"OLDIES" chicago

Attend Councilman Flocks Town Hall Meeting Thursday night and the councilman invited all candidates for our congressional district to his event. Two showed up Democrat Michael Wager and Libertarian David Macko. Just call me "Dave" Joyce couldn't make it there must have been another railroad problem dealing with trains somewhere in his district, Hey 2 out of 3 ain't bad!

We were allowed to ask candidate questions and two I asked to Mr.  Wager was who did he vote for in the last Presidential election and his feeling about the ACA?  Trick question? Well he answered that he voted for President Obama and he believed  quality health care should a  right for all Americans.

Now comes the main attraction Libertarian David Macko . He alone is worth the price of admission. First David is a member of several principled Tea Party and 9-12 groups. First if need be shutdown the government. Impeach President Obama for treason, murder, war crimes and let's not forget failing to prosecute President Bush and Vice-President Cheney for war crimes. The President also somehow has blackmail Chief Justice John Roberts to declare the ACA constitutional.

As far as the federal government in Mr. Macko's country,  Painesville would have more departments than the feds.
No IRS, EPA, AT&F, DE, NSA, Homeland Security, HHS, and God knows what else. Also end Social Security, Medicare along with Medicaid.
I'll say one thing for David he has no problem with gay marriage. but that comes with  a caveat repeal of all federal prostitution, pornography and gambling laws. Also repeal the Minimum Drinking Age, funding for Child Services kidnappers and Violence Against Women Acts of 1994 and 2005. I hope he's for pot smoking if people like this get elected we'll all start smoking pot.

To his credit David is Prolife, and stong supporter of the second amendment.

After that barrage I had to ask seeing that David is 72 years old,  does he collect Social Security and uses Medicare benefits? His answer, I will stop stealing from the government if I get elected to Congress. Great, I told him but what about these people here the won't be elected to Congress?  That's when I believe he got a little upset with me.

Things also got a little testy when the Libertarian candidate for Governor who comes from Hispanic  heritage got upset when David used the term "wetbacks" when he discussed immigration. Yeah Andy it was a great hour.

Finally if you want/ need to understand more of Dave' views go to;
www.mackoforliberty.org  just a heads up here, David is also interested in the War of Southern Independence.

"DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME" police

Ebola, Ebola seems everyone's an expert on Ebola. President Obama is putting the American people at risk. The doctor's are not telling the truth. But some goofy congressman in Texas  know all the facts.

Lets go back 30 years remember SARS (severe acute resperatory syndrome)  SARS where was President Reagan on this? Where was the SARS Czar? Where were the travel restrictions?  He never brought the subject up. Just maybe the President listened to the medical experts? Well what exacly has changed in the last thirty years? Well CNN was in it's infancy and there was no MSNBC along with FOXNEWS.  Three stations that must fill 24 hours of programing with not just news but commentary, along with a healthy dose of fear.

Fear sells it's the new yellow journalism. we know longer get tornado warnings or severe snow storms now even locally we get killer tornados heading YOUR way. Deadly winter storms a Noreaster coming to YOUR area? What we have is talking heads doing there best to file 24 hours everyday with God knows what.

Some like FOXNEWS and MSNBC along with CNN finally catching on and figuring out that comentary is not news it's opinion.



Recently watching FOXNEWS my Mom loves it. She should the average viewers age is 68 years old and O'Rilley's audience is 72 years old. Well Meygn Kelly reported a story one night that in Colorado the Democratic governor will let you print up a ballot on your computer and after you fill it a"collector" will pick it up. What the Meercat in me looked up. There is absolutely no truth to this. Does anyone check anything out over there?
Another FOX conentatory Kimberly Guilforyle  suggested that single women should not sit on juries or even be allowed to vote. They don't know whats going on? Me I just watch the 5 only to see Kimberly's and Andrea's legs in heels. Wonder why Dana Perino never sits up front? She probably knows what's going on.
The other day that show "Outnumbered" had KISS legend Gene Simmons on and Andrea questioned him about Ebola like if anyone knew it would be Gene . He had that WTF are you asking me look on his face.


An interesting question FOXNEWS should ask their favorite Senators where is the President's Surgeon General. Would it be asking to much to confirm one? Or again NO.


Recently three female talking heads on FOXNEWS debated if uneducated voters should be forced to take citizenship test? Good idea along with an intelligence test to be given to watch FOXNEWS.  Odd how these uneducated voters are to dumb to vote but know how to scam the voter rolls?

Yes MSNBC uses some of the same stik, but FOXNEWS has learned how to sell it the best.


American home of the free and the brave...unless  you were where last week? Go live in that tent over there.

"EVE OF DESTRUCTION" barry mcguire

As a good friend Foghorn Leghorn would  say, I say, I say, boy there's a lot of destruction goin' on here in the Ville'?

Lets look over the past few years.

The schools. Was the plan all along for mini-parks? Yet the city claims it can't take care of what they have so they create more?

Old Harvey future site of what and when? Even the coming soon signs are now gone.

Lake East Hospital big hurry to tear it down so that we can do what? Chicago style housing?  Odd how many seemed to buy into that folly.Yet everything stayed the same. Well give it an interesting name. "High Pointe Centre" maybe "Failed Ideas  Buried  Centre" how about we  grow corn there next year and other vegetables to sell at our Farmer's Market. We can promote Chicago style veggie's!  The old hotel, met the wrecking ball. Nothing is safe even 239 Mentor Ave. Hell that building was built in the 1830's If that's not historic maybe we are looking for something from the Jurassic Park era? Someone even took a swing at General Paine  accident or omen? 

Now they tore down the gas station at N. State and Erie so a new CVS can be built. Finally a purpose. The office building next to Burger King will soon be the site of our new county jail. Maybe it will be made official  after the election.

Why bring this up? Well whenever a building comes down the first question always asked is what are they going to build there? Seems Painesville  is razing building only because someone is willing to pay to do it..

Look there was no concrete plans for the hospital site only that Lake Health was willing to finance the project. They didn't want the possibility of any outside competition. Again where is that promised Urgent Care  Center? The Down Town Streetscape that was just a diversion by that administration to redirect attention from losing the hospital.

The hotel is gone. O.K. replaced with what? I hope the plan is to replace it with a tax generating endeavor ?

239 Mentor Ave. Anyone seen any future for that property?

Look this is Urban Renewal .2 In the old days say 50 years ago the government paid to tear the town down and finance something new going up. Today we just tear it down to be used  for what  parking for special events.

Someone mentioned that where were the  people and finances to purchase and rebuild 239 Mentor Ave. Well it's public funds tearing it down why can't public funds be used to rehabilitate the property?

Already missing the good general. Wonder what he's thinking?

"I DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE REASON" fleetwood mac

This should be the theme song of Painesville?

Something more to think about.

Editorial: REALITY Current power rates will kill development

PADUCAH, KY- "Former Paducah Mayor Albert Jones says if he were still in office, he would encourage Paducah Power System to file bankruptcy posthaste." "You can fool around for months and months," he said "just file it."

Current Mayor Gayle Kaler, and her predecessor, Bill Paxton, said not so fast. Kaler says that although a PPS bankruptcy filing would not affect the city directly- PPS is an independent entity- she fears a filing would reflect poorly on Paducah and could hurt future economic development.

For his part Paxton thinks the new board chairman and interim general manager should be given time to seek out temporary rate relief while hoping that longer term things get better with PPS star-crossed investment in the Prairie State Energy Campus.

We come down in the middle of all that. We continue to encourage the PPS board to hire a restructuring advisory firm that would look at all options- everything from a combination of asset sales and refinancing to bankruptcy filing, and lay out the best options for the utility.

We don't think PPS should file bankruptcy before exploring other ways to reduce its crushing debt burden, which is a primary driver of its soaring power rates. But we don't think that waiting  and hoping things get better  is a solution either.

_PADUCAH SUN EDITORIAL

Economic development? How many KWh does Air-Foil purchase from Painesville Power in a year 1.2 million?  Inexpensive utilities attract business are our utilities attracting anyone?

Big AMP-OHIO meeting this week I understand Tony Carson will be attending we can only hope he doesn't come back to town wearing a wooden barrel.  If cities like Paducah bailout we will be in a hurt of trouble.

Gee, Painesville here I thought waiting and hoping was a solution?

"IT'S THE TIME OF THE SEASON" zombies

Yes it's that time my Mom mailed in her ballot. (wonder who checked her I.D.?)

Let's get to the meat of this year. Democrat's are going to take a beating a down home beat down!...
Why? The Republicans have so many great idea's and policies? No, it been bad news after bad news.
Ebola, ISIS, you name it President Obama has to take responsibility for just about everything.
This year we seem to be looking for candidates who enjoy castrating pigs? i.e; Joni Ernst who also wants to arrest Federal agents for obeying the law?

Now on a national level if your running for the Senate as a Democrat  and you can't even admit you voted for the President what exactly are you telling voters? Simple answer? "Yes I did I opposed the Republican agenda and the policies of Mitt Romney." Simple why out think the process?
Senate will fall into Republican hands. ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will take a hit. I see the President Impeached as well. As well a call for American troops "boots on the ground" in the Middle East. Just call me Dave will win over Michael Wager who just ask's me for money everyday. As people tell us election have consequences. Watch how this election  will  affect you.

On the state level I see Governor Kasich  in an easy re-election . He turned the numbers around quickly. Seems once he accepted  the President Medicaid policy (Obamacare) he seems to take him on an upward rise. Plus the fact for some reason or another Democrats have a weak bench . Tell me how can you not remember to renew your license Mr. Fitzgerald? Nina Turner should be advised to clean up her own house before running for a State wide office. Any Democrat with a chance to win in Columbus this year? David Pepper against attorney general Mike DeWine he runs some slick ads and where exactly did that 1.7 million come from and go Mike? Josh Mandel? Never been crazy about people who get elected to one office only within two years pursue another one.

Lake County Oh, did I have high hopes for Kimberly Laurie but who is advising this candidate? Dan Troy has what seven times as much money along with name recognition this plus many prominent  Republicans having his signs in their yards?  They must like the status quo? Troy looked ripe to beat this year.
Then she come up with a campaign that makes Troy look like a King? Being King ain't bad ask LeBron. She should have put herself out there. Asking why we need a new jail? Why the county outsources vehicle repair. The Mexican Matricula Card? Troy had no answer and ran from the issue. That said sticking  with your Tea Party friends loyalty is great but will it get you elected? "  Sorry Kim "the saddest thing in life is wasted talent." Principles are fine only hope they can get you elected, your purpose as County Commissioner is to serve everyone. I know you got some good advise and decided to ignore it.

Also I hope the people of Lake County realize how lucky to have Karen Lawson as a Judge.

Hey, It's only two years can they do that much harm????  I see the GOP taking it on the chin in 2016.
If you read this post you can see that Term does vote for Republicans.

"STORY IN YOUR EYES" moody blues

Well the story I'd like to see.

Batavia residents renew call for investigation into electric project

BARAVIA-Residents at Monday's Batavia City Council meeting repeated their call for the city to ask  Attorney General Lisa Madigan to investigate Prairie State Energy Campus.

"The details of who knew what [and] when is still not known today." said resident Betsy Zinser, in addressing aldermen. Zinser and others presented a letter to aldermen signed by more than 1,000 residents calling for an investigation.
Aldermen at a Joint Committee of the Whole meeting in September unanimously recommended that the city should ask Madigan to conduct an investigation. Mayor Jeff Schielke said the city attorney is in the process of drafting the language for the request for an investigation. He said the full City Council is set to vote on the request for an investigation at its next meeting in November.

"We expect that this action will be taken in the very near term."  Schielke said. That statement received loud applause from audience members.

_ERIC SCHELKOPF< KANE COUNTY  CHRONICLE

That's the story, now how would I like to see it changed in my eyes?

Lisa Madigan would become Mike DeWine
Aldermen would become Councilmen
Mayor Schielke would become City Manager Carson

And most important Batavia would become Painesville.

Now that would be a letter finally in the right direction.

"OUR HOUSE" crosby,stills, nash & young

Well the council meeting. I will try to put this all together for you.

 Let's start with the Public Hearing on the Barnes Ave. Rezoning these three homes sit on a site where none of them have access to a driveway let alone a garage. Someone mentioned .02 acres now I don't know if that was total or for each house? Let's just agree these are small homes built on small lots on a street that doesn't exist. Well after listening to Arlene Becks speak on the merits of the rezoning I spoke against it. These are rental properties and as the pictures show not much maintience has been done. They do generate income for the property owners but in no way shape or form can any of these three dwelling fit what is an R-1 classification. Pretty simple considering the city is trying to get rid of non-conforming property zoning in the city. But three council people  for some reason believed this was fine with them and voted to approve the zoning change. Tom Fitzgerald, Katie Jenkins and Paul Hach voted YES voting NO against the change Lori DiNallo, Andy Flock and Jim Fodor. Councilman DeLeone who's absence was excused was the reason for the tie. 3-3 the measure failed you need at least four votes for passage. My only question to the three who voted for the change, Why? Why bother voting for ordinances then agreeing to change them? Look I understand someone seeking a variance for minor changes but nothing in the rules of the City of Painesville make this change viable. No problem with this  for over 50 years now there's a problem. Maybe these council people want to be generous? Fine then change the Ordinance's, Could there have been another factor at work here? As I mention to council we wouldn't be having this conversation if these homes were say on Levan Dr. so I guess I remain confused as to what they had in mind. Maybe they didn't want to upset Arlene? These kind of votes scare me.

Still looking for someone to buy the cemeteries. Good Luck with that. I don't see anyone dying to make that deal.

239 Mentor Ave Demolish an unsafe property? Please, don't give me anymore Bull about "Historic Downtown Painesville" turn around and your gone! When our assistant city manager suggests apartments could be built on the site? Yes Mr. Lewis another apartment building in the Mentor Ave. Historical District we need that like I need another, forget about it. Look don't keep blowing smoke up my when every chance you get something old is gone.. As today's News-Herald  headline... Razing this old house. This house is only been a Painesville home since the early 1800's. yet on closer inspection it has new Anderson glass in for windows. Is it really in as bad of shape as suggested? I see abandoned houses in town in far worse shape, begs to ask who decides which stays and which goes? Now in steps Arthur Shamakian with a desire to save and restore it. He must be  a masochist  or something. After all the problems he's had a the mansion he's asking for more? Wait! Hey Art can I show you a nice railroad station in need of some TLC?

Economic Development Department gave a report it included  the Downtown Streetscape, the razing of the hotel, to developing the old Coe Manufacturing property. Also the old hospital site it's no longer called the old hospital site. Its now High Pointe Centre. Plans on the table include housing (Chicago) style??? maybe ( sorry that was the last administration's stik) even a 30,000 sq.ft. grocery store are included in the plans. Well we can dream can't we?

"U CAN'T TOUCH THIS" mc hammer

People ask me many times what I love about Painesville. Well I guess the best answer is just to watch what's coming up next.

As I have told you many times about many things "You can't make this stuff up."

Well Saturday a new chapter in the continuing "Story of Painesville"

General Paine has been beheaded!  Yes just like Saddam Hussiens statute came down in Bagdad, well now General Paine's has too.

A college prank? No First report a backhole working at Steele Mansion accidentally brought it down? I'm not buying that story either. It seems a certain Gas Company with ties to a Painesville Councilman seems to be putting in new gas lines near the statue, Could they accidentally brought the good general down.

Another good reason to go to Monday's council meeting.

AH, Painesville the city that never rests.

"PARADISE CITY" guns n' roses

 COMING SOON!

 Painesville residents, expect a 5% increase in your sewer  bill . I believe this will be on Mondays agenda. What the Heck it's only what another dollar a month. The real question to ask when did the city know about this 2008? and wait until now to raise it?
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Grumpy here.

Recently a comment was made on "COUNCIL MEETING 10/06/14"

Still not one mentioned of the Halloween finger pointing. Don't agree? PC changed the date to Thursday. Facebook followers were angry (100 or so) So it was changed to Saturday. The paper residents received   got blamed for this when it was not even their fault.
Its very simple: Fill in the blanks with something positive.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ANONYMOUS

A challenge to all of us! Something Positive about Painesville.  Nothing about the past or future but the present. That's why they call it a present.

As far as Halloween, the kids will get their candy, Some will go out on Thursday, some on Friday and some on Saturday. Some going on all three days, all will be able to claim ignorance.,

"CITY OF NEW ORLEANS" arlo guthrie

Grumpy old man who is on the verge of senility has been accused of only reporting BAD NEGATIVE news well here's something to consider doing tomorrow.

The former railroad station on Railroad St. is having an open house tomorrow. Now this dedicated bunch of people want to not only save the building from say the Hach Excavating Co. but also would like to restore it to somewhat of it's former glory. Built in 1893 for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern  Railroad it was considered the nicest station between Cleveland and Buffalo. It severed  the Painesville area for the New York Central Railroad in it's heyday. Later due to urban renewal it also served as Painesville's Greyhound Bus Station.

It's worth the time to look around inside as to how it was. Also stand at the fence, for as a young lad there were four main lines and five siding plus the freight station across the tracks. To cross on Elm St. you had nine tracks to travel across. Also at the corner of N.State St.  and Storr Ave. Laird Lumber had a large building with a siding that the railcars could be unloaded inside. Also a siding that went to the east side of Painesville's public works building. The freight station, the sidings all but one and along with two main lines are all gone. Sometimes I miss the New York Central lightning -striped locomotives as well as the REA the UPS of the 1950's all gone but left in a grumpy, senile old man's memory. Take a look Saturday, someday you might be asked where was the train station in Painesville?

"COAL HEARTED" roland smith

As most of you by now must realize I place little in the future in coal power plants. They will go by the way as the steam locomotive went. Not even having anything to do with the environment the diesel-electric locomotives just were more cost effective. Nostalgic steam engines are nice to watch but there cost make them prohibitive in day to day service. Into the 50's railroads tried new idea's like steam turbine engines, the S-2 Pennsylvania Railroad and Jaw Henry of the Norfolk & Western Railroad . Both failed Diesels had conquered the rails.

Now the United States has been called the Saudi Arabia of coal but for numerous reasons the world will very be soon leaving the coal age. Just like the railroads did the transformation  took almost less than 20 years.

But, some persist. "clean coal" is the mantra. We have been talking about clean coal for over 100 years yet no such animal exists. Clean Coal is in the same vein as Family Friendly Pornography it doesn't exist. Still Peabody and other coal producers continue the myth. Peabody even now claims no future for this TIG power plant. Guess they got all their suckers  tied up in Prairie State Energy Campus.

Now in Mississippi  Southern Corporation is presently building a "Transport Integrated Gasified" power plant that turns coal into a gas. This new plant was supposed to cost 1.8 billion that has now reached the price of over 5.6 billion plus it will take 20% more energy to produce power. This plant takes 65% of the CO2 gases  and buries it in the ground.
Now is it going to be the "Tree Hugger's" that will kill this and other plants like Kemper? No, just like the railroads it will be the economics of the industry. Cost to produce this power will cost $6,000 a megawatt at the Kemper Power Plant as opposed to a modern natural gas plant producing the same amount of power for a $1000 a megawatt.
To those who would claim the government subsidizes wind and solar, well Kemper has already received over  $270 million in tax credits. People who will receive this power are already paying an 18% increase in their electric bill and haven't received a thing. Sound familiar?

The final irony of Paducah Power is to listen to both candidates running for a Senate seat claiming Kentucky is "Coal Country" then why in God's name are you buying power from an Illinois  power plant using Illinois coal?
Like it or not sorry "Coal is Dead".

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Something I left out in Monday's council meeting. Clerk of Council Tara Diehl mention a work session for the Finance Committee on October 16, at 5:00 pm dealing with sewers? This is Painesville speak, for council is getting ready to raise your sewer rates. NOT storm sewer rates those will go up $2.75 a month in January. No these are the sewer rates you pay under your water bill on your utility bill. How much? No idea but I see at least a 10% increase, maybe more. Why and when did this come to light? Take it from a grumpy, senile old man. Live and Learn, people.

"HEARD IT THROUGTH THE GRAPEVINE" marvin gaye

Well, at least we can now hear what happened at Monday nights council meeting. Thanks, Tara. I wonder if your employer's really want the resident's to know what's going on?

Yes  Tower 2319 is back home after a three month hiatus. Firefighters agreed to 0% wage hike this year with a wage reopener in 2015.

The city has four more homes to be demolished, one will have to wait for planning commission approval. It's in the Mentor Ave. Historical District.

The rezoning of the homes on Barnes Ave. will have a hearing at the 10/20/ 14 meeting. The street that only exists on paper?

Now the main attraction Monday night seems to have been the city seeking to "sell" the two cemeteries. I really don't see this happening but it deserves scrutiny by Painesville residents. If it was sold, plots, as well as grave openings would see a dramatic price increase. Maybe a better solution would be to lease the operation out to a private contractor and let the city keep the cemeteries. The city manager numbers were the cost of the cemeteries since 2011 was $1,477,000.00 with revenue of $573,000.00 with the general fund having to bear $900,000.00 in costs. I guess what would be saved in total manpower, office, maintenance works if the city wasn't directly in charge of the cemeteries? Tread lightly many Painesville residents have family at either cemetery or both.

The city electric department claim that through September 2014 of this year so far  the city owes AMP-OHIO $473,971.00 in "levelization" costs this on top of paying what 40% higher cost's than the open market? Was this the total or do we owe for 2013 also? My computer tells me levelization isn't even a word? Well Painesville got over 473,000 reasons to disagree.
Some on council still don't see the urgency to act on this.  Painesville's electric only receives 23% of it's power from PSEC. To them I ask what's the difference between drowning in 23 feet of water opposed to 100 feet? Either way you end up at Riverside.

Mrs. DiNallo is still working on her business nuisance law. I believe presently all of her concerns are covered with laws presently on the books.

Everybody was thanked numerous times for doing their jobs. Tom Fitzgerald was excused ...again.

"COUNCIL MEETING 10/06/14

What happened ? No special Resolution this week. Painesville's best whatever.....

Nothing else second reading to change zoning on Barnes Ave. You know the street that only exists in some ones mind. Three homes on a triangle parcel that isn't big enough for one R-1. house.

Cleaning up Fire Department contract with some union obligations.

Two more homes to be demolished plus two other ones. In 1964 Painesville started 'Urban Renewal' 2014 now we are in the 'Urban Removal' phase.... Houses, Hotel, the Lawyers Building next to Burger King. I guess the county commissioners have finally hinted of a 'new' jail to be built.

Wonder if they ever will fix the council meeting's sound system? No reason for anybody to know what their discussing, is there?

Rumor has it the new/old fire truck is back!

"WHAT DO YOU DO FOR MONEY HONEY" ac/dc

Recently I attended a small group of Heisley Park resident as they met with a Home Owners Association elected member.

I will say that as a neighborhood they do share a concern for Painesville City as well as their neighborhood, one comment I explained to them they are not Heisley Park residents but Painesville resident's the live in the Heisley Park neighborhood.

I also told them to get more involved in the Painesville community. Run for council, as well as council-at-large. Apply for openings on the city three commissions as well as make your presence known at council meetings.

Their neighborhood has many of the same problems all Painesville neighborhoods have the two main ones, storm water and roads. Same problems different reasons. The roads are new but the constant construction in the neighborhood  crumbles even new streets and for some reason during the construction of the development the Home Owners Association (HOA) somehow received responsibility for storm water retention basins and God knows what else it isn't quite spelled out in the contract. I see nowhere in Painesville where a HOA is responsible for anything or even if there is another HOA in the city.

One thing I have noticed is a change in how the administration views Heisley Park. Seems after the Sandy Point Environment Report this past April the city seems to have changed its position. Can't explain what changed but Sandy Point must have found something that spooked the city something they may not have already considered?

Now back to the dilemma, homes in the Heisley Park neighborhood lets say average $200,000. Now that number comes to over $3,600 in county property taxes a year. Of that amount approximately $480.00 goes into the city coffers. For that $480.00 you receive Police and Fire protection along with road repair, street snow-plowing as well as the salt on the roads in winter. A Park and Recreation Department, a Cemetery Department plus  numerous other departments.  And yes soon a new city park will be developed in your area.

I believe the HOA dues are $300.00 a year.

See even with the $2.00 stormwater fee on your monthly utility bill as well as next year an added county stormwater fee of $2.75 a month it's not a lot of money to do to much.

This will be a major situation if we don't get ahead of it.

Councilman Flock has requested the Builder as well as the developer come to a council meeting to address this neighborhoods concerns...... Welcome to Painesville.

"RETURN TO SENDER" elvis presley

First things first, the Cemeteries

On Monday's council agenda;

AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER  TO SEEK BIDS AND PROPOSALS FOR THE SALE  OF EVERGREEN  CEMETERY AND RIVERSIDE CEMETERY

Now to the letter;

March 20,2013

Honorable Mike DeWine, Attorney General
STATE OF OHIO
30 E. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Attorney General DeWine:

We write to urge you to investigate any potential fraud or misrepresentations that led to municipalities across Ohio and seven other states entering into long-term contracts to invest in electric generation at the new Prairie State Energy Campus (PSEC) in Marissa, Illinois. The plant was originally developed by Peabody Energy in the mid-2000s, but Peabody then sold 95% of the ownership interest in the plant to joint public power agencies in eight states, including Ohio. Along with the PSEC power plant, Peabody sold the new owners an adjacent coal mine and ashfield.

Peabody disclosed on February 25, 2013 that it had received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for issues regarding the development of the plant.
While the scope of the SEC's investigation is unclear, we believe that Peabody's role in the substantial construction cost overruns and operational problems at the plant has rightfully attracted the attention of federal regulators.

On March 15, 2013, we learned that American Municipal Power (AMP) had also been subpoenaed in regard to this project. According to a memo received during a public records request to the city of Cleveland, AMP decided to inform its members of the subpoena only after Ohio Citizens Action, a public interest organization, circulated news articles to AMP members informing them of the Peabody subpoena.

Peabody Energy sold public power entities on the Prairie State project with promises of low cost, affordable, reliable electricity in return for their investment in the power plant. Instead - as media reports, local government complaints, and a recent study document, the plant is not providing electricity at either its promised price or at prices that are near the current market price of power. States and communities collectively have taken on $11.7 billion in debt payments, and unlimited liability for the plant, mine, and ashfield. Construction cost overruns, operational problems, questions about the mine and ashfield sold to Prairie State by Peabody, and a general lack of transparency have left local governments with a fiscal burden, not an asset.

All of the 217 municipalities and 17 rural electric coops that have entered into PSEC contracts are exposed to the financial risks of the plant, but the 82 communities that signed (take-or-pay) contracts with American Municipal Power, Kentucky Municipal Power Agency, Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency, and the Missouri Joint Municipal Power Agency, are particularly at risk because they must pay for the plant whether or not it produces power. In all, 2.5 million families across the Midwest are subject to risk of this expensive electricity.

Sixty Ohio municipalities and eight additional AMP members outside Ohio signed (take-or-pay) contracts with AMP for this plant. When these contracts were marketed to the communities, we were promised (economic and reliable) power. We would be happy to provide your office with copies of the original documents that our municipalities received from AMP regarding the Prairie State project while we were being induced to sign these contracts in 2007. However, the promise has been broken. The communities have taken on a staggering debt burden for a plant that has produced electricity at a price at least 50% over what was promised and has had a number of operational problems in its first eight months of operation.

The financial impact of this project is already placing small communities under severe financial distress. In a presentation to the Galion City Council on February 19, 2013, AMP's Chief Financial Officer made clear that the cost of the plant are so high that AMP has already decided to dip into the bond reserves of the project to reduce monthly bills to the communities. This strategy is not sustainable in the long run (the plant has not even been operating for one year yet). On the same day, the City Manager of Marceline Missouri labeled the Prairie State project as a (toxic asset) and stated that the city does not have the resources to continue in participation in the investment as it is currently constructed. The city of Batavia, IL., tried to sell its share of the ownership but could not find an acceptable buyer, and has recently produced a report showing that the price of Prairie State Power will be higher than the market price for the next decade.

For these reasons, we urge you to conduct an investigation and audit of this AMP Ohio - Prairie State Energy Campus power deal and the communities currently obligated by this PSEC deal to determine the following:

1. whether the communities were given accurate and fully disclosed information when they signed on to this PSEC power deal,
2. whether the PSEC project now threatens the fiscal stability of the sixty (60) Ohio municipalities under your watch,
3.  whether the PSEC project now threatens other bonding arrangements throughout the State of Ohio, and,
4.  whether the PSEC project, which literally involves billions of dollars in funds from Ohio municipalities and their rate payers, has been transparent and above-board with its owners.

We sincerely appreciate your prompt attention to this request. The scope of this PSEC power deal is just beyond the ability of the individual municipalities to properly investigate, and we look at you as a State watchdog of public funds to do so, as the results of this PSEC deal are far-reaching for our communities and the State of Ohio. Please feel free to contact us for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,


E. Roberta Wade, Council Member, City of Galion
Andrew M. Flock, Council Member, City of Painesville
Brian J. Cummins, Council Member, City of Cleveland
Danny Taman, Council Member, City of Martinsville, VA.

This was what was sent, my question ,as well as yours should be, why did five members of Painesville City Council not want to send a similar letter? Are we protecting something or someone? Ask councilman Fitzgerald,  Fodor, Jenkins, and DiNallo as well as Council-President Hach .