Innumerable Massillon Review sources have confirmed that the city is dead broke, and they have essentially stopped paying their bills.
Local merchants are not being paid for services rendered, or products delivered.
Employee pension payments are not being made, and the city is being penalized on top of the delinquent payments they already owe.
It appears that the city is unable to make the December bond payment on the Recreation Center, which is strange as the Rec Center is supposed to be paid with park tax money.
Must have been a miserable year at the golf course.
The only person who doesn't appear to have their "head in the sand," is Third Ward Council member, and mayoral hopeful, Kathy Catazaro-Perry.
She has met with the state auditors to discuss our extraordinary financial problems.
Even though the city can't pay its bills, and indeed has stopped paying bills, her colleagues on city council insist on spending the city's money like drunken sailors on shore leave.
On Monday night, Massillon City Council chose to spend $109,000 to fix streets.
Five streets.
The mayor's street and four others, at the behest of the City Engineer, Keith Dylewski.
Dylewski lied about a street ratings system, but it didn't matter to our esteemed council.
The mayor's street is getting fixed.
The Boy Wonder, Councilman Larry Slagle, exclaimed that it was a matter of safety that we pave the mayor's extraordinarily dangerous street by the Legends Golf Course.
We know, we know, don't worry, "the dollars will be there."
Slagle's partner, The Lap Dog of the Treasury, Council Finance Chair Paul Manson, doesn't have a problem spending money the city doesn't have.
It seems that Manson has a firm grip on the situation;
"We do understand this very well," he told her (Kathy Catazaro-Perry). "Maybe your problem is you don't understand it. We are not in fiscal watch. We are not in fiscal emergency. We do have bills that we have to pick and choose, but the city does not stop moving" (Paul Manson, The Independent, 9/21/11).
Thanks Paul. Rest assured, all is well, because "we are not in fiscal emergency."
Firstly, fiscal emergency means that, literally, the state comes in and assumes control of the city because the locals screwed it up so bad, they can't be trusted to run their own government.
In Paul Manson's world, until that happens, everything is fine.
Secondly, "We do have bills that we have to pick and choose"
You "pick and choose" which bills you pay?
Seriously?
When you order goods and services, do you explain to the local merchant that he may not get paid, because we "pick and choose" which bills to pay?
Paul Manson is right on one point.
Kathy Catazaro-Perry doesn't understand.
She doesn't understand the one fundamental truth of Massillon City government.
The inmates are clearly running the asylum.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A Safety Issue
On the Massillon City Council agenda last night was a proposal to fix the street of our Extraordinary Mayor For 101 Days, King Francis of the Repaired Road, Lord Sovereign of the Concrete.
Now, one might be suspicious that the only five roads being repaired in all of the kingdom happen to be in our mayor's neighborhood.
Put those suspicious thoughts to rest.
In Massillon, our city engineer has a ratings system to determine which streets get fixed.
No monkey business here.
You see, these select streets "scored high on a ratings system used by his (City Engineer Keith Dylewski) department" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
Oh, wait, that was "The Big Lie."
There was no ratings system after all.
"Correcting an earlier report, Dylewski said the paving project was not scored on a ratings system..." (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
OK, so there was no rating system.
Surely our esteemed city council would see through this charade, and not be tricked into fixing the mayor's street.
Surely there were worse streets in the kingdom in more desperate need of repair.
Nope.
They supported it on a 7 to 1 vote.
Only Kathy Catazaro-Perry voted No.
"We need to make sure we're making payroll, paying police and fire, and we're not even paying bills" (Kathy Catazaro-Perry, The Independent, September 20, 2011).
Why "pay police and fire" when our tax dollars could be better spent repairing the mayor's road?
Catazaro-Perry shouldn't worry so much, because as we all know, "the dollars will be there."
Councilman Larry Slagle, on the other hand, sees more clearly the critical importance of fixing the mayor's street.
"I'm not going to sit on a council that stops paving the streets of Massillon,." He says it is a safety issue just as much as it is a financial one" (The Independent, September 20, 2011).
Yes, a "safety issue."
We sure don't want the mayor's car to go out of alignment.
As for the rest of us...
Now, one might be suspicious that the only five roads being repaired in all of the kingdom happen to be in our mayor's neighborhood.
Put those suspicious thoughts to rest.
In Massillon, our city engineer has a ratings system to determine which streets get fixed.
No monkey business here.
You see, these select streets "scored high on a ratings system used by his (City Engineer Keith Dylewski) department" (The Independent, August 16, 2011).
Oh, wait, that was "The Big Lie."
There was no ratings system after all.
"Correcting an earlier report, Dylewski said the paving project was not scored on a ratings system..." (The Independent, August 29, 2011).
OK, so there was no rating system.
Surely our esteemed city council would see through this charade, and not be tricked into fixing the mayor's street.
Surely there were worse streets in the kingdom in more desperate need of repair.
Nope.
They supported it on a 7 to 1 vote.
Only Kathy Catazaro-Perry voted No.
"We need to make sure we're making payroll, paying police and fire, and we're not even paying bills" (Kathy Catazaro-Perry, The Independent, September 20, 2011).
Why "pay police and fire" when our tax dollars could be better spent repairing the mayor's road?
Catazaro-Perry shouldn't worry so much, because as we all know, "the dollars will be there."
Councilman Larry Slagle, on the other hand, sees more clearly the critical importance of fixing the mayor's street.
"I'm not going to sit on a council that stops paving the streets of Massillon,." He says it is a safety issue just as much as it is a financial one" (The Independent, September 20, 2011).
Yes, a "safety issue."
We sure don't want the mayor's car to go out of alignment.
As for the rest of us...
McCune Watch Update
Massillon's Ward 6 Councilman, David McCune, has finally returned to city council.
On Monday night, McCune participated in his first voting session of Massillon City Council since August 1st.
This brings his absence rate down to 33%.
Having missed, on average, one out of every three meetings.
Welcome back!
On Monday night, McCune participated in his first voting session of Massillon City Council since August 1st.
This brings his absence rate down to 33%.
Having missed, on average, one out of every three meetings.
Welcome back!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Perfect Attendance
The crack Massillon Review research team has been pouring over city council records to ascertain the attendance of the various members of our august city council.
We are pleased to report that four council members have perfect attendance so far this year.
Hats off to Donnie Peters, Gary Anderson, Larry Slagle and Tony Townsend.
Twenty meetings.
Zero absences.
We are pleased to report that four council members have perfect attendance so far this year.
Hats off to Donnie Peters, Gary Anderson, Larry Slagle and Tony Townsend.
Twenty meetings.
Zero absences.
McCune Watch
Massillon's Ward 6 Councilman, David McCune, has missed yet another council meeting Monday night.
This brings McCune's absence rate to 7 out of 20 council meetings in 2011, for an absentee rate of...
35%
McCune hasn't attended a voting session of city council since August 1st.
We at the Massillon Review will be providing, as a public service, a David McCune Watch until our Ward 6 council member starts attending council meetings again.
This brings McCune's absence rate to 7 out of 20 council meetings in 2011, for an absentee rate of...
35%
McCune hasn't attended a voting session of city council since August 1st.
We at the Massillon Review will be providing, as a public service, a David McCune Watch until our Ward 6 council member starts attending council meetings again.
Monday, September 12, 2011
'Cuz All My Rowdy Friends Play Fantasy Football on Monday Night
It appears that Chief Williams was the Commissioner of his own fantasy football league.
On city time with city equipment.
Now we know why overtime is up, what with the fantasy draft and all.
We do, however, disagree with the Chief's discipline as it relates to the fantasy football league.
The City of Massillon Fantasy Football League, hereafter referred by its acronym, the CMFFL, seems like a fine use of our city resources.
Certainly less expensive than a city owned golf course, hotel, or senior housing complex.
As fantasy football is a recreational activity, perhaps it could be moved to the city Parks and Recreation Department, as a way to "streamline city government."
This could be the perfect vehicle for our Extraordinary Mayor for 110 days, King Francis the Unavailable, to settle his blood feud with Judge Eddie Elum once and for all.
On the gridiron.
Like men.
To battle for supremacy in the CMFFL.
Unfortunately, it looks like the league must begin the process of selecting a new commissioner.
School Board President Marshall Weinberg loves football. Maybe he could take over.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Absent
Massillon City Council was not able to conduct a whole lot of the people's business Tuesday night as a result of so many members of council being absent. Four members of council were unavailable for the Tuesday night session. Council member Hersher was taking a class. Council member Catazaro-Perry had a family medical emergency. Councilman Mang is personally ill. Catazaro-Perry and Hersher rarely miss a meeting.
And then we have Councilman David McCune.
McCune misses a lot of meetings.
According to city council's own minutes, McCune has missed 6 of the 19 scheduled council meetings so far this year.
McCune's absence rate is over 30%.
30 percent.
He hasn't been to a regularly scheduled session of city council since August 1.
We realize city council is a part time job.
But
Council normally has two regular meetings per month, plus the occasional special meeting.
The salary is $7,555 dollars per year.
If you have 28 meeting per year, that comes out to about $270 per regular meeting.
If your attendance record at your job was less than 70%, do you think you would still have a job?
David McCune thinks he should, as he is running for another term this November.
The first job of a city council member is to attend the meetings. If you can't attend the meetings, maybe you shouldn't run for the job.
McCune needs to do a better job of coming to the meetings.
And then we have Councilman David McCune.
McCune misses a lot of meetings.
According to city council's own minutes, McCune has missed 6 of the 19 scheduled council meetings so far this year.
McCune's absence rate is over 30%.
30 percent.
He hasn't been to a regularly scheduled session of city council since August 1.
We realize city council is a part time job.
But
Council normally has two regular meetings per month, plus the occasional special meeting.
The salary is $7,555 dollars per year.
If you have 28 meeting per year, that comes out to about $270 per regular meeting.
If your attendance record at your job was less than 70%, do you think you would still have a job?
David McCune thinks he should, as he is running for another term this November.
The first job of a city council member is to attend the meetings. If you can't attend the meetings, maybe you shouldn't run for the job.
McCune needs to do a better job of coming to the meetings.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
An Extraordinary Chicken Dinner
Massillon's Extraordinary Mayor for 117 Days, King Francis the Unavailable for Comment is, has been, and will always be ten moves ahead of Massillon City Council on the political chess board.
After spending the four months since his election defeat ignoring the city's monstrous budget shortfall, pushing police and fire contract negotiations off on to the next mayor, having nothing to say about the latest sweetheart deal to collapse, the Duncan Place senior housing project, residing on one of the five worst streets in the city, and generally being unavailable for comment on any topic, our beloved mayor has one policy concern that he wishes to address before his term of office expires at the end of the year.
He wants to redraw the boundaries for Massillon's six council wards.
By law, the city's six council wards must have populations that are about equal. Typically, these boundaries are drawn after each census, every ten years, to adjust for population changes.
And the mayor wants to offer his assistance to city council.
He has proposed a committee of five people to do the work.
Including himself.
As well as;
Community Development Director Aane Aaby (an appointee of the mayor)
The Mayor's Loyal Enforcer, Council President Glenn Gamber
A Republican member of city council (can only be Donnie Peters)
A Democratic member of city council (our guess is Paul Manson)
A Committee of five, just like the Park Board, with the mayor controlling at least three of the five votes (just like the park board).
This esteemed committee of five will be controlled by the mayor.
In essence, the mayor could draw the new council borders any way he wants, potentially leaving those he considers his enemies without a council seat.
Our guess is that either Tony Townsend, or Gary Anderson (or both) will be seatless, thrown into another member's ward, when the music stops.
That way our mayor can run candidates more to his liking in the new wards.
And he has the votes to do it.
All he needs is four votes.
Council has nine members, but longtime member Ron Mang has been ill, and unable to participate in council business, so there are effectively eight council members available for a vote.
Council members McCune, Manson, and Hersher will cheerfully rubber stamp the mayor's proposal.
Donnie Peters will vote for it because he gets to be on the committee, and can cut a deal to protect his own council seat.
And if Larry Slagle doesn't support it, it doesn't matter, as the Mayor's Loyal Enforcer, Council President Glenn Gamber, gets to vote when there is a tie.
And our mayor will get to draw the new council boundaries.
So much for separate branches of government, and the separation of power.
City Council should be extremely suspicious of letting the mayor draw these council boundaries.
He hasn't been interested in city government since his defeat in the May Democratic primary.
Until now.
It makes one wonder why.
City council would be better served by keeping the mayor, who has an axe to grind, from participating in this process. They should choose committee members who aren't guided by their personal political agendas.
Letting Frank Cicchinelli control the city council boundaries is akin to letting the proverbial fox guard the hen house.
You are going to end up with chicken for dinner every single time.
After spending the four months since his election defeat ignoring the city's monstrous budget shortfall, pushing police and fire contract negotiations off on to the next mayor, having nothing to say about the latest sweetheart deal to collapse, the Duncan Place senior housing project, residing on one of the five worst streets in the city, and generally being unavailable for comment on any topic, our beloved mayor has one policy concern that he wishes to address before his term of office expires at the end of the year.
He wants to redraw the boundaries for Massillon's six council wards.
By law, the city's six council wards must have populations that are about equal. Typically, these boundaries are drawn after each census, every ten years, to adjust for population changes.
And the mayor wants to offer his assistance to city council.
He has proposed a committee of five people to do the work.
Including himself.
As well as;
Community Development Director Aane Aaby (an appointee of the mayor)
The Mayor's Loyal Enforcer, Council President Glenn Gamber
A Republican member of city council (can only be Donnie Peters)
A Democratic member of city council (our guess is Paul Manson)
A Committee of five, just like the Park Board, with the mayor controlling at least three of the five votes (just like the park board).
This esteemed committee of five will be controlled by the mayor.
In essence, the mayor could draw the new council borders any way he wants, potentially leaving those he considers his enemies without a council seat.
Our guess is that either Tony Townsend, or Gary Anderson (or both) will be seatless, thrown into another member's ward, when the music stops.
That way our mayor can run candidates more to his liking in the new wards.
And he has the votes to do it.
All he needs is four votes.
Council has nine members, but longtime member Ron Mang has been ill, and unable to participate in council business, so there are effectively eight council members available for a vote.
Council members McCune, Manson, and Hersher will cheerfully rubber stamp the mayor's proposal.
Donnie Peters will vote for it because he gets to be on the committee, and can cut a deal to protect his own council seat.
And if Larry Slagle doesn't support it, it doesn't matter, as the Mayor's Loyal Enforcer, Council President Glenn Gamber, gets to vote when there is a tie.
And our mayor will get to draw the new council boundaries.
So much for separate branches of government, and the separation of power.
City Council should be extremely suspicious of letting the mayor draw these council boundaries.
He hasn't been interested in city government since his defeat in the May Democratic primary.
Until now.
It makes one wonder why.
City council would be better served by keeping the mayor, who has an axe to grind, from participating in this process. They should choose committee members who aren't guided by their personal political agendas.
Letting Frank Cicchinelli control the city council boundaries is akin to letting the proverbial fox guard the hen house.
You are going to end up with chicken for dinner every single time.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Happy Labor Day, Massillon!
As a result of your hard work and toil, the City of Massillon has been able to spend your tax dollars on;
An unprofitable golf course
A restaurant at said golf course, without a business plan
The mortgage for a privately owned hotel
An arena that was never built
Unvoted, automatic annual pay raises for the mayor, city council, law director, auditor, and treasurer
The mortgage for a senior housing project, where the owner collects the rents and doesn't pay the mortgage (do we see a trend here?)
Repairing the mayor's street, based on the city engineer's "recommendation" and "ratings system"
Overtime for the mayor's appointees, including an extraordinary amount of overtime for the street superintendent who can't plow snow, and a parks director who blames the disgraceful state of our parks on "vandals," and not the hijacking of money that voters earmarked to improve our park system to subsidize a golf course.
Enjoy your day off, citizens of Massillon.
You sure have paid for it.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Another Pledge
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.
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.
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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