MAPLE HEIGHTS SORRY TALE OF FISCAL WOE

Seriously don't know what to title this post, but we'll think of something.

 

 

Okay, let's proceed and we'll try to keep this simple:

Maple Heights has been in the red (various departments, fund accounts, whatever) and has taken the liberty of moving money around and kicking the money can (debt) down the road for some time.

So comes the day when Maple Heights can no longer kick the money can (debt) down the road.

 

 

The state of Ohio has rules and tells Maple Heights you've violated those rules and we're going to put you in fiscal watch.

 

Nobody at city hall wants to take the blame (for not balancing their own checkbooks)  and starts pointing fingers at a certain bunch of people who for the most part, had little (to nothing)  to do with Maple Heights financial predicament.

 

 

No matter ... Even though some of the people had city hall's fingers pointed at them, they stepped in and said "we want to help".

 

 

State representative calls president of the school board and asks if he can use one of the schools to hold an informational meeting to discuss Maple Heights fiscal watch status with members of Maple Heights council, the mayor, and residents of Maple Heights.

 

 

Now mind you, Maple Heights homeowners pay a hefty portion of their property taxes to the Maple Heights school district and thus pay for a lot of  the upkeep, salaries, etc related to the running of Maple Heights schools.

From what we hear, the school board president says "no" you cannot use the schools to conduct an informational meeting to discuss Maple Heights fiscal watch status and try to come up with strategies to help Maple Heights.  Say it with us ... "What the Hell!!"

 

 

What is even more intriguing, the school board president's husband was chosen in 2012 (yes we said chosen not elected) to represent district 5 as councilman after a very ill (ill before the election we're told) Richard Taylor (endorsed by the mayor no less) died before being sworn into office.  Even juicier, the law director used a 1924 case law to declare the council seat vacant before the current council person's term expired (?).  Shortly after Maple Heights council chose the school board president's husband to be the councilman for district 5, a resolution was passed which allowed money, that was in a special fund meant for certain people in district 5, to be thrown into the general fund (the chosen councilman voted "yes" to throw that money into the general fund).  See what we mean about moving money around.  [By the way, the present council person from district 5 was recently removed from a council meeting by the council president.]

We understand that this was not the only case where money from one fund was moved to another.

 

 

We digress. ... back to the business of "fiscal watch" and the denial of use of a Maple Heights school for the informational meeting.

Said Ohio  representative who planned on bringing the Ohio auditor with him has to find another place to hold the meeting, ... a meeting (remember) that's supposed to help Maple Heights council, the mayor, residents.   Not only that, said representative has to come out his own budget/pocket to do it!

Say it with us again ... "What the Hell!!"

 

 

Long story short ... The meeting was held at St. Andrews Church, and Maple Heights has till August 8th  (?) to come up with a recovery plan so they can get out of fiscal watch and not slip into fiscal emergency. 

 

 

We want you to check this story out.   Call the state representative,  the school board president,  the state auditor and your council representative.  Unfortunately, you may run into a little trouble getting public records to verify some of  the story  [just a little insider humor for those who follow this blog].

 
PART 1

Related articles regarding money circulation (something Maple Heights does not do and one reason why this city is in financial trouble):

Black buying power increases, but circulation of dollar within community remains low Nov 30, 2011

'Money is like blood – it needs to circulate for local economies to survive' Feb 20, 2013

Buying Local: How It Boosts the Economy June 11, 2009

Group Economics

Where you spend your money is important | Business Connections July 29, 2013

Black Wall Street

Durham's "Black Wall Street"

Taking Care of Business by Lee Jenkins

Why local money flows matter

New Study: Spending locally generates four times more economic benefit Sept 3, 2012

Know Your Worth: If We Don't Know, We Can't Grow Our Community Sept. 24, 2012