NORTH CANTON MAYOR DAVID HELD GETS GOVERNOR-ELECT KASICH APPOINTMENT? IS COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARYL REVOLDT NEXT?

UPDATE:  11/17/2010 AT 9:30 AM


One of the two North Canton councilpersons said by the SCPR's source to have been the original generators of the Held/Revoldt "up for appointment" by the newly elected Kasich administration story has contacted The Report denying that such was the case. 

UPDATE:  11/16/2010 AT 10:00 AM

Reports that Mayor David Held and Councilman Daryl Revoldt are in line for a Governor-elect John Kasich appointment originated with two North Canton councilpersons.

Held contacted The Report to say that the councilperson generated speculation is just that and there is absolutely no truth to their conjecture that he is in line for a Ohio Environmental Protection Agency appointment.  While he supported Kasich's election, Held says he loves his current employment as director of the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Management entity.

Revoldt in a conversation with the SCPR reiterated emphatically that he is going nowhere.  Moreover, he said that he does not believe that Held is in for a Kasich administration appointment.  Revoldt says that the speculated moves by himself and Held absolutely makes no sense given their individual set of circumstances. 

However, if Held were to be appointed by Kasich, Revoldt says, he certainly would not be "unhappy" about Held getting an appointment while he hasn't because Held likely would have to vacate the mayor's position and that would make Revoldt mayor and Revoldt is not looking for another stint as mayor.

ORIGINAL POST

The SCPR is being told that North Canton Mayor David Held is to be appointed a district director for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.  Which district?  The Report's source did not know.  However, it could be one of five locales:  Twinsburg (Northeast District Office), Logan (Southeast District Office), Dayton (Southwest District Office, Bowling Green (Northwest District Office or Columbus (Central District Office).

Last week Held denied to The Report that he was going anywhere.  He said he was happy as the director of the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Management District (STWJSWM) and as mayor of North Canton.

It is known that Held and North Canton Council President Daryl Revoldt were both in Columbus on election day (November 2nd) participating in and celebrating the victory of Republican John Kasich over incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland by about 2 percentage points.

Despite Held's protests to the contrary, the SCPR believes Held has been itching to leave the STWJSWMD for some time.  Over recent years he has been rumored to be looking a a number of positions in Stark County and at least one in Columbus.  The SCPR has confirmed with Held that he was interested in being superintendent of the Developmental Disability Board (Stark County)  and running for State of Ohio auditor.  Moreover, the STWJSWMD has been shrinking (according to what Held has told the SCPR) in recent years going from an $8 million budget down to about $3 million.  Perhaps, the downsizing means that the job is no longer big enough for Held?

If the appointment is borne out and, particularly, if it would mean he is moving out of the area and therefore would not be in a position to continue as mayor, another justification for his seeking such a post would be his chilly relationship with North Canton Council.  Specifically, he and Councilman Jeff Davies have been at odds for some time.  

The Report tried to contact Held last evening to confirm the rumored appointment, its locale - if true and whether or not he would be remaining mayor of North Canton.

Recently (post-election), Stark County commissioner-elect Janet Creighton (who served as a Kasich campaign official) told The Report she did not know of any Stark Countians who were being considered for appointment by Kasich.

Reports persist that North Canton Council President Daryl Revoldt is anxious to get to Columbus in some capacity with a Kasich administration.  The Report's source says that Revoldt is said to be unhappy that Held has landed a Kasich appointment whereas he has been unsuccessful to date.

He has a daughter living in the capital city which appears to be an incentive for a Columbus move.  Moreover, his current employer TechniGraphics announced on October 19th that it was being purchased by CACI International Inc., of Arlington, Virginia.  Some North Cantonians believe that the sale may be a motivating factor for Revoldt to be looking at other opportunities.

Like Held, Revoldt has consistently denied to the SCPR that he is going anywhere.

The Report is skeptical of Revoldt's denials.

VIDEO: NORTH CANTON COUNCIL'S SIDE OF THE CITIZEN OSBORNE'S EFFECTIVENESS WITH COUNCIL

There is sort of a running battle in North Canton between North Canton Council (via spokesman Council president Daryl Revoldt) and citizen Chick Osborne who is a former North Canton councilman.

The SCPR has a bias in favor of folks like Osborne who courageously dig into the bowels of government (in this case, North Canton government) looking for errors in the implementation of policy and practices.

In Osborne's case, he  frequently uses the public forum at Council meetings to reveal his findings and advocate for corrective action.

The Report thinks that the Chuck Osbornes of Stark County provide a valuable public service and commends them for upholding the responsibility of every citizen to participate in  the activities of our institutions of government.

Osborne believes that Council treats him unfairly compared to other North Canton citizens who avail themselves of the public forum to address Council and Mayor David Held's administration on various issues.

Council and Held obviously disagree with Osborne and have told The Report that, from their perspective, they are more than fair to Osborne.

The SCPR has written a number of blogs presenting Osborne's side of the story.

In this blog, The Report presents the North Canton government's view (at least Council's view, assuming that Revoldt speaks for all of Council as he seems to be doing in the accompanying video. 

Here is a video of a recent North Canton Council meeting in which Council president Revoldt "advises" Osborne on how to be more effective.

View and listen to "Professor" Revoldt.  

THE SCPR RECOGNIZES STARK COUNTY COMMISSIONER/DR. PETER FERGUSON FOR HIS EFFORT TO BRING A VA CLINIC TO STARK COUNTY

The Stark County Political Report (SCPR, The Report) hereby recognizes Doctor Peter D. Ferguson (Stark County commissioner - elected November, 2008) for his efforts to bring a Veterans Clinic/Hospital to the former Doctors Hospital now Affinity Medical Center to Perry Township.

The effort "apparently" has proved unavailing as the SCPR predicted and which was anticipated by Pete Ferguson himself.

In a recent conversation with Commissioner Ferguson, he bemoaned to The Report the inertia in place at the Veterans Administration (VA) in Washington.  Ferguson was struck by the reality that even elected officials (i.e. Congressman Boccieri and Senator Sherrod Brown) couldn't seem to get the ball rolling with the VA.

The "Ferguson VA project" - for any chance of success - had to have begun even before Ferguson became commissioner.  Hindsight being 20/20, Ferguson could have and should have made such a project a cornerstone of his campaign to replace Gayle Jackson as commissioner.

Readers of the SCPR will recall the steep criticsm that The Report directed at Ferguson and his Republican opponent John Hagan for their laziness and lack of definition in the presentation of their campaigns.

Had Ferguson heeded the critique, he could have gotten a jump start on this project while yet "an ordinary citizen" and in the process have given himself a fair chance at success.

But he didn't and the SCPR will not belabor spilled milk.

What should be the focus now is that the Ferguson effort, no matter how late in the game it is, should not have been in vain.

When Affinity announced its recent decision to raze the medical center by year's end, it cited one clearly compelling reason:  the expenses!   It costs Affinity $100,000 a month to maintain the facility.  Moreover, there are about $1.2 million in taxes in the offing to be paid Ohio in prospective franchise taxes and $40,000 to Perry Township in property taxes.

What business/business person wouldn't go for bottom line efficiency?  Affinity is doing what a focused business model commands:, "act yesterday" to stop a drain on its investment monies.

Can Stark County salvage the Ferguson initiative?

Probably not.

But here's an idea.

The Stark County commissioners (one of whom, obviously is Ferguson) should go to North Canton City Council president Daryl Revoldt and ask him to "on a volunteer basis" take on the task of buying more time for Stark County to get the VA moving on the Ferguson idea.

Why Revoldt?

Because he is the most talented economic development person in all of Stark County.

In recent conversations with Revoldt, he has outlined to the SCPR a 36 month plan of action to get Stark County economic development going in high gear.

Of course, for Revoldt to take on an extended economic plan, commissioners would have to find the money to hire Revoldt for that specific task.

However, being the public service minded guy he is, he might be willing to take on a "salvage Ferguson's plan" project.

One the huge problems with the "Vote No Increased Taxes" people, who showed their political muscle in trouncing the 0.50 "imposed" sales/use tax by a 64% of Stark Countians rejecting retension of the tax, is this:  they seem to be totally focused on cutting county expenses.

And there is a case to be made for eliminating wasteful expenditures and/or reallocation of existing revenues to high priority functions of Stark County government.

But is there a positive aspect to Conley, Snyder. et al.

If there is a proactive factor with the "Vote Nos", in the context of their working with the "citizens review committee" being be put together by the Stark County Common Pleas judges; it could give authenticity to the cohort's claim that they are not purebred expense cutters and that they are willing "to be part of the solution of government," if they propose/promote a long range Stark County economic development plan which is adequately resourced.

If the citizens review effort does not produce an adequately resourced Stark County economic development plan, the Stark County voters should be set, once again, to reject a new tax initiative.

Commissioners Bosley (BioMass), Harmon (Horse Show Arena) and Ferguson (VA facility) are starting to get it as to what their primary positive priority should be:  A LONG TERM "ARTICULATED" STARK COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LED BY THE BEST LEADERSHIP THAT STARK COUNTY HAS TO OFFER AND WITH BUILT-IN BENCH MARKS AND ACOUNTABLITY.

Congratulations to Commissioner Ferguson on being the recipient of the coveted SCPR "Good Try!" award.

But The Report believes that Ferguson would be the first to say that a "good try" is just that.

But, again, from the SCPR to Commissioner Ferguson:  thanks for trying.

Stark County could show its appreciation for his initiative by acting to keep Ferguson's idea alive!

But are Stark's "movers and shakers" up to it?

NORTH CANTON COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARYL REVOLDT NEEDS TO COOL IT - MAKE PUBLIC APOLOGY

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (SCPR/The Report) was astonished over the last week or so to learn how very "publicly" angry North Canton City Council president and Republican Daryl Revoldt can get.

It appears to The Report that Revoldt is an urbane, sophisticated, level-headed and mature local political leader.

But is he?

First, there was the quote reported in the Akron Beacon Journal:

The Report has been hearing that North Canton officials were getting feedback from the Court on this quote.

The SCPR did contact Judge Forchione for a reaction. He declined saying that he never has spoken to North Canton officials and if he has conversations on a given case they are private conversations with legal counsel. But The Report emphasizes, Judge Forchione would not even say whether or not he had had conversations with North Canton's attorneys.

The SCPR was astonished to read the quote. Yours truly, an attorney, knows Judge Forchione and can vouch for him being a jurist of the highest integrity and impartiality.

It is one thing to be upset with a decision; it is quite another to let your emotions get away from you and say what Revoldt said.

Revoldt has not responded to a SCPR inquiry for a reaction. Knowing Revoldt as The Report does, it is very likely that a "private" apology has made its way back through appropriate channels to Judge Forchione.

Moreover, in the interest of public confidence in the impartial administration of justice, Revoldt needs to - post haste - issue a public apology. If Revoldt is the caliber of person The Report believes he is, he will do so immediately; if he hasn't already.

Second, there is Revoldt's relationship with former North Canton City Councilman Church Osborne.

The SCPR has on several occasions complimented Revoldt about the way he interacts with activist Osborne. And, The Report believes that the "real" Daryl Revoldt is "the temperate" Daryl Revoldt.

In fact, Revoldt has told yours truly many times, that he believes Chuck Osborne makes a valuable contribution to the public discussion in North Canton.

However, nearly a week ago, Osborne tells The Report he had a telephone conversation with Revoldt that puts The Report's Revoldt temperament assessment vis-a-vis Osborne in question.

Keep in mind that Osborne has been a political nemesis of Revoldt's (and probably most of North Canton City Council) for years now. Nevertheless, it is hard to understand Revoldt's thinking when he exploded on Osborne (according to Osborne) when he telephoned Revoldt last Tuesday.

Osborne was upset about an article by Dottie McGrew in Our Town (a local North Canton newspaper run by Jim Dansizen) reporting comments by Revoldt about how Osborne got his hands on a map (CLICK HERE to see)showing - at least, preliminarily - plans for North Canton's idea of building a $2.2 million bypass of the current East Maple Street path next to the Hoover campus at Main and Maple in "the Dogwood city."

Osborne has not told the SCPR this, but The Report believes had Revoldt apologized to Osborne; then we wouldn't be having all this talk about Osborne looking into filing a defamation suit against Revoldt.

Actually, it appears the opposite happened.

When told that Osborne told Revoldt he was considering the filing of a defamation suit, Revoldt's response (according to Osborne) was:

If you are going to come after me, you better be ready because I am going to cut you off at the knees.

The SCPR does not know whether or not there is a way back from this brinkmanship, but if there is the way to get there is not, it would not be with language like the Osborne provided quote.

Third, the SCPR has learned there was an incident back in 1987 in the days that Revoldt was chief of staff for Congressman Ralph Regula in which he had angry words for a Stark County businessman who was working with the Concerned Citizens of Lake Township on the Industrial Excess Landfill situation in Uniontown.

The Report's source who observed the encounter described it as being "stunning" in terms of the anger expressed by Revoldt towards the businessman.

However, that was a long, long time ago (22 years). If there has been 22 years of temperance since the 1987 event, then the SCPR is encouraged that Revoldt has made progress.

The SCPR believes that Daryl Revoldt is one of the most talented government officials in all of Stark County. He should be a person of great interest for the Stark County commissioners to consider to head up an Stark County Economic Development Taskforce that The Report has been advocating for some time now.

However, he must overcome the temptation to lash out against those who disagree with him. Revoldt needs to keep open the lines of communication. As a public official he has a special obligation to help cool the rhetoric; not heat it up.

The SCPR does not believe that Daryl Revoldt has an "anger management" problem a la Dave in the movie Anger Management.

But there is a bit of advice in that flick that all of us including Revoldt should heed as we deal with difficult things that come along in life: Here it is:

Once his priorities were in order, Dave was able to see people and events in his life with maturity and deal with his anger, and other emotions, with maturity.

Yes, consistent and abiding maturity is the key!

As chief of staff for former Congressman Ralph Regula, as a former mayor of North Canton, as economic development person for former Ohio governor Bob Taft, as president of North County City Council, there have been many occasions for Daryl Revoldt to get publicly angry and explode, but he didn't.

So he has shown that he has the capacity to control any anger he might be feeling in public forums where public input can get out-of-hand.

Obviously, in light of the Forchione statement and the Osborne saga, he needs to increase his capacity. But The Report thinks he can and will do so.

Now the SCPR will sit back and long for Revoldt to demonstrate consistently the political maturity we know he has.

He should start with a public apology for the intemperate remark he made about Judge Forchione's decision.