report, Dylewski said the paving project was not scored on a ratings system, but its condition still warrants the proposed repairs" (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
Actually, the truth is the City of Massillon doesn't even have a ratings system for streets.
Engineer Dylewski was referring to a street study performed by the Ohio Department of Transportation which did not even rate the mayor's street.
"However, since concrete streets such as Cyprus Drive were not included in the ratings, it was not one of the factors used by Dylewski and his staff to determine the project priority, he (Dylewski) said" (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
No Kidding.
City Engineer Keith Dylewski lied about a ratings system.
So that the controversy surrounding his "selection" of streets to be fixed would not seem so questionable.
His "selection" is questionable.
To the objective observer, it stinks.
There was no ratings system.
Dylewski lied.
And was caught.
Perhaps the next mayor will hire folks who won't lie.
As a result of its deplorable financial condition, the city could not undertake a program of street repaving this year.
"Lack of funding is keeping the city from undertaking a paving program this year, but select streets have been chosen for patchwork repairs" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
"Select Streets"
Including the street where our Extraordinary Mayor for 125 Days, King Francis the Selected, resides.
We were told it is merely coincidence that the five streets scheduled to be repaired in the city this year are in the mayor's neighborhood.
We were told that this is mere coincidence, because in Massillon, our city engineer makes these decisions not based on the whims of his boss, the mayor, but on a rating system that rates the worst streets in the city.
According to City Engineer Keith Dylewski, these "select streets" "scored high on a ratings system used by his department" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
"scored high on a ratings system used by his department"
The crack Massillon Review research team was suspicious of this "ratings system."
The crack Massillon Review research team believed the only "ratings system" employed was that the mayor wanted his street fixed, and by god, it was going to be fixed.
They didn't believe the mayor's street was among the "worst in the city," and asked to see Dylewski's rating system.
Of course, there wasn't one.
Go figure.
Business as usual for the Extraordinary One and his lackeys.
"Correcting an earlier report, Dylewski said the paving project was not scored on a ratings system, but its condition still warrants the proposed repairs" (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
Actually, the truth is the City of Massillon doesn't even have a ratings system for streets.
Engineer Dylewski was referring to a street study performed by the Ohio Department of Transportation which did not even rate the mayor's street.
"However, since concrete streets such as Cyprus Drive were not included in the ratings, it was not one of the factors used by Dylewski and his staff to determine the project priority, he (Dylewski) said" (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
No Kidding.
City Engineer Keith Dylewski lied about a ratings system.
So that the controversy surrounding his "selection" of streets to be fixed would not seem so questionable.
His "selection" is questionable.
To the objective observer, it stinks.
There was no ratings system.
Dylewski lied.
And was caught.
Perhaps the next mayor will hire folks who won't lie.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Unavailable
"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" (Frank Cicchinelli, The Independent, July 6, 2010).
The City is broke.
According to the Independent newspaper, "The city ran out of money to pay police officers and firefighters Friday and remains delinquent on thousands of dollars in bills dating as far back as May" (The Independent, August 20, 2011).
Of course our full-time mayor, with the full-time support staff, refuses to take responsibility for the city's finances.
His plan to deal with the city's monstrous budget shortfall in his final four and one half months as mayor is a closely held secret.
When the Independent queried him as to what his secret plan was, he must have been busy finalizing his budget fixes when they called him as "Cicchinelli did not immediately return a call placed to his office Friday" (The Independent, August 20, 2011).
He will probably call them back today, as he probably spent all weekend finishing his financial plan for the city.
Or not.
In the buck stops every where else world of Frank Cicchinelli, he has successfully dumped responsibility for the city's finances on Auditor Jayne Ferrero.
She, as usual, is happy to be tossed under the bus by our extraordinary Mayor for 132 Days, King Francis the Irresponsible.
Unfortunately, it isn't the auditor's job to budget the city's money.
According to our crack Massillon Review legal team, the city auditor is the city's bookkeeper, and has no responsibility under state law to determine the city's budgetary policy.
Ohio law states;
"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 derived therefrom, and of all taxes and assessments."
Since the mayor refuses to do his job, to clean up the city's finances from the messes he has created, this has now become the auditor's job.
Which is why when newspaper reporters want to know about the city's budget problems, they call the city auditor. It has become her job by default, and more importantly for the once and future king of the city, it has become her responsibility and problem.
This current budget was the mayor's budget.
He introduced it.
He pushed it.
He chastised members of council for wanting to cut it.
But now that the chickens have come home to roost, it isn't his problem.
The budget, by default, is the auditor's problem.
It is the auditor's shortfall.
And Auditor Ferrero is happy to once again take the fall for her extraordinary leader.
Who is unavailable to discuss city finances.
City finances he is responsible for.
That he created.
No matter how hard he tries to hide from them.
The City is broke.
According to the Independent newspaper, "The city ran out of money to pay police officers and firefighters Friday and remains delinquent on thousands of dollars in bills dating as far back as May" (The Independent, August 20, 2011).
Of course our full-time mayor, with the full-time support staff, refuses to take responsibility for the city's finances.
His plan to deal with the city's monstrous budget shortfall in his final four and one half months as mayor is a closely held secret.
When the Independent queried him as to what his secret plan was, he must have been busy finalizing his budget fixes when they called him as "Cicchinelli did not immediately return a call placed to his office Friday" (The Independent, August 20, 2011).
He will probably call them back today, as he probably spent all weekend finishing his financial plan for the city.
Or not.
In the buck stops every where else world of Frank Cicchinelli, he has successfully dumped responsibility for the city's finances on Auditor Jayne Ferrero.
She, as usual, is happy to be tossed under the bus by our extraordinary Mayor for 132 Days, King Francis the Irresponsible.
Unfortunately, it isn't the auditor's job to budget the city's money.
According to our crack Massillon Review legal team, the city auditor is the city's bookkeeper, and has no responsibility under state law to determine the city's budgetary policy.
Ohio law states;
"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 derived therefrom, and of all taxes and assessments."
Since the mayor refuses to do his job, to clean up the city's finances from the messes he has created, this has now become the auditor's job.
Which is why when newspaper reporters want to know about the city's budget problems, they call the city auditor. It has become her job by default, and more importantly for the once and future king of the city, it has become her responsibility and problem.
This current budget was the mayor's budget.
He introduced it.
He pushed it.
He chastised members of council for wanting to cut it.
But now that the chickens have come home to roost, it isn't his problem.
The budget, by default, is the auditor's problem.
It is the auditor's shortfall.
And Auditor Ferrero is happy to once again take the fall for her extraordinary leader.
Who is unavailable to discuss city finances.
City finances he is responsible for.
That he created.
No matter how hard he tries to hide from them.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A Horse is a Horse of Course, of Course
Nope. It's a street.
And where is this street you ask?
Kabul, Afghanistan?
Baghdad, Iraq?
Nope. It's a street here in Massillon.
It's Reservoir Drive.
Next to Reservoir Park.
A city street.
So you would think.
But you would be wrong.
According to the Cicchinelli for Mayor Committee, aka "The Committee," aka Safety-Service Director Mike Loudiana, Reservoir Drive isn't a "city" road, it's a "park road."
The Parks Department would have to fix it, with "park" dollars, not "city" dollars.
Odd how "park" dollars can pay for a city golf course, and "park" insurance claim money can go to the "city's" general operating fund, but the city can't repair a "park" road.
Of course the dollars aren't there to fix this street, or other streets in similar deplorable condition.
"Lack of funding is keeping the city from undertaking a paving program this year, but select streets have been chosen for patchwork repairs" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
"Select Streets."
And how does the city determine the "select streets" that are to be repaired?
According to City Engineer Keith Dylewski, an appointee of our Extraordinary Mayor for 136 Days, King Francis the Temporary, these "select streets" "scored high on a rating system used by his department" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
And who is the winner in this year's street repair lottery?
Why it's The Extraordinary One, our former Mayor Life.
Cyprus Drive, home to our mayor, and Augusta Drive, both located next to the Legends of Massillon Golf Course, will be repaired this year.
Our question is this;
Because those streets are next to the golf course, which is under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Department, which makes the golf course a park, doesn't that make these streets "Park roads," and not "City roads?"
Using the logic that was applied to Reservoir Drive, Cyprus Drive and Augusta Drive should not be repaired as they are not "City roads." They should be left to deteriorate and revert back to their natural state.
But they won't.
Because, according to Keith Dylewski's "rating system" these are the worst streets in the city.
Really?
Worst streets in the city?
Prove it.
Show us the "ratings system."
Prove that these are the worst streets in the city.
You won't.
Because you can't.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A Decision Made Out of Strength
We here at the Massillon Review have been criticized.
Criticized that we only publish negative commentary about School Board President Marshall "It's all about the kids (at least the ones who play football)" Weinberg.
What of Marshall's many successes?
We disagree.
We have pointed out how Marshall has successfully run multiple superintendents out of town.
We have heartily commended Marshall on completing the DREAM project, and making the head football coach the athletic director, therefore making football the undisputed champion of the athletic department.
And when Marshall is right, Marshall is right.
Marshall knew.
Marshall knew just how to purge the scourge of drugs from our community.
"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" (Marshall Weinberg, The Independent, March 30, 2010).
Head Football Coach Jason Hall has been athletic director for three weeks now.
And not one assistant coach or booster club member has been caught growing and selling marijuana.
Marshall was right.
Thank Goodness the head football coach can report directly to the superintendent.
There was no football booster club agenda to consolidate athletic department control and resources in the hands of the football program.
This was merely a decision made out of strength.
To keep drugs away from our kids.
Kudos Marshall.
Keep up the good work.
Criticized that we only publish negative commentary about School Board President Marshall "It's all about the kids (at least the ones who play football)" Weinberg.
What of Marshall's many successes?
We disagree.
We have pointed out how Marshall has successfully run multiple superintendents out of town.
We have heartily commended Marshall on completing the DREAM project, and making the head football coach the athletic director, therefore making football the undisputed champion of the athletic department.
And when Marshall is right, Marshall is right.
Marshall knew.
Marshall knew just how to purge the scourge of drugs from our community.
"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" (Marshall Weinberg, The Independent, March 30, 2010).
Head Football Coach Jason Hall has been athletic director for three weeks now.
And not one assistant coach or booster club member has been caught growing and selling marijuana.
Marshall was right.
Thank Goodness the head football coach can report directly to the superintendent.
There was no football booster club agenda to consolidate athletic department control and resources in the hands of the football program.
This was merely a decision made out of strength.
To keep drugs away from our kids.
Kudos Marshall.
Keep up the good work.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Seesan Might As Well Resign
Last year, School Board Member Tom Seesan refused to embrace the DREAM project, no not 'Developing Resources for Education and Athletics in Massillon, the DREAM project, making the head football coach the athletic director and putting football officially at the top of the Washington High School pyramid, athletically and academically.
Former Superintendent Lisa Carmichael opposed the takeover of the school system by the 'Friends of the Program' football boosters. Seesan backed her up.
As a result of her insubordination to the football powers that be, Carmichael was run out of town.
Seesan was seen as a traitor by the 'Friends of the Program,' and was the subject of a sign campaign throughout Massillon calling for his resignation.
Seesan may as well resign, because the takeover of our school district by the 'Friends of the Program' is absolutely complete.
As we peruse the list of candidates for the school board election in November, we see they all have one thing in common.
They are all 'Friends of the Program.'
Vicki Becherucci, despite her many flaws, was not an obedient rubber stamp for the Massillon Tigers ownership consortium.
Her replacement will be.
Let's review the candidates;
Marshall Weinberg, leader and chief propagandist for the football first faction on the school board.
Gary Miller, loyal 'Friend of the Program'
Troy Fry, loyal football booster and chief agitator for the "Seesan must Resign" sign campaign last year.
Michael Slater, loyal football booster.
Mary Strukel, loyal football booster.
After the election, Tom Seesan doesn't even have to bother to attend the school board meetings, he will be totally irrelevant.
He may as well resign.
Then he can be replaced with (drum roll please)
... a football booster
Think of the scheduling conflicts we can avoid.
School Board meetings and booster club meetings can be the same meeting.
Talk about efficient government.
Former Superintendent Lisa Carmichael opposed the takeover of the school system by the 'Friends of the Program' football boosters. Seesan backed her up.
As a result of her insubordination to the football powers that be, Carmichael was run out of town.
Seesan was seen as a traitor by the 'Friends of the Program,' and was the subject of a sign campaign throughout Massillon calling for his resignation.
Seesan may as well resign, because the takeover of our school district by the 'Friends of the Program' is absolutely complete.
As we peruse the list of candidates for the school board election in November, we see they all have one thing in common.
They are all 'Friends of the Program.'
Vicki Becherucci, despite her many flaws, was not an obedient rubber stamp for the Massillon Tigers ownership consortium.
Her replacement will be.
Let's review the candidates;
Marshall Weinberg, leader and chief propagandist for the football first faction on the school board.
Gary Miller, loyal 'Friend of the Program'
Troy Fry, loyal football booster and chief agitator for the "Seesan must Resign" sign campaign last year.
Michael Slater, loyal football booster.
Mary Strukel, loyal football booster.
After the election, Tom Seesan doesn't even have to bother to attend the school board meetings, he will be totally irrelevant.
He may as well resign.
Then he can be replaced with (drum roll please)
... a football booster
Think of the scheduling conflicts we can avoid.
School Board meetings and booster club meetings can be the same meeting.
Talk about efficient government.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Four More Years! Four More Years!
"I guarantee intelligent, educated and trained people in the room connect to me."
- School Board President Marshall Weinberg,
The Independent, June 17, 2011
After four glorious years of fronting for the 'Friends of the Program' football boosters, the Citizens of Massillon will be making a "decision out of strength" and rewarding School Board President Marshall "It's all about the kids" Weinberg with four more years of running our school system.
Four more years of thoughtful, insightful and visionary leadership...
"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" (The Independent, March 30, 2010).
Today was the deadline for potential Massillon City School Board candidates to file their nominating petitions with the county elections board. Three of the five seats on the school board are up for election this year.
The terms of incumbent board members Vicki Becherucci, Gary Miller and Marshall Weinberg are coming to an end. Miller and Weinberg are running for another term.
Vicki Becherucci is calling it a day, and is not running for another term. Perhaps her husband suing the school district and collecting our tax dollars in settlement did not engender her to the community. Perhaps no one else in her family needed a job in the school system. Or perhaps her doctors warned her that sitting next to Marshall Weinberg for four more years, and having to endure his endless pontification, would cause permanent damage to her auditory nerves.
What ever the reason, she has stepped aside. We now have five candidates for the three slots on the school board; Gary Miller, Marshall Weinberg, Troy Fry, Michael Slater, and Mary Strukel.
With this field of candidates, Weinberg is a lock for re-election.
Take it to the bank.
Four more years of fiscal responsibility.
Four more years of common sense.
Four more years of rubber stamping for the 'friends of the program' football boosters.
Yes, this will truly be, in the words of Marshall Weinberg, "a decision made out of strength."
Congratulations, Massillon.
Marshall Weinberg has four more years.
- School Board President Marshall Weinberg,
The Independent, June 17, 2011
After four glorious years of fronting for the 'Friends of the Program' football boosters, the Citizens of Massillon will be making a "decision out of strength" and rewarding School Board President Marshall "It's all about the kids" Weinberg with four more years of running our school system.
Four more years of thoughtful, insightful and visionary leadership...
"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" (The Independent, March 30, 2010).
Today was the deadline for potential Massillon City School Board candidates to file their nominating petitions with the county elections board. Three of the five seats on the school board are up for election this year.
The terms of incumbent board members Vicki Becherucci, Gary Miller and Marshall Weinberg are coming to an end. Miller and Weinberg are running for another term.
Vicki Becherucci is calling it a day, and is not running for another term. Perhaps her husband suing the school district and collecting our tax dollars in settlement did not engender her to the community. Perhaps no one else in her family needed a job in the school system. Or perhaps her doctors warned her that sitting next to Marshall Weinberg for four more years, and having to endure his endless pontification, would cause permanent damage to her auditory nerves.
What ever the reason, she has stepped aside. We now have five candidates for the three slots on the school board; Gary Miller, Marshall Weinberg, Troy Fry, Michael Slater, and Mary Strukel.
With this field of candidates, Weinberg is a lock for re-election.
Take it to the bank.
Four more years of fiscal responsibility.
Four more years of common sense.
Four more years of rubber stamping for the 'friends of the program' football boosters.
Yes, this will truly be, in the words of Marshall Weinberg, "a decision made out of strength."
Congratulations, Massillon.
Marshall Weinberg has four more years.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tax and Spend
A few short weeks after he was first sworn in as a member of Massillon City Council, David Hersher knew something was wrong in Tigertown.
Taxes were too low.
In his first initiative as a councilman, David Hersher put forth a proposal to raise our sewer rates.
But higher sewer rates weren't David Hersher's only accomplishment.
He proposed the new "Storm Water Utility Fee," a brand new tax for city government.
It passed on a five to four vote.
Now, we have no illusion that Mr. Hersher was any thing more than the front man for the man behind the curtain, the Great and Powerful Oz, who dreamed up these new taxes.
Hersher, however, was only too happy to do the dirty work himself, and be the face of taxation in Massillon.
It was clear that the buck would stop with Councilman Hersher.
And he was good with it.
Unfortunately, Councilman Hersher began to earn a reputation as a serial taxer.
When someone saw Dave Hersher around town, they reflexively grabbed their wallet, for fear that Councilman Hersher was scheming up a new way to separate the citizenry from their money.
He earned the moniker 'Taxman' Hersher for his efforts.
And Taxman Hersher was a reliable rubber stamp for the once and future Mayor for Life.
Taxman Hersher voted to spend $199,000 to buy the restaurant at the Legends of Massillon Golf Course, Club Legends.
Taxman Hersher voted to spend Community Development Block Grant dollars to pay the mortgage for the Hampton Inn.
And Taxman Hersher always rubber stamped the mayor's unbalanced budgets.
When Paul Manson pitched Auditor Jayne Ferrero's tax increase scheme to city council last night, it was assumed that Taxman Hersher would jump on board and lead the support for yet another tax increase.
After all, one doesn't earn a name like 'Taxman' by being fiscally responsible.
He didn't.
The Massillon Review is shocked, just shocked, that Taxman Hersher did not support the increase of our city's income tax.
Perhaps he has realized that 'Taxman' is not a good nickname to have in politics.
Perhaps he is finding his own way in the wake of the defeat of the Mayor for 152 days.
Perhaps.
Any more votes like this and he may start to lose his nickname.
And a good nickname is hard to find.
Taxes were too low.
In his first initiative as a councilman, David Hersher put forth a proposal to raise our sewer rates.
But higher sewer rates weren't David Hersher's only accomplishment.
He proposed the new "Storm Water Utility Fee," a brand new tax for city government.
It passed on a five to four vote.
Now, we have no illusion that Mr. Hersher was any thing more than the front man for the man behind the curtain, the Great and Powerful Oz, who dreamed up these new taxes.
Hersher, however, was only too happy to do the dirty work himself, and be the face of taxation in Massillon.
It was clear that the buck would stop with Councilman Hersher.
And he was good with it.
Unfortunately, Councilman Hersher began to earn a reputation as a serial taxer.
When someone saw Dave Hersher around town, they reflexively grabbed their wallet, for fear that Councilman Hersher was scheming up a new way to separate the citizenry from their money.
He earned the moniker 'Taxman' Hersher for his efforts.
And Taxman Hersher was a reliable rubber stamp for the once and future Mayor for Life.
Taxman Hersher voted to spend $199,000 to buy the restaurant at the Legends of Massillon Golf Course, Club Legends.
Taxman Hersher voted to spend Community Development Block Grant dollars to pay the mortgage for the Hampton Inn.
And Taxman Hersher always rubber stamped the mayor's unbalanced budgets.
When Paul Manson pitched Auditor Jayne Ferrero's tax increase scheme to city council last night, it was assumed that Taxman Hersher would jump on board and lead the support for yet another tax increase.
After all, one doesn't earn a name like 'Taxman' by being fiscally responsible.
He didn't.
The Massillon Review is shocked, just shocked, that Taxman Hersher did not support the increase of our city's income tax.
Perhaps he has realized that 'Taxman' is not a good nickname to have in politics.
Perhaps he is finding his own way in the wake of the defeat of the Mayor for 152 days.
Perhaps.
Any more votes like this and he may start to lose his nickname.
And a good nickname is hard to find.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Trust Us
"The Mayor explained that the merging of these two areas will maximize resources of the current departments and provide an organizational structure which will promote efficient operations giving top notch service to the public. The Mayor believes this decision now, in the long term, will be beneficial to everyone, and he stated they promised the citizens that the city would not subsidize this golf course" (Parks and Recreation Board Minutes, November 14, 2002).
Cicchinelli claimed that his proposal "was not a big scheme to have the parks department cover the golf course's expenses" (The Repository, December 17, 2002).
The last time the voters of Massillon voted to raise the city's income tax was in 1995. We voted to approve a .3% increase in the income tax to fund parks and recreation.
We were promised first class parks, and were told this money would not be used to subsidize the Legends of Massillon, the city's golf course.
We were lied to.
The mayor hijacked our parks money to subsidize the failing, and debt riddled golf course, despite promises to the contrary.
And now city council may want us to vote to raise our taxes again.
Strike that.
David Hersher, David McCune, Larry Slagle, Paul Manson and Glenn Gamber are contemplating asking us to raise our taxes again.
Why? So we can pay the mortgage and balloon payments for the Duncan Place Senior Housing project, another failed sweetheart deal leaving the taxpayers of Massillon on the hook for the money while the owner collects the rents and doesn't pay the mortgage?
Council members Hersher, McCune, Slagle, Manson and Council President Gamber will decide tonight whether or not to ask voters to raise the income tax again.
Councilman Mang has not been attending meetings for some time, and in all likelihood will not be present.
It is believed that council members Catazaro-Perry, Townsend, Peters, and Anderson will be voting no.
If Hersher, McCune, Manson and Slagle vote yes, Council President Gamber will have to break the 4-4 tie.
Do they expect us to trust them like we did in 1995?
As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' out for ya ?"
Our guess is "that dog won't hunt."
Cicchinelli claimed that his proposal "was not a big scheme to have the parks department cover the golf course's expenses" (The Repository, December 17, 2002).
The last time the voters of Massillon voted to raise the city's income tax was in 1995. We voted to approve a .3% increase in the income tax to fund parks and recreation.
We were promised first class parks, and were told this money would not be used to subsidize the Legends of Massillon, the city's golf course.
We were lied to.
The mayor hijacked our parks money to subsidize the failing, and debt riddled golf course, despite promises to the contrary.
And now city council may want us to vote to raise our taxes again.
Strike that.
David Hersher, David McCune, Larry Slagle, Paul Manson and Glenn Gamber are contemplating asking us to raise our taxes again.
Why? So we can pay the mortgage and balloon payments for the Duncan Place Senior Housing project, another failed sweetheart deal leaving the taxpayers of Massillon on the hook for the money while the owner collects the rents and doesn't pay the mortgage?
Council members Hersher, McCune, Slagle, Manson and Council President Gamber will decide tonight whether or not to ask voters to raise the income tax again.
Councilman Mang has not been attending meetings for some time, and in all likelihood will not be present.
It is believed that council members Catazaro-Perry, Townsend, Peters, and Anderson will be voting no.
If Hersher, McCune, Manson and Slagle vote yes, Council President Gamber will have to break the 4-4 tie.
Do they expect us to trust them like we did in 1995?
As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' out for ya ?"
Our guess is "that dog won't hunt."
The Dollars Will Be There
Tonight, Massillon City Council will be voting on Auditor Jayne Ferrero's plan to raise the city's income tax, in an effort to deal with the city's extraordinary budget shortfall.
Even should council approve this measure, it would be up to Massillon voters to approve this tax hike in November.
We can't imagine the good people of Massillon raising their income taxes to provide their city government, who has squandered their tax dollars on a hotel, an arena that was never built, a golf course that won't be paid off until 2032, un-voted annual pay raises for their elected officials, and now a senior housing project where the owner collects the rents and we pay the mortgage, with more money.
We just don't see it.
What could possibly be the campaign slogan for an income tax increase?
'If you give us more money we won't waste it as badly as we have been'
Put that on a bumper sticker.
Besides, the person most responsible for this financial mess, Massillon's Extraordinary Mayor for 153 days, opposes the tax hike.
At least "officially."
And why does he oppose it?
The cynical amongst us would speculate that he plans on making a political comeback, and wants to leave the biggest mess possible for his successor.
But we know the truth.
We know that the "dollars 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" (Frank Cicchinelli, The Independent, July 6, 2010).
See?
We don't need a tax increase. The 'dollars will be there.'
Even should council approve this measure, it would be up to Massillon voters to approve this tax hike in November.
We can't imagine the good people of Massillon raising their income taxes to provide their city government, who has squandered their tax dollars on a hotel, an arena that was never built, a golf course that won't be paid off until 2032, un-voted annual pay raises for their elected officials, and now a senior housing project where the owner collects the rents and we pay the mortgage, with more money.
We just don't see it.
What could possibly be the campaign slogan for an income tax increase?
'If you give us more money we won't waste it as badly as we have been'
Put that on a bumper sticker.
Besides, the person most responsible for this financial mess, Massillon's Extraordinary Mayor for 153 days, opposes the tax hike.
At least "officially."
And why does he oppose it?
The cynical amongst us would speculate that he plans on making a political comeback, and wants to leave the biggest mess possible for his successor.
But we know the truth.
We know that the "dollars 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" (Frank Cicchinelli, The Independent, July 6, 2010).
See?
We don't need a tax increase. The 'dollars will be there.'
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