"CRAZY" patsy cline

First an apology, this wasn't a budget meeting. Its was a meeting to discuss "New Revenue Sources."
Now before anyone thinks these were proposals sent by the city administration to council to consider, the best way to describe it is "throw it against the wall and see what sticks." Doug Lewis made it very clear to both me and the News-Herald reporter that these were just ideas.
Proposed only a 75% credit on city income taxes payed to another city instead of a 100% credit now. So if you pay 2% in Mentor on $40,000.00 you still pay Mentor $800.00 but now you also owe Painesville an additional $200.00 your not paying now. The finance director believes this could bring in an additional $470,000?
Presently only 29% of the people that pay Painesville City income tax live and work in the city.
A levy, a one mil levy would bring in $256,000.00 in revenue a year.
Annual housing inspection by the fire department would bring in an extra $63,000.00.$50.00 fine for parking in a fire lane or near a hydrant.
A higher fine for false alarm calls.
My favorite... If you call the fire department to put out a fire in your home the fire department will charge your homeowners policy $500.00.WOW!
Don't even ask what happens if their called to a car accident? I'm still trying to figure that one out.
How about a radar picture taker mounted on a trailer? Speeders on Rt.2 or Rt. 44? The fine will be in the mail.
Higher user fees, recreation fees?
Parking fines from $5.00 to $25.00
Now if your late with a utility bill there's a 5% charge, lets make it 10% so we will be in line with other communities.
Want your road resurfaced? Will assess you over 20 years, around $240.00 a year.
The list goes on. Now if you don't believe me call your council people and let them know what you think of these New Revenue Sources. I brought up why doesn't the city look into cuts or streamline the city government? I was told that's not what this meeting was about tonight. The "sacred cows" city administrator's and employees go on their merry way. Only about 18% live in the city, who's worried about their vote anyway?
The administration feels withe new Governor the city could lose over 2 million in state aid.
A comment was made that the city pays 2.9 million dollars in health care benefits for 350 employees. Wonder what the employees pay?
Shared Sacrifice will never be spoken in the Ville'

"DO THE LOCOMOTION" grand funk rr

Talk about loco, our 2011 budget.
Wonder if theres anything in there to pay AMP-OHIO its money we owe.
Have to wonder if theres money for signs not to use Lexington Rd. this year?
Wonder if it has a balance sheet? Assets/ Liabilities?
Our administration is big on pie charts, along with power point budget presentations, telling council members its a flexible work in progress, then when someone votes against something they are reminded "You voted for the budget, this was in it"
Any one who would vote for this power point presentation must also believe in fairy tales. If you believe these budgets presented to council are self explanatory . Find a Painesville City Budget from 20 years ago and compare the two. Then tell me which one makes more sense?
While your looking at this years budget, tell me what's in it to improve the quality of life to the residents of Painesville? I'm curious if anyone finds something.
I believe this and the last few budget presentation are a waste of councils time.

"HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY'

This is the time of year we give thanks to the Almighty for letting us prosper this year. We all have had trials and tribulations that we have dealt with this year. Some have lost family members and some have gained some were unemployed for the first time and hopefully some found a job. Keep the faith sometimes I believe its all we have. Stop for a second tomorrow, look around at the people around you you can be thankful for. God Bless.


Something I'm thankful of? As of today this blog. has received over 20,000 hits Thanks mainly to Badger, and you other eleven people.

"WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN"

"MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR" beatles

The snake oil salesmen from AMP-OHIO are at it again. Either Martinsville is the testing grounds or maybe they're viewed as bigger hicks than Painesville.
Read the newspaper article and see if you spot what Martinsville does that Painesville would never do?

City awaits AMP data on project

Sunday, November 21, 2010

By MICKEY POWELL - Bulletin Staff Writer

Martinsville officials now think it will be mid-December before they receive from American Municipal Power (AMP) details about a power plant project in Ohio in which the city may participate.


That is because of the many technical aspects involved in changing a coal-fired project into a natural-gas fired project, the city’s new Power Advisory Committee learned during its first meeting Friday.

The city electric department hoped to have that information already. The new target date is based on city officials’ recent talks with AMP staff.

Six city residents are on the advisory committee. It will recommend to the Martinsville City Council whether the city should participate in the project by buying electricity generated by the plant over a period of years.

AMP has given the city until March 31 to decide whether to take part in the project. The committee anticipates making its recommendation in February.

GDS Associates Inc., a Georgia firm with which the city consults on power issues, also will make a recommendation on whether the city should take part in the project, probably in January, said City Manager Clarence Monday.

The city will provide the information from AMP to the committee at about the same time GDS releases its recommendation, said Monday and Duane Dahlquist, executive director of the Blue Ridge Power Agency (BRPA).

If the information is provided to the committee before then, Monday said, members might have questions for city, GDS and BRPA staff and that could lead to a delay in analyzing the information.

BRPA is a regional organization allowing members, including Martinsville, to pool their resources to achieve efficiencies that could result in them paying less for wholesale electricity.

Ultimately, the committee should base its recommendation on information AMP provides but keep GDS’ recommendation in mind, Monday said.

Documents from AMP that the committee will examine include a feasibility study of the plant as well as a “beneficial use analysis” conducted by R.W. Beck, a consulting firm that studies energy issues, officials have said.

Committee meetings will be open to the public, but those documents will not be made public. Monday said that doing so may result in a lawsuit against the city because the information may contain “trade secrets” such as technical specifications for equipment that companies might consider proprietary.

At the least, he said, releasing information on the project’s anticipated cost factors could hinder AMP’s ability to negotiate costs, which could delay the project and increase costs.

Committee members will be asked to sign agreements that they will not release documents that officials deem unreleasable, said Monday.

He said the committee may choose to go into closed session sometimes to discuss certain information.

Monday said committee members will be shown the documents in private, maybe two at a time. They will not have the documents in their possession during meetings, he said.

“Can I believe what (information) AMP provides?” asked committee member Vince Stone.

“We do not rubber stamp everything AMP says,” Monday said. “That is why we do due diligence,” such as by having consultants and the committee look at the project.

AMP is an Ohio-based nonprofit organization through which Martinsville and 127 other member cities — all of which are considered part-owners — buy wholesale electricity. The power that Martinsville purchases then is sold and distributed to city electric department customers.

Monday indicated that because AMP is nonprofit, it would have nothing to gain by skewing information. He mentioned that other electricity providers which the city has dealt with in power purchases are for-profit entities.

GDS’ recommendation can be trusted, Monday indicated.

“They work for the city, not for AMP,” he said. “They don’t get a commission” for giving an AMP project a positive recommendation.

Martinsville already has agreed to participate in two other power plant projects AMP is developing.

By taking part in AMP power plant projects, the city essentially would be a part-owner of those projects, officials have said. Therefore, the city could buy electricity from the projects for less than it can buy power on the wholesale market, they have reasoned.

The city had agreed to take part in a coal-fired power plant project in Meigs County, Ohio, but that project was stopped last fall after development cost projections came in much higher than expected. AMP is to develop the gas-fired plant on the same site.

A document shows Martinsville’s estimated share of the “sunk costs” toward the ceased coal-fired plant is $1.7 million. Monday said the city has not yet paid any of that cost. Neither has it received an invoice, he said.

The exact costs will not be known for “many months,” Monday said, due to ongoing negotiations with — and maybe litigation against — contractors and suppliers of equipment and construction materials.

Dennis Bowles, the city’s director of electrical operations, said the city can pay back its share of the costs through the costs of purchased power.

AMP “would tack on so much cost” to the price that the city is charged for electricity, he said.

David Maddox, whom committee members elected their chairman, said he thinks city residents would like to see a document prepared that shows how much money AMP committed toward the coal-fired plant, how much money has so far been spent and how it was spent.

With litigation possible, Bowles said he knows AMP would be reluctant to release that information anytime soon.

The committee plans to schedule another meeting before Christmas.

Maddox said the committee has a lot of work to do and the information it will examine will be “overwhelming” in terms of trying to understand it.

“The gray hair I have in my head probably came from (stress over) power purchases,” Monday quipped.

Subcommittees may be formed to study some portions of the information AMP provides, Maddox said.

Also have heard through the grapevine that AMP - Ohio may rename the Meigs County site 'Area 51'.

"COUNT ME IN" gary lewis and the playboys

Well it seems the only thing the school board decided to do Monday night was for the board members to pay the election board $600.00 for a recount of the votes. Good Luck.
I for some reason can't get myself to understand the numbers, The administration claims since 2008 they have made 3 million dollars in cuts. Then they tell me that if the levy passed $950,000 would have been added to the general fund. The had a proposal that would cut 2.5 million out of the 2011-12 budget. So instead of drowning in 2.5 million dollars of debt we would have only drowned in 1.6 million dollars of debt?
The presentation can be viewed on the school web. site early Tuesday. You figure it out.
The administration gave a price tag of $700,000 to the Professional Learning Community. Mr. Thompson is behind this program also.
He also recommend the buildings be closed at 6:00 pm daily to save money. Remember when they told us the new building were there to enhance the lives of all city residents? Only to 6:00pm I guess?
Mr. Thompson was vocal against pay to play in athletics, 80% of our students live near the poverty level. How can we ask that family for a $100.00 check so their child can play a sport? Well, Mr. Thompson how do you ask a woman who is unemployed to add $134.00 to her property taxes? They answer their own questions?

Now the AMP factor or disclaimer. These figures were estimated on the state having a 10% cut in education. "BUT" now with a new Governor it may be as high as a 20% cut?
Making all these figures useless. We don't know the final figure. "Wallstreet Johnny Kasich" takes his first punch.

Look I was going to suggest the employees from the top down to the bottom take a 10% pay cut and a promise from the board that no layoff would take place, but when 65% of your revenue comes from the state how could anyone make a promise?


Only one thing that fried me was I got the impression that all the par-professionals would be cut except the ESL ones, what did I understand that correctly?

Angelo Cimaglio......... Mr. Thompson claims alot of false facts are being presented to the community under ANONYMOUS names. I think he thinks I sent that letter out too?

"LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS" beatles

A little tip to some of you who will be watching Nebraska vs. Texas A&M tonight. You will hear the name of an assistant head/ quarterback coach named Tom Rossley? I remember back in 63or64', Harvey had a quarterback named Tom Rossley. You think this Harvey Grad could be that same guy? You could check his Bio I guess.

I need help.
So many things to look into and so little time to do it all.
Recently I have had a few people email the blog. and ask that I don't post their e-mail address but to email them directly and correspond with them on knowledge they have of certain subjects on the blog. The help one reader gave me explained so much about the AMP-OHIO fiasco that I didn't know.
School Budgets
City budgets
Downtown changes
AMP-OHIO
Charter Changes
City Manager to Mayor form of government
Anything that can help make this town a better place to live, work, play, raise a family in.

One person even sent me a template on how to recall city councilmpeople, along with the questions I should ask Law Director Gurley since without me knowing it he would be the one that would explain the number of signatures the recall would take.
This person also explain the pro's and con's of this, including what it would cost the taxpayers for a special election.

Please, anything you can contribute.I promise complete confidentiality.

We all have an investment in Painesville.

"EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY" rod stewart

The picture on the front page of Wednesday News-Herald should have been the picture on the front of the Painesville Magazine. Yeah, I know this blog. does ten times the harm that story does. You even have to wonder if that reporter is on HOLA's payroll?
If one more person tells me we don't have an illegal problem in this city they're crazy.
Diego Maldonados must have been caught without a drivers license for some minor traffic infraction. Now along with him three other family members must also face deportation.
The mother who has been in this country for at least ten years still needs a translator?
The father worked in a factory, which one along with who's Social Security number did he use?
You have to wonder what this family has cost our government for the last ten years, medical,WIC, welfare whatever. The dogooders should show up with their checkbooks to pay for this new form of social engineering.
Signs , we want immigration reform NOW. You do, where is your support besides Ms. Dahlberg. Where were the city and or county officials along with school and clergy? All they have is Veronica, you have to wonder why?
What it looks like NOW is you will see more deportation period.
You have to wonder how long it will take Ms.Dahlberg to understand this? I wonder if she even realize she's stand alone?
A more conservative government, along with Bills like 1070, plus the fact the country well.... is broke.
Here demands are falling on deaf ears. Thank God for the Border Patrol.
Cold, I know.

"MONDAY NIGHT COUNCIL MEETING"

Well you could cut the air with a knife Monday night after councilman Flock read a statement during the AMP-OHIO presentation that read "I have lost confidence in the City Manager Rita McMahon and Council President Joe Hada." He expressed his views to the residents of Ward 1 and the rest of the residents in Painesville. Councilman Fodor asked to go into executive session after the statement was read . The executive session lasted about 45 minutes. [like to have been a fly on that wall]
After they returned a few more questions were asked . Mr. Fodor explained to me this deal will cost the city over 15 million dollars over the time of the contract 2015 to 2020.
The purchase passed 4 to 3. With Flock, DiNallo, and Werner voting against the purchase.
For some reason Council President Hada is under the impression that councilman Flock voted for the Meigs County project?
Here's an interesting question what do you think the city charges the electric department for the lease on their property and building?
Will add to the meeting events later.

To some of you please take the time to read Wednesday News-Herald.

"TRUST ME" janis joplin

Trust is one of the best feelings a person can have whether its your doctor, clergyman, butcher or friend. It's a great feeling. I once had my car repaired by someone I trusted, sorry to say I quickly lost trust in that person.
The reason I bring this up is because Monday night Painesville City Council will be voting on an electric purchase agreement with AMP-OHIO for purchases over the years from 2015 to 2020.
The question I ask is how can those seven people on council be comfortable with another AMP deal?
It was less than a month ago that the President of AMP-OHIO informed the city that presently Painesville's owed exposure to Meigs County was between 1 and 2.7 million dollars. [don't forget the interest on that money grows daily]
Along with him not taking any responsibility for the situation and then looking at council and telling them "You voted for that contract."
Responsibility? Who will except the responsibility for this blunder? The city manager who recommended the contract, the current council-president who "proudly" voted for it along with curent and past council people who went along with this without so much as apparently reading the contract.
Does the everyday resident of Painesville even care?
As I have mentioned to council, AMP-OHIO is not your partner, they are the seller and you are the buyer.
If AMP was a Mafia Don they would be telling the owner of this restaurant "You owe me money; now let's see, from now on buy all your supplies from my business associate Guido here and maybe we can hide... I mean make this all go away." One thing this has brought to my mind is I wonder if any city or city official from this town or another of AMP "partners" asks the new Ohio Attorney General M DeWine to look into the way AMP-OHIO conducts business?
Four things council must make sure of.
1. Please take the time to read the contract.
2. Make sure there is an EASY escape clause.
3. Run for the door if the words "take and pay" are anywhere in this contract.
4. Pretend this was YOUR money on a household expense, with what you know would you
sign up for a contract with a five year duration and starting in five years.

No Monday morning quarterbacking, just use your common sense and who do you trust?

"WHO LET THE DOGS OUT" baha men

Fuzzy Math Dogs Obama’s Asia Trip.
By Jonathan Weisman
As if Tuesday’s shellacking wasn’t enough, President Barack Obama is getting pilloried by the right on the cost of his 10-day trip to Asia, with outlandish hyperventilation going directly from suspect Indian media reports to conservative U.S. media outlets and commentators without a pause for fact-checking.

Photo by Yuri Gripas-pool/Getty Images
First, the Press Trust of India reported that Mr. Obama’s entourage would be spending $200 million a day for two days in India, a claim that was quickly repeated last night by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R., Minn.) on CNN. White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said, “The numbers reported in this article have no basis in reality,” and are “wildly inflated,” but “due to security concerns,” he would not offer an alternative price tag.
Snopes.com, a website devoted to myth busting, noted that even if the Indian press has correctly reported the size of the president’s entourage – 3,000 – the cost would work out to $66,000 per person per day, “a figure that stretches credulity to the breaking point.” Factcheck.org noted that the entire war in Afghanistan costs $190 million a day.
But the report is demonstrably incorrect. It says the White House had blocked off the entire Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai – it hasn’t – and that the press traveling with Mr. Obama will be staying there. We won’t. Besides, the press pays its own way at considerable cost to the media outlets, not the U.S. taxpayer.
Now a new rumor has emerged courtesy of India’s NDTV. Mr. Obama, the outlet says, “will be protected by a fleet of 34 warships, including an aircraft carrier, which will patrol the sea lanes off the Mumbai coast.” The White House called that ridiculous. But on the conservative Drudge Report website, it’s on the home page – in huge type.

"DOWNTOWN PAINESVILLE FIRE"

The Dorthy Allen building sustained heavy fire fire damage today around 4:00pm.
Some of you will remember this building as the former Sears & Roebuck building downtown.
The building housed "Flavors on the Square" The Painesville area Senior Center along with Lake County Republican Headquarters. I believed it was also used as the area food bank.
I have been told the building is salvageable.

"SOMEONE LIKE YOU..." rod stewart

Downtown Master Plan, Streetscape Plans, Main Street America Plans? We gotta whole lotta plans! Now my question is can we believe or trust these plans? The first plan I remember was the Historic Main Street Plan. That plan was to make the businesses in downtown conform to a turn of the 20th Century look. Now in the latest downtown plan by City Architecture downtown looks like something right out of the Jetsons. How was Veterans Park at the turn of the century and why change the western exit so its in line with Mentor Ave? Doesn't that cut down the size of the park?
We hear numbers thrown around: 350 homes with a mixture of apartments, 85,000 feet of retail business, 97,000 feet of new office space, how in God's name will we fill this plan with people and businesses? Sometimes I believe the leadership of this city must think they have to do something just to show they are involved. I also believe all these "plan" ideas stem from the fact that we lost Lake East Hospital and to turn our attention away from that fact.
How do you lose a hospital?
If there was one business a city should have coveted it was a hospital.
First things first, let's start small. Let's give businesses a real good reason and oppurtunity to fill all of the empty space we have downtown; tax abatements, lower utilities, become business friendly, go after the unique.
I've heard grocery stores [they need alot of parking] A coffeehouse located where it would attract college students as well as residents.
Speaking of the college. THAT is Painesvilles future. Quit treating it like you do.
Education is going to become very big business in the coming years. If Mr.Victor can do what he did with LEC can you imagine what he could do with a downtown? Where was LEC grant for a master plan to take that college where its at?
The city manager seems to believe that to build businesses in Painesville you first must have a captive audience... no... first you give the people some good reasons to live and work near your downtown.

"OH WHAT A NIGHT" four seasons

Now where do we go from here? Keep your signs, expect a special election as early as February.
Have to wonder if the board and the administers will get serious or just try to take it out on the citizens and students of Painesville? We want real cuts, not half hearted ones and please.... no theats.
You have a very large and fluid budget... get serious.
I hope the people in charge engage with people in town to solve the dilemma. I know some people willing to lend a hand.

Charter change? We don't need no stinkin' council; one lady showed the people that we can make a difference. When Ms. Becks first approached me about this, I gave her as much chance as winning the Mega Lotto. Arlene, make sure you buy a ticket! Even in victory she seemed humbled by the situation. I, for one, know the way she was treated by some members of council when she wanted this presented as a charter change. She told me I, better then most, should understand people in town are fed up with the way things have been run in Painesville. I didn't think that many people were paying attention. I guess when they realize over 2 million dollars might be coming out of their pockets people perk up. Arlene, this one is all yours and the people that helped you... enjoy the moment.
What do you think about a Mayor instead of a city manager?