Did You Know?

Did you know? The City of Massillon spends Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money to pay the mortgage for a private hotel.

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low - and moderate - income persons.

Massillon uses this money to pay the mortgage on the Hampton Inn hotel. At the May 3rd City Council meeting, City Council voted to allocate $211,000 of the city's share of CDBG money for the mortgage of the Hampton Inn for 2010. Only Councilwoman Kathy Catzaro-Perry voted no.

We can clearly see how paying the mortgage of a private hotel fulfills the mission of the CDBG grant "by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low - and moderate - income persons."

$211,000 of our tax dollars going to a private hotel just this year. The City is on the hook for a 20 year loan. $211,000 is just one year's obligation.

A hotel. What does Massillon's Mayor for Life think of spending our tax dollars for the mortgage of a private hotel;
"It was a good expenditure of tax dollars and the city is better off for it."
(The Independent, May 8, 2009)

Enough said.