"SINCE YOU GOTTA GO, GO NOW"

This post was goimg to be my 12 reasons we should start looking for a new city manager. A friend reminded me that only 7 people vote for the city manager position and to retain the city manager only requires 4 votes. He read my reasons and told me to wait a day or two. He wanted me to give my reason to someone very well known in the community and see what they thought. Well this person agreed to listen to my reasons amd to critique them only if I would not mention their identity. I agreed only because I wanted this persons opinion. They have dealing with the city and would not want to jeopardize this business relationship.
Listening to my 12 reasons Three were deemed unproveable or sour grapes plus alot of time had gone by. Six had a real concern to the city of Painesville. and three they took a different twist on then I had.

1. The city rating of last 76 out of 76 for safety in the suburbs of Cleveland. By Cleveland Magazine They wondered why silence on this subject from the City Manager/ Safety Director. She had Chief Smith address the subject at a city council meeting. She should have answered rhe article not the Chief of Police its her resposibility. What will she do to correct this article for the citizens and respond to the magazine. Is it the Fire Chief or Police Chief resposibility to answer or hers? Where does the "Buck" stop in Painesville? Maybe next year we won't answer the survey there's the solution,right?
2. Cobblestone Apartments without calling anyone a liar there seemed to be alot of well, half truths being told to council. As a coucilperson after that incident how could you ever believe anything that person told you without checking first? They were surprised more on council were not surprised by the true findings, maybe some knew? Now the question will be how will the leaders of surrounding community respond? Some probably love watching her dangle in the wind.Why? Has she lost any credibility with council?
3. The hospital site. She could have explained it to council that yes one route was to have a developer signed on. The grant can still be awarded wihout one. They asked me where I came up with an 18 million dollar project? I explained that Mr. Zaremba said 100 units at $185,000 each. I was politely told it doesn't work like that but it could be a project that could be from 0 to whatever. That the city did not put out an RFP out seemed strange, and that with a project of the magnatude and importance to the city, only one proposal was brought forward? Why was it a take it or leave it proposal? At least 3 or 4 would have showed the city was actively looking at all avenues for the best future of Painesville. Why was the easy route taken?
This person also stated that the city residents were in for a surprise. A lawsuit that will really have people wondering about the competency of the city leaders?

These are afew of the questions that people should ask the candidates running for office. Any other opinions?

'DIVERSITY"

I hear that word thrown around here like its something we chose to do. Most people believe that "Diversity" has alot to do with race and or nationality. Big surprise folks I believe our diversity comes from economics instead of the fore mentioned reasons. University Hts, has diversity but it seems to be along the lines of income and education. Lets face it wealthy people like to live around wealthy people. Well educated people seek the same.
That brings us back to Painesville for the most part you have low income white, black, and hispanic people making up the majority of the population, run the numbers.
Even if you go back forty years I bet Painesville had a higher percentage of college graduates than it has today. I remember when most of the teachers lived in town, my family doctor lived here, attorneys, even high ranking state and county officals. What drove them away? White flight? Maybe but would a wealthy highly educated black man want to raise his family here? Hispanic as they reach a certain step on the economic ladder also head for the hills. Are all these people racists? Do they just want what best for all there families? Ryan Homes has an interesting flyer about the homes in Liberty Greens, and Heisley Park. A map, Riverside Schools ect, nowhere on the flyer does the word PAINESVILLE appear, why?
Probably two of the largest employers in Painesville the city. and the school district can't get there employees to live here why?
Joe Hada made a presentation of why he thinks upscale housing will work on the hospital site, he brought up Liberty Greens and Heisley Park, what do you think the results would have been if they were in the Painesville City School District? I put the post up about Louisville, Colorado and expected more resposes. What any great location needs is an excellent school system. We're half way home with the new buildings, but brick and mortar do not make an excellent system. We can be a minnie Cleveland system, or a Chagrin Falls system its what the people want for their childrens future and the future of Painesville. Spend your education dollars wisely and expect results from your students. That is the key for Painesville future.
People will flood a city with a high ranking school system.

"ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH, COLORADO

When your sitting in front of your computer tonight google Louisville Colorado and tell me if it reminds you of a place you know, and how little it would take to be like this town?
Then check Money Magazine and see how they rank this town?
So close but yet so far away.

"CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 20,2009

City Council Meeting this Monday night. some interesting subjects to come up.
Mentor Ave. Historical District, also a public hearing at 8:00p.m.
Repealing Ordinance pertaining to City Directors living in the City.
3rd reading on Zaremba Inc. as site developer for the Hospital site.
LEEDS vote on that construction project.
And finally the Golden Dome is leaking again and we need $50,000.00 to fix it.

City Council Meeting lasted three hours Monday night a real marathon. Will give highlights later only to say it was very interesting. One gentleman who owns the Steele Mansion statement was "The city manager wants to bulldoze the mansion, and have me do jail time."
I can't even tell you if the city will apply for the Clean Ohio Fund Grant to tear down the hospital, [it passed] but the LEED part didn't?
You could cut the tension in that room with a knife.
The Mentor Ave. Hisrorical District passed. These residents have the citys future in mind.
The ordinance repealing City Directors living in the city passed. This ordinace hasn't been enforced anyway.
We're going to also fix the dome.
The hospital site passed, but they going to have to have a special meeting for the LEED aggrement, it would be like buying a pair of shoes without getting the laces.
Off hand I believe alot of people have lost faith in the judgement of the administration on this proposed hospital site. Why Zaremba, where were other options. Something I noticed when Mr. Volpe of City Architecture made his presentation to at the shareholders meeting about redeveloping downtown Mr. Echart was in attendence when Mr. Zaremba made his presentatation to council Mr. Echart was in attendence. Did Mr. Echart put Mr. Zaremba with Mr. Volpe and a deal was struck? Nothing illegal but did the city leaders get any other developers ideas, were any other developers informed? This is an estimated 18 million dollar project are we being rushed to maybe do the wrong thing?
I asked Joe Hada for his reasons for voting for this project and he gave them at the meeting. Andy Flock gave his reason for being against the project. That said, I respect both of these gentlemens opinions. Then we have Hal Werner who just wants it both ways, if the project is successful he want to take credit for it, and if not he want to be able to say I was against it. You could almost see him trying to calculate votes for his reelection. Simply job Hal yes or no.

"STEAL AWAY, WHY DON'T WE STEAL AWAY"

Attended last nights Rental Inspection Meeting at City Hall. While there I heard the Steele Mansion was recently purchased by someone who wants to restore it. Thats great news for the Mentor Ave. Historical District and for the rest of Painesville. Now the rumor surfaced that there are some in as position of power that have decided that house should be torn down. Instead of putting up numerious roadblocks the people in this town just maybe, should be supporting this project.

"WERE HAVING A PARTY'

This weekend as most of you know is "Painesville Party In The Park'. Come down listen to some music, talk with old friend and neighbors and maybe meet some new ones.
This party is sponsored by the Painesville Community Inprovement Corporation, which sponsors many great programs throughout the community.

"GOD IS GREAT, BEER IS GOOD AND...."

PEOPLE ARE CRAZY"

I know when I put up a post about "illegal immigration" I'm going to get alot of well hate mail. I'm a racist, a skinhead, Hitler ect... I expect it as away to shut me up.
That said.

I can't believe how many have been so angry about me bringing up the Cleveland Magazine Suburb story. Painesville was ranked dead last in safety out of 76 suburbs and the third worse school district. I didn't write the article, I didn't rank the cities, I just told you about the article. One person blamed me for his house not selling because I brought it up at as City Council Meeting and a friend of the buyer told him. Another couldn't believe a born and bred Painesville person would dream of bringing that up? Others stated since I couldn't even believe it, it was a lie to bring it up. Others felt that the city should not answer the questionaire any longer if we weren't getting good press.
Some thought the city and its leadership were in "denial" amd would never get out of the basement.
Perception is Reality, even I can think of at least twenty cities Painesville is safer than, the people who read that article will never hear Chiefs Smith answer and Painesville will still have a black eye. What are you folks going to do about it?

One thing has become clear to me after the story about the hit and run on my daughters car. People have been telling me of suspended and unlicensed drivers, uninsured drivers and vehicles this has reach unbelievable numbers in town. You maybe safer but your car is driving around Tomestone. Can we aleast do something about this?

Nice article in the News-Herald today {Sunday} about Painesville. Just don't go online and read the comments on their web page.

"YOUR HOMETOWN, YOUR HOMETOWN"

This comment was posted on "PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM'

"Are they truly against illegal immigration or are they using that to get someone in the city administration?
I vote alittle of both, but more on the latter."

I'm assuming they mean elected, and not fired?

Well Painesville is the city on the right or wrong course on this issue?
What is the answer are we a bunch of us racists? or just people concerned with what laws are being ignored.
Should the city do more, less, the same?

Please be civil in your comments , people seem to pay attention if you don't just rant.

also checkout utube Painesville car show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fvlq-Tmlr4
Is this our diversity?

"DOWN ON MAIN STREET"

Three months to put in new sewers and repave Main St from the bridge to the top of the hill? Seems excessive? The people at the top must be wondering if everyone is trying to cut them off from the rest of the world. What happens when the burning and demolishing the condos start,what will that do to the project? Speaking of that when will the Millstone deal be done? One person can't be holding this up, maybe its something else? Well maybe their heir's will get the settlement?
Keep thinking about the last council meeting when a Mr. Nathan Zaremba made a proposal to council about the hospital site. Nice honest man claimed he knew very little about Painesville but 100 townhouses on that site seemed the way to go. There was almost a stampede to sign up to his idea. Why do we spend money on master plans and God knows what else that proposed "mixed use" and someone says no we need Townhouses.
The vote that council takes on this property will have as much of an impact on the citys future as urban renewal did forty years ago. We have to get this right. To vote for it and to think the administration is responsible for the outcome is wrong. Its in the hands of seven people and you can't have it both ways. You O.K.ed it, its yours, live with it.

"AND ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST"

Well the rumors seem to be true the "Storm Cellar" is officially closed. I really thought this enterprise was going to make it. "The Abyss called downtown Painesville" strikes again. Quit writing fluff columns about Painesville and lets stop this trend.

"PHIILADELPHIA FREEDOM"

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and fun 4th of July.
Enjoy your parades, picnics, and fireworks and always remember you won God's Lottery to be living on this part of his Rock. Things sometimes look bleak and problems unsolvable but somehow Americans always have figured it out in the end. I think if our President was asked if he honestly knew how to right this ship right now he would admit he's pretty much flying blind. Just as much as anyone else would be doing right now. The thing to remember is communicate with others and things can get done.

Thinking about parades are there any Painesville Cavaliers out there, how many of you remember them being part of a parade?

Here is something to think about this weekend about our founding fathers.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the opposing Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by search parties that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the opposing forces had taken over the Nelson home for their headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. His wife was jailed and died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife and children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

John Hancock lost his home and possessions when Boston burned.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. Some of us take these liberties too much for granted ... We shouldn't.