tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101219432024-03-05T21:16:20.183-05:00Open, Honest Government for North CantonChuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-88634032465883887692016-05-24T21:52:00.000-04:002016-05-24T21:52:44.500-04:00North Canton CRA Property Tax Abatements Undermine Our Schools and Enrich Corporate Interests and Multi-millionaires
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">May 23, 2016</b></div>
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<br /><br /> I would like to recite the children’s story of Chicken Little that we remember from our youth as a learning aid to the current discussion on the proposed expansion of the City’s CRA. <br /><br /> Chicken Little woke up one morning and went for a walk in the town where she lived. While walking, an acorn from a tall oak tree fell and hit her on the head with a PLUNK! </div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The sky is
falling, the sky is falling!” she yelled. “I must run and warn the King!” </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On the way,
she ran into Henny Penny. “Chicken Little, what’s wrong?” asked Henny Penny.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The sky is
falling, the sky is falling! We must run and warn the King!” cried Chicken
Little….</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I will run
with you!” said Henny Penny. So Chicken Little and Henny Penny ran together….</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[And so on
and so on] until Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey
all ran together. Soon they ran into Foxy Loxy. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You will
be safe in my den,” said clever Foxy Loxy. “You can hide in there. I will run
and tell the king.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">So Chicken
Little, Henny Penny, Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey followed Foxy Loxy to his
den. They were never seen or heard from again.</span></div>
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<br /> The moral in this story is that when something happens, one should not believe </div>
whatever first comes to one’s mind to be the cause or believe the first possible <br />
option to be true. <br /><br /> The story of Chicken Little teaches us to think before jumping to conclusions. <br /><br /> How can this Council conclude that North Canton is so blighted that the sky is falling? Investment in North Canton is not discouraged as the statute requires for the creation of a CRA. <br /><br /> The Main Street trailer park that has been described as blighted did not discourage investment in that area. This is evidenced by the fact that O-Reilley Auto Parts and CVS Pharmacy both built on property abutting the trailer park. <br /><br /> The property tax abatement given for North Ridge Place, the 40 unit apartment complex built on the former site of the trailer park was unconscionable. The abatement, 100% for fifteen years, amounts to $59,129, in 2015 dollars, per year, will total close to a million dollars over the term of fifteen years. <br /><br /> The property may be residential in nature, but it is investment property that will result in the diversion of needed funds to the North Canton City Schools. The North Canton library and several North Canton levies also will not receive the revenue earmarked for them in the distribution of property taxes. <br /><br /> North Canton’s CRA is an affront to the taxpayers of the City as it is being administered to forgive taxes on properties owned by corporations and multi-millionaires. These individuals and entities are high net worth individuals who can easily absorb the payment of property taxes into their business activities. <br /><br /> I have a handout to leave with you that shows the unfortunate stakeholders in the loss of the property taxes you are abating. <br /><br /> The North Canton City Schools are the major loser in this expansion of the CRA program. Ordinance 32-2016 will bring riches to the rich, but financial decline to our City Schools. <br /><br /> Mr. Griffith, you have repeatedly stated that the schools will realize a boost in revenue when the terms of these abatements run their course. <br /><br /> Could you or anyone on this Council live without a raise in salary for the next 10 or 12 or 15 years? That is what you are asking the North Canton City Schools to live with. <br /><br /> Do not be a casualty like Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Goosey Loosey, or Turkey Lurkey. <br /><br /> The sky is not falling! If North Canton properties are not maintained, there are zoning codes on the books to deal with those issues. <br /><br /> You cannot give away the lifeblood of the City as you are doing to get homeowners to maintain their properties. <br /><br />Thank you,<br />Chuck Osborne<br />
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Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-4746082996025305702016-05-03T02:35:00.000-04:002016-05-03T02:35:35.375-04:00May 2, 2016 - North Canton Council of the Whole Meeting<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">North Canton Residents and Anyone Having Interest in the Business of North Canton City Government:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Pasted below is a link to a video of the North Canton Council of the Whole meeting held on Monday, May 2, 2016.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://youtu.be/NsWm08pzIyo"><span style="color: blue;">https://youtu.be/NsWm08pzIyo</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><br />
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of Video:</span><strong> </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May
2, 2016, – North Canton Committee of the Whole Meeting: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The video covers a North Canton
Committee of the Whole meeting lasting just under an hour in length. The meeting
is called to order approximately one minute into the video. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Following roll call, Council
President Peters calls for a vote to excuse Councilmember Marcia Kiesling as
she was absent. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is Council-member
Kiesling’s third meeting absence. Mrs. Kiesling has also failed to attend meetings
of Council on February 8, 2016, and on March 7, 2016.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The
agenda for the Committee of the Whole meeting consisted of the following for
legislative action:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> •<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emergency legislation to increase the
salary and vacation allowance for of exempt employees. These are employees who
work at the pleasure of either the Mayor or City Council.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> •<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emergency Resolution authorizing the
Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the North
Canton Police Department and the Stark County’s Sheriff’s Office to support the
Stark County OVI Task Force.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> •<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A presentation on the City’s response
to mitigate impact of flooding from the Zimber Ditch.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> •<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legislation authorizing expenditure of
$3,000 in donated funds for the purchase of trees.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1:50 minutes into the video, Council
President Peters, as Chairperson of the Personnel and Safety Committee,
introduces proposed legislation to increase the salaries and vacation allowances
for the City’s exempt employees. The specific positions initially targeted for
the increase in compensation levels are depicted in the following table. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRuW6WKj2C4mH1iFaKOlWxyphGahyphenhyphen5QZQgFi9j2fA0rQwLTYQLIk9Npz5-IxqwrZk8jUTVmFtsq-qxrULHHiAYS6sx0SSCSMHanzgf9v9N0Oyk7dDaQ2HgvADsSBziYe-5HF7/s1600/Scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRuW6WKj2C4mH1iFaKOlWxyphGahyphenhyphen5QZQgFi9j2fA0rQwLTYQLIk9Npz5-IxqwrZk8jUTVmFtsq-qxrULHHiAYS6sx0SSCSMHanzgf9v9N0Oyk7dDaQ2HgvADsSBziYe-5HF7/s400/Scan.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The discussion on the proposed increase
in compensation levels ultimately was expanded to include all exempt employees.
The Clerk of Council position was clearly one of the additional exempt positions
mentioned but there are several other exempt positions in the City. It is my
understanding that the two clerks in the Mayor’s office and the Director of
Economic Development are exempt employees. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I might add that any increase in
salary would not reflect the added sixteen percent in pension contributions
paid on behalf of the employee by the City. For example, an exempt employee
making $100,000 annual actually receives $116,000 per year. The extra sixteen
thousand dollars is the City’s contribution to that employee’s pension.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the Mayor’s State of the City
presentation just a week ago, if memory serves me correctly, income tax
collections for this year are down from last year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With City Council’s plans to expand
the City’s Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) thus increasing the number of
tax abatements going to Corporations and multi-millionaires, one has to wonder how
the City is going to survive financially. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The proposed increases in
compensation levels to employees who work at the pleasure of either the Mayor
or City Council was the significant topic of the meeting.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I might add that there was no
mention of the nearly forty-four percent raise in the cards for North Canton Law
Director Tim Fox. And I might add that Mr. Fox did not utter a word the entire
night. Perhaps he did not want to bring any attention to his proposed hefty
raise.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16:20 minutes into the video,
Chairperson Peters discusses the proposed Emergency Resolution noted earlier.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17:25 minutes into the video, Ward 4
Councilperson, as Chairperson of Street and Alley makes a presentation an
update to Council on the Zimber Ditch and the City’s flood mitigation efforts.
Mr. Fonte concludes his presentation at 43:25 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">43:25 minutes into the video,
Chairperson Dan Griffith discusses his proposal to authorize expenditure of
$3,000 of donated funds for the purchase of ornamental trees.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">44:50 minutes into the video, Council
President Peters asks to amend the agenda to allow Councilmember Cerreta to
propose that the Dogwood tree serve as North Canton's official City tree. Mr. Cerreta made this proposal in anticipation of the upcoming 3<sup>rd</sup>
Reading next week to remove the North Canton tagline as “The
Dogwood City” given that there was some citizen opposition
to removing the "Dogwood City” tagline.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">47:20 minutes into the video,
Chairman Peters again amended the agenda to allow Councilmember Foltz to update
Council on Park and Recreation issues.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">57:20 minutes into the video, the
Council meeting was concluded.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The video ends at the
one hour mark (1:00 minutes).<o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank
you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chuck
Osborne</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-35826502017773702892016-04-19T05:32:00.001-04:002016-04-19T05:32:57.515-04:00Failed Tax Abatements Had No Impact on Business Development in North Canton
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">April 18, 2016</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The number of tax abatements to
businesses that have been approved by North Canton City Council over the years
but that ultimately were found to be unworkable, resulting in NO abatement of
taxes, yet led to relocation or expansion in North Canton, should be cause for
concern. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Members of City Council should be
asking themselves, “Were these abatements really necessary?”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The oft-repeated argument in
support of the abatement of taxes each and every time a request is made is that
the business would relocate or expand elsewhere if the abatement were not
provided. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">A memorable quote made by Mona Lisa
Vito in the movie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Cousin Vinny</i>, seems
appropriate here when she says, “Well, that plans moot.” Arguing that a
business will relocate or expand elsewhere if a tax abatement is not given is
unfounded. In other words, “That argument is moot!”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Specific abatements, authorized by
City Council, that proved unworkable and yet the businesses relocated or
expanded in North Canton are the following: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2006, legislation was before
City Council for an abatement of taxes for Dr. Suglio. Despite the fact that I
made Council aware of issues regarding this abatement, Council nonetheless
approved the abatement only to pass additional legislation a month later rescinding
the abatement. Dr. Suglio continued his investment on Main Street without an
abatement of property taxes and later opened up his Gourmet Coffee Shop. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Link to the January 9, 2006 remarks
to City Council regarding the Suglio abatement is below: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2006/01/tax-abatements-used-as-handouts-in.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2006/01/tax-abatements-used-as-handouts-in.html</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2007, there were discussions to approve
an abatement of taxes for the construction of a Sherwin-Williams Paint Store on
Applegrove. When I asked why a $28 billion a year company needed a tax
abatement, this abatement was quashed before legislation came up for a vote. As
we all know, there is a Sherwin-Williams Paint Store on Applegrove today, and
amazingly, it did not require the loss of scarce tax dollars needed by </span><span style="color: #333333;">the North Canton City Schools, the North Canton City
Library, the Stark County Park District, or the City of North Canton.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Link to
the May 14, 2007 remarks to City Council regarding the Sherwin-Williams tax
abatement is below:</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2007/05/council-contemplates-tax-abatement-to_15.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2007/05/council-contemplates-tax-abatement-to_15.html</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">In
2009, following approval of a liquor option by voters, the Fred W. Albrecht
Grocery Company announced that they were embarking on an expansion of the store’s
Liquor Department as well as a remodel of the entire Acme Fresh Market Store on
North Main Street. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Link to
the April 13, 2009 remarks to City Council regarding the Acme abatement is below: </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2009_04_13_archive.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2009_04_13_archive.html</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Amazingly,
AFTER the announced expansion, North Canton’s Director of Economic Development,
Eric Bowles, contacted Acme Fresh Market and offered a tax abatement. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">WHY???</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">And more
astonishingly, this Council body approved the abatement with passage of Ordinance
No. 33-09. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Again,
I ask, WHY?</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">The
Acme Fresh Market Store had been an anchor store for twenty-years in North
Canton and their announcement to expand and remodel indicated their intention
to remain in the City. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">This
was not a prudent decision on the part of Mr. Bowles at that time. The
recommendation from Mr. Bowles that Council should now expand the City’s CRA
Program is equally ill-advised. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In my recent conversations with the
Stark County Auditor’s office, I have learned that the Fred W. Albrecht Grocery
Company never actually received any abatement of property taxes as the store
improvements never raised the appraised valuation of the property, yet the
business has remained in North Canton.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2011, City Council gave an
Industrial and Commercial Occupancy grant to Ben Suarez for what was called
Project Omega under Ordinance 53-11. The Suarez Corporation never met any of
the requirements to qualify for any rebate of taxes. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Link to the May 23, 2011 remarks to
City Council regarding the grant to The Suarez Corp.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2011_05_23_archive.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://opengovernment4nc.blogspot.com/2011_05_23_archive.html</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2012, City Council approved an
Industrial and Commercial Retention Grant for Crowl, Montgomery & Clark with
the passage of Ordinance No. 68-12. This is a digital marketing firm that had
operated out of office space on North Main Street for two decades and decided
to relocate its offices to an old Victorian house on South Main Street. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am not sure how a digital
marketing company fits the requirements of an Industrial and Commercial Grant
and that may be why the business never executed a grant agreement. Crowl,
Montgomery & Clark ultimately never received any tax dollars, yet they
remained in North Canton.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is no one who could say that
North Canton City Council doesn’t try hard to give away tax dollars needed by
the </span><span style="color: #333333;">North Canton City Schools, the Library, the
Stark County Park District, or just the City of North Canton. The past history
of the failed abatements seems to underscore that the abatements were not
critical to the businesses as they are a part of our community despite NOT
receiving the abatement.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">A
summary of the Ohio Community Reinvestment Area Program states, “Ohio’s CRA
Program was created to promote the revitalization of areas where investment has
been discouraged….”</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Creation
of CRAs in the City is not needed and declaring that any area of North Canton
discourages investment is wholly untrue. Banks are still lending to creditworthy
applicants who want to build or refurbish structures throughout the City of North
Canton.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">In the
future, voters will find it difficult to approve levies, school or not, knowing
that City Council is handing out tax dollars to millionaires, corporations, and
businesses that need no encouragement to stay and grow in North Canton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Thank you,</div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne</span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">Resident </span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-23503124373067321182016-04-12T02:52:00.000-04:002016-04-12T02:52:01.162-04:00North Canton CRA Tax Abatements Raise Serious Practical and Moral Questions for Taxpayers and Our Local School District
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">April 11, 2016</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is pretty well accepted in case
law that the courts will rarely meddle in the legislative actions and decisions
made by elected bodies of city governments as there is the presumption that
representative governments are acting on behalf of their constituency.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2005, while in the midst of a
major renovation to our home, my wife and I became aware of legislation working
its way through City Council modifying or expanding an existing program called a
Community Reinvestment Area (CRA). The program provided an abatement of taxes
on the increased valuation of the property resulting from improvements to
existing housing stock in the City.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mindful that $150,000 in
improvements to our home was a substantial investment and that we were indeed
making improvements to the City’s existing housing stock, my wife and I
enrolled in City’s CRA program. The program, first implemented in 1999, was a
legislative action of our elected representatives. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who were we to question the legislative
actions of North Canton City Council?</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Does anyone on City Council believe
the program has served our Community in a positive manner over the seventeen
years the CRA program has existed in North Canton? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And now this Council wants to
expand the CRA and make it a City-wide program. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do not believe this program is
serving the City and has not since its inception.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was my home blighted and deserving of a tax
abatement for after all, that was the purpose of the program?</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">NO, it was NOT blighted. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did my wife and I need a financial
incentive to improve our property eleven years ago? Again, the answer is NO!</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are seven other participants currently
receiving tax abatements in the City’s CRA program and I can say without
hesitation that they also did not need a financial incentive for the investments
they made in their properties. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Six of the properties receiving tax
abatements are corporations. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Five of the eight properties
receiving tax abatement are for new construction.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two of the property owners
receiving tax abatements are well-known individuals who are multi-millionaires
in our community. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">North Canton’s CRA program is
nothing but a tax giveaway pure and simple. The taxes that you are abating are
revenue desperately needed by the North Canton City School District.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Sunday, April 3, 2016, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Repository</i> ran a front page story titled
“REBUILDING THE VIKINGS’ COFFERS.” This story is a prelude to what is looming
for the North Canton City Schools.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The abatement of property taxes for
improvements, at most, should be limited to existing housing structures as was the
original purpose of the program. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And with only two homeowners in
seventeen years utilizing the program to improve existing housing, with neither
owner needing an incentive to do so, it is quite obvious that the entire
program is an utter failure. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the spread sheet that I have
passed around, I have tallied up the costs of the abatement to the City and the
School District. For 2015, there has been a loss of nearly $100,000 in tax
collections; two- thirds of that total would have gone to the schools. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">A tally of the forgone taxes over
the full term of each of the eight abatements totals $1,346,345. This loss will
rise as property valuations increase over the years.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The CRA is nothing more than a tax
dodge that has predominately benefited corporate interests and millionaires,
all to the detriment of the North Canton City School District.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lastly, I want to call to your
attention the abatement of taxes for the construction of a 40-unit apartment
complex, called North Ridge Place, LTD at 1303 N. Main St.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This abatement is immoral and
possibly illegal. It is also unfair to the taxpayers of North Canton. It is highly
detrimental to the North Canton City Schools, and backlash on this abatement could
very well lead to the defeat of the next school levy.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have looked for a record of any
Council action on this abatement and have found none. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mayor Held, the terms for this particular
CRA abatement have resulted in forgone property taxes in 2015 of $59,129. Over
the fifteen-year term of this abatement, the City and the North Canton City
School District will have forgone over ONE MILLION DOLLARS in revenue on this
one abatement alone. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">If your Director of Permits &
Inspection, Mr. Bowles, made the unilateral decision to approve this abatement,
and it appears he did, you should ask for his resignation.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This loss of public funds on this
abatement is unconscionable and can only result from malfeasance, misfeasance
or nonfeasance on the part of Mr. Bowles.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Further, I ask that this Council
reexamine many of the CRA abatements currently outstanding and terminate all
the tax abatements that do not result in rehabilitation of existing housing
structures in the City.</span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Thank you,</div>
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<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne</span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">Resident </span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-31751838530180138082015-12-14T23:40:00.000-05:002015-12-14T23:40:15.255-05:00North Canton City Council Meetings Repeatedly Violate City Charter and City Ordinances Governing Rules of Council
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 14, 2015</b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It would seem
that everyone at City Hall, and most especially individuals connected to the
Office of City Council, no longer feel compelled to follow or comply with the
City’s Charter or its ordinances.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Section 2.04 of the City’s Charter
states in part, “…Council shall meet at such times as may be prescribed by its
rules, regulations, by-laws, or by resolution or ordinance, except that it
shall hold regular meetings at least once during each calendar month.”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the months of
July and December of 2014, this Council body failed to hold a regular meeting
during each of those calendar months. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Under the City’s
Codified Ordinances, Part One, Title Three, Chapter 111, titled COUNCIL: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Chapter
111.01(a) states “Council of the City of North Canton, (“Council”) shall meet
on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Council
chambers….”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why
did this Council body hold a regular Council meeting on the first Monday of the
month?</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">(December 7, 2015) when North Canton Ordinance requires a
Committee of the Whole meetings on the first Monday of the month? </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How can residents
observe voting on legislation when legislative voting nights do not comply with
rules of Council and City ordinances? </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is one of many meetings over
the last eighteen months that have not complied with the rules of Council
regarding the scheduling of Council meetings on the prescribed night. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">These actions by North Canton City
Council are contrary to our City Charter and the very laws each of you are
sworn to uphold. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Chapter 111.01(f) states: “Council
shall meet as a Committee of the Whole on the first, third, and fifth Monday…” </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tonight you have scheduled a “Special”
Committee of the Whole meeting. What is a “Special” Committee of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Whole? </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the nearly
sixteen years I have observed North Canton’s legislative agenda, I have never
seen such an animal. It is not described in City ordinances nor is it described
in the City Charter. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A “Special” Committee
of the Whole meeting is an invention of the newly appointed Council Clerk who,
unfortunately, was never trained to function under North Canton’s municipal home
rule form of government.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How could this
current membership of City Council have expected an individual to fill a
position as Clerk of Council with absolutely no training? Previous appointees
as Council Clerks had trained for years before appointment as Clerk of Council.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is the fallout from the loss </span>of
a highly valued, highly-skilled, and extremely professional Council Clerk who
had served North Canton City Council for nearly seventeen years before she was
pushed out as North Canton Clerk of Council<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your actions in allowing her to be
treated in such a manner were shameful and counterproductive for yourselves.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Section 2.04 of the City’s Charter
further states in part, “…Special meetings of the Council may be called as
prescribed by its rules, regulations, by-laws, or by resolution or by
ordinance. In the absence of any such provisions, special meetings may be
called by a vote of Council taken an any regular or special meeting thereof, or
shall be called by the Clerk of Council upon written request of the Mayor, or
the President of Council, or by any three (3) members of Council. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Notice in writing of each special
meeting called at the request of the Mayor, President of Council, or by
three(3) members of council, shall state the date, and time , subjects to be
considered and no other subject or subjects shall be considered thereat…”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Is City Council following
all of the requirements specified in the City’s Charter to call a Special
Council meeting? To confirm compliance, I would like to see all written
requests for Special Council meetings held over the last two years. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They are called Special
Council meetings for a reason. The subjects to be considered must be described
in the written request for the meeting. I do not believe that this is being
done. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On December 1,
2014, a Special Council meeting was held. Ten pieces of legislation were voted
on. This was a Committee of the Whole night. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Did this Special
Council meeting comply with North Canton’s City Charter? </span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> No, it did not! </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>North Canton City
Council must comply with the laws it legislates for itself and for its
citizens.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Due process and
the laws of North Canton must be followed. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Each of you took an oath to do just
that! </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Thank you, </div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne,
Resident </span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-77852934956921132762015-09-29T22:03:00.002-04:002015-09-29T22:05:44.661-04:00North Canton Allows Wholesale Violations of Zoning Code in Expansion of Hoover District South Parking Lot
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">APPEAL HEARING</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">September 29, 2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am here tonight
on an appeal filed first on October 10, 2014, by myself and my wife, and
subsequently again by my wife and me and numerous other City residents, on
November 7, 2014 from a recommendation of the Planning Commission to allow
expansion of the Hoover District South Parking Lot.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both appeals filed with the City
are part of the record now on file. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The City of North Canton has
allowed wholesale violations of its Zoning Code in the expansion of the Hoover
District South Parking Lot.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The origins of
the city’s participation in the gross mishandling of the required approvals for
the planned expansion began when after approving a zone change for the portion
of the parking lot from residential to business late in 2013, Maple Street
Commerce alerted the City that it wished to decline the zone change to business
previously approved by the City’s Planning Commission. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At this point, it
did not take a genius to realize that something was amiss and that it was not
going to be pretty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite unanimous
opposition from nearby residents, the expansion was approved by the City’s
Planning Commission. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wholesale
violations of the City’s Zoning Code are almost too numerous to detail in the
time allotted here tonight. I will attempt to highlight the violations that are
part of the record now on file.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">CHAPTER 1153 – OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REGULATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Requires satellite parking spaces intended
for employee spaces be located within 400 feet walking distance of the public
entrance. Before expansion even started the distance was already nearly 410
feet away. Expansion has increased that distance to a minimum of 560 feet. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Requires width of parking spaces to be 10
feet. When the YMCA expanded their parking lot a number of years ago, they were
required to comply with the 10 foot requirement.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Hoover District was allowed 9 foot
parking spaces resulting in greater density of cars and more traffic to the lot.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Requires landscaping on the interior
parking lot – in </span><span style="color: black;">the minutes of the May 7,
2014, Planning Commission meeting, member Tim Morrow raised this concern
stating “…your landscaping – a third-grader could have come up with a better
plan than that.” Mr. Morrow also stated that “…you’re trying to create an
office building complex and you have a factory parking lot. I think you’ve got
some serious problems.” </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Total Noncompliance with this chapter of the City’s Zoning
Code!</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">CHAPTER 1155.11 – LANDSCAPING, SCREENING AND OUTDOOR LIGHTING
REGULATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">No compliance with this chapter of the
zoning code, especially regarding outdoor lighting. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Given that neighborhoods to the south and
southeast of the parking lot have lost not one but two protective buffer of
trees, one being the mature Pin Oaks on East Maple and the second being the
hundreds of trees immediately abutting our properties on the south side of the
parking lot, this requirement is critically important.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">At the May 7, 2014, Planning Commission
meeting, Commission member Tim Morrow stated “…lighting, needs low level
lighting in that parking lot - right now you’ve got those old factory lights in
that parking lot, that’s totally unacceptable in my mind.” </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the loss of all the trees,
lighting from the building and the street needs to be addressed. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Total
Noncompliance with this chapter of the City’s Zoning Code!</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">CHAPTER 1145 – CONDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This section covers some of the
requirements in the code previously noted as well as requirements not
previously addressed in other chapters to include: minimizing impact on
adjacent property owners, ensuring project will not be detrimental on property
values in the immediate vicinity etc.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Total
Noncompliance with this chapter of the City’s Zoning Code!</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">CHAPTER 1133 – SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
REGULATION</span></u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->States “Although a use may be indicated as a permitted
principal, conditional or accessory use in a particular residential district,
it shall not be approved on a parcel unless it can be located thereon in full
compliance with all the standards and other regulations of this Ordinance…”<o:p> </o:p></div>
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LOCATING A LARGE COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT UTILIZED FOR
BUSINESS PURPOSES CONFLICTS WITH THE INTENT OF A DISTRICT ZONED (R-2F)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RESIDENTIAL TWO-FAMILY.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Total
Noncompliance with this chapter of the City’s Zoning Code!</span></b></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<u>CHAPTER 1177 – CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND SIMILAR USES</u><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">States “The Planning Commission shall
review the proposed use…to determine whether or not the proposed use is
appropriate and in keeping with the purpose and intent of the Zoning
Ordinance…and complies with the general criteria established for all
conditional uses and the specific requirements established for that particular
use, as set forth in Chapter 1145 of this Zoning Ordinance.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Total
Noncompliance with this chapter of the City’s Zoning Code!</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I might add that
Judge Farmer has already affirmed one particular violation under this chapter
of the City’s Zoning Code in her recent ruling requiring this council body to
hear our appeal. Chapter 1177.10 requires Council action on Planning Commission
recommendations. This Council has failed to do so.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How is it that
Maples Street Commerce was able to start construction of the parking lot
without all the required approvals? And further, how is it that Maple Street
Commerce was able to start construction after an appeal was presented to the
City?</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">CHAPTER 1121 – TITLE, PURPOSE, AND APPLICATION</span></u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This chapter states in part that the
purpose of the Zoning Code is to “regulate and restrict the ways in which land
can be used in order to promote the public health, safety, convenience,
prosperity, or general welfare.”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some of the listed purposes of the
City’s Zoning Code are to provide adequate open spaces for light and air, to
protect the character and value of residential areas, and manage congestion on
the streets by locating uses in such a manner that they will cause the least
interference with, and be damaged least by traffic movements.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Total
Noncompliance with this chapter of the City’s Zoning Code!</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am sorry to see
this City and this Council behave in the manner it has regarding the expansion
of this parking lot that has greatly intruded onto the peace and tranquility of
a North Canton neighborhood.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Common Pleas
Court Judge Farmer in her ruling had it right when she said the actions of
North Canton City Council were unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary,
capricious, and unreasonable.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I ask that City
Council reverse or modify the recommendations of the Planning Commission
without delay and enforce immediate compliance of all zoning requirements.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Resident</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-72575254804891851032015-09-14T23:00:00.001-04:002015-09-14T23:00:53.019-04:00Actions by North Canton City Council Violate the Court’s Ruling and City Law!
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">September 14, 2015</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unbelievable as
it sounds, members of North Canton City Council apparently do not want to hear
from its citizens nor do they want to uphold the laws each have sworn to uphold
when they took the oath of office as elected representatives of the citizens of
North Canton.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As proof of that
statement is the nearly one-year long appeal to City Council for a hearing,
appealing the approval of a “Conditional Use” permit by the City’s Planning
Commission, at a meeting held on October 8, 2014, allowing expansion of the
Hoover District Parking Lot into an area zoned residential (R-2F) without
compliance with the City’s Zoning Code. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The appeal
process is guaranteed in Ordinance 1177.11 of the City’s Zoning Code. It is
written in plain simple English that anyone can understand. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stark County
Court of Common Pleas Judge Kristin Farmer can indeed, read plain simple
English.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Judge Farmer
ruled on August 21, 2015, that “…North Canton City Council’s dismissal of the
Appellants[’] (sic) appeal pursuant to Ordinance 1177.11 was unconstitutional,
illegal, arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I hope this Council understands
that it has wasted City tax dollars fighting the very residents you are sworn
to represent.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">One would think that the ruling of
Judge Farmer was also quite clear. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">All assertions by North Canton City
Council to the court regarding who could or could not and who did or did not
have standing to appeal were dismissed entirely by Judge Farmer in her ruling
from the court and that brings me to the point of my remarks tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Last week, I received a letter,
dated September 3, 2015, from Clerk of Council Mary Beth Bailey, outlining the
following rules and procedures for the appeal hearing scheduled before City
Council on September 29, 2015, at 6:00 p.m.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, the letter states that a single representative would speak
for Appellants, Charles Osborne, Rita Palmer, and Maria Harris. </span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I want to point out that there were
a total of sixteen citizens who filed the appeal to City Council on November 7,
2014. Each should be allowed an opportunity to speak.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second, the letter on its face appears to define the rules and
procedures for the hearing. </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps someone should go back and
read Ordinance 1177.11 which states in part “…Council shall establish
appropriate rules and procedures to hear and decide such appeals.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The rules and procedures for an
appeal hearing, per Ordinance 1177.11, are to be set by Council, not an
individual behind closed doors who then instructs the Clerk of Council on what
to say in her letter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The rules and procedures must apply
equally to all citizens in appeals to City Council. To establish the rules and
procedures, Council must discuss openly in committee after the topic is placed
on the Council agenda for discussion. Voting for the agreed upon rules and
procedures should take place in a public meeting as in any other action of
Council and approval acknowledged by a majority vote of Council.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Council is a public body and its
actions are conducted in public for the benefit of the public to allow input
from its citizens. In this manner, the requirement of Ordinance 1177.11 where
it states “Council shall establish…” will be met.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Last, the letter states the appeal will be held at a Special
Council meeting. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">North Canton City Council conducts Committee
meetings (generally referred to as Council of the Whole) to discuss proposed
legislation. Council holds legislative meetings (referred to as Council
meetings) to vote on legislation. Council holds Public Hearings to satisfy
lawful requirements and invite public input on a particular issue. Council
holds Special Council meetings to vote on special legislation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">An appeal hearing should be titled
as such in order to comply with the purpose of the meeting and be in compliance
with Ordinance 1177.11.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the exception of the date and
time of the appeal hearing stated in the letter from the Clerk of Council,
nothing else stated in the letter complies with the ruling handed down by Stark
County Court of Common Pleas Judge Kristin Farmer or North Canton Ordinance
1177.11.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Failure to comply with the order of
the Stark County Court of Common Pleas as well as North Canton Ordinance
1177.11 could place North Canton and City Council in contempt of court.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This Council should do what Judge
Farmer has ordered and what North Canton law requires to avoid such a
precarious position. Anything short of those actions could lead to a motion to
hold North Canton City Council in contempt of court.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Thank you,<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne and</span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">Rita Palmer (Osborne)</span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">Residents </span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-64966975365804433752015-04-27T21:19:00.000-04:002015-04-27T21:19:37.674-04:00Actions by North Canton City Council to Amend Zoning Code Harm Citizens and Violate Legislative Due Process!
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">April 27, 2015<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On October 10,
2014, City residents impacted by the unbridled expansion of the Hoover District
South Parking Lot presented to North Canton City Council a request for an
appeal hearing </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">per Chapter 1177.11 of the City’s Zoning Code. </span><span style="color: black;">Chapter 1177.11 states:</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any person who is adversely
affected by a decision made by the Planning Commission according to the
procedures set forth in this Chapter may appeal such decision to Council within
30 days of the Planning Commission's decision. </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">appeal
was in response to the approval of a “Conditional Use” permit by the City’s
Planning Commission, on October 8, 2014, allowing expansion of the Hoover
District Parking Lot into an area zoned residential (R-2F). </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Over the last six
months, numerous pieces of legislation have been enacted by Council, all
detrimental to the citizens they have sworn to represent and in derogation of
Council’s obligation to give residents an appeal hearing. The first, an
emergency resolution, No. 94-2014, passed December 1, 2014, redirected the
appeal to the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals. The resolution was signed by
Mayor Held.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was followed
with yet another emergency resolution, No. 1-2015, on January 12, 2015,
rescinding the previously passed emergency resolution. The resolution was
signed by Mayor Held.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the minutes of that January 12,
2015, meeting, the Chairman of the Community & Economic Development Committee,
Marcia Kiesling made a motion for passage of the second emergency resolution
stating, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“We have decided to bring it
back to us and listen to it ourselves.”</b></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">That statement by Mrs. Kiesling
proved to be a misrepresentation. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On February 23, 2015, City Council voted
on yet another resolution, No. 2-2015, to deny residents an appeal hearing
before City Council. This resolution, unlike the first two emergency
resolutions, was passed with three readings with a second reading on March 9,
2015, and a third and final reading on March 23, 2015. Mayor Held again signed
the legislation. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Concurrently, on March 9, 2015,
City Council introduced two ordinances, No. 16-2015 & No. 17-2015, to strip
away entirely the appeal process from the City’s Zoning Code. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">One thing that has been quite
apparent from the time this legislation was introduced is that City Council was
in flagrant violation of Chapter 1181 of the North Canton Zoning Code which describes
in detail the legislative process that must be followed to amend the City’s
Zoning Code. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Citizens in attendance at Council
meetings have been aghast at the temerity of this Council, to ignore the
legislative due process, as Ordinances No. 16-2015 & No. 17-2015, were voted
on. A first reading for a vote was on March 9, a second reading on March 23,
and a third reading on April 13, 2015.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ordinance No. 17-2015 was tabled at
Council’s last meeting on April 13 but it is back on the agenda tonight for a third
and final reading. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">All actions taken thus far on these
two pieces of legislation are meaningless. The rush to pass these two pieces of
legislation will have to begin anew to comply with Chapter 1181 of the City’s
Zoning Code.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Apparently, Councilmember Kiesling
agrees as Mrs. Kiesling revealed to a citizen after Council’s meeting on the 13<sup>th</sup>
that she has questioned privately the legislative path taken by Council to
amend the City’s Zoning Code. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs.
Kiesling, I and others wholeheartedly agree with you. My only question is why
did you not voice your concerns publicly on the floor of Council?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In legal parlance, Ordinance No. 16-2015
& 17, 2015, are “void ab initio.” Illegal from the beginning! </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amending any zoning code is a long
drawn-out process that is clearly defined by the code itself. How did this go
so wrong? From a legal perspective, this is basic municipal law.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">North Canton City Council has been
utterly blind to the many missteps of Law Director Tim Fox. Amending the City’s
Zoning Code in violation of well-established law is not a misstep. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leading City Council into the passage
of illegal legislation is misfeasance. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Whether Law Director Fox pleads
ignorance of Chapter 1181 of the City’s Zoning Code or whether this is another
adversarial action he has undertaken against the citizens of North Canton, it
is abundantly clear that Law Director Tim Fox should be asked to step down as
the City’s Law Director or barring that, City Council should remove him from
office.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The citizens of North Canton can no
longer endure repeated missteps and now orchestrated illegal legislation at the
hands of a City official who erroneously guides City Council into being a party
to his egregious illegal actions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Thank you,</div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne,
Resident </span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-51718060833078305922015-03-23T21:41:00.000-04:002015-03-23T21:41:31.140-04:00North Canton City Council Denies Citizens Appeal Hearing and Removes Zoning Code Protections for Citizens
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">March 23, 2015</b></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Twelve
years ago, City Council ratified a total rewrite of the City’s Zoning Code. The
vote was unanimous for passage. Two current members of Council were among the
seven who voted for passage, Doug Foltz and Marcia Kiesling.</span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Codified
in the zoning code for the last twelve years is Chapter 1177.11, which is
titled APPEAL TO COUNCIL. Written in plain English, Chapter 1177.11 states:</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any person who is
adversely affected by a decision made by the Planning Commission according to
the procedures set forth in this Chapter may appeal such decision to Council
within 30 days of the Planning Commission's decision. Council shall
establish appropriate rules and procedures to hear and decide such appeals.</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
October 10, 2014, City residents </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">impacted by the expansion of the
Hoover District South Parking Lot appealed a Planning Commission approval of a
“Conditional Use” permit that allowed the developers to greatly expand the
parking lot. The appeal was made prior to commencement of construction.
Typically, an appeal would be heard in a timely manner to be fair to all
parties. This has not been the case. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Midway through
the thirty-days allowed for submission of an appeal, the City asked that the
appeal be resubmitted. The second appeal was resubmitted within the required 30
days.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On December 1,
2014, and without a hearing date yet set, City Council passed an emergency
resolution transferring the appeal to the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals. This
was followed by another emergency resolution on January 12, 2015, rescinding
the earlier emergency resolution.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Despite the long
delay, it was thought that Council would at some point follow the law and allow
citizens a hearing on the appeal that is clearly guaranteed in the City’s Zoning
Code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sadly, North
Canton City Council is refusing to allow an appeal hearing. Not now, not ever! </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On February 23, 2015, Resolution
No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2-2015 received the first of three
readings dismissing the appeal.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tonight Resolution No. 2-2015 is on
the agenda for its third and final reading. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City Council’s action denying an
appeal hearing is one of the most flagrant actions of a group of elected
representatives I have ever seen in my lifetime. Clearly, there is no sense of
duty or obligation to the public they have sworn to represent.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sadly, for North Canton citizens,
their elected representatives are going to outdo themselves in their
anti-citizen actions. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Also on the agenda tonight is the 2<sup>nd</sup>
reading of Ordinance No. 17-2015. This ordinance seeks to remove entirely from
the City’s Zoning Code, any chance of Appeal to Council that is delineated in Chapter
1177.11. If successful, City Council will never again have to deal with the citizen
protections that have been in the Code for over thirteen years. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Chapter 1177.11 of the zoning code
is a safety net for citizens who believe that they have been adversely affected
by decisions made by the Planning Commission. It allows for appeals directly to
their elected representatives.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mr. Griffith, at the Council
meeting of February 23, 2015, stated, “…The decision about whether to do
something when it comes to zoning or whether or not to do something shouldn’t
be a political issue.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I beg to differ. Our entire process
of government is political. How do you think you have come to sit on this
council body? You are elected by the people through a political process. And on
taking office you have taken an oath to represent the people. Council action
refusing an appeal hearing and removing the right by citizens to appeal to
Council is not representing your constituency.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In regards to the removal of the
appeal process you stated, “…one of the reasons that we are taking that appeal
away [is] because those decision shouldn’t be political decisions.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
How do you think the zoning code
came to be in the first place? The Planning Commission did not craft the code.
It was Council through a political process. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
North Canton’s City Charter states,
“The Planning Commission shall have the powers as may be conferred on it by
ordinance of Council….”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The citizens of North Canton should
be able to trust that their elected representatives are making decisions for
them. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Your statements at that February
23, 2015, meeting turn democracy upside down and put citizens at the mercy of
unelected officials of the Planning Commission.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This council should act like
representatives of the people and quit acting like pawns of the City Law
Director. Comply with the City’s Zoning Code as it is presently written. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Give your constituents a hearing
and discontinue removal of citizen protections that have been put in the City’s
Zoning Code. They were put there for good reasons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Thank you,</div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne,
Resident </span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-34562600605984603562014-10-08T22:57:00.000-04:002014-10-08T22:57:29.704-04:00Expansion of Former Hoover South Parking Violates City’s Zoning Code, Overburdens City Streets & Storm Sewers, Intrudes On Neighborhood Serenity, and Devalues Residential Properties
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prepared
Comments Intended for Presentation to</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NORTH CANTON PLANNING
COMMISSION</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">October 8, 2014</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Remarks
made by a member of this body at its May 7, 2014, meeting characterized the plan
to expand the Hoover District South Parking Lot by stating, “A third-grader could
have come up with a better plan… this is amateur hour as far as I am concerned.”
This Committee was unanimous in its unhappiness with the proposed plan and
voted 5-0 to table the plan as proposed.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
With minor changes, this committee
reversed itself and voted 5-0 at its September 3, 2014, meeting to approve the
site plan with nary any follow-up to concerns raised by citizens or commission
members themselves. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
At both of the two previous
meetings of this Planning Commission, I quoted former Judge Lee Sinclair, a former
member of this Commission said nearly 34 years ago at an October 27, 1980,
Planning Commission meeting who said: “We live here because we enjoy the
residential nature of our particular home sites.” <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Any
expansion of the South parking lot of the former Hoover Company will not allow
residents to enjoy the residential nature of their homes.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Common sense and decency tell us
that this proposed expansion overburdens the City’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>streets and storm sewers; intrudes on the
enjoyment of nearby homes and the serenity of our neighborhoods; and devalues
residential properties already hard hit from the downturn in the economy.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The heavily wooded area separating
nearby homes has served as a buffer from the activities of the 87 acre Hoover
property from the time this city was called New Berlin. Loss of hundreds of
trees as well as the loss of the walking trail put in by Stark Parks just two
years ago with the expenditure of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars is not
acceptable.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not noted
in previous remarks before this body are the requirements of North Canton’s Zoning
Code. Chapter 1153.08 (b) requires parking spaces to be within 400 feet walking
distance of a public entrance of a principal building housing the use for which
the parking spaces are intended to serve.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The southernmost
edge of the current parking is already in excess of 400 feet, measuring 407
feet.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Any plan to
expand the south parking lot at this point is in direct violation of the City’s
zoning code. Period!<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
planned expansion should never have been seriously entertained. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The entire
grove of trees must be maintained as a buffer so City residents can “enjoy the
residential nature” of their homes, to the extent that is possible in a
neighborhood that already is in decline.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Please do not accelerate and add to
the decay of our neighborhood with increased traffic, noise, obtrusive
lighting, flooding and everything else that comes with this development that will
change the character of our community.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lastly, I
have a petition containing more than 130 names of North Canton residents who
are opposed to any expansion of the South parking lot.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I ask that
you not approve a “conditional use permit” for the expansion of the Hoover
District South Parking lot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sincerely,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Chuck Osborne<o:p></o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-38664346299514937022014-08-25T20:38:00.001-04:002014-08-25T20:38:56.427-04:00CORPORATE GREED IS OVERTAKING NORTH CANTON AND THE INSTITUTIONS THAT SERVE AND ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">August 25, 2014</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The North Canton
Community Building was founded in 1923 by W. ‘Boss’ Hoover who gave the
original ‘Community Building’ to North Canton for the enjoyment of its
citizens. The current building was completed in 1970, with a major addition in
1983 and a new Wellness Center addition in 2002.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This information
is from the Website of the North Canton YMCA.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfortunately,
“Boss” Hoover is no longer with us today nor is the company that he founded.
The charity and paternalism championed by W. “Boss” Hoover and the Hoover
Company for our community are gone. That benevolence is not something Maple
Street Commerce, now the owners of the former Hoover property, feel compelled
to show our community.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What has Maple
Street Commerce done for our community since becoming owners of what is now
called the Hoover District? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The roles have been reversed as it
is the community that is now the benefactor. Corporate millionaires now expect
to be served by the community upon which they have descended to suck from them
as much as City leaders will hand out.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">How much has North Canton provided
to the millionaire owners of the Hoover District since their arrival in 2008?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">First was $440,000 to purchase
cranes for their first tenant, Meyers Controlled Power. Then it was $3,000,000
to renovate factory space for The Shroer Group. Then another $1.0 million for
further office space on the second floor for additional tenants. Most recently
and most noticed by the public is the expenditure of $2,253,000 for what has
been described as a widening of East Maple Street. The so-called widening of
East Maple in actuality simply creates on-street parking in front of the office
building. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is through this recent construction
that the majestic Pin Oaks which lined East Maple Street were destroyed in
spite of the fact that the majestic Oaks were located far enough away from the
finished widening of East Maple Street to have remained.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In total, our small community has
provided close to $6,753, 000 and this does not include the many tax abatements
that the City and the North Canton City School District have had to accept to help
make lease terms with Maple Street Commerce acceptable to new tenants.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I suspect “Boss” Hoover is rolling
over in his grave at this point, but that is not all that Maple Street Commerce
has inflicted on our little community.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Plans to expand the south parking
lot could lead to the destruction of hundreds more trees that serve as a buffer
to the surrounding neighborhoods. If that happens, home values and neighborhood
harmony will be impacted very negatively. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Community institutions are also feeling
the greed of Maple Street Commerce. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stark Parks will be forced to
relocate a trail if the south parking lot is expanded. The forced relocation of
the trail will result in the squandering of thousands of dollars of public
money that were expended to build the trail. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lastly, I am concerned about the
future viability of the North Canton YMCA. That concern is for two reasons. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, the new entrance to the YMCA
parking lot, presently under construction, is wholly inadequate. At 22 feet in
width, it is much too narrow and will not serve the needs of the motoring
public. Many of you on this Council have looked at this poor design and concur.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The new entrance to the Hoover
District parking lot is 33 feet wide. Why wasn’t the entrance to the YMCA
parking lot afforded an equally inviting navigable entrance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, bus traffic and emergency vehicles
will have great difficulty maneuvering in the poorly designed network of curbs.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second, the vacation of McKinley
Street will soon be decided before the Planning Commission. The vacation of
McKinley Street should go entirely to the YMCA. The YMCA has parking and growth
needs of its own that need to be filled. And that need is now. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Maple Street Commerce, through its
plans that may or may not be realistic and that may or may not come to fruition,
is making a demand for parking that is unfair to the North Canton YMCA.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">McKinley Street is located in the
very shadows of the YMCA building. To not vacate the entire length of McKinley
Street to the YMCA will simply put a chokehold on their future. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please do not undermine the seeds
that W. “Boss” Hoover planted over ninety-one years ago. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Economic development should not
come at any and all costs to the community.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I ask this council to protect our
community and the institutions that serve us. Save the Stark Parks trail.
Support the North Canton YMCA in every way possible. And protect the City and
its residents from the rampant “Corporate Greed” that we see consuming our
community. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">W. “Boss” Hoover is watching!</span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne,
Resident </span></div>
<div class="Style" style="line-height: 13.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-4713350366614967092014-06-23T23:13:00.000-04:002014-06-23T23:17:36.111-04:00City Council Shamelessly Snubs Applicant For Vacant Ward Council Seat<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">June 23, 2014</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Last Monday, Council President
Peters announced Council’s pick for the vacant Ward Four Council seat. The
vacancy came about when </span>a long-time member of Council <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">and
for many years President of City Council </span>abruptly resigned his seat
under a cloud of controversy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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Compounding problems exponentially
in the Council office is the loss of a highly valued, high-skilled, and extremely
professional Council Clerk who had served North Canton City Council for nearly
seventeen years.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">One would think that with the chaos
that has been broiling within North Canton City Council for the last year </span>that
this Council body might have wanted to restore some stability and confidence in
its government. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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Sadly, that apparently is not the
case.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The request for interested
applicants for the vacant Ward Four Council seat resulted in the timely
application of one individual. I say “timely” as only one resident of Ward Four
expressed an interest in the vacant Council seat by the deadline set by Council.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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The applicant in my estimation was
“manna from heaven” for the City of North Canton at this moment in time. City
Council has been reeling in turmoil with its Law Director Tim Fox in the
driver’s seat, and the City desperately needs to restore stability and
sensibility to City Hall.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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The applicant who filed in a timely
fashion for the vacant seat was Roy Batista, a former 27-year Law Director for
the City of North Canton. One could not find a better qualified more
knowledgeable individual to return order and stability to City Hall at this
time.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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But leave it to North Canton City
Council to inject a double dose of politics and self-interest into the
selection process. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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I should interject here that it was
Roy Batista who, nearly two years ago as temporary Law Director before current
Law Director Tim Fox was appointed, sanctioned the placement of the Health Care
Initiative on the ballot. The proposed Health Care Ordinance, known as Issue 5,
was passed overwhelmingly by the voters 3 to 1 in the 2012 General Election. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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Four members of this City Council
violated the legally enacted Health Care Ordinance and three still remain on this
Council. The fourth member of Council recently resigned creating the present opening
on Council. And now City Council is contesting the Health Care Ordinance in
Common Pleas Court at the urging of Law Director Fox and in spite of the fact
that members of Council have surrendered their enrollment in the City’s Health
Care Plan per the legally enacted Ordinance initiated by the citizens of North
Canton.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Could Roy Batista have brought some
valuable insight to the Health Care issue now before the Courts? You betcha! <o:p> </o:p></div>
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Do members of City Council want to
hear anything other than what their current Law Director has to say about that
pending case?<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously not.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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As a result, a second applicant was
sought out for the vacant council seat who then submitted a letter of interest
after the deadline posted by Council. It is my understanding that Councilmember
Cerreta sought out this second applicant. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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No one is better qualified to sit
as a member of North Canton City Council than an individual who has been an
attorney for over forty years and further, who has served this City so well as
its Law Director for twenty-seven years.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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What were you thinking, Mr.
Cerreta? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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The next time you board a flight to
Florida tell the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain sitting in the
left seat in the cockpit with 20,000 flight hours that you would rather have a
friend of yours who recently got his private pilot’s license fly you and your
family. How many of your fellow passengers would agree with that logic? <o:p> </o:p></div>
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The decision to select a novice to
serve on City Council over an individual with the credentials of a Roy Batista
reflects on this Council’s ability to make sound decisions, and quite frankly
is an utter embarrassment for North Canton citizens.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Mr. Peters, Council’s choice to fill
the vacant Council seat clearly is a choice of self-interest over what is best
for the community.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This Council did the very same
thing nearly two years ago when it advertised for candidates to fill the
position of Law Director, then abandoned the selection process after
advertising and interviewing applicants and abruptly chose a sitting council
member to be the City’s first full-time Law Director. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This City has been paying a grave
price ever since for that failed decision. The current Law Director is a
wrecking ball at City Hall, so much so that a highly qualified and respected
Clerk of Council has left the City rather than continue to work in the Council
office. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Council’s choice for the vacant
Council seat was a shameless snub of Mr. Batista. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shame, shame on every single one of
you for the politics you play at the expense of the citizens you are sworn to
represent. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #091910;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #091910;">Thank you,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne,
Resident </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-11689695672270966172014-05-07T22:48:00.000-04:002014-05-07T22:48:06.373-04:00Expansion of Former Hoover South Parking Lot Overburdens City Roads & Storm Sewers, Intrudes On Neighborhood Serenity, and Devalues Residential Properties
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On October 27, 1980, former Common Pleas Court Judge Lee
Sinclair spoke before North Canton City Council regarding a proposed change to
the City’s zoning code regarding home businesses in residential neighborhoods.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the
time, Judge Sinclair was a member of North Canton’s Planning Commission and had
voted against the proposed zone change. Judge Sinclair explains in the minutes of
the Public Hearing that he was present not as a member of the Planning
Commission but as a concerned citizen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Judge
Sinclair explained nearly 34 years ago that, “We must remember that zoning is
designed to make for an orderly transition, an orderly development of our
community. Most of the people here in North Canton come here because of its
residential nature. We have very defined lines of residential use and
commercial use. I think it’s important that we maintain those lines….We live
here because we enjoy the residential nature of our particular home sites” (end
quote).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Any
expansion of the South parking lot of the former Hoover Company will not allow
residents to enjoy the residential nature of their homes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It would be
nice to document at this time what agreements were put in place decades ago
when the Hoover Company first built the South parking lot but those agreements have
not been discovered. But common sense and decency tell us all that this
proposed expansion overburdens the City’s infrastructure, roads, and storm
sewers; intrudes on the enjoyment of nearby homes and the serenity of nearby
neighborhoods; and devalues residential properties already hard hit from the
downturn in the economy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The heavily
wooded area separating nearby homes has served as a buffer from the activities
of the 78 acre Hoover property from the time this city was called New Berlin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who would
ever dream there would be the remotest possibility that there would be an
attempt to develop property that is laden with underground coal mines? Not my
in-laws who, in 1946, bought the home my wife and I now share. Not Stark Parks
who, just two years ago, spent thousands of taxpayers’ dollars putting in a
walking trail that will now have to be abandoned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
concerns I have as a nearby homeowner regarding this proposed expansion are the
same concerns you would have if you resided near such a development. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
requested expansion of the South parking lot when totaled with the current number
of parking spots at the YMCA will result in total parking in this immediate
area of over 1,100 parking spots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I would urge this body to review
the development plans of the Hoover District in its entirety instead of in the
piecemeal fashion that is taking place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I would say to the developers,
Maple Street Commerce, that their plans to repurpose the former Hoover District
would be greatly enhanced and better serve their tenants and the City if the
thousands of parking spots on the North side of the property were utilized. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An entrance
on the North side to a common corridor would be a shorter walking distance for
employees of the various tenants, would allow them to get in out of the weather
more quickly, and would not require them to cross a busy street.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The entire
grove of trees must be maintained as a buffer. To paraphrase Judge Sinclair, my
wife and I would like to “enjoy the residential nature” of our home, to the
extent that is possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lastly, I
have a petition containing nearly ninety names of North Canton residents who
are opposed to any expansion of the South parking lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Developments
such as this require more than a token tree or a few bushes for a buffer. I ask
that you turn aside this proposed parking lot expansion lest you accelerate the
decline of an already dying neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
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Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></div>
Chuck Osborne<o:p></o:p><br />
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-7001122827873102272014-03-24T22:43:00.000-04:002014-03-24T22:43:22.650-04:00North Canton Should Respect Rule of Law and Recognize Citizen Initiated Healthcare Ordinance
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">March 24, 2014</b></div>
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<span style="color: #000104;">On February 27, 2014</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">North Canton Mayor
David Held released a confidential legal opinion given by Law Director Tim Fox
regarding the 2012 Initia</span><span style="color: #302218;">t</span><span style="color: #000104;">ive to Limit Health Care Benef</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">i</span><span style="color: #000104;">ts for Part</span><span style="color: #000001;">-</span><span style="color: #000104;">time Elected
Officials. This action by Mayor Held was carried out despite the Law Director</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">'</span><span style="color: #000104;">s written admonition
to council members not to make the opinion pub</span><span style="color: #000001;">l</span><span style="color: #000104;">ic. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000104;">The re</span><span style="color: #270305;">l</span><span style="color: #000104;">ease of the opinion
contained a cover letter from North Canton</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">'</span><span style="color: #000104;">s highest ranking elected officia</span><span style="color: #000001;">l </span><span style="color: #000104;">that stated the following: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000104;"></span><span style="color: #000104;">The people of North Canton spoke clearly
on the matter and I believe that the people
of Nor</span><span style="color: #270305;">t</span><span style="color: #000104;">h
Canton have a right to know the implications of the November 15</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">2013, Legal Opinion
on their vote in order to preserve the integrity of the election system. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000104;">I perso</span><span style="color: #000001;">n</span><span style="color: #000104;">a</span><span style="color: #000001;">ll</span><span style="color: #000104;">y fol</span><span style="color: #000001;">l</span><span style="color: #000104;">owed that decision and I encourage all elected officials
to follow that decis</span><span style="color: #000001;">i</span><span style="color: #000104;">on</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">. </span><span style="color: #000104;">Furthermore</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">I am releasing the
November 15</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">2013
Legal Opinion on the matter because I believe that a transparent discussion
will follow and allow the city to resolve the matter and move forward</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">. </span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #000104;">I </span><span style="color: #000001;">d</span><span style="color: #000104;">o not believe that the ordinance approved by the voters
of North Canton on No</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">v</span><span style="color: #000104;">ember
6, 2012, should be challenged</span></u><span style="color: #000104;"> [emphasis
added]</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">. </span><span style="color: #000104;">I
believe that we should adopt the ordinance by personal practice in this term
and ratify it for future effective terms. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000104;">The recent discovery
that four councilmembers deceptively continued to use the City</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">'</span><span style="color: #000104;">s health plan after
the December 1</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">2013, deadline was termed unconscionable in a March 2</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">2014</span><span style="color: #505d68;">,
</span><i><span style="color: #000104;">Repository </span></i><span style="color: #000104;">editorial titled</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">,
"</span><span style="color: #000104;">Citizen's request for public records
led to disclosures.</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">" </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000104;">A prev</span><span style="color: #270305;">i</span><span style="color: #000104;">ous <i>Repository </i>editorial
on February 21</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">2014</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">titled, </span><span style="color: #323a3c;">"</span><span style="color: #000104;">Residents should be mad as hell," the Editorial Board asks</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">, </span><span style="color: #000104;">"In what universe can officials simply bury
legislation approved <br />
by voters and pretend it doesn</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">'</span><span style="color: #000104;">t exist?</span><span style="color: #323a3c;">" </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #000500;">Four member</span><span style="color: #091910;">s
</span><span style="color: #000500;">o</span><span style="color: #091910;">f N</span><span style="color: #000500;">o</span><span style="color: #091910;">rt</span><span style="color: #000500;">h Canton </span><span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">it</span><span style="color: #091910;">y C</span><span style="color: #000500;">ounc</span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">l h</span><span style="color: #091910;">av</span><span style="color: #000500;">e </span><span style="color: #091910;">at</span><span style="color: #000500;">t</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">mpted to </span><span style="color: #091910;">f</span><span style="color: #000500;">i</span><span style="color: #091910;">x </span><span style="color: #000500;">th</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">p</span><span style="color: #091910;">r</span><span style="color: #000500;">ob</span><span style="color: #091910;">le</span><span style="color: #000500;">m the</span><span style="color: #091910;">y c</span><span style="color: #000500;">r</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">ated </span><span style="color: #091910;">w</span><span style="color: #000500;">hen the</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">ignored the ou</span><span style="color: #091910;">t</span><span style="color: #000500;">come o</span><span style="color: #091910;">f </span><span style="color: #000500;">a cit</span><span style="color: #091910;">ywi</span><span style="color: #000500;">d</span><span style="color: #091910;">e v</span><span style="color: #000500;">ot</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">in </span><span style="color: #091910;">2</span><span style="color: #000500;">01</span><span style="color: #091910;">2. Most t</span><span style="color: #000500;">axp</span><span style="color: #091910;">aye</span><span style="color: #000500;">r mon</span><span style="color: #091910;">ies </span><span style="color: #000500;">ha</span><span style="color: #091910;">v</span><span style="color: #000500;">e been r</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">tu</span><span style="color: #091910;">r</span><span style="color: #000500;">n</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">d </span><span style="color: #091910;">t</span><span style="color: #000500;">o Cit</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">coffers</span><span style="color: #091910;">. A</span><span style="color: #000500;">nd </span><span style="color: #091910;">I </span><span style="color: #000500;">thank </span><span style="color: #091910;">y</span><span style="color: #000500;">ou</span><span style="color: #293e34;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">Admitting a </span><span style="color: #091910;">w</span><span style="color: #000500;">ron</span><span style="color: #091910;">g </span><span style="color: #000500;">i</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">h</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">rd for an</span><span style="color: #091910;">y</span><span style="color: #000500;">on</span><span style="color: #091910;">e,</span><span style="color: #000500;"> e</span><span style="color: #091910;">ve</span><span style="color: #000500;">n ha</span><span style="color: #091910;">r</span><span style="color: #000500;">der fo</span><span style="color: #091910;">r </span><span style="color: #000500;">public </span><span style="color: #091910;">of</span><span style="color: #000500;">ficial</span><span style="color: #091910;">s w</span><span style="color: #000500;">ho </span><span style="color: #091910;">k</span><span style="color: #000500;">no</span><span style="color: #091910;">w </span><span style="color: #000500;">the admission of </span><span style="color: #091910;">w</span><span style="color: #000500;">ron</span><span style="color: #091910;">g </span><span style="color: #000500;">i</span><span style="color: #091910;">s g</span><span style="color: #000500;">oin</span><span style="color: #091910;">g </span><span style="color: #000500;">to undercut th</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">trust th</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">pub</span><span style="color: #091910;">li</span><span style="color: #000500;">c ha</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">in them </span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">nd in the institu</span><span style="color: #091910;">ti</span><span style="color: #000500;">on
the</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">are
a part of</span><span style="color: #091910;">. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #091910;">In recent weeks, C</span><span style="color: #000500;">it</span><span style="color: #091910;">y C</span><span style="color: #000500;">ouncil has agr</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">ed to </span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">bid</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">b</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">the 201</span><span style="color: #091910;">2 </span><span style="color: #000500;">Initiati</span><span style="color: #091910;">v</span><span style="color: #000500;">e</span><span style="color: #293e34;">, </span><span style="color: #091910;">w</span><span style="color: #000500;">hich we al</span><span style="color: #091910;">l </span><span style="color: #000500;">kno</span><span style="color: #091910;">w </span><span style="color: #000500;">is a duly enacted
North Canton Ordinance that bec</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">me effective December 2</span><span style="color: #293e34;">,
</span><span style="color: #000500;">2012. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">Although taxpay</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">r</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">ha</span><span style="color: #091910;">v</span><span style="color: #000500;">e reco</span><span style="color: #091910;">v</span><span style="color: #000500;">ered most</span><span style="color: #091910;"> </span><span style="color: #000500;">of the public fun</span><span style="color: #091910;">ds </span><span style="color: #000500;">tha</span><span style="color: #091910;">t </span><span style="color: #000500;">were taken to provid</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">in</span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">urance in viol</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">t</span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">on o</span><span style="color: #091910;">f </span><span style="color: #000500;">the o</span><span style="color: #091910;">r</span><span style="color: #000500;">dinance</span><span style="color: #091910;">, </span><span style="color: #000500;">the </span><span style="color: #091910;">n</span><span style="color: #000500;">e</span><span style="color: #091910;">x</span><span style="color: #000500;">t qu</span><span style="color: #091910;">es</span><span style="color: #000500;">tion that present</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">itself to this bod</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">i</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">thi</span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">: </span><span style="color: #091910;">S</span><span style="color: #000500;">hould North </span><span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">anton C</span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">t</span><span style="color: #091910;">y C</span><span style="color: #000500;">ouncil expend ta</span><span style="color: #091910;">x</span><span style="color: #000500;">p</span><span style="color: #091910;">ay</span><span style="color: #000500;">er </span><span style="color: #091910;">f</span><span style="color: #000500;">und</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">fightin</span><span style="color: #091910;">g </span><span style="color: #000500;">th</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">t</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">xpa</span><span style="color: #091910;">y</span><span style="color: #000500;">ers </span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">n a law</span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">uit</span><span style="color: #293e34;">? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">The return of
thousand</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">o</span><span style="color: #091910;">f </span><span style="color: #000500;">dollar</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">to th</span><span style="color: #091910;">e ci</span><span style="color: #000500;">t</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">co</span><span style="color: #091910;">ff</span><span style="color: #000500;">er</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">b</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">four </span><span style="color: #091910;">Co</span><span style="color: #000500;">un</span><span style="color: #091910;">ci</span><span style="color: #000500;">lmemb</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">r</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">and pu</span><span style="color: #091910;">b</span><span style="color: #000500;">lic apologies is reco</span><span style="color: #091910;">g</span><span style="color: #000500;">nition o</span><span style="color: #091910;">f </span><span style="color: #000500;">the Healthcare Ordinance passed by the voters of North
Canton. What </span><span style="color: #091910;">w</span><span style="color: #000500;">ill be </span><span style="color: #091910;">g</span><span style="color: #000500;">ained in fi</span><span style="color: #091910;">g</span><span style="color: #000500;">htin</span><span style="color: #091910;">g </span><span style="color: #000500;">the t</span><span style="color: #091910;">ax</span><span style="color: #000500;">pa</span><span style="color: #091910;">ye</span><span style="color: #000500;">rs at this point</span><span style="color: #091910;">? </span><span style="color: #000500;">Yo</span><span style="color: #091910;">u </span><span style="color: #000500;">and members of </span><span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">ou</span><span style="color: #091910;">n</span><span style="color: #000500;">c</span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">l mu</span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">t </span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">ho</span><span style="color: #091910;">w v</span><span style="color: #000500;">ot</span><span style="color: #091910;">ers </span><span style="color: #000500;">th</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">t </span><span style="color: #091910;">you </span><span style="color: #000500;">r</span><span style="color: #091910;">es</span><span style="color: #000500;">p</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">ct the </span><span style="color: #091910;">el</span><span style="color: #000500;">ection </span><span style="color: #091910;">p</span><span style="color: #000500;">roc</span><span style="color: #091910;">ess </span><span style="color: #000500;">by </span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">nding the </span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">ub</span><span style="color: #091910;">v</span><span style="color: #000500;">ersion that ha</span><span style="color: #091910;">s go</span><span style="color: #000500;">ne on. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">The residents </span><span style="color: #091910;">y</span><span style="color: #000500;">ou are </span><span style="color: #091910;">sw</span><span style="color: #000500;">orn to repr</span><span style="color: #091910;">es</span><span style="color: #000500;">ent </span><span style="color: #091910;">w</span><span style="color: #000500;">ill </span><span style="color: #091910;">g</span><span style="color: #000500;">ain nothin</span><span style="color: #091910;">g f</span><span style="color: #000500;">rom an</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">lit</span><span style="color: #091910;">ig</span><span style="color: #000500;">a</span><span style="color: #091910;">t</span><span style="color: #000500;">ion on thi</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #122d32;">i</span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">su</span><span style="color: #091910;">e. </span><span style="color: #000500;">Council w</span><span style="color: #1b0000;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">ll be </span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">bdic</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">t</span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">n</span><span style="color: #091910;">g </span><span style="color: #000500;">their dut</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">to </span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">afe</span><span style="color: #091910;">g</span><span style="color: #000500;">u</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">rd </span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">nd </span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">pend publi</span><span style="color: #091910;">c </span><span style="color: #000500;">mon</span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">e</span><span style="color: #091910;">s w</span><span style="color: #000500;">i</span><span style="color: #091910;">se</span><span style="color: #000500;">l</span><span style="color: #091910;">y if </span><span style="color: #000500;">Cit</span><span style="color: #091910;">y Co</span><span style="color: #000500;">unc</span><span style="color: #091910;">i</span><span style="color: #000500;">l </span><span style="color: #091910;">c</span><span style="color: #000500;">hoose</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">to challen</span><span style="color: #091910;">ge </span><span style="color: #000500;">th</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">Healthcare Ordinance</span><span style="color: #293e34;">. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">I ask at this time </span><span style="color: #091910;">t</span><span style="color: #000500;">h</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">t </span><span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">it</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">Council follow th</span><span style="color: #091910;">e </span><span style="color: #000500;">e</span><span style="color: #091910;">x</span><span style="color: #000500;">pre</span><span style="color: #091910;">sse</span><span style="color: #000500;">d po</span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">ition tak</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">n b</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">North Cant</span><span style="color: #091910;">o</span><span style="color: #000500;">n Mayor David Held and not challenge the ordinanc</span><span style="color: #091910;">e
a</span><span style="color: #000500;">ppro</span><span style="color: #091910;">v</span><span style="color: #000500;">ed b</span><span style="color: #091910;">y vo</span><span style="color: #000500;">ter</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">on </span><span style="color: #091910;">N</span><span style="color: #000500;">o</span><span style="color: #091910;">v</span><span style="color: #000500;">ember 6</span><span style="color: #091910;">, 2</span><span style="color: #000500;">012, and codify the ordinance passed by the voters</span><span style="color: #091910;">. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">It is not worth the </span><span style="color: #091910;">f</span><span style="color: #000500;">in</span><span style="color: #091910;">a</span><span style="color: #000500;">ncial expense to ta</span><span style="color: #091910;">x</span><span style="color: #000500;">pa</span><span style="color: #091910;">y</span><span style="color: #000500;">er</span><span style="color: #091910;">s </span><span style="color: #000500;">nor is it worth the
further erosion of </span><span style="color: #091910;">t</span><span style="color: #000500;">rust o</span><span style="color: #091910;">f </span><span style="color: #000500;">Cit</span><span style="color: #091910;">y </span><span style="color: #000500;">Council or the lo</span><span style="color: #091910;">s</span><span style="color: #000500;">s o</span><span style="color: #091910;">f </span><span style="color: #000500;">political capital that </span><span style="color: #091910;">y</span><span style="color: #000500;">ou </span><span style="color: #091910;">y</span><span style="color: #000500;">our</span><span style="color: #091910;">se</span><span style="color: #000500;">lf will su</span><span style="color: #091910;">f</span><span style="color: #000500;">f</span><span style="color: #091910;">e</span><span style="color: #000500;">r</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #091910;">Thank you,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #091910;">C</span><span style="color: #000500;">huck Osborne, Resident
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000500;">City of North Canton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-66214063135691386492014-02-18T21:30:00.001-05:002014-02-18T21:30:51.600-05:00Distinguished Ohio Law Firm Recommends City NOT Enter Into Economic Development Agreement
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 18, 2014<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<strong> </strong>There is an
issue that has been hanging over the heads of North Canton City Hall for many months and that is whether or not North Canton should ratify the proposed
Mutual Economic Development Agreement with the City of Canton and the townships
of Jackson and Plain.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
One could
speculate why there has been such a long delay on this decision, but one thing
is certain. There can be no do-overs on this. Get it wrong and the
beneficiaries in this agreement will get the last laugh and your children, when
they are the age you are now, will still be bound by the terms of this
agreement and asking long after you have departed this world why anyone would have
accepted such an agreement.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mayor Held
retained the services of an expert in the field of economic development from
the distinguished Ohio Law Firm of Bricker & Eckler. This firm has
practiced in the field of economic development for several decades. </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
Christiane Schmenk,
the attorney from Bricker & Eckler who analyzed the Mutual Economic
Development Agreement, is herself a former Mayor of Marysville, Ohio.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Marysville, a community of
approximately 22,000 residents in the greater metropolitan area of Columbus has
a very interesting philosophy that I think is applicable while we all discuss
the merits of this agreement. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
philosophical statement on Marysville’s Website is found under the tab titled
Government and the tab titled, Residents. The dropdown box for each of those
tabs reveals a link labeled, Transparency in Government. The opening statement of
this page reads, “Elected officials and city executives have a responsibility
to the taxpayers and members of the community to make sound decisions that
benefit present and future generations.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> This is a
philosophy that is especially applicable today as the fifty-year term of the
proposed agreement in question will impact future generations, and then some. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I ask that
all council members put aside loyalties and politics as they consider their
vote on the economic development agreement. I ask that you consider the
analysis and the recommendations of the expert who has been asked to advise you
and the administration on the best course of action.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> T</o:p>he six-page analysis is an
informative and enlightening report. In summary, the report states that “the Agreement
is incomplete…. [and asks the City] to give up future rights… without the
ability to understand what it might gain in return…. [The agreement] lacks
critical information that would allow it to make an informed decision whether
the Agreement is in its citizens’ best interests.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p>The report continues with “…this
Agreement is more aptly characterized as an ‘anti-annexation’ agreement, not an
economic development agreement.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p>In conclusion, Christiane Schmenk,
the legal expert states unequivocally “…I recommend against entering into this
Agreement.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p>I do not
believe there is a single individual on this council body who has the necessary
credentials to evaluate the proposed Economic Development Agreement to the
extent of Mrs. Schmenk.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p>Experts in a
wide range of specialized fields of endeavor are consulted for their expertise.
We seek them for assistance in making decisions in which our knowledge is
limited or nonexistent. We seek out medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists,
CPAs, and hundreds of other specialists when we need sound advice and
information.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p>One does
not seek out experts for advice and then disregard the advice that is provided.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p>The
citizens of North Canton would expect this council to abide by the expert
advice you have received. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Moving forward on the
recommendation you have received from the Law Firm of Brickler & Eckler is
your duty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vote NO on the Mutual
Economic Development Agreement with the City of Canton and the townships of
Jackson and Plain.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne, Resident</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-15753680251478156832014-01-27T22:38:00.001-05:002014-01-27T22:38:24.887-05:00Proposed Elimination of Verbatim Minutes Diminishes Citizens’ Oversight of the Actions of Public Officials
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">January 27, 2014</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Accurate
and complete records are vital building blocks of our history. They should not
be filtered, interpreted, or summarized by any individual. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As an
example, I would like to quote from a General Affidavit submitted to the U.S.
Pension Office in support of a request for a pension for my great-grandmother,
Nancy Lindenberg, a widow of a veteran of the Civil War. It is dated June 26,
1910. The statement was submitted by Starling Marshall, a family friend who
served several terms as a Kentucky legislator in the early part of the
twentieth century. Mr. Marshall states:<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We were
well acquainted with Christian Lindenberg, alias Christian Linburg, and Nancy
Lindenberg living on adjoining farms, residences within hailing distance of
each other, and know that Claimant and the soldier lived together until his
death, and that they were never divorced, but lived and cohabited as man and
wife, up to date of his death, May 10, 1910. We also know that Soldier left no
other child or children claimed for by this or any other marriage, but Harry
Lindenberg who was under 16 years of age at time of Soldier’s death. On the
filing of her claim May 20, 1910, we know this from an intimate acquaintance,
seeing Claimant or Soldier almost daily for several years up to his death. We
also know that Claimant has not remarried since Soldiers [sic] death.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
What would we be left with today if
those words on this affidavit had been summarized or paraphrased? I am certainly
glad that the National Archives in Washington, D.C., has not summarized or
paraphrased records entrusted to its care.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
A speaker’s words, spoken or
written, are his/her own and not for someone to interpret. Would anyone want his/her
words filtered or re-interpreted and then preserved in said manner for
posterity? I think not.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In actuality, the demands of summarizing
or paraphrasing someone’s words would require more time and effort than simply transcribing
those words verbatim, not to mention the risk of inaccuracies introduced by
restatement. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
As public officials conducting the
public’s business, why would you even consider letting someone summarize or
paraphrase your words on public issues? Verbatim transcripts protect you. Why
would you want to open the door and let someone put words in your mouth? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Like the words of Starling Marshall
that I read to you, your words will be preserved for generations to read. I am
sure each of you would prefer that an accurate complete record of your words be
kept.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The proposal to eliminate transcribed
verbatim minutes of Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, Zoning and
Building Board of Appeal meetings, and Appeals and Variances meetings is a
mistake and will diminish citizens’ oversight of the actions of public officials.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Ending the tried and true practice
of verbatim minutes does not bring about any cost savings for taxpayers as
acknowledged by Council President Jon Snyder in answer to a question asked by
Councilmember Peters. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
How can cutting corners and
diminishing the historical account of the actions of North Canton City
government benefit citizens and taxpayers?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Last Tuesday, Law Director Fox
repeatedly said that audio recordings, which would be maintained in the “Cloud”
under the proposed elimination of verbatim transcripts, could be taken to a
transcriptionist and transcribed at a rate of $200 per hour.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Anyone who has observed a
transcriptionist transcribe a meeting would observe the transcriptionist using a
transcription machine, one that is pre-programmed with the names of expected
speakers at the meeting. The transcription machine works in tandem with the
transcriptionist’s own recording of a meeting.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called Premier Court Reporting and talked to
a transcriptionist and was told in no uncertain terms that transcribing a
meeting which she had not attended and recorded would be extremely difficult.
Further, she could not certify such a transcript. In short, a citizen could not
obtain an accurate transcript as stated in this scenario, at any cost.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
It is very disheartening to hear North
Canton’s Law Director claim that a citizen could simply take an audio recording
and have it transcribed verbatim when that is not really feasible.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
North Canton City Council has kept verbatim
minutes of Council meetings for decades. It is a permanent, accurate record of
the action of public officials.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Yesterday I spoke to Daryl Revoldt,
former Mayor, past President of City Council and longtime member of North
Canton City Council regarding the proposal to discontinue the practice of
transcribing verbatim minutes of City officials at public meetings.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mr. Revoldt was unequivocally
opposed to the proposal to end verbatim transcripts and told me that I had
permission to present his position against this proposal. He also gave me his
cell phone number to give to many of you on this Council body so each of you could
hear his position on why verbatim minutes have served North Canton and its
citizens well. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I ask that Ordinances No. 13-14,
14-14, 15-14, and 16-14 to end verbatim transcription of Council meetings,
Planning Commission meetings, Zoning and Building Board of Appeal meetings, and
Appeals and Variances meetings be tabled or voted down. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Without summarizing or paraphrasing
on my part, Mr. Revoldt’s last words to me on this proposal were: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ending verbatim transcripts would be an unwise
decision.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne, Resident</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-7257269883024224492013-11-25T22:31:00.000-05:002013-11-25T22:31:06.579-05:00Why is the North Canton Law Director Allowed to Intimidate Citizens and Dominate All Dialog at City Council Meetings?
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">November 25, 2013</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As most
everyone in this room is aware, North Canton City Council is made up of seven
elected representatives. Members of City Council are elected from each of the
City’s four wards and three at-Large council members are elected by the voters citywide.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyone in attendance
at a North Canton City Council meeting of yesteryear would be totally at a loss
to explain the transformation of a North Canton City Council meeting of today. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a member
of North Canton City Council in the early part of the last decade (2001-2003), I
would like to contrast the transformation I have witnessed in how City Council
meetings have changed in this short time. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In the good old days, as I would
call them, citizens were allowed to speak at the start and conclusion of all
four Monday night council meetings. Citizens were welcomed and their input on
any issue they desired was heard without time limits or intimidation.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today, that
is not the case as citizens are time-limited and can only speak on alternating
Monday night council meetings and only at the outset of a Council meeting. Council
members show little interest in what residents have to say and disparage
citizens after they have spoken.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many times
I have seen citizens attend a City Council meeting hoping to address their Council
representatives in an open forum only to discover that their interest in the
process of government occurred on the wrong Monday night meeting of Council. This
happened to a resident last week when she was denied a chance to speak openly
at last week’s public Council meeting on an issue under discussion by Council.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And of
course, residents of the City who pick the correct Monday night meeting to
address North Canton City Council will run headlong into North Canton’s new Law
Director, Tim Fox, when their five minutes are up. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Are we paying Mr. Fox the salary he
is paid to be a timekeeper and to intimidate citizens of North Canton?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why is Law
Director Fox dominating nearly all the dialog on issues before City Council?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This is not how North Canton City
Council meetings were conducted in the good old days!<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mr. Snyder,
you are the President of City Council. It is your responsibility to conduct City
Council meetings. I am at a loss to explain how or why you have chosen to allow
the City’s Law Director to take control of council meetings. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The same question applies to the
rest of the members of City Council.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mr. Fox is NOT an elected
representative of the voters of North Canton. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Law
Directors in the good old days only spoke at City Council meetings when their
legal expertise was requested. Law Director Fox should not be making policy and
dominating discussions that come before Council. Many of you have seen how past
Law Directors conducted themselves: Roy Batista, Tom Treadon, Randy McFarren,
Paul Pusateri, and Hans Nilges. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
North Canton Law Director Fox is
out of control and his interferences during the meeting and domination of
dialog on issues needs to come to an end.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Switching topics, I would like to
address two pieces of legislation that are to be voted on tonight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In regards
to the proposed tax abatement for Insight Realty, LLC:</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mr. Snyder, at the end of last
week’s meetings you announced that North Canton needed “revenue enhancement” and
that you plan to recommend a Park Levy be placed on the ballot for North Canton
taxpayers to consider next year.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In light of the fact that citizens
have heard all year long of the City’s financial plight and now your intention
to place a Park Levy on the ballot in 2014, how can you justify a tax abatement
for 15 years for Insight Realty, LLC? And to boot, Councilmember Mark Cerreta
says that the intended recipients of the real property tax exemption already
has a substantial presence in North Canton. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Knowing the City’s financial plight
and now knowing your intentions to ask taxpayers to support a new tax levy for
City Parks while at the same time moving ahead with a tax exemption to Insight
Reality is insulting to the citizens of North Canton.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Ordinance No. 70-13 should be voted
down. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Lastly, I would like to address aspects
of Ordinance No. 80-13 that propose to retitle the position of Chief Operator –
Water Treatment Plant to Superintendent – Drinking Water Plant with a sizable
increase in salary for the new position.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
For several years now, one half of
the salaries of the City Administrator and the City Engineer have been paid out
of the Water Fund. I seriously doubt that Mr. Grimes and Mr. Benekos spend half
of their time on water issues.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Paying general fund expenses out of
enterprise water funds I believe is illegal. But assuming that the two highest
paid City officials, the City Administrator and City Engineer, do indeed spend
one-half of their time on water related issues, as their pay would indicate, why
do the City’s taxpayers need to fund yet another high-paid position to deal
with water issues, titled Superintendent – Water Treatment Plant?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Ordinance No. 80-13 needs to be
reworked and I would urge that it be tabled. Keep the present title of Chief
Operator – Water Treatment Plant. There is no reason to create another high
level position in water that will be filled with yet another patronage
appointment by the Mayor.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne, Resident</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-15642014156288785192013-11-11T22:56:00.002-05:002013-11-11T22:56:52.061-05:00Political Patronage and Cronyism Alive and Thriving as North Canton Searches for Water Superintendent
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">November 11, 2013</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since June
of this year, the Held Administration has known that its long-time Water
Superintendent was going to retire at the end of October leaving a vacancy that
cannot be filled by just anyone off the street. Rich Steinhebel, the recently
retired water superintendent had all the necessary water certifications to hold
the position and many years of experience in the operation of a water treatment
plant as well as in water distribution. Mr. Steinhebel was a hands-on working
head of the City’s Water Treatment Plant.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One would
think that over the last four months the Held Administration would be doing a
publicized search for an individual with all the necessary qualifications but
apparently that has not been the case.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last week, while
I was in attendance at a hearing before the Ohio Elections Commission in
Columbus, of all places, I learned that Mayor Held had offered the top position,
of what I would call North Canton’s Water Czar, to local attorney Warren Price.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mayor Held,
how does an attorney, with no certifications or experience in water treatment
and water distribution merit consideration, let alone an offer of employment,
as North Canton’s Water Czar?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And Mr.
Snyder, I must ask you the same thing as you were the one who broke the news to
all of us at the Elections Commission when you approached attorney Warren Price
alleging that Mr. Price had a conflict of interest and should recuse himself as
the attorney<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for Jamie McCleaster and
Hillary Mueller. You stated that City Council was writing the job description
for the position so Mr. Price could fill the vacancy as Superintendent.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Prior to
the hearing before the Elections Commission, Mr. Price confirmed to all of us in
attendance that he indeed had been approached by Mayor David Held and had been
offered the position but that he, Mr. Price, had declined the offer some weeks
earlier. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The ploy to scare off legal
representation for Mr. McCleaster and Mrs. Mueller failed. Mr. Price remained
as their attorney. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Sorry to say, but despite the
unequivocal denial by Mr. Price that he had declined Mayor Held’s offer of the
position, it was disheartening to watch the President of North Canton City
Council Snyder continue to insist in the hearing that Warren Price had accepted
the position. It appeared to me that the President of North Canton City Council
was questioning the veracity of Mr. Price. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
If Mr. Price were indeed about to
be confirmed as North Canton’s Water Czar, why would Mr. Price have agreed to
represent Mr. McCleaster and Mrs. Mueller against you and Mrs. Kiesling? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mr. Snyder, why would you continue
to question his integrity? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mrs. Kiesling, as Vice-President of
City Council, I ask: Are you comfortable that the Administration would offer
the Water Superintendent’s position to an individual with no technical
expertise in water? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I was further disheartened to watch
Mr. Snyder waffle under oath during the hearing and proclaim he was unable to
confirm for the Elections Commission his very own words from a recording of a
North Canton City Council meeting. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
If the Held Administration and the
highest ranking officials of North Canton City Council are not questioning the
process of filling the critically important position of Water Superintendent
for the City of North Canton, who is?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When is North Canton going to
implement improved hiring best practices when filling high level positions in
the City? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Why isn’t there a search process
written into the city’s personnel procedures that outline the proper way in
which high-level leadership positions are to be filled in the city? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Why aren’t individuals expected to
be technically qualified for the position they are offered?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Why is the employment process in
North Canton always cloaked in secrecy?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mayor Held, there is no manner of
transparency and accountability in cronyism. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Cronyism should not be the accepted
method to finding qualified individuals to fill high-level leadership positions
in the City of North Canton. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Most certainly it is not a way to
fill such a critically important position as North Canton’s Water
Superintendent.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
North Canton leadership must do
better than this!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne, Resident<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-16696857118713539672013-09-30T18:00:00.000-04:002013-09-30T18:00:51.155-04:00North Canton Resorts to Extortion and Blackmail in the Name of Economic Development
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">September 30, 2013</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I would
like to address last week’s presentation regarding the proposed JEDD for Cain
Toyota which is, in part, the basis for entering into a mutual economic
agreement with the City of Canton and the townships of Plain and Jackson to be
voted on tonight as Resolution No. 63-13.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I listened intently
last Monday night and took close notes as Council President Snyder described
the following: That Cain Motors could no longer meet their water needs with a
well and that the City of North Canton was better positioned to extend a water
line some great distance to Cain Motors as opposed to the City of Canton who
would have to extend its waterline from 38<sup>th</sup> Street to provide water
service. Mr. Snyder also said that Cain Motors would be afforded inside water
rates in spite of the fact that Cain Toyota is outside the North Canton City
limits. In exchange, Cain Motors would agree to the imposition of a two percent
municipal income tax.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wanting to
dig deeper into the facts of this situation, I was able to meet the next
morning with David Cain, the owner of Cain Motors.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
introduced myself to Mr. Cain and the first thing I said was, “I believe you
are being blackmailed and I also believe the City of North Canton is being
blackmailed.” Without hesitation Mr. Cain said, “I agree!”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What I
learned next from Mr. Cain astounded me as he told me that his BMW dealership
was presently a water customer of the City of North Canton and that the BMW
dealership has received water from the City through a four-inch waterline for
many years. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I am very upset in the total
misrepresentation of this entire situation at last week’s council meeting.
North Canton has water lines already in place right across the street from Cain
Motors and have been a North Canton water customer for years. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mr. Cain told me that when he built
the BMW dealership several years earlier, he simply made a request for water
services from North Canton and it was provided without delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Mr. Cain related to me that his current
request for expanded water service for his Toyota dealership has gone on for
five months with numerous cost estimates from the City. Over the months of
delay, he has appealed to State Representative Kirk Schuring and then to State
Senator Scott Oelslager to prod North Canton into action. Three calls made to
North Canton Mayor David Held for assistance were never returned.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I am not sure when the idea of a
JEDD was presented to Mr. Cain and the accompanying demand that an income tax
be imposed, but Mr. Cain knew that the Toyota dealership could not open as
scheduled without water service. As the weeks and months went by, he asked everyone
he talked to why this wasn’t a simple business deal. North Canton has a product
to sell and he wanted to buy it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
These demands on Cain Motors are
nothing more than extortion and blackmail and I hope Mr. Cain seeks legal
representation. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
North Canton has thousands of
outside water customers. Are we going to let them become pawns in these games
with the City of Canton and the townships of Plain and Jackson?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The City of Canton is providing no
services in this proposed JEDD and yet, like a mafia thug seeing easy money for
the taking, they are slated to receive one third of the income tax collected
for participating with Plain and Jackson Townships. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This is not a collaboration of
governments but a conspiracy of governments that border North Canton, designed to
forever end annexations by North Canton in Plain and Jackson Township. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Promises of additional income tax
collections from the construction of two new hotels have been made to sell this
pig-in-a-poke agreement. Hotels employ mostly minimum wage part-time employees.
Not much in the way of income taxes here. And then you want to split it three
ways? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Extension of water service
generally brings along with it annexations which allows North Canton to expand
its borders in the future. The only other benefit to North Canton in extending
water service outside the City is the added revenue from the higher outside
water rates that subsidize inside rates, thus keeping water rates low for
inside water users.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
For Mr. Cain, this was never about
water rates but simply a need for more water. The offer of inside rates to an
outside water user violates our long-standing water rate policy, is patently
unfair to all North Canton water customers, and undermines the financial integrity
of the City’s water fund.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
David Cain of Cain Motors has been
very generous in supporting community events in North Canton and is known to
many of you. I am stunned this City is treating Mr. Cain in this manner. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
North Canton water is enjoyed far
beyond municipal boundaries. The City has spent decades putting in place this
infrastructure. Do not now change course on all that this City has built. The
current political climate will change in the future negating catastrophic
proposals such as the one now before you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Consideration of this JEDD for Cain
Motors by City Council simply makes this City and all of City Council a party
to extortion and blackmail. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I ask that you not pass Resolution
No. 63-13. It simply moves the City closer to surrendering its autonomy as well
as its prospects for a successful future. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne, Resident</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-29152499693616512772013-09-17T00:14:00.000-04:002013-09-17T00:14:11.459-04:00Apparently North Canton City Council Places Loyalty to Its Members Above Service to City Residents<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">September 16, 2013</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tonight I would
like to address the poor attendance record of some members of North Canton City
Council and make recommendations for legislation that will help to make Council
attendance at public meetings more transparent and economically fair for taxpayers.
</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have spoken
privately to Council President Snyder on this subject on numerous occasions and
recently to Mr. Peters, Chairman of Council’s Personnel & Safety Committee.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I will preface my
remarks by stating that in my two-year term on City Council I do not recall any
absences of the seven members of Council during the entire two-year term that
was December 1, 2001, through November 30, 2003. Mr. Snyder has told me that is
his recollection as well.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sadly, that is
not the case today with the members of the current City Council.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Almost weekly there are at least
one and sometimes two council members absent. On February 11, 2013, voting on
legislation, scheduled for passage as “an emergency,” was delayed for an hour
until a sixth member of Council arrived to garner the required minimum votes for
passage. Apparently the declaration that legislation was needed as an emergency
meant little for this late arriving member of Council.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This situation was repeated at
another Council meeting April 15, 2013, when only five of seven Council members
were present to vote on “emergency legislation,” scheduled for passage at a
Special Council meeting. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">More often than not, each week a
vote is taken to excuse a Council member, sometimes two Council members, from
scheduled meetings that require their attendance. Apparently North Canton City
Council places loyalty to its members above service to City residents as
members of Council are routinely excused. And whether a Council member is
absent or not from a publicly scheduled meeting all members are paid just the same.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many of us in the real world
get paid for not showing up for work? Rhetorical questions, as we all know that
“no work means no pay” and that if one is habitually late or absent from work
one will find him/her- self no longer employed.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two years ago, I began tracking the
attendance of council members and this is what I have discovered:</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mr. Snyder, I
would say you would qualify for a “gold star” as by my calculations you have
missed or been tardy for only three of 127 publicly scheduled Council meetings
which equates to 98% attendance.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mr. Peters ranks
second, missing or being tardy for eight out of 127 meetings, equating to 94%
attendance.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mr. Foltz ranks
third, missing or being tardy for 9 out of 127 meetings, equating to 93%
attendance.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mrs. Werren ranks fourth as she has
missed or been tardy 6 out of the 65 meetings since her appointment in mid-term
which equates to 91% attendance.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr. Cerreta and Mr. Griffith tie
for fifth as each has missed 13 out of 127 meetings which equates to 90% attendance.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mrs. Kiesling ranks at the bottom
as she has missed or been tardy for 35 of 127 publicly scheduled Council
meetings, equating to a 72% attendance rating.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I guess I am getting old as I harken
back to an earlier time period and remember when people had a different work
ethic. We all remember an aging relative who would tell us how things used to
work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I would urge at this time that Council
put in place legislation that requires the Clerk of Council to keep attendance
of Council members at all publicly scheduled meetings. Further, I would ask
that members of Council not be paid for meetings which they do not attend.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I would also like to say that
continuing to approve of non-attendance of Council members at publicly scheduled
Council meetings could make Council party to what could be termed theft in
office as the taxpayers are paying for services that are not being rendered as
an ongoing matter of business.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr. Snyder, I would like to thank
you for a fine attendance record. For the rest of Council, you made a
commitment to your constituents to represent them. Showing up four evenings a
month for City Council meetings is what you promised your constituents and it
the very least that the public expects from you. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Members of North Canton City
Council should show in every way that their loyalty is to City residents, first
and foremost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne, Resident</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-76878506488365001772013-06-25T00:32:00.000-04:002013-06-25T00:32:54.355-04:00Salary Increases for City Leaders Ignores North Canton’s Fiscal Day of Reckoning
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">June 24, 2013</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On January
23, 2013, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Repository</i> ran a story
titled, “North Canton grappling with shrinking revenues.” <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The story begins with, “Due to
slackening tax collection, drastic cuts in state aid and the state’s repeal of
the estate tax, the city’s day of reckoning is fast approaching.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The story continues with: “City
Council is considering fee increases, cuts in services and possibly layoffs of
some city employees as the city faces years of growing deficits….Finance
Director Karen Alger presented Tuesday a proposed 2013 budget to City Council which
shows the city’s estimated spending exceeds revenue by $3.6 million. Of that
shortfall, $1.4 million is the deficit for the general fund budget. By next
year, assuming the state doesn’t further cut aid, the city has to find a way to
raise revenue and cut spending by about $1 million and by significantly more
money in later years.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
How does Ordinance No. 47-13, on
tonight’s agenda, an ordinance to increase the salaries of all eight part-time
elected officials of the City reconcile with financial realities facing the
citizens of North Canton?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Is this Council trying to rush ever
so more quickly to that day of reckoning?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Possible layoffs of City employees
became a reality as seen in a March 13, 2013, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Repository</i> story titled, “North Canton lays off fire inspector.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In the March story, “Mayor Held
cited the city’s financial challenges as the reason for the layoff.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Can anyone on this Council body
recognize the gravity of North Canton’s financial plight or does personal gain
come ahead of fiduciary responsibilities? <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I must say that I was very much
amused at last Monday evening’s Council of the Whole meeting when Law Director
Fox presented his best argument to support an increase in salaries. The
argument was the fact that I, as a member of City Council in 2002, over eleven
years ago, had urged a greater salary increase than what was proposed at that
time. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Is this body now agreeing that my
reasoning for voting NO on the 2002 salary increase was in fact correct? And
why is our newly appointed full-time Law Director presenting an argument on
behalf of City Council for a salary increase? This is not the roll for a City Law
Director in any municipality under any circumstances. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
If anyone wants to revisit the
discussion in 2002 for a salary increase for the City’s part-time elected
officials, let me refresh your memory. In 2002, the City had over $18.0 million
in reserves, was in an extremely sound financial position and future prospects were
good, so good that everyone on City Council, except me, voted to spend $4.2
million the very next year for Arrowhead Golf Course in 2003. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
As each of you should be very
aware, the loss of the Hoover Company along with more recent revenue losses described
above continue to take a toll on city finances. Reserves are a distant memory
and probably will never materialize again. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I do not think it is a coincidence
that the proposed salary increase being requested for part-time elected officials
is coming at the same time that the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS)
is increasing the required minimum monthly salary to $600 per month to continue
to qualify for full-service credit for retirement. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Drawing a pension for serving as a
council member is an added cost to city taxpayers and probably is a total
unknown to most city residents. The proposed salary increases totaling $20,100 will
also result in an increase in annual pension costs borne by the taxpayers of $2,814.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Given North Canton’s strained financial
condition and dismal financial prospects into the future, I would urge this
council to forgo a salary increase. Hopefully you will do your fiduciary duty
and not increase the financial strain on the city and its taxpayers.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In the alternative I would suggest
that legislation be drawn up to keep a public record of attendance of council
members at council meetings and furthermore limit payment for meetings not
attended to two meetings per year. Absences by members at City Council meetings
have mushroomed out of control and the public needs a mechanism to track
attendance by their elected officials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The statement in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Repository </i>story of January 23 lays out
a roadmap for North Canton. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“…the city
has to find a way to raise revenue and cut spending by about $1 million and by
significantly more money in later years.”</b><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Raising salaries of part-time
elected officials so they can continue to qualify for retirement credit under
the Ohio Personnel Retirement System is not going to put the city on a fiscally
responsible path.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Remember, it is all about serving
your community. Vote NO on Ordinance No. 47-13.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-13205343697247473942013-04-22T23:23:00.000-04:002013-04-22T23:23:18.638-04:00Protection of Well Fields Should Be North Canton’s Priority Not Expanded Parking with Limited Funds
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prepared Comments Made to</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">April 22, 2013</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>North Canton’s
ongoing push to put in additional parking spaces at the East Maple Street Ball
Fields seems to defy logic as everyone seems to forget that the property is the
site of a city aquifer first and foremost.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The aquifer is a
raw water source for the citizens of North Canton as well as water customers
outside the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ball fields and
surrounding area are designated as a Source Water Area Protection area. In a
designated SWAP area the Ohio EPA suggests protective strategies to minimize
risks in these areas.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Ohio EPA considers parking lots
a potential source of contamination. If a SWAP area already has a parking lot, the
EPA has recommended strategies in its SWAP assessment reports to deal with
these potential sources of contamination. The EPA does not endorse expanding
any existing source of contamination such as a parking lot that lies within a
SWAP area. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">One would surely think that with
the experience the City of North Canton went through in 2001 with the East
Maple Street well field that protection of our sources of drinking water would
be the top priority. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Wednesday, June 13, 2001, the
City of North Canton was featured on the front page of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Repository</i> with headlines proclaiming, “North Canton well field is
contaminated.”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Thursday the 14, North Canton
again made headlines with, “Water danger zone expands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Friday the 15, more disturbing
headlines concerning North Canton’s East Maple Street well field proclaimed,
“Well field ruined ‘forever.’” </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The City of North Canton continued
to make headlines in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Repository</i> for
another five days. Citizens in North Canton and surrounding townships were in a
panic. North Canton’s mayor announced his resignation as all of this unfolded. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">One would think that a community
that had experienced such a calamity would now want to take extra precautions
to protect its water sources from contamination.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The East Maple Street Ball Fields
already have parking to accommodate 227 vehicles. There is no reason to
increase the level of risk to the City’s aquifer with additional parking. In
the last week I forwarded to the Clerk of Council an email that I received from
the Ohio EPA entitled, “SWAP protective strategies for parking areas.”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This email clearly defines parking
lots as a potential source of contamination. After the near disaster that took
place in June 2001, why would you not exercise the utmost diligence to minimize
any and all risks to the City’s well field?</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I would also like to add that it
makes absolutely no sense to spend $50,000 of the $150,000 bequest to expand
the ball field parking lot when it is known that the liner at the Dogwood Pool
needs to be replaced at a cost of $300,000 or more. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.15pt; margin: 0in 0in 8.55pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Given that the city is struggling
financially, the bequeath is a godsend for the city and would cover half the
cost to reline the Dogwood Pool.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why would a community
projecting budget deficits spend public money on a parking lot rejected by its’
Planning Commission when there is a need for several hundreds of thousands of
dollars for major maintenance to Dogwood Park pool?</span><span style="color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The vacant lots
purchased by the city to provide a buffer for the well field against
development should not be developed for parking. Doing so undermines the
reasoning for purchasing the lots and undermines the credibility of the
individuals who gave that reasoning for purchasing the lots.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I ask that this
council show its residents that the City of North Canton has learned from the
past and that everything possible will be done to minimize and or eliminate
risk of contamination to its sources of drinking water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is absolutely no reason to increase the
risks of contamination to drinking water sources beyond what exists with the
present level of parking.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Handout to City Council follows.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">NORTH CANTON WATER CRISIS</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">JUNE, 2001</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FRONT PAGE HEADLINES - REPOSITORY NEWSPAPER </b><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="border-color: windowtext currentColor currentColor; border-style: solid none none; border-width: 1.5pt medium medium; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1pt 0in 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2001<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“NORTH CANTON WELL
FIELD IS CONTAMINATED”</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>SOLVENT FOUND AT E. MAPLE SITE <o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<u>THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2001<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“WATER DANGER ZONE
EXPANDS”</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>RESIDENTIAL WELLS AT RISK IN LAKE, PLAIN
TOWNSHIPS</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
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<u>FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2001<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“WELL FIELD RUINED
FOREVER”</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>NORTH CANTON PROJECT, $1.4M DOWN THE DRAIN</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>EPA BEGINS WELL-WATER TESTING TODAY</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<u>SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2001</u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“TWO WELLS TEST
CLEAN”</b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>AREA UNDER ALERT COULD BE REDUCED</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<u>SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2001</u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“WATER WORRIES
LINGER”</b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>CONTAMINATED WELL STRAINS FAMILY</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>PEOPLE NOT TAKING CHANCES WITH WATER</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<u>TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2001</u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“WELL-WATER BAN
LIFTED”</b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>RESIDENT CAN USE WATER AGAIN, BUT OFFICIALS WILL
CONTINUE TESTING</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<u>WEDNSDAY, JUNE 20, 2001</u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“ADVISORY OVER, BUT
WELL-USERS STILL CAUTIOUS”</b></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<u>THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2001</u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“SALVAGING WELL FIELD
DEPENDS ON EXTENT OF CONTAMINATION”</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-75527291807785027492013-04-08T21:48:00.000-04:002013-04-08T21:48:46.441-04:00Mayor Held Provides Millions of Dollars for Developers but Only Lip Service to North Canton YMCA
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Prepared Comments Made to</h4>
<h4 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</h4>
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April 8, 2013<o:p> </o:p></h4>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cleveland Plain Dealer</i> ran a story on
January 28, 2008, titled, “Developer Stuart Lichter closes purchase of Hoover
property.” The first paragraph of the news article states, “California
developer Stuart Lichter swept up the vacant Hoover Co. campus at a bargain
price Monday – paying $5 million for a property that, when occupied, might have
fetched four times that. And the value’s likely to rise. Lichter and his
business partners plan to turn the aging 1.4 million-square-foot property into
a complex of homes, offices, manufacturers, neighborhood shops and restaurants
and - possibly – a small hotel.”</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stuart Lichter
laid out this vision of redevelopment for the Hoover property, and for a
community such as ours that lost its identity and thousands of jobs, it
certainly sounded like all of our prayers had been answered. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In spite of the fact that Mr.
Lichter is a multi-millionaire who surely has the resources to make his vision
for the Hoover property a reality, he has asked our struggling community and the
State of Ohio for millions of dollars in financial assistance. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">A recap of that financial
assistance includes $440,000 for gantry cranes to bring Meyers Controlled Power
from Massillon to North Canton and approximately $65,000 made available to outfit
and relocate space for Stark State to the Hoover District.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Totaling
$505,000, this is money that came directly from city coffers to Mr. Lichter and
local partners, Chris Semarjian and Bob DeHoff, collectively known as Maple
Street Commerce.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In 2009, the City
of North Canton secured a $5.0 million grant from the State of Ohio. Three
million dollars of the grant was to be made available to Maple Street Commerce to
allow for the conversion of industrial space to office space for </span>the
Shroer Group. T<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">he remaining $2.0 million was to be spent on city streets and
utilities in the surrounding Hoover District.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two weeks ago I
learned that the Held Administration had applied to the State of Ohio to divert
half of the remaining grant funds away from the planned expenditures for city
streets and utilities and provide an additional $1.0 million to the developer.
In discussions with three city council members that night, I learned that none
of them had any knowledge of the actions of the administration to divert
additional grant funds. At last week’s council meeting it was clear that city
council had been left totally in the dark as to the Held administration’s
efforts to reallocate grant funds. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A records request
has revealed that the Held administration had asked state officials in a letter
dated September 26, 2012, to reallocate the balance of the grant funds. On
October 25, 2012, Mayor Held executed an amendment to the Grant Agreement which
was finalized in a November 6, 2012, letter from the Ohio Development Services
Agency to Development Director Bowles. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mayor Held, when
City Council authorized Economic Development Director Eric Bowles to fill the
role of Project Manager in Ordinance No. 56-09 on June 22, 2009, I do not
believe that they expected to be left uniformed as to the expenditure of those
funds. Why the secrecy, Mayor?</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Was it your idea
of an April Fool’s joke at to reveal at last week’s council meeting, what you
have known for five months, that your Economic Development Director had applied
to State officials and been approved to reallocate grant funds that council
thought were going to be used for city streets and utility work?</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And further, to tell this council
that these remaining funds must be spent by the end of September of this year,
a mere five months away? </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mayor Held, your actions to
withhold information regarding your efforts to reallocate distribution of the
grant funds and then revealing at the eleventh hour to council that the funds must
be spent with undue haste are entirely underhanded and raise alarm for me and I
suspect others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why have you not kept city council
informed? Why have you let the clock nearly run out to tell city council that
the remaining grant funds must be spent in the next five months?</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The actions of the Held
Administration bring about urgency on another issue that I have been raising
privately ever since the Hoover property was purchased by Stuart Lichter. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The urgency is that the North
Canton YMCA needs more room for future growth and further financial assistance
to the developers of the Hoover District should be contingent on cooperation on
this issue. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The YMCA needs the two parking lots
that front on East Maple Street and lie east and west of McKinley Avenue.
Furthermore, if the remaining portions of McKinley Avenue that dead end at East
Maple are vacated, the value of these two parking lots to the YMCA will be
greatly enhanced.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mayor Held, I am asking that you
provide no further financial assistance to Stuart Lichter and Maple Street
Commerce, including the reallocated $1.0 million in grant funds yet to be spent,
until Stuart Lichter and Maple Street Commerce deeds over both parking lots in
their entirety to the YMCA.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The City of North Canton has
already provided the developers $3,505,000 in financial assistance. This is far
more than the value of the two parking lots. The additional $1.0 million that
you now propose to divert to the developers will raise the level of public
monies given to Stuart Lichter to nearly equal the purchase price Mr. Lichter
paid for the entire 78 acre Hoover property. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mayor, the recent ceremony in city
council chambers in February when you proclaimed February 19, 2013, as North
Canton YMCA Day in honor of the Y’s 90<sup>th</sup> anniversary isn’t worth the
paper it is printed on if you don’t take meaningful action to ensure its future
growth. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The North Canton YMCA needs more
than “lip service” to be successful for another ninety years. This added
acreage is very critical to the future success of the North Canton YMCA.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City Council, I ask that you take
action to block any further distribution of grant funds should Mayor Held not
have the wherewithal to do what is best for the North Canton YMCA and the
citizens he has sworn to serve.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you,</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chuck Osborne</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">City of North Canton</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-51417430865257365952013-02-11T23:25:00.000-05:002013-02-11T23:25:40.242-05:00Further Development at Little League Ball Fields Threatens City Well Field, Destroys Greenspace and Continues the Exclusion of Residents From Public Park Gifted to City!<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prepared Comments Made to</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">February 11, 2013</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week many people spoke pro and con before this body regarding the addition of lighting at the North Canton Little League Ball Fields. Obvious for most who heard the remarks, the concern is the intrusion that the lights bring to the surrounding neighborhoods along with traffic and parking issues and the noise from crowds and loud speakers that are already disruptive in daylight hours, a disruption that may now extend into the evening and nighttime hours. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Beyond the obvious intrusions, I think everyone is forgetting the larger picture and that is the fact that the North Canton Little League Ball Field is the site of a City well field.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The designation of the area as a public park is supposed to prevent development and protect the aquifer below. That is not being considered now, nor has it been considered in the past as many structures have been built on the property by the North Canton Little League during the term of the present lease. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Protection of the City’s well field should be paramount and development limited as the addition of infrastructures on the property further complicates security of the well field and the underlying aquifer. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition, the property was gifted to North Canton by the Hoover Company to be used as a “Public Park.” Park land brings with it the presumption that it will be maintained as Greenspace to be enjoyed by all of its citizens, not developed with buildings and parking lots with large numbers of people converging and trampling nature with lights ablaze into the nighttime.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also have concerns that nineteen acres of public park land have been handed over to a select few for their exclusive use and I am talking about the lease of the property to the group known as the North Canton Little League, most of whom are nonresidents of North Canton. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Hoover Company gave the citizens of North Canton this acreage and the terms of the gift state that the property be used exclusively for a “Public Park.” </span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is nothing in the terms of the Hoover gift that says the property can be handed over to a select few to use as they see fit, no matter what their intentions are.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">North Canton residents are being denied the peaceful use of a public park and are losing the Greenspace that the park was intended to provide.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The exclusion of a great majority of North Canton residents from the entirety of the nineteen acres of property gifted to the city bothers me greatly. My distress over the lease arrangement with the North Canton Little League Board of Directors is heightened by the fact that I have learned that North Canton children are being barred from participating in or using the ball fields for lack of financial resources.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have received word from a parent of four children that her kids were not allowed to play at the Little League Ball Fields as they were unable to pay the registration fees demanded by the Little League Board. The parent asked to make payments and was turned down by the President of the Board of Directors.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How many other children have been denied playing time at the ball field for financial reasons? And to add insult to the hurt for this parent, the parent says at the same time other children were offered scholarships so they could play without payment of registration fees.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This particular mother is a taxpayer in the city, owns her own home, and her four children attend North Canton City Schools. This individual tells me that she is familiar with numerous parents who can’t afford to play any longer at the North Canton Little League Fields and have chosen other sports options outside the City of North Canton for their children.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is supposed to be a “Public Park” but that is not the way it is being run. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I drive past the North Canton Little League Ball Field without any thought as to what is happening there. The sign at the entrance is titled “Hoover Community Recreation Complex.”</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have learned that the only recreation going on there is recreation approved by the North Canton Little League Board of Directors, to the exclusion of most North Canton residents including North Canton children whose parents cannot afford the required registration fee to play. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The request to add lights to the North Canton Little League Ball Fields should be denied for many reasons. I have given you many of those reasons. The opponents who spoke before this body last Monday night gave you many more.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I ask that you call three strikes on this issue and end the game on the lighting request.</span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Chuck Osborne<o:p></o:p></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10121943.post-12632190948258325012013-02-04T23:15:00.000-05:002013-02-04T23:15:25.679-05:00North Canton Neighborhoods Are Under Attack in Many Ways! <br />
<h2 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Prepared Comments Made to</span></h2>
<h2 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL</span></h2>
<h2 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">February 4, 2013</span><o:p> </o:p></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Neighborhoods in North Canton are under
assault. Throughout the city, neighborhoods are dealing with foreclosures and
rentals. In my neighborhood, my wife and I have seen the attack on the serenity
of our neighborhood escalate. Early last year, an arsonist torched a rental
property and due to the close proximity of house next door, two homes were
destroyed.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the last few months, another rental
property, three doors down from my home, was discovered to be a “Meth House.”</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Foreclosures that linger in our neighborhoods,
single-family homes that are turned into rentals and multiply up and down streets
destroy neighborhoods and drive families out of their homes. This is how
communities lose good solid law-abiding citizens.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But it is not just the activities that I
have described that drive away the solid citizens who live in our neighborhoods.
There are other more subtle causes.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The proposed expansion of the activities
conducted by the North Canton Little League is an intrusion on the peace and
serenity of a neighborhood that can start the decline of a neighborhood. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the past, this council has been well
aware of the need to maintain peace and tranquility for homeowners. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ten years ago, in order to maintain
neighborhoods surrounding Arrowhead Golf Course, City Council saw the need to
spend $4.2 million and purchased Arrowhead Golf Course to insure peace and
tranquility of the surrounding neighborhoods.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A few years later, City Council acted to
ensure that Briar and Weber Streets remained as dead-end streets and were not
opened up when the Sanctuary subdivision was developed. There have been other
streets that have remained dead ends. The residents of Grassmere Street did not
want their street opened up into Monticello. A street in Surrey Hill subdivision
was kept a dead end to maintain peace and tranquility at the request of residents.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In each instance, City Council heard the
concerns of the residents and acted to protect homeowners from unwanted
intrusions in to their neighborhood.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Why is it now that residents surrounding
the East Maple Street Little League Ball Fields are not given the same
protections that have been afforded many other North Canton neighborhoods? </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> The
fact of the matter is that the neighborhoods surrounding the North Canton
Little League Ball Fields have received little support from the Administration
or City Council in their effort to maintain the serenity of their homes and
yards. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Parking issues in violation of the
current lease have been flagrant for years. I myself have driven down East
Maple Street and phoned in blatant parking violations when games are played. I
do not live adjacent to the ball fields but I have heard from many residents
regarding the intrusive use of loudspeakers during little league games.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All of these intrusions destroy the
peaceful atmosphere nearby residents should be able to enjoy. It does not take
many intrusions such as this to push residents out of their homes and out of North
Canton. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The activities conducted by the North
Canton Little League have exceeded the intent and purpose of the gift made to
the City of North Canton. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It is a little league ball field
intended for North Canton Little Leaguers. It was never envisioned to be
Candlestick Park. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The property is also on the site of a well
field that deserves protection from activities that could harm the underlying
aquifer.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How can the security of the well field
be maintained when numerous structures are built, light poles implanted, and
additional parking installed to accommodate hundreds of automobiles?</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What about the Greenspace that is being
obliterated in the process?</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I have a problem with the fact that 19
acres of public property have been given to a select group of individuals for
their exclusive use. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Under the terms of the quit-claim deed
gifting the property from the Hoover Company to the City of North Canton, the
property was to be used “…exclusively for a public park and/or any other public
use consistent herewith….”</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Leasing the entire 19 acres to
individuals at the exclusion of North Canton residents seemingly violates the
terms of that gift from the Hoover Company. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How many little leaguers who play at the
ball field are actual residents of North Canton?</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I urge this council to deny any further
expansion of activities at the North Canton Little League Ball Field and
further urge that the Administration enforce all the terms of the current
lease.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lastly, I would like to commend the
principals of the North Canton Little League for their efforts in providing
organized sports for our youngsters but it cannot come at the expense of the
peace and serenity of the residents and neighborhoods of North Canton.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thank
you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Chuck
Osborne</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Resident,
City of North Canton<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chuck Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11906998184074058253noreply@blogger.com