A Few Ideas

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Dear South Euclid City Officials,

We have a few money saving ideas that should have been obvious to you, but apparently are not.

First off, this whole land grab concept from Cedar Center to the Greenvale 9 and all the foreclosure acquisitions tally well over 20 million dollars by now, and are still climbing.  It was recently disclosed that the only payments made on the Greenvale properties since their acquisition 3 years ago is $60,000 each year in interest charges. 

Now there’s that pesky playground fiasco. How much City money really went into that anyway? Has anyone calculated how much money was “donated” by the taxpayers while well-meaning City employees were voraciously encouraged to work on the playground during their regular shift on the public dime?

Instead of doling out hefty raises all around, why not consider a long overdue pay freeze for department heads? And stop creating new positions. That’s becoming really annoying.

Regarding the hiring of yet another lawyer to assist in the daily activities of the legal department -- let’s hope this achieves the objective of putting the kibosh on the massive legal fees currently being racked up for outside legal counsel. If tangible results are not produced forthwith, please swiftly terminate this experiment.

Admitting the consecutive financial failures of the Greenvale 9, Cedar Center, and the Playground of Possibilities seems unlikely. At the very least, cease and desist with further gambles of this ilk.

Put aside your silly notions of grandeur and focus your full attention on basic city services at once.

Thank you.

South Euclid Oversight

Below is a list of previous SEO posts which offer insight on other financial decisions:

• Runaway Train
• Odd Man Out Is Right
• DIY Park Maintenance
• A Perpetually Changing Story
• 2009 Salaries And So Much More….
• Spin The Budget
• A Developing Pattern
• Not Reporting The Whole Story
• Hope You're Sitting Down For This One
• Financial Discrepancies
• Limited Reality
• Fiscal Fiesta?   
• Mixed Messages 
• Band-Aids vs Reconstructive Surgery

Please click to view documentation of <> LEGAL SPENDING <>

Inadequately Advertised “Public Hearing”

 <> PART 1 <>  "PUBLIC HEARING"


<> PART 2 <>  "PUBLIC HEARING"

<><><> MUST SEE RELATED POST / VIDEO  <><><>

•  Only In School Zones? 

SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING <> PART 1 <>
CAUTION: This particular video is extremely difficult to watch. 



SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING <> PART 2 <>



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The “Public Hearing” concerning Traffic Enforcement Cameras was held on November 16, 2009. There was an attendance of 10 people plus 1 from SEOversight and 1 from the Sun Messenger. Is it possible that city officials orchestrated the low turnout? The term “Public Hearing” was concealed deep inside the confusing and difficult to negotiate city website. For further information regarding the lack of proper notification regarding this and other so-called “Public Hearings,” please see the following links to previous SEO posts:

• TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS: COMING SOON
• CITIZEN PARTICIPATION NOT ENCOURAGED

Failure Of Priorities

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Traffic Enforcement Cameras: Coming Soon

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The information pages below were printed from the City's website on Sunday, November 15th.  Was there sufficient effort to inform the citizens of this Public Hearing?  Is this meeting advertised on the lighted sign board in front of City Hall?  The "reverse 911" system was recently used to announce a Ward 1 meeting.  It was not used to inform people of a "PUBLIC HEARING" regarding traffic enforcement cameras.

To see other SEO posts regarding Traffic Enforcement Cameras, please see:

Only In School Zones?


Cash Grab


Traffic Enforcement: Man vs Machine


Cash Grab Update

Post Election Thoughts

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The following letter was written and submitted to the Sun Messenger by Joe Liptow on October 31st, prior to the November 3rd election. He intended for it to be published in the November 5th edition after the election. The Sun Messenger chose not print the letter.

To the Sun Messenger :
Regardless of whether I won or lost this South Euclid Council election, I’d like you to know what I think before I roll up or roll down my political sleeves:


The Cedar Center project will cost us many millions for many more years. The Greenvale Drive demolition project is costing us tens of thousands each year. The Playground of Possibilities is a shell game with your money and an attempt to make political hay in the name of disabled children. The Mayor and other officials have repeatedly lied in public and on the record.


Whether Council President Moe Romeo made “honest” mistakes or outright lied in his fixed endorsement of my opponent is not what’s important. What is truly important is that we start to demand of our public servants, ethical behavior, financial transparency, greater service efforts and results. The X Amendment of the US Constitution gives the people power to make this happen. I suggest we get started soon. Call me!


Thank you,
Joe J. Liptow

What’s Going On?

• time: 5 min. 49 sec.  

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1556 WESTDALE

Please see other related SEO posts:

• Runaway Train
• South Euclid Municipal Realty Company?
• Odd Man Out Is Right
• Greenvale 9 Review
  
  

Here is a direct link to the Cuyahoga County Department of Development website. It provides detailed information on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program:

Cuyahoga County Department of Development
Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Election Results - November 2009

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• un·der·vote (ŭn'dər-vōt')
  1. A ballot that has been cast but shows no legally valid selection in a given race or referendum.

• o·ver·vote (ō'vər-vōt')
  1. A ballot showing the selection of more candidates or choices than are allowed in a given race or referendum.