Salaries and bennies have been increased 10% over the next three years. That mission has been accomplished, and the additional Public Safety tax levy $$$ freed up funds to pay for the others(but for only five years). Time to concentrate on effective  and $$ efficient performance. No Council elections for 18 months, so the existing crew must continue to jell and stay focused on basics.

 

Cities/schools are being forced to downsize nationwide. We are hardly an exception. The midwest industrial base is being hit particularly hard. Economic development is a circulatory priority. Tough to draw to our depressed community, but the job must be accomplished.  Admin re-organization is due. Others must be given the opportunity to make decisions differently and steward the programs/funding.

 

Alternatives to taxation must be found. There honestly isn't enough discretionary income in this community left to tax. The subcommittees should be turned in this direction, with a much larger % of meaningful citizen involvement. Less municipal attendance other than to listen and implement. It is the citizens who will eventually make the decisions, and govt./admin who shall be charged with carrying out the will of the public.

 

The cycle of growing, generational expected bureaucratic assistance/dependence must be reversed towards a trend of proud self-sufficiency and independance. The few "providers" left in our community no longer have the successful businesses and fat wallets of the past to provide for the many needy organizations and population. Plus, they are also out-numbered at this time. You obviously can't have the now greater % of needy counting on the increasingly smaller % of willing and possible benefactors. The old list of corporate benevolents has disappeared.

 

Tax abatements(if given wisely) must be in conjunction with companion interaction with existing businesses(large and small) to work towards business/job growth in EVERY sector of our city. The east end "management approach seems to be floundering. Town Mall is fading very fast. The medical profession satellite businesses to the Atrium have been VERY slow to materialize. Are we really happy with the progress so far?

 

Do we have the only major I-75 exit where you can't even get off to find a gas station in any direction? Unbelievable!

 

Am I wrong?

 

 

Just to show you where Ohio was and where they have gone as far as taxes are concerned:

 

 

I am a free market capitalist, taxes are against my religion. So we better get to work. And you to, every good word posted here will be pinged to the blogosphere. So help get the good word out on the internet too.

Of course that could change, or I could be wrong.

 

Thanks to Ms.Scott Jones for not being bullied last night.

Schiavone--took a reasonable stand for the public and held his ground. Made good points about other viable options

Ford--as usual took no stand at all other than to blindly support the dark side. must go

Becker--was obviously disappointed, but made good comments and accepted the proper conclusion with dignity. A good man who must show more courtesy to differing points of view.

Mulligan--has a hard time taking a firm stance. Can't control citizen comments, and can barely lead a meeting outside of Roberts rules and parliamentary procedure. Has a world of potential, though not encouraging so far.

Marconi--changes positions daily, as is his perogative. refuses to accept any option except increased taxation. Will listen to anyone respectfully.

Scott Jones--the gem of this Council. We need to find more like her QUICKLY. Refuses to be intimidated or sit silent to bad/misleading information/direction

Armbruster--took a stand and held it against pressure. Didn't speak particularly well last night, but understands the citizen/business points of view.

 

City admin re-structuring is good. Power shifting and changes in control will be very good. Still need to downsize. Ms.G is a huge + to the city, imo. Needs public support to conquer the dark siders. We must step up to show that support through the net, the underground, the newspaper(what is left of it) and various meeting and hearings.

 

It comes down to every one of us standing up to support positive change and constructive citizen inclusion.

 

We need substantial jobs influx and retention of existing businesses.

Granting tax abatements to companies already making hundreds of millions annually, is hard to swallow when lifetime local contributors with struggling businesses are being pushed to give even more(at a time when they have nothing extra to give). A tough situation for every perspective. I dunno.

 

Every new business brought to town, increases the economy. So even if we didn't have the budget, I would be infavor. Additional tax revenue from new business is much better than a tax increase. The city has to get money somehow. I would try some salesmanship.