Funeral for a Friend - elton john

As some of you might know, with the passing of my father about 6 weeks ago, I've been spending a lot of time at Riverside cemetery. It is a very beautiful cemetery.
Something I thought was strange this past week, with all the nice weather we've had I was under the impression that the two cemeteries, Riverside and Evergreen, would be in tip-top shape. I really didn't know what to expect until I saw a lot of upset people complaining about the grounds at Riverside. Today I witnessed one man weed-whacking a gravesite because his mother was upset about the conditions. Even councilmen are getting complaints. My question is "is it time for the city to out-source cemetery maintenance". I am sure we pay good wages to have this work done; one would think the least we could expect is that city employees would do a good job. Someone from the city should explain how much we spend annually on our cemeteries; how many jobs are involved, how much equipment is involved. I soon will be posting pictures taken Saturday from both cemeteries. It's my way of thinking that with the good weather we had the week before Memorial Day both cemeteries should have been in excellent shape; both to honor our departed veterans and as a job done well for the citizens who have family there. Anyone else have a comment?

"RESCUE ME" aretha franklin

I have had correspondence with the city regarding the proposed levy by safety committee to city council. I've heard how our safety forces are funded through the general fund along with the fire department having a .07 mill levy already in effect that brings in approximately 100,000 a year.
All this was mentioned to council but as recently as 2005 the city has had a new source of revenue. They were allowed to charge insurance companies along with Medicare for transporting patients. Why wasn't this money included or mentioned? Maybe it was just a drop in the bucket or worth reporting?
2005 $310,009.53
2006 $343,566.65 (28,987.99 proceeds from capital lease {?})
2007 $376,672.14
2008 $450,893.33
2009 $412,662,56

TOTAL $1,893,804.21

EXPENSES over the same period; These are personal services, materials and supplies, capital outlay, other non-operating charges: $1,520,824.96.

There should be a carry-over balance of $379,979.25...where is this money? Daily interest bearing account?

Before 2005 all these expenses came out of the general fund as expenses for the fire department. Did the city cut the amount of money coming from the general fund to the fire department because of this new revenue source?

A lot of questions need to be answered before the city asks for another dime from the residents.

Has the city addressed and managed the overtime issues at the fire department?
A few years ago one firefighter alone had over 500 hours of overtime.
This is my own opinion; I believe in a well-trained and equipped safety force but there is no way in my mind I could give this administration any more tax money with the way they have handled finances. Again, the city only tells you what they want to even when people are diligent enough to ask the right questions. I don't know all the questions to ask. Anyone out there have any?
-_____________________________________________________________________________________

I wonder if the city is in "conversation" with other community's to solve some of our EMS problems in a responsible way? Rumor has it talks are in the works.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

WATCH COMING SOON!, here's a quickie quiz.
What in Painesville is worth $195,000?
Something tells me there will be some angry Rabbits.

"Electric Avenue" eddie grant

An interesting story has come to light and may explain what AMP-OHIO was up to and why with concerns to Painesville.


Power plant closing at end of ’10
AMP-Ohio deal with EPA forces decision; 90 jobs at stake

By Brad Bauer and Evan Bevins, The Marietta Times


ART SMITH The Marietta Times
The 60-year-old Richard H. Gorsuch Generating Station, an American Municipal Power facility located along Ohio 7 near the Eramet-Marietta plant, will be shut down by the end of this year as a result of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department that alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act.


American Municipal Power's Richard H. Gorsuch Generating Station near Marietta will be shuttered by the end of the year as part of a settlement to resolve alleged clean air violations.

The settlement, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department, called for the plant to be shut down by the end of 2012, but AMP-Ohio said in a Wednesday afternoon release that Dec. 15 would be the last day of operation.

"Continuing to invest money to ensure safe plant operations does not make sense given the fact that the consent decree will mandate shutdown in 2012," the release says.

The Gorsuch plant employs approximately 90 people, said Kent Carson, AMP-Ohio spokesman. The facility, built in 1951 as part of the Union Carbide complex, is located just south of Marietta on Ohio 7, across from Eramet-Marietta.

In its release, AMP-Ohio said the closure had nothing to do with the local workforce.

"We are very appreciative of the Gorsuch staff and the dedication they have shown through the years," AMP President and CEO Marc Gerken says in the release. "Unfortunately, the current situation makes retiring the plant the only reasonable business decision."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed suit against AMP in April 2009, alleging the coal-fired plant violated pollution standards for years through improper upgrades and maintenance on the nearly 60-year-old facility. According to the suit, the work violated the spirit of the U.S. Clean Air Act, which was aimed at reducing emissions by phasing-out the nation's oldest and dirtiest power plants.

Although older plants like the Gorsuch station are exempt from the newer standards, the Clean Air Act requires older plants to undergo a permitting process for any major modification. Any improvements would subject the plant to the same regulations as newer facilities. The EPA claimed the modifications made to the plant - some of them before AMP Ohio owned it - were made without meeting the new standards.

AMP-Ohio maintains that the plant remained in compliance with its operating permits.

"It's important to understand that when considering modifications at a generating facility, the (EPA) is not only looking at whether the modifications actually increased emissions, but also whether they had the potential to increase emissions," AMP Vice President of Generation Operations Mike Perry says in the company's release. "AMP has responsibly operated the facility since taking ownership, and we have made a number of improvements at the facility that have actually reduced emissions."

As part of the settlement, AMP-Ohio must also spend $15 million on an environmental mitigation project and pay a civil penalty of $850,000, according to court documents filed Tuesday. The release says this is expected to result in the creation of 30 new jobs, but Carson said they will not be in this area.

According to the release, the station will continue operating all four boilers during the peak summer demand period, then reducing to two boilers through mid-December. Plant staff will be reduced after the summer peak.

When the suit was brought, AMP-Ohio officials said they intended to take the Gorsuch plant off line in 2014, once construction was completed on a new multibillion-dollar, coal-fired plant that was set to open in Meigs County. However, last fall, the organization announced their plans to move forward with the Meigs project had been scrapped after project costs came in higher than expected.

At that time, AMP-Ohio officials said they would "re-evaluate" their earlier plans to close Gorsuch.

Although it was known the plant might be shut down in the near future, Washington County Commissioner Cora Marshall said Wednesday's news was "sad to hear."

"(It) affects not only the workers but everyone in our area," she said.

AMP-Ohio says in the release it has a fully funded pension fund for plant retirees, and the organization will work with existing employees to make sure they're aware of job training and other available resources.

The plant's loss will be felt by local government as well since it provides more than $500,000 a year in taxes in the county, about $317,000 of that going to the Warren Local School District, according to Washington County Auditor Bill McFarland. The district board of education called a special meeting for 8 a.m. today to discuss the impact of the impending closure on a planned bond issue scheduled to be decided in an August special election.

AMP-Ohio says in its release that the site might be considered for a gas peaking project, to help provide additional power during peak usage periods, but no decision has been made. That operation would require fewer workers, and Carson said it was too early to say whether some current employees could fill those jobs.

The electricity generated at Gorsuch serves just under 50 member communities, mostly in northern Ohio and none in this area, Carson said.

However, it still provides energy and steam to plants in the area, including Eramet. AMP-Ohio purchased controlling interest in the power plant in 1988 from Elkem Metals, which became Eramet.

Eramet spokeswoman Joy Frank-Collins said she expects the Gorsuch closure will have minimal impact on Eramet.

"We're already planning on alternatives, so I don't expect that it will have a big impact," she said.

AMP-Ohio says in its release that steam and water customers were notified in 2006 that AMP was unable to renew existing contracts and cessation of operations was likely.

According to the EPA, the Gorsuch Generating Station has the potential to emit more than 100 tons per year each of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. The EPA's 2008 Toxic Release Inventory said the Gorsuch plant disposed of on-site or otherwise emitted a total of 1.4 million pounds of chemicals.

Federal EPA officials did not return telephone calls for comment Wednesday. The U.S. Justice Department issued a press release calling the settlement a victory.

"The Justice Department is committed to strong enforcement of our nation's environmental laws in order to protect human health and the environment," Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division, says in the release. "This settlement will remove harmful emissions from this coal-fired power plant by tens of thousands of tons each year and will significantly benefit air quality."

According to the press release, AMP's commitment to retire the plant will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in the area by approximately 3,160 tons per year.

AMP, based in Columbus, is a nonprofit organization that provides generation, transmission, and distribution of wholesale electric power to municipal electric systems. AMP is made up of 129 member municipal communities in five states.

The proposed settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

They don't seem too concerned where to find the electric power to replace this plant; probably on the open market.
Now remember how imperative it was to get the Meigs County plant up and running, so important that they sent the president of AMP Ohio to a Painesville Council meeting to approve that deal. My question: "Was the city manager and council president aware that this plant was being scuttled..and was that what the rush was all about?

"LA BAMBA" richie valens

Badger seems to be more then little concerned about the Illegal Immigration mess.
Sorta see it the same way he does, except for a few minor things.
President Caldron,s address to a joint meeting of the House. Sorry Badger I'm glad he made it. The man all but chastised the United States and Arizona's Border laws. To bad in one of those rare occasion's I wish a senator or congressman had walked up to a camera after the address. Told the American people how important the presentation was and that the Mexican President had made and starting tomorrow he or she would send a bill to the hill that mimics the Mexican law word for word. [You want to hear an uproar]
Mexicans aren't stupid truth be told, they just believe the American people are. People like Veronica Dahlberg run around and tell us how wrong we are only to avoid the fact that the problem is with Mexico and the Mexican people.
A good example is the Hispanic caucus in the House of Representative's. Congressman Luis Gutierrrez from Illinois that mans a piece of work. My people, his people. sorry buddy you work for the American people. Funny I wonder if the Mexican Government has an Anglo or Black caucus.
On a positive note he was first Mexican President to ever place a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington Cemetery.
It's time to insist the people are heard, and knock off the B.S.

'THE ANSWER IS BLOWING IN THE WIND" pp&m

The most positive news to come out at Monday night's council meeting. It's still to early to decide if this is the way to go but it sure looked fruitful.
A presentation by NEXGEN ENERGY on Painesville purchasing electric power from a wind farm they propose to build in North Perry.
.079 per kilowatt. we would purchase about $400,000 Worth of electricity per year from them.
It includes a 10 year agreement with this figure and cost.
No purchase or maintenance of towers gears equipment.
No "take & pay" no investment by the city. If the windmills fail we just don't pay.
No AMP-OHIO. The city should take a careful look into this but it make 100 times more sense than the Meigs County deal.
Please some of you help me look into this. It seems to good to be true and that's what bothers me.

The fire levy being proposed will have meetings in all four wards to get peoples input before it even goes on a ballot. I believe there is a better way and our leadership must be prodded into finding a better solution. Truth is Painesville and surrounding communities can't all afford stations on every corner along with $900,000 fire trucks.
On a final; note I brought up the Painesville Magazine, you would have thought I walked into the Vatican and raised the Bible over my head and claimed this is all B.S.
The looks and comments, councilman Fountain called it a great piece of "Literature?"
Problem is most of the people sitting at that front table really are sincere. I must be driving down the wrong streets at the wrong time.

"PAPERBACK WRITER" beatles

Along with all this illegal immigration debate that was bubbled up in the last month the most interesting story to me has been "Let me see your papers?" I wonder if the Hitler family receives a royalty everytime this phrase is used?
Truth be told Everyone shows their "papers" everytime a policeman stops someone for a speeding infraction. License, Registration, Proof of Insurance, isn't that how it works? Showing your papers.
Go to your physician, attorney, they have their papers on the wall in their office.
Would they hire a teacher in Painesville without seeing his or her degrees? papers?
Apply for a job? Social Security card please, papers?
Go into a bar and if your under 25 chances are someone will want to see your papers. If they don't ask they can be arrested and put in jail if you are found to be under 21.
Walk into the airport, hospital, voting area everyone wants to see your papers, big deal.
This is an attempt to make people think its bad to have papers, yet we all have them and for good reason.
The only people offended are people who are without, fraudulent, or even stolen papers.
You have to wonder what "papers" an illegal has to show to enroll his child in school.

Quick reminder "COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY 05/17/10"

A few interesting topics; approval of 135 Townhouses east of Cobblestone on less than 30 acres of land? I hope everyone likes everyone.
What if that Jackson St. fire station is voted down?
Maybe that $100,000 deal with Grand River will look more "fiscally responsible?"
SCHOOL LEVY UPDATE:
According to a person in the superintendent's office, there was no action taken Saturday morning regarding when the proposed levy might be placed on the ballot.

"FIRE DOWN BELOW" bob seger

Well went to the safety meeting tonight at city hall. After the last meeting someone in the audience suggested expanding the committee by at least two "citizens."
Well we have two new members, one a city employee and the other a former city employee who I have not seen at a safety meeting let alone a council meeting in quite some time? The present employee does attend all safety meetings. Question if you have people interested why get someone who has shown zero interest? I will not print names because I am sure I will misspell them and hear about it for the next month. That said I wish them good luck in solving the city's safety issues.
Now the meat;
The safety committee heard five option on what to do about response time in Painesville for Fire and E.M.S. service.
They voted to present option #3 to city council this coming Monday.
A 2.5 mil combined levy and Bond that should cost the average Painesville home owner $85.00 per $100,000.
These monies will be used to build and equip a second fire station in the western part of the city near Jackson St. and the Rt.44 interchange.
First off my take this is not the area of most need. Funny if we spent alittle money with Grand River and Painesville Township we could look at the most pressing need,the residents south of the NS railroad tracks. The chief pointed out a study that shows the western end of the city will experience the most growth in the future. Tell that to the people in Liberty Greens.
Will this levy have a chance to pass? Well the residents in the north and east end will not see a benefit to increase their taxes. The south end have been promised a fire station for over 50 years I don't see them jumping on the bandwagon. Along with another thought how far from the present station will this be, along with how close to Painesville Townships Nye Rd. station this new station be.
City leaders from all communities better get ready for regionalization it coming soon, People can't afford the present setup this cooperation is to important to ignore it.

Present Scorecard of proposed increases
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City Schools . $215.00
City Safety 85.00
MR/DD 48.00 [passed]

Will there be more?

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"NOT ONLY FIRE DOWN BELOW, BUT WATER TOO"

ANYONE HAVING FLOOD ISSUES IN THE CEDARBROOK AREA, PLEASE E-MAIL ME.!!!!!!!
drdebb@oh.rr.com
I am gathering all information.
I want to help all of us with this problem.
Storm drains back-up into basements flooding them, as well as backyards flooding.
The city along with the city engineer are well aware of the problem.
I will try to get help for all of us.
Please e-mail me
Thank-you Deb

"SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER"

School's out for summer, but it appears our school board will ask for a new 6 mil. levy in August of this year. The board will meet Saturday morning to decide to go forward with a special election in August, or wait until the November elections.
A six mil. request will cost the average home owner in the Painesville School System approximately $210.00 more on a $100,000 home.
A special election will cost the schools between $6,000 to $10,000 to hold.
School board members even mentioned that even if the levy passes, sharp cuts will still have to be made.
Let your board representatives know how you feel about this levy, good or bad. It will help them with their decision Saturday.

'WELCOME BACK" john sebastian

I was consulted (along with many other local residents) by the author of the following college paper and thought it might interest the readers of this blog. The person that wrote this is a non-traditional student (older) at Lakeland Community College and lives here in Painesville.
The Professor graded this paper out as an A+
This was not using the 50% policy but a real college grading system.



Urban Poverty Close to Home


I’ve chosen Painesville as an example of how past and present misguided policies can have catastrophic results for a community that was once vital.
The City of Painesville is the fourth largest and oldest community in Lake County, Ohio. It is the county seat and the location of most of the local, state and federal services available in the immediate area (JFS, county jail, OSU Extension Office, Lake County Courthouse, Juvenile Justice Center and Detention, County Auditor, Board of Elections, County Health Dept., Social Security Administration, VA Satellite Clinic, Republican Headquarters, County Commissioners Office, County Recorder’s Office). The 2000 Census shows a population of 17, 503 people and is the most ethnically diverse community in Lake County. It has its own school district that is comprised of three elementary, one middle and one high school with a total enrollment of 3044 pupils. It is also the home of Lake Erie College; a private liberal arts school that has an enrollment of over 1300 students and is known for its world-renowned equestrian program. Painesville does have public transportation, although limited. Painesville has its own electric power plant which provides affordable power to residents and businesses alike. It has a combination of older home stock and new individual homes and developments, numerous apartment buildings as well as several low-income public housing complexes. Painesville is also home to two half-way houses, a battered women’s shelter and a homeless shelter. It has a beautiful historic district that it is justifiably proud of. All of this is packed into a 6.7 square mile location just two and half miles south of Lake Erie and near the Mentor Marsh Nature Preserve, Headlands State Park and beach in Fairport Harbor.
Sounds like a little something for everyone, right? There’s a few things missing though and some of the pieces of the puzzle just do not add up. I’ll start by examining some of the pieces.

Ethnic Mix:
PVL LAKE USA
White 77.0 95.4 75.1
Black 12.9 2.0 12.3
Latino 12.9 1.7 12.5
Painesville’s figures are very close to national averages but when you compare them to the county as a whole you see that the ethnic make-up is much different than the surrounding communities. The Latino community is large and growing due to Painesville’s proximity to a very large nursery industry due east. Both the black and Hispanic communities have been congregated into Painesville rather than dispersed throughout the county. Certainly some of this is by choice and some is due directly to structural policies that may or may not be beneficial.

HOME OWNERSHIP:
PVL LAKE USA
Own 52.1 77.5 66.2
Rent 47.9 22.5 33.8
Vacant 5.9 4.1 9.0
These figures show an even bigger disparity between Painesville residents and not only the rest of the county but the nation as a whole. Lake County enjoys a very high percentage of home ownership, well above the national average. Painesville is well below national figures. Although these numbers may not seem too bad on their face, when a city is located in the midst of seeming prosperity and when the numbers show such a big difference then the differences are glaring to both the Painesville residents themselves and to surrounding communities. High levels of rental properties translate into lower property values, lower tax revenues and a lower quality of life. This was not always the case in Painesville but is one result of a gradual down-hill spiral.

EDUCATION:
PVL LAKE USA
High School Diploma:
74.0 86.4 80.4
4 Year Degree or Higher:
12.4 21.5 24.4
These are figures for residents (not students, that will be addressed separately) and reflect the community in another negative light as compared to Lake County and nationally. Residents are overall less-educated and this depresses earnings which causes a host of other problems. There is less money for investment. Residents hold jobs that require less (or no) training, tending to seasonal trades or the service sector. These are the jobs that are cut or eliminated first in an economic downturn. Less income and less job security increase stresses on people already in a marginal situation. I also looked at resident ages and there is no real statistical basis for considering anomalies such as a larger than average elderly or young population (those that would not have necessarily started or finished high school as a matter of course).

CITY SCHOOLS:
Painesville City schools fail almost every benchmark established for good education. Locally the Painesville schools graduate an abysmal 74.7% of their students. All the other local school districts I examined had at least a 90% graduation rate which is also the minimum level the state of Ohio deems acceptable (see appendix I). Data from the State of Ohio report card show that out of 30 indicators measured, Painesville City schools have achieved only 7 as of the last complete school year (2008-09) and that was an improvement (see appendix II). The other schools used as comparison were all in the 20s. Demographics for the Painesville schools show the following:
School Demographics:
2930 Daily Enrollment
19.2 % Black
34.7 % Hispanic
32.4 % White
72.1 % are considered economically disadvantaged.
50% Grading Policy
These numbers stand alone in Lake County. Other available data shows that Painesville City teachers are educationally qualified and the school system itself spends a more than adequate amount of money per student (over $12,000. per pupil, see appendix III). I believe that this school system has not taken into consideration that a large number of its students speak English as a second language nor consider the problems of poverty that three-fourths of the student body must deal with. Many credible studies have shown that students showing these characteristics frequently suffer from lack of health care, poor nutrition, lack parental motivation and support, no place to study, and often must care for siblings. Many Painesville high school students are themselves parents. (I was unable to come up with statistical numbers for this claim other than anecdotal information, but consider the sources credible as they include alumni and present students). The 50% grading policy has been effect for several years. It essentially guarantees a student will pass with little or no effort on his/her part. Good students are penalized under this system; their initiative is not rewarded and many colleges do not recognize this policy and refuse admission to deserving students as a result. The only thing this policy is good for is keeping marginal students from quitting and thus assuring that funding will continue. It rewards poor behavior and most definitely sends the message that almost nothing is required in order to get ahead.

OTHER PIECES:
Painesville was an early and eager advocate of urban renewal. The New Market Mall was built with much hope but destroyed a large part of the unique character of historical downtown.
Painesville has been a victim hard hit by the global economy as well. Its economic decline can be traced back to the 1970s when Diamond Alkali (Diamond Shamrock) was bought out and then relocated to Texas. Their legacy was a brownfield that is slated for development….some 30 years later and at an exorbitant cost. Another big employer was the Industrial Rayon Corporation which moved overseas in the early
1980s after spending several years phasing out of the area. Other large and stable employers, such as Towmotor and Caterpillar are long gone. The loss of all of these good-paying jobs hurt Painesville more than the rest of Lake County because of its relatively uneducated workforce. Nothing replaced these jobs, starting the economic decline.
The recent loss of the Lake Hospital System to a new location outside the city has taken a large income producer out of the mix. Even though Painesville has entered into a JEDD (Joint Economic Development District) agreement with Concord in order to keep a share of the income tax generated, the agreement exempts administration (high salaries) from Painesville’s share. The hospital employees spent a lot of money locally (parking, lunches, patronizing local merchants) and the hospital itself has replaced many local merchant services with others located elsewhere. The local flower shops are a good example of this. The debate on what will replace the building has been acrimonious and no satisfactory compromise has been reached. Nothing that has been proposed can make up for the loss of prestige. The loss of the hospital itself may have been inevitable, but there was a window in time where an alternate solution could have been reached. Losing that medical facility was a body-blow to Painesville’s status and economy.
The immigration situation in Painesville is a good example of what we (should) have already learned from history. Immigrants come to work and start a new life. They are willing to work for lower wages and live in substandard housing until such a time as they are able to move on (and up). In the meantime, they are resented for their mere presence. They further reduce an already tight job market and use services that have become more expensive to provide. They strain an infrastructure that is already creaking under structural and cultural problems. Add to that the issue of potential illegal status and you have now set the business community against government. Painesville is already struggling under a stigma of sorts and then attach the dubious status of ‘sanctuary city’ and everyone is hurt. There is no cohesive local plan that tries to realistically reconcile the realities of a large influx of immigrants with the needs of a declining city.
MY CONCLUSIONS:
The City of Painesville has to quit being schizophrenic. She cannot be all things to everyone. She has to decide what she is and where she wants to go and then capitalize on it. These are some of the things I would emphasize immediately.
First and foremost, no city can hope to recover without superior schools. It is apparent that what they have been doing is not working. It is time to raise standards by whatever means necessary. Painesville now possesses brand-new school settings and they should put them to good use. Those buildings should be used after school hours and during the summer; night classes and adult education for example. The present administration (or a new one with a fresh outlook) should take a hard look at other school systems that turned themselves around and then emulate them wherever possible. Better-quality schools would attract new residents, people with the understanding and desire to see their children achieve, and success feeds on itself. People buy houses when they select an area based on quality education. They invest themselves emotionally and financially in the community when so motivated.
Painesville has the services and industrial space to attract and retain business. One area I would suggest they investigate is green technology. This is here to stay and there is much investment money available and to be made in this industry. Painesville could be a leader in fostering a ‘green’ culture and business climate. There has been some talk about Painesville participating in some activities with other entities along these lines but they should take the initiative. This would provide a desperately needed economic boost.
Inevitably Painesville will be forced to come up with some kind of solution to the immigration situation. This is something that they should be pro-active about. Band-aid solutions or solutions that only placate a segment of the population are counter-productive and short-sighted. Many of the long-time residents of Painesville are only second or third-generation immigrants themselves. They only wish that the laws already on the books be enforced uniformly, whether it is immigration, home inspection, criminal or even traffic.
Although I am no fan of the present city administration it is primarily because of its inconsistency. They have made some grievous financial errors and show a strong tendency to go outside for expensive expertise that is available in their back yard. I would like to see city government be more transparent and engage local citizens more, not just the business community that has its own agenda. I would like to see them learn from previous administrations as to what does or does not work.
Painesville needs a modern community center, one with a public pool and kitchen facilities. This is an amenity that any upscale community possesses and would be another big attraction to potential home buyers.
Painesville has a few glaring eyesores in an otherwise pretty town. The old Steele Mansion on Mentor Avenue and the old Holiday Inn located right downtown both need to be demolished. The city also needs to do whatever it takes to push through and finish cleaning up from the flood of 2006.
Painesville is not Mentor with malls and homogeneous citizens. It is not Willowick, a bedroom community. It is not rural Perry or Madison. It is not Kirtland with their half-acre lots. Painesville is an historic college town.
CONCLUSION:
Painesville has been a victim of some of the structural issues of the past and present with (un)intentional consequences. Federal policies encouraging suburbanization resulted in neighboring communities growing at her expense. Even though State Route 2 is now old news it took away a great deal of traffic that used to go right through downtown. New Route 44 did the same. Globalization eliminated many good jobs. Painesville is also the victim of cultural forces. Because of her much larger black population she has suffered as a community from racism and discrimination. Large black (and now Hispanic as well) minorities brought with them the lack of political or economic power needed for Painesville to be able to hold her own when surrounded by largely homogeneous wealthier communities. A gradual slip in the quality of local education exacerbated the problems of falling home ownership and the accompanying problems associated with poverty. Painesville is unique in that she has many big city problems while not being located in an inner-ring suburb. I believe that we will see more of this as many of our older big cities continue to deteriorate and their problems migrate behind the suburbanites that fled in the 50s and 60s. I also believe that Painesville does not have to be an inevitable victim of urban decay since the ground she is covering today is fairly new. We really do not have enough data to predict how cities like Painesville will fare in the future because this kind of urban evolution is comparatively recent. Although I have a vested interest in seeing Painesville turn around, objectively speaking it will be a good lesson for many other small towns in similar circumstances to watch unfold. The choices Painesville makes will have a larger social impact than on just her local citizenry. I sincerely hope that Painesville will evolve into a lesson in how things can be done successfully rather than an example in failed policies and short-sighted leaders.

"ILLEGAL ALIEN" genesis

Well someone who got tired of us ranting about illegals in Painesville and decided to contact our Congressman to hear his position.
Here is the letter that was sent back to them:




Thank you for contacting me regarding the issue of immigration. I appreciate hearing your perspective on this important issue.

As you may recall, during the 109th session of Congress, the House and the Senate approved different versions of legislation to address the problem of illegal immigration. I supported the House bill which forces employers to verify that their workers have come to the U.S. legally, calls for the erection of security fencing with lights and cameras along the southern border, and mandates stricter punishment for individuals who violate immigration laws.

I do not support illegal immigration. Nor do I support rewarding those who have entered this country unlawfully. I will not lend my support to any bill that offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. I believe that Congress must continue its task of developing legislation that will address the enforcement problems inherent to our current immigration policies. I believe that securing our borders is foremost in this task.

As my colleagues and I continue our work in the 111th Congress, many of the issues you raise will undoubtedly be on the forefront of our agenda here in the House of Representatives. It is important for me to have your views, so should legislation come to vote on the House floor I can keep your position in mind.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me again. I remain


Very truly yours,


Steven C. LaTourette

Member of Congress



SCL/MJ


Anyone with an e-mail account can contact our elected officials:
Here is Latourette's web address.
http://latourette.house.gov/

"CITY COUNCIL MEETING 05/03/10"

Lets continue to debate the "positives" about basements in Heisley Park phase 12. Maybe will get another geology lesson about glaciers and soil. Paid in full by Ryan Homes.
Along with street repaving projects.
The battery grant for the electric plant.
The city manager will turn the "old" hotel over to the Port Authority who will then try to get funds from the state to demolish this building ala LakeEast, You got to wonder what they think we're doing in Painesville down in Columbus?
Wonder if the city manager had enough time to answer councilmans Flock's questions?
Fire Chief will give a presentation.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^COUNCIL MEETING THOUGHTS;
I never understand the questions that are never asked? Along with some that just bring a shrug of the shoulders?
Mrs. DiNallo asked about sump pumps, what is excessive use, estimated replacement cost? Not a good answer was given. At the last council meeting the city manager claimed the external sump pumps would cost the homeowner $10.00 a month. Really? If it ran 5 minutes a day? or 55 minutes an hour it averages $10.00 a month. Where does she pick these numbers from?
My thought Mother Nature always wins ask the residents that lost everything at Millstone.
Speaking of electricity that battery experiment at our power plant will cost the citizens of Painesville $500,000 over the next three or four years. Not one council person even asked the life expectance of the battery. Why? not important enough, its only $500,000, or its something that is experimental?
The "old" hotel the city manager told council the hotel was donated to the city? Funny thats not how I remember it, but no big deal. She reminded council how the money was received to demolish the hospital and yes there are grants available to demolish the hotel if the city wasn't the owner. Enter the Port Authority now council voted to sign it over to them. No questions asked who will own the property what is planned for it, ect. Now the hook, Where will the Port Authority come up with matching funds? Not a soul asked. Along with the thought that somewhere in our future we will be asked. Detail, details, details.
The fire chief reported the grass fire behind Cobblestone was called in to Mentor Fire Department first, which sent firefighter from three stations even before Painesville was notified, Painesville on receiving the call called out mutual aid from Concord, Painesville Township, Fairport Harbor. Thats why the large number of firemen on site. The chief also stated the fire was as close to eighty feet from the buildings.
Somewhere everyone has to get on the same page Heisley area is south of the railroad tracks and Diamond Center is north of the railroad tracks. It could have been alot worse what if everyone thought it was the other guys turf?
Why didn't anyone one ask about a 36 second response time to Cobblestone? It sure skewered the numbers?

Don't forget this Tuesday is election Day.

"WALK AWAY" kelly clarkson

As I watched and walked the downtown park today I had to wonder if demonstrations and boycotts even work anymore in the 21st century? The main number of attendees at the HOLA rally mostly seemed under twelve. Last time I looked Disneyworld was in Florida.
I asked an impartial person what they felt about these rallies? Was HOLA right, the Grassroot Group? The answer surprised me. "All this has shown me is how the Federal government has failed to live up to the citizens, and also possible citizen wanting to come to this country, for over the past thirty years." [Listen up Steve]
We as a people should chose who we let become Americans, not the simple fact that you maybe are able to crawl under a fence.
The Hispanic people are not stupid, they know they are being used as pawns by the Republican Party and Chamber of Commerce as cheap labor and customers. They also know the Democratic Party and Labor Unions are are looking at them as a potential voter block as well as new members to the labor movement. The Catholic Church needs them as replacement members and it goes on and on.
You wonder why they don't respect the United States? Look at the reasons above. we don't respect the sovereignty of America, why would they?
To Veronica you got your face time to bad you had no politician to stand up for your cause? Where are the County Commissioners, State Senators, State Representatives, Council people that stand for your cause? Well at least you got a businessman from Perry who loves cheap labor? Where are the "Movers and Shakers" of Painesville on this issue?[still love the movers ans shaker comment by a poster}
These people with power stand where? Who foots the bill for the added costs to the City of Painesville? Surely not anyone from Ashtabula.
I remember at the last "Meet the Candidate Night" in Painesville. All candidates agreed illegal immigration was a crime. Three of these people now sit on council.
I guess I'll just root for the Phoenix Suns to win the Western Division of the NBA, along with drinking Arizona Iced Tea, with a planned vacation to Tempe this coming winter.
A final thought you think Obama care will cost America? Just what do you think giving Amnesty to 20 million people along with re-unifacation of their families will cost this country? I'd rather pay $10.00 for a tomato.