Traffic Enforcement: Man vs. Machine

It seems quite possible that the S.E.P.D. has already implemented a more desirable method for identifying and ticketing errant motorists than traffic cameras. It will be unfortunate if City Council refuses to allow the motorcycle officers and Chief Nietert adequate time to make an informed judgment, as to whether the occasion for cameras is still warranted.

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• time: 1 min. 20 sec.

See additional posts at SEO:

• Cash Grab Update

The Plot Thickens

Below is an excerpt from the local website, REALNEO. If you prefer to view the information directly at that website, here is the link:

• http://realneo.us/content/port-authority-bond-rating-deteriorates

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Amid the many other sketchy financial details surrounding the Cedar Center project is the apparent lack of a backup plan in the event the $14 million “TIF” proposal falls through.

The Cleveland Heights University Heights School District has until December 31, 2009 to render a decision on whether to accept or decline the offer to forfeit the collection of $14 million in taxes over the next 30 years from the Cedar Center property. This arrangement allows the developer to use that money to pay off the construction debt. A persuasion tactic to acquire a “Tax Increment Financing” agreement is the promise of higher property tax revenue with the supposed improvement of the land. Any inference that the development is progressing is speculative “smoke and mirrors” due to the impending decision by the Cleveland Heights University Heights School District.

• time: 1 min. 39 sec.

Please also see: Prolonging The Agony

Election Report 2009

The Candidate filing deadline for the November 3rd election was August 20th.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections provides updated information online. Below is the most recent {as of this SEOversight posting date} information at their website for both the City Council election in South Euclid and the South Euclid – Lyndhurst School Board. Please click on the following link if you wish to go directly to this information on the B.O.E. website:

• http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/candidates.aspx

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More often than not, schlocky and inadequate information is presented to the public as fact by the local newspaper. {below} On July 23, 2009 the Sun Messenger reported that a contender, Jones, was seeking an SEL School Board seat. According to a front page article published on August 20th, the same person is again named as a school board candidate. However, back on page A10, the aforementioned hopeful appears in another article as a South Euclid City Council candidate.

This is merely one example of many. The potential function and importance of the local newspaper has been a focus of interest to SEOversight. Please also see the previous post Contentious Public Sector Raises All Around.

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Contentious Public Sector Raises All Around

“... officials who point their finger like a compass points north towards other bloated public salaries in justifying getting theirs, is starting to wear thin. Higher taxes and higher public salaries is not the answer most of us want to hear.” ------------------- Joe Liptow, South Euclid

“Time and time again, important information is kept from the public.” ---------Patricia Checkel, Lyndhurst

Recently, public salary hikes have been scrutinized and challenged. Public officials ferociously defend their often gluttonous appetite for a hefty piece of the taxpayer pie.

The first part of this post contains back-story to help readers/viewers of SEO put into context the circumstances surrounding the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School Superintendent Zelei pay hike, and the fashion in which it was reported to the public.
Troubling is the glaring inconsistency at the Sun Messenger between the gobs of ink used to chronicle the Zelei raise compared with the complete lack of reporting on the proposed $15,000 increase for the Community Center Director in South Euclid.

Under public pressure, the Administration and Council of South Euclid decided to shave away all but $5,000 of the pay increase to the dismay of one councilperson who stated that a mere $5,000 amount was an “insult.”

SEL School Board officials shut down a well attended public meeting with nary a moment's notice when the public caught wind of the truth. Ultimately, the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School Board voted 3-2 to go with the $30,000 increase even as the s--t was hitting the fan. If the School board had reduced Mr. Zelei’s raise, would the Sun Messenger have buried the story as they clearly did concerning the Community Center Director salary in South Euclid?

The retiring editor said it best, “The most important paper you get is this one. You can find news about Washington and Baghdad anywhere, but you can only get news about your neighborhood, your schools and your city here.” A local newspaper editor admitting the importance of the role they play in the community and then not delivering is nothing less than shameful.



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Below is an excerpt from the original article published by the Sun Messenger:

It is recommended to view the following posts and videos in the order of their presentation:

1. Hope You're Sitting Down For This One
2. Standing By The Proposed Raise
3. Modified Raise
4. Taxpayers - Watch Your Back
5. The Raise Revisited...And More
6. 2009 Salaries And So Much More….
7. Ordinance 12-07: Mayoral Pay Raise

Click on the link below to view commentary made by readers regarding the above online Plain Dealer story. The comments were captured from Cleveland.com in their entirety and archived by SEO:

• http://www.scribd.com/doc/18648671/Readers-of-Plain-Dealer-article-comment-on-Zeli-raise

Please note: Traditionally, South Euclid Oversight has made a conscious decision to not focus on the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School system. However, the magnitude of a matter such as this does deserve some proper attention. A public records request for the school superintendant’s contract has been made. The information will be posted on SEO when it is received. Thank you to all for your participation.

Cash Grab Update

If you have not already done so, please see the previous two posts at SEO which address the subject of “traffic enforcement cameras” in South Euclid.

1. Only In School Zones?
2. Cash Grab

Below is an excerpt from WTAM 1100: "The Mike Trivisonno Show" concerning the proposal of red light/speed cameras in South Euclid.

• time: 2 min. 58 sec.

In the video below, South Euclid City Council decides to take the issue back to committee for further discussion rather than vote that night. Look for more on this subject when council is back from their break in September.

Check the City of S.E. website and/or South Euclid Oversight for information on the upcoming committee meeting regarding what has been termed "safety cameras." Committee meetings are open to the public.

• time: 6 min. 58 sec.

What’s The Public Tab?

• time: 7 min. 0 sec.

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Please see another related post at SEO:

• Still Holding Out