2010 Year In Review

• More Questions Go Unanswered

• One Or The Other

• Ride It Out?

• A Call For Common Sense

• Bottomless Pit & Deep Pockets

• What's In Your Wallet?

• Cuyahoga County Election Results - May 2010

• Public / Private Campaign?

• “It’s A Secret”

• Goodman Speaks Out

• No Capacity For Shame

• Greenvale 9 Autopsy

• Salaries Skyrocket Under Welo

• S.E. Road Repair: Diminished Returns

• Cedar Center Quagmire

• She’s Kidding…..Right?

She’s Kidding…..Right?

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Cedar Center Quagmire

• time: 3 min. 35 sec.

Reform In Name Only

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Vacant Council Seat

PLAYGROUND ON FIRE!!

Update: November 3, 2010

~SEOversight Commentary~

The apparent arson of the Playground of Possibilities is unfortunate, sad and perplexing all at the same time. Will the truth ever be widely exposed regarding the inconsistencies surrounding the shrouded details of the financing for the playground? Will this tragedy become a windfall to the Mayor and her administration who are so desperately seeking ways to stave off the insurmountable and irresponsible debt they’ve racked up in the past 7 years? Will full disclosure ever be produced of every aspect of the financing arrangements to build the playground? Despite elected officials denying the use of public employees while on the clock to supplement a lack of pre-planning, city employees including police and fire department personnel were encouraged to assist in the construction phase while on the public dime. Likewise with office staff and service department workers, and those who chose to comply with the coercion-style request for another taxpayer bailout were told to not wear any South Euclid City apparel. City officials have steadfastly denied the use of city employees, equipment, materials and time except when occasionally cornered on specifics. That’s when the, “well, they are city employees, and the playground is on city property” defense comes into play. The City of South Euclid has denied several requests for public records asking for actual costs of the playground, including financial documents, contractual agreements and donations received though fundraisers. If the revolving facts being disseminated by city officials were based in truth, why would they deny public access to these records?

Was the original $150,000 “loaned” to the project ever paid back? Currently city officials are floating the figure of $250,000 to the media as the total cost of the playground, SEO is skeptical of that information.

As previously stated, any criticism directed at city officials regarding these issues are not an attack on the well meaning people who did come out and volunteer. Weak planning, low volunteer turnout, starting the project without sufficient funding in place, and most of all, misrepresenting the truth, have turned what was intended to be a charitable community event into a behind the scenes debacle both financially and politically.

Will the truth ever be revealed?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please check out the comment below which was received by SEO:

Posted by Anonymous to SOUTH EUCLID OVERSIGHT at November 2, 2010 6:19 PM


"I think you started the fire, after all you are quoted as being vehemently opposed to the playground and you said "Why after every detail communicated to the public continued to be ........and the local newspaper not change course and begin to hold City Hall to the FIRE! Seems like you were predicting its demise. Thanks for killing a project meant for children and families just for your vendetta." 




BREAKING NEWS......

• AT 8:00 P.M. EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS WERE BEING RELAYED TO SOUTH EUCLID OVERSIGHT STATING THAT THE PLAYGROUND OF POSSIBILITIES AT BEXLEY PARK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. 

• EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE ON THE SCENE.  AT LEAST ONE LOCAL NEWS CHANEL IS REPORTING FROM SOUTH EUCLID.

• WE WILL UPDATE SEO WITH INFORMATION AS IT IS RECEIVED. 

 UPDATE AT 8:15 P.M.

• EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS ARE REPORTING THE FLAMES HAVE BEEN EXTINGUISHED, BUT THE DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE.  PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE SOON.

 UPDATE AT 9:00 P.M.

• time: 1 min. 10 sec.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REAL STORY SURROUNDING THE  PLAYGROUND OF POSSIBILITIES, AND THE EVER-CHANGING FACTS AND FIGURES COMPLIMENTS OF SOUTH EUCLID CITY OFFICIALS.  WILL ANYONE MENTION THAT THE PLAYGROUND IS NOT YET PAID FOR? 

HERE ARE LINKS TO 19 ACTION NEWS AND CHANNEL 3 NEWS  REGARDING THE PLAYGROUND FIRE.

Sobriety Checkpoints

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Not A Welo Fan

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Grasping At Straws

The method to Welo’s curious behavior as of late can best be described as desperate.

Under current circumstances, the Cedar Center and Greenvale purchases are looking more likely to be in limbo for some time to come. No reasonable proposals concerning the Greenvale 9 have been brought before the public in the 3 ½ years since acquisition. Cedar Center has a slightly less bleak outlook, with a possible GFS arrival in October 2011, at 4 ½ years after purchase. The Greenvale 9 and Cedar Center properties were both purchased in the spring of 2007.


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Conspicuously absent from the above article is any mention of Peter Rubin and the Coral Company.  What happened to the development plans? 



Cedar Center: Update - Fall 2010

• time:  2 min. 44 sec.

• time:  9 min.  48 sec.

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Here is a link to Gordon Food Service.

Friends In High Places

~ ~ ~  SEOversight UPDATE ~ ~ ~

On Monday September 13th, SEO asked Mayor Georgine Welo the following question: 

SEO:  "Will you be returning any of your recent campaign  contributions from Frank Russo or Friend's of Frank Russo?"

GW:  "No....I won't be returning any contributions from Frank."

~

Finite Resources

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Housing Records Destroyed

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A Few Ideas

Cutting Costs?

S.E. Road Repair: Diminished Returns

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Road repair has been completed to an estimated 700 foot portion of Monarch Road. (see map below) City officials have indicated that Dartford Road is scheduled for major repairs prior to the conclusion of 2010. Green Road north of Monticello to the Cleveland line is currently under construction. That project is being financed by the county and does not involve the city budget or service department employees. Service Director Ed Gallagher stated in the S.E. summer “Update” publication that a list for the 2011 road maintenance and repair schedule is forthcoming which indicates an end to the 2010 repair season.



When taking into account Mayor Welo will have completed her seventh year in office when 2010 ends and Ed Gallagher has been the service director for nearly as long, South Euclid must receive an 'F' in street maintenance for this year.

Please refer to the previous SEO posts for more information regarding road repair:

Road Levy Discussion 2-15-2010

What's In Your Wallet?

Cuyahoga County Election Results - May 2010

No Capacity For Shame

Salaries Skyrocket Under Welo

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Please see previous SEOversight posts:

Salary Ordinances 2003-2009

Fiscal Fiesta

Empty Words

A Few Ideas

One Or The Other

Not Reporting The Whole Story

Another Proposed Tax

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Please click to view the online version of the above Sun Messenger article including reader comments.

Greenvale 9 Autopsy

Presented below are before and after pictures of each of the Greenvale 9.


Prior to their demolition in 2007, the building commissioner issued each of the 9 duplex homes a certificate of occupancy for the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. As described in Ordinance 1409.01 below, a home must undergo an inspection by the building department and be determined in compliance with city code to qualify for a certificate of occupancy.


Also provided below are copies of the certificate of occupancy and inspection reports for each home for the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.


Please click on images below to view full size.

Codified Ordinance of the City of South Euclid
Section 1409.01

Codified Ordinance of the City of South Euclid
Section 1409.02

 

4102 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4102 Greenvale

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4104 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4104 Greenvale

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4108 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4108 Greenvale

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4114 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4114 Greenvale

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4116 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4116 Greenvale

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4119 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4119 Greenvale

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4120 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4120 Greenvale

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4132 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info: 4132 Greenvale

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4148 Greenvale Drive

Click for compliance info:  4148 Greenvale

~

Please don't miss the previous SEOversight posts regarding the Greenvale 9:

A Shameful Saga

Ride It Out?

A Very Costly Shell Game

Greenvale 9 Review

Showtime

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Letters To The Editor

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ANOTHER Initiative Denied

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Please see SEO previous related post:

 More Citizens Take Action

City Runs Out The Clock

.....UPDATE AUG. 7, 2010.....

 

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“…The citizens of South Euclid have a constitutional right to initiative. Courts have traditionally frowned upon attempts by municipalities to interfere with the initiative process…”

- Aug. 2, 2010 -

 Bradric Bryan, attorney - Citizens for Accountable Government

• time: 8 min. 12 sec.

“…I’m asking you on the council floor for us to do what’s right. To save the city money and bring to the residents what do we have to do? Not what do they have to do. Is there anything that we can do by motion tonight to take care of this?…”
- Aug. 2, 2010 –

Councilperson, Tony Caroscio

• time: 3 min. 40 sec.

Discussion regarding a Charter Amendment

• time: 2 min. 27 sec.

.....UPDATE AUG. 4, 2010.....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "City Runs Out The Clock":

"Please, SEO, I hardly think that they ran out the clock. The reality is that the language in the petition was clearly in contradiction to the city charter and the city really couldn't do anything as a result."

Please see the video below...thanks for participating...SEO

• time:  2 min. 29 sec.

For further evidence of skulduggery, please see Here We Go Again.

CITIZENS FOR ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT

If you wish to donate to the cause, please make checks payable to Citizens for Accountable Government and mail to:

Citizens for Accountable Government
1120 Dorsh Road,
South Euclid, OH 44121

Any donation amount is welcome as we are incurring mounting legal expenses.  Thank You.

Our legal counsel will be presenting his legal opinion tomorrow evening - Monday August 2nd at the special council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Please attend and voice your support of our initiative. - Tom Brown

SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL - Agenda: August 2, 2010

Please see related previous SEOversight post, Here We Go Again.

Here We Go Again

RESOLUTION: 52-10
"Rejecting a certain initiative petition…"

Please click on image below to view full size document.

• time: 2 min. 36 sec.

Ed Icove takes over as acting council president and Todd Hunt fills in for “vacationing” South Euclid Law Director, Michael Lograsso.

• time: 6 min. 33 sec.
  

Fill-in Law Director, Todd Hunt gives an explanation and his legal justification of Resolution: 52-10.

• time: 5 min. 56 sec.
  

Two members of “Citizens for Accountable Government” lay it on the line at the microphone.  ***  “…It’s absolutely, in my opinion, unbelievable the amount of time, energy and tax dollars you people spend fighting the rights and the wishes of the residents…”  ***  “…How much money of the taxpayers is being wasted? You’re paying Mr. Lograsso, Walter & Haverfield, Mr. Hunt, and after we beat you in court on this issue, you’re going to be paying our lawyer, Mr. Brad Bryan…”  

• time: 8 min. 20 sec.

Resolution: 52-10 was requested by Councilman Moe Romeo and introduced by acting Council President Ed Icove.  It appears that Icove & Romeo were the only members of City Council privy to details regarding Resolution: 52-10 prior to July 25th, when other members of council were informed - barely 24 hours before a meeting when they were being asked to vote on the matter.

Councilman Tony Caroscio:  “…It’s very frustrating that we continue to do things that look sneaky whether they are or not that’s the way they look. It’s costing the city money. Instead of finding ways to work with the residents and do what’s right, we continue to find ways to not do what’s right and not look good as we’re sitting up here…”    

Councilwoman Sunny Simon:  “…I don’t think in this case, the law is for me, at this point necessarily clear…"  *** “…The last thing I think we need for the city is to end up in court in litigation over something like this it could impact our residents and the credibility of this council…”

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