Vanishing Greenspace

Courtesy Seattle Post Intelligencer.

Tax Abatements?

Planning Commission Minutes, October 12, 2006: "Mr. Caminati asked for the commissioners thoughts about the possiblility of tax abatements for new housing projects since the housing market is in a slump."-Cal Caminati is the Economic Development Director for the City of South Euclid.

Economic Development vs Residents

At a Planning Commission meeting on March 9, 2006: Former Planning Commission member asks the question, "Why do we keep suggesting PURDS (Planned Unit Residential Development) when it keeps causing fights?"

• Response from Economic Development Manager, Cal Caminati: "...I'm sorry but I really strongly believe as it relates to Liberty, I know Liberty caused a lot of wounds in that neighborhood. But I will tell you one thing- most of the wounds unfortunately, and I know you don't want to hear this, they were caused by the neighbors." He continues: "...And I'm gonna continue to promote 'em. I am going to continue to promote PURDS. It is the way to go- if the neighbors don't agree with me I'm sorry- that's my role, I see my role, I have a mandate from council, I have a mandate from the Mayor and we're gonna follow through on it!" ........Cal Caminati lives in Solon.

QUOTE

Caitlin Properties pulled out as the prospective developer of the Cedar Center shopping plaza, citing concerns with the eminent domain issue being exercised by the city.

Moe Romeo, President of City Council and Ward 2 Councilman is interviewed by The Plain Dealer. On October 4, 2006, The Plain Dealer states, "Romeo said he favors pressing on, even if the city has to borrow money and later recover it from a buyer."

They quote Romeo as saying, "AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, WE'D BE BETTER OFF KNOCKING THE WHOLE PLACE DOWN AND LEAVING IT FLAT UNTIL WE FIND A NEW DEVELOPER."

Local Paper Does Not Reflect Reality

The Sun Messenger reported on the "Cutter's Creek" development located at Green and Anderson Roads on March 22, 2007:

• "Despite the bald look of the site, city officials praised Cutter's Creek for keeping a healthy percentage of its trees standing..."

SAY WHAT?! The article continues by quoting the developer:

• "He said that four trees along Anderson Road will be saved, and about 10-15 trees where the overflow basin was."

Considering this site was once a densly forested gem of the city, this minimum effort is hardly an applaudable achievment. High ranking officials at the City of South Euclid enjoy a cozy relationship with a senior staff member at the Sun Newspaper. This provides the Mayor and City Council their own personal high profile cheerleader, especially convenient during an election year.

Please view photographs below.

An Atrocity Compliments Of City Hall

The photographs below are of the Anderson and Green Road area of the Euclid Creek.

Mayor Georgine Welo was the Council Chair of the Euclid Creek Watershed Council in 2006. This organization partially defines their mission: "to improve and protect the watershed."

If that wasn't so sad, it might almost be funny.

Before the destruction: Anderson and Green Road intersection across from the war memorial.

Click on photo to view larger image.

Euclid Creek at Anderson and Green as it is today.

Is this progress? Notice the trees cut down at the water line.

Click on photo to view larger image.

Local paper states: "S.E. officials planting seeds for greener city"-Representatives of the paper have obviously not visited this location on Anderson Road. Click on photo to view larger image.

Debris dumping into the Euclid Creek.

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Along the bank of the Euclid Creek at Anderson and Green Roads. Do you remember what driving past this looked like before City officials encouraged this to happen?

Click on photo to view larger image.

City Spends $1.8 million

City spends $1.8 million to purchase 9 homes on Greenvale. Why?

Please click on image to view full-size document.

Cedar Center- City Spends $17 million

Please click on image for full-size document.

QUOTE

Councilwoman Jane Goodman comments on the hiring of an independent investigator to determine whether City Council members violated the state's open-meeting law, known as the "Sunshine Laws", with a closed-door session:

"WHY ARE WE SPENDING THIS MONEY? WE DON'T HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY TO THROW AROUND."----The Plain Dealer - February 11, 2006

Engineering Contract

Andrew K. Blackley, President Stephen Hovancsek and Associates, Inc.

See campaign finance report:

• https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0RygKahj03xD9RkOTC3x-3DJ_5723JqY5BJ3yJ1HmlzDRS-8jQjHI0IOWtsBiPbqLPhda9mKuQAtAtl6h9PNMNqt8RadwUJj4FDRe-aB2AqwVgRzvlfFX7YfylvXpwJK_yZB5xYHjhk/s1600-h/CCPg1.jpg

Please click on image for full-size document.

Ordinance #59-06 and Ordinance #84-06

Please click on image for full-size document.

City takes $115,000 from the general fund to pay for legal expense/outside counsel fees.

Legal Advertising Expense

The City of South Euclid spent a combined total of $43,677.52 for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 on legal advertising for newspaper public notices. Compare these two notices that appeared in the Sun Newspaper on February 15, 2007. One of these may be more cost effective.

Please click on image to view full size document.

Campaign Finance Report

Partial list of contributions as submitted to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections from "Friends of Georgine Welo"

Please click on image to open full-size documents.

South Euclid Legal Fees

Please click on image to open full-size document.

Local landlord wins lottery!

Congratulations to Victoria Whitmore- she has proven that by neglecting her rental property she was rewarded $1.6 million dollars compliments of the City of South Euclid tax payers.

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