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Friday, March 14, 2014

PICTORIAL SYNOPSIS OF THE MAPLE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY FORUM TO DISCUSS THE INCOME TAX LEVY

LAST NIGHT WAS THE  PUBLIC FORUM TO DISCUSS WHY THE CITY NEEDED AN  INCOME TAX LEVY - OUR PICTORIAL SYNOPSIS OF THE EVENT


There was a whole lot of finger-pointing and failure to take responsibility for Maple Heights  horrible financial state of affairs ...
 





24 comments:

Anonymous said...

and to top it off ... the white folks just couldn't help themselves ...

yep, they played the symbolic "welfare queen" card .. blame it on the black folks ... with no statistics offered .. just anecdotal comments

Anonymous said...

The mayor is now all hyped up about Southgate.

Well, did anyone see this?
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/blog/real-estate/2013/09/carl-verstandig-is-buying-a-massive.html

quote:
"Maple Heights Mayor Jeffrey Lansky in May told Crain’s Cleveland Business he wanted the empty stores demolished, saying the area is “over-retailed.” Lansky could not be reached for comment."

Anonymous said...

The blame was far reaching.

Lansky blamed Ed Fitzgerald (Cuyahoga County govt), Kasich (the state of Ohio), Washington politics, ... the occupant of the White House.

and ... the bankers, etc etc


Lansky played to his base. Quite a few people remarked that they thought he was starting his 2015 campaign for mayor.


Why the hell did they hold a forum when they didn't have the results of the audit. They didn't pass out any statistical information. The last quarterly report (posted online) was third quarter of 2013 (love the color coding).

The new finance director did not get a chance to speak (Lansky took up most of the time).

[Love this] the finance director set Albers (council president) straight when Albers tried to indicate that the newly appointed African American director had been employed by the city for over 3 months. Ms. Crowell was definitely not going to be sucked into the "blame game" (these politicians were playing) and quickly stated that she had only been hired for 6 weeks.

Anonymous said...

We've seen a migration to the South where (in many areas) there are no property taxes, and state income taxes are low.

Plus you can buy a lovely home at a decent price in a nice neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

and you can find jobs

Anonymous said...

A statement was made at the public forum by the mayor regarding the building of new schools to attract homebuyers (?), with mayor stating Maple Heights received grants.

The city of Maple Heights received $50,000,000 of the $100,000,000 project. The mayor and superintendent pushed for a $50,000,000 bond in 2008 that residents would be on the hook for the next 20+ years.

Maple Heights received worldwide attention regarding the mortgage crisis (2007) [http://www.zillow.com/blog/foreclosure-epicenter-maple-heights-ohio-4381/].

These public officials knew that they were losing their property tax base (w horrific declines in population) yet pushed for that bond for those new schools.

There were many contractors involved in the construction of these new schools, yet when information was sought about the number of minority contractors, no information was ever provided.

Some measure by council was approved sometime in 2008 (?) to help stop the hemorrhaging of homes but no one knows the exact details except that the loss of homes continued.

A full investigation needs to be done.

Anonymous said...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/business/yourmoney/02village.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

2007 -
Can the Mortgage Crisis Swallow a Town?

http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/blog/municipalities/maple-heights/

2012
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog

Do a web search:
maple heights mortgage crisis 2007

Anonymous said...

MAPLE HEIGHTS POPULATION HAS DECLINED TO BETWEEN 19,000 AND 21,000 PEOPLE FROM 26,000 IN 2008 (?).

AND REMEMBER, AN ESTIMATED 3700 TO 3800 OF THEM ARE CHILDREN. THAT LEAVES AN ESTIMATED 16,000+ ADULTS (DON'T HAVE THE FIGURES ON HOW MANY HOMEOWNERS).

MANY OF THESE STUDENTS ARE ILL PREPARED FOR JOBS/CAREERS (ESP. SINCE THAT BUSH "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" THAT CONCENTRATED ON CHILDREN PASSING TESTS).

ADD TO THAT A MOSTLY NON-RESIDENT FULL-TIME MAPLE HEIGHTS GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE.

Anonymous said...

UNEMPLOYMENT CLOSE TO 9%

Anonymous said...

These politicians really don't want u to follow the money trail.


[Where it goes and esp. to whom it goes.]


Residents have been asking for a forum to discuss the city's finances as far back as 2012, yet not a peep from council. Now, with no statistical information (no money figures to present) they hold a public forum to ask residents for more money.

Requests regarding minority representation, etc. (previous requests for public records were ignored until requests were posted online, requests for information were denied or ignored): http://mapleheightsgazette.blogspot.com/p/requests-for-maple-heights-government.html

Anonymous said...

Did the mayor mention something about "gun legislation" and politicians not being able to get "gun legislation" passed? What the hell does that have to do with Maple Heights and the income tax levy?

Anonymous said...

Comment 3/14/2014: "Lansky blamed Ed Fitzgerald (Cuyahoga County govt), Kasich (the state of Ohio), Washington politics, ... the occupant of the White House."



Didn't the mayor in his last run for office (2011) have his picture with President Obama/&/or Michelle Obama plastered in campaign literature and on a billboard?


Anonymous said...

Anonymous wrote on 3/16/2014:
"Some measure by council was approved sometime in 2008 (?) to help stop the hemorrhaging of homes but no one knows the exact details except that the loss of homes continued."

I think that measure was this:

Maple Heights, Ohio, Passes Homeowner and Bank Protection Act

January 18, 2008 • 1:43PM

http://larouchepac.com/node/5609

"The Maple Heights, Ohio city council passed, unanimously, LaRouche's Homeowner and Bank Protection Act.

RESOLUTION NO.: 2008-08

INTRODUCED BY: Council President Jackie Albers and Councilman Freddie Jackson

ADOPTED BY: Councilman Richard Taylor

A RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON HOME FORECLOSURES AND CONGRESSIONAL ENACTMENT OF A HOMEOWNERS AND BANK PROTECTION ACT FOR AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, this resolution constitutes an emergency measure necessary for the daily operation of municipal departments, and provided it receives the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members elected to Council, it shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor. Otherwise it shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law; and

WHEREAS, a financial crisis involving home mortgages, debt instruments and the United Stated banking system threatens economic stability; and

WHEREAS, the financial crisis threatens the integrity of federal and chartered banks such that consumer deposits and life savings are jeopardized; and

WHEREAS, financial investments and home ownership is the fabric of economic stability and the stability of financial institutions; and

WHEREAS, millions of Americans and Maple Heights Ohio residents are facing foreclosures on their homes; and

WHEREAS, historically the federal government has intervened to protect financial institutions and home ownership and to provide guarantees of social and economic stability; and

WHEREAS, the quality of life in any community can be directly related to the responsiveness of government and its ability to meet the needs and expectations of tits citizens; and

WHEREAS, the residents of Maple Heights understand the connections and elect local leaders with certain expectations regarding the service they will provide and the role they will play in their lives; and

WHEREAS, those elected to serve the resident of Maple Heights accept the privilege of service with the understanding of their responsibility and the expectation of the community; and

WHEREAS, the accountability for the city's viability, prosperity and overall well being lies with those elected to serve local government.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Maple Heights, Cuyahoga County, State of Ohio:

Section 1. The Council of the City of Maple Heights call upon the United States Congress to take emergency action to protect homeowners by enacting a Homeowners and Banks Protection Act. Specifically to:

(1) Create a federal agency to place Federal and State chartered banks under protection, freezing all existing home mortgages for a period of time, adjusting mortgage values to fair prices, restructuring existing mortgages at appropriate interest rates and writing off speculative debt obligations of mortgage backed securities, financial derivatives and other forms of financial pyramid schemes that have brought the banking system to the point of bankruptcy;

Resolution number 2008-08

(2) Declare a moratorium on all home foreclosures for the duration of the transitional period, allowing families to retain their homes;

(3) Require affordable monthly home mortgage payments, the equivalent of "rental payments, " to be made to designated banks for use as collateral in normal lending practices for recapitalization of the banking industry and to factor such affordable payments into new mortgages thereby deflating the housing bubble, establishing appropriate property valuation and reducing fixed mortgage interest rates;


PASSED: January 16, 2008

Anonymous said...

Re: Public Records Requests for financial information.

Cleveland Challenger post Aug 16, 2013:

http://www.clevelandchallenger.com/jordan-rips-east-cleveland-mayor-finance-director-for-ignoring-meeting-to-discuss-payroll-crisis/

"Jordan told Cleveland Challenger that Norton, Irene Crowell and Ronald Riley, in their official capacities as mayor, finance director and director of law, are required by East Cleveland’s charter and Ohio law to attend all council meetings and answer their questions about the city’s finances. She said the finance director is also required to deliver monthly and on time financial records for council to examine and share with the residents.

Jordan accused the mayor and finance director of not only failing to deliver the monthly documents, but blasted Norton for obstructing council by ordering Crowell not to provide answers to council when questioned.

Jordan described Norton, the director of finance and director of law routine obstruction as a detriment to the city’s residents. She said none of the “directors” responsible for the city’s current financial and public safety crisis live in East Cleveland, or are affected by their decisions."

With news like the above, why exactly did Mayor Lansky hire Ms. Crowell?


Anonymous said...

Check these stats out:

http://mapleheightsnews.org/2014/03/12/how-maple-compares/

Great website
Maple Heights News
http://mapleheightsnews.org/

Our population is now between 19,000 and 21,000 (est 3800 children in school system)

Anonymous said...

A GOOD GROUP TO CONTACT WHEN YOU GET RESISTANCE FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS REGARDING PUBLIC RECORDS
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4847947


"Catherine Turcer, a policy analyst for Common Cause Ohio, a nonpartisan group that promotes good government, said just because something isn't legally prohibited doesn't mean elected officials shouldn't use common sense.

"It always seems to be a problem when any government entity acts like 'this is business as usual,'" she said.

It is up to elected municipal officials to ask better questions about contracts on behalf of the citizens, she said.

Turcer also said that putting more public records –online at the fingertips of citizens would heighten transparency.

"It's 2014," she said. "Not 1994. Put the contracts, put the bills online," Turcer said, advocating that a dose of digital "sunshine" could prevent the type of wrongdoing prosecutors say Schuman perpetrated on taxpayers."

http://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/index.ssf/2014/03/former_bedford_law_director_co.html

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said:
March 16, 2014
[MAPLE HEIGHTS POPULATION HAS DECLINED TO BETWEEN 19,000 AND 21,000 PEOPLE FROM 26,000 IN 2008 (?).]

Figures:

2010 census - population:
23,138

2012 - population:
22,771

So since people are still losing their homes the figure of around 21,000 is probably a better estimate for 2014. Of course the Maple Hts website says over 23,000
which is highly unlikely.

Anonymous said...

Lansky stated there was going to be a new McDonalds at Libby and Broadway. Isn't there a McDonalds already at Libby and Broadway?

Anonymous said...

Property values decline because of home foreclosures. Maple Heights was hit hardest by foreclosures starting in late 2007.

http://homebuying.about.com/od/4closureshortsales/qt/0507-4-closeval.htm

Stop the foreclosures and that will help to increase the property values.

What the hell did Maple Heights do to help stop the foreclosures? What help did they give homeowners to hold on to their homes from 2007 to now?

Anonymous said...

North Dakota wants you: New campaign seeks to fill 20,000 jobs

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/north-dakota-wants-campaign-seeks-182400975.html

Anonymous said...

Everyone needs to watch "Detropia" (see it on Netflix). Maple Heights politicians want to skirt over the fact that high unemployment contributed to Maple Heights decline and loss of homes.
Maple Heights has about 9.1%+ unemployment. If you count the people who are no longer counted in unemployment stats, the unemployment figures are much higher.

This whole "tear down homes" is a joke. Watch Detropia

You have to fix the unemployment problem. Maple Hts is a big proponent of circulating money outside the city ... giving money to people who live outside the city (from contractors to full time public employees - esp. fire and police public employees).

Police and Fire unions went to court so they (basically) didn't have to live around Blacks. Thank God they can't get away with that any more (from what I've heard) in Cleveland. Mayor Jackson was dead set against Cleveland public employees living outside of the city. He was right spot on. If you work in the municipality you should have to live in the municipality. That way, more money stays in the community, circulating in the community. So some of the fault lies with those fire and police unions, and as many of us know, they account for a large part of the city's labor costs (pensions, salary, fringe benefits).

Also, I've heard older people who used to live on the west side of Cleveland remark that when the police lived in their community, they felt safer.

These politicians (including some of the ones in Maple Heights) are full of it. They have no degrees in finance or economics or accounting or urban planning, yet residents keep voting for them.

Too many of these public employees don't want to be accountable. They hide things from the public. You ask for public records and they give you the run-around. They need to be voted out of office (if voted in) and fired (if they were hired).

Just because you're a non profit entity doesn't mean you shouldn't do a lot of the things that private companies do. These public employees would never get away with the crap they get away with in a government job. You must balance a budget. You must be accountable for your decisions, your actions .. and should be fired if you don't.

All Maple Heights residents hear are excuses. They didn't hire you to hear excuses, They hired/voted for you to solve problems and make the community viable.

They are now paying the price because of poor management decisions.
2007 the crisis started and has continued, but these politicians and other public employees kept on giving large sums of money to people who didn't live in Maple Heights and didn't reflect the racial demograhics of the city.

Toni Jones stated that the city was okay in 2008 through 2010. Give me a break. The writing was on the wall and looking you dead in the face. The mortgage crisis was ongoing and you all knew it. Your property tax base was disappearing. Your population was declining. The unemployment numbers were increasing. You must think Maple Heights residents are stupid to believe all the crap you throw out there.

Maple Heights residents, you cannot rely on these people, tell them to get the hell out of Dodge ... collect their pensions and retire in Florida (the way they've always wanted to do anyway).

Next, vote the "old guard" out, and bring in some young, smart, business minded, diplomatic, tech savvy politicians who don't resort to suing folks because they have no viable ideas.

Clue: An industrial complex is going to replace Randall Park Mall (torn down and built up). You public employees in Maple Heights .. put on your thinking caps and come up with new ideas.

Anonymous said...

Lies are being told in Maple Heights:

The truth:

1. To be part of Section 8 housing does not mean you don't work. To apply for Section 8 housing you must be low income.
Read:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/ohio/renting

2. Although Maple Heights was at the epicenter of the mortgage crisis, white people also suffered, as did wealthier communities.

"The Clinton administration did issue a mandate instructing Fannie and Freddie to purchase a larger portfolio of low-income housing loans. But this had nothing, or very little, to do with the mortgage bubble. What's fascinating about this AEI stance is the evolution of the right-wing argument: the first effort to explain the mortgage crisis involved, of all things, the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the anti-redlining law that required banks to issue a certain percentage of home loans to the people who made up the bulk of their depositors. That propaganda effort was only mildly successful for the screamingly obvious reason that the law in question was passed in the seventies, across thirty years of crisis-free American history. That, plus the fact that the CRA had absolutely no real impact on the sudden explosion of subprime home loans in the early part of the last decade, made this a propaganda non-starter."


http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/mortgage-bubble-blamed-ludicrously-on-the-government-20101117


Ignorance abounds in Maple Heights esp. in city hall.

How does a municipality deal with high unemployment?

Everything must be about training and re-training residents for 21st century jobs and careers.

1.If a contractor wants to work in Maple Heights, make him hire and/or train a resident/s (and don't even think about some scam where you only train white residents.)

2. Find out what successful communities are doing to re-train/train its people.

3. Look for assistance from tech sector giants (there are all sorts of programs).

4. There needs to be a new way of governance. The old mayor/city charter/council model does not work. The people working at the local and state levels (probably federal too) are ill prepared to deal with a changing global economy.

5. Stop talking about internet cafes ... You politicians can do better than that.

6. Look for a non-unionized police and fire safety forces. There are volunteer forces and there are other low cost ways of dealing with safety issues.
http://www.volunteerfd.org/#

Hire more auxilliary police who actually live in your community.

Come on people ... think, think, think

Anonymous said...

"Lansky stated there was going to be a new McDonalds at Libby and Broadway. Isn't there a McDonalds already at Libby and Broadway?"

What's Really Happening:
McDonalds is moving across the street on Broadway where you now see a vacant lot under construction.

Anonymous said...

Read the real truth about section 8:
http://mapleheightsnews.org/2014/04/16/maple-heights-and-section-8/