CANTON CITIZEN Pete DiGiacomo TAKES ON AT&T & WINS!!!

VIDEO

Citizen Pete DiGiacomo Taking on AT&T

The primary reason I have be writing The Stark County Political Report for going on ten years now is all wrapped up in what Canton citizen Pete DiGiacomo accomplished Monday evening as an individual citizen who took on AT&T and persuaded Canton City Council to deny the gigantic company a "make or break" (being sarcastic, of course) $850 for aiding the Canton community in locating a missing child.

DiGiacomo was so into his cause on at Monday evening's council meeting that right before the roll call vote, he yelled out "Vote No, Vote No."

After it became apparent that council had responded to DiGiacomo's plea, he bellowed out a scream of delight followed by an apology for breaking decorum.

For his effort and phenomenal success, he should be thought of as a political Hall of Fame-esque performing civic activist at a corollary level to those great football athletes who are enshrined in the Canton based Pro Football Hall of Fame.

DiGiacomo was keeping government accountable.

Government accountability: a passion with me for all the years I have been doing this blog.  Keeping government accountable is an obligation that all we citizens have.  But few of us heed the call.

DiGiacomo was stellar in taking on the goliath AT&T in hurling political stones that felled the giant's effort to collect $850 from Canton taxpayers.

What's this "moral ob[ligation]" thing?

Let's flip that around.

What obligation does AT&T have to help out the Canton community in a infinitesimal way ($850 in services) given that Cantonians among millions of Americans over many, many years of doing business with its predecessor have made the communications company a behemoth.

It was not all that many years ago that the United States Department of Justice broke up A&T (1982) because of its monopolistic hold on a sector of American communications.

Here is a snapshot from Wikipedia of the massive wealth that AT&T generate annually to the point that it has assets of nearly one-half-trillion dollars.

As the foregoing numbers show, DiGiacomo was not hyping the size of AT&T in attributing it to be a multi-million dollar company.

The reality is that the communications giant is a "multi-billion dollar company!"

Here is a video of part of DiGiacomo's presentation to council on Monday evening.



Council is commended by the SCPR for heeding DiGiacomo's plea.

Pete DiGiacomo is one of Stark County finest citizen activists and a model for the fearful and timid as to what can be done if one will only take up the obligation to keep an eye on government and how government entities spend our (we taxpayers money).

Does AT&T dare sue Canton government for the $850?

Not likely.

Unless, of course, the colossus is really up against financial hard times and $850 is a make or break situation.

Obviously, such is not the case.

What AT&T ought to do through its public relations arm is to apologize to Canton taxpayers for even submitting a claim that the $850 be paid as a matter of morality.

Thank you Citizen Pete Giacomo for calling AT&T out on its quest and besting this commercial juggernaut.

To The Stark County Political Report,  you a Hall of Famer!

WHO ON CANTON COUNCIL OWNS THE HEALY GENERATED $3.7 TO $5 MILLION PROJECTED 2016 BUDGET DEFICIT?

HAS HEALY DUPED COUNCIL?

OR

IS COUNCIL A FULL PARTICIPANT IN THE DUPING?

"ENCORE" VIDEOS

COUNCIL PRESIDENT

ALLEN SCHULMAN

ON

STATE FUNDING CUTS

MAYOR HEALY

ON

THOUSANDS & THOUSANDS

OIL & GAS JOBS

COMING TO AREA

Fiscal Year 2016 (Canton) and fiscal year 2017 (Massillon) budgeting could bring political infighting among council members to a new high.

In Massillon such a scenario might be averted with the infusion of new revenues if a primary election results in an increase in the city's income tax revenue which would the first since 1977, except for a parks issue passage.
Canton has no such hope on the immediate horizon.

However, there is some background noise in the context of exploratory discussion of ways and means to increase the financial pie in the Hall of Fame city.

Two carryover Canton councilpersons who have lead the fight against outgoing Mayor William J. Healy, II (overspending?) budgets have been 26 year councilman Bill Smuckler (at-large) and current finance committee chair and Ward 1 councilman Greg Hawk.

Here is a listing of councilperson voting records going back to the 2012 budget:

2012

2013

2014

2015

And, of course, inbound 2016-2017 councilpersons Jason Scaglione (Ward 3 councilman-elect) and Tom Harmon (at-large councilman-elect) are exonerated from ownership of the arguable projected deficit of $3.7 million to $5 million.

One of the primary defenses that the Healy administration and supporting councilpersons have to charges of fiscal irresponsibility in formulating and passing budgets since 2010—2011 and the onset of deep, deep, deep cuts in State of Ohio local government funding in the form of:

• huge reductions in the local government fund itself, 
• termination of revenues to Ohio political subdivisions with the elimination of the Ohio Estate Tax, 
• cessation of the utility tax, and
• shortfall from promises of hold harmless of monies to local governments as a consequence of the elimination of Ohio's tangible property tax with the passage of a replacement corporate taxes (i.e. Commercial Activities Tax [CAT]).

A source tells the SCPR that Canton has with the maturing of the foregoing listed cuts sustained losses of some $6 million annually (with the full implementation of the state funding cuts) gross and passage of the casino tax which only recently has developed of history for Canton of offsetting the loses with about $2 million for a net annual loss of about $4 million or so.

A 2014 Columbus Dispatch article (LINK) is a good summary of what has happened to Ohio local government funding since the onset of the Kasich administration.

From that piece, this quote from Cincinnati councilman and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate (2016) P.G. Sittenfeld:

And, locally, Canton City Council president Allen Schulman on February 15, 2013:

And, of course, both Sittenfeld and Schulman are right.

But the political reality is that there are three more years of Kasich and the hostile-to-Ohio's-urban areas if not to local government finances in general coupled with an equally if not moreso anti-city Republican heavily dominated Ohio General Assembly which includes Stark County's:

• Scott Oelslager (Republican—29th Ohio Senate District),
• Kirk Schuring (Republican—48th Ohio House District), and
• Christina Hagan (Republican—50th Ohio House District)

Which means, of course, that the likes of Sittenfeld and Schulman are deemed in Columbus as being some sort of political white noise to be dismissed out-of-hand.

In Canton, Massillon and other Stark County financially strapped local government venues, the "blame-Columbus" routine has played out.

Roads not getting repaired, fire houses shut down, safety forces' vehicles being unsafe overwhelms blaming Columbus, no?

Since the state cuts have been become the new fiscal reality in Stark County, local governments overspending their revenues should now be deemed by the voting public as a case of councilpersons, trustees and board of education members being fiscally irresponsible, no?

And in Canton that appears to mean - on balance in voting "yes" on "since the full onset of state local government cuts" Healy administration budget proposals; the following councilpersons, no?

• Ward 2 councilman Thomas West,
• Ward 4 councilwoman Chris Smith,
• Ward 5 councilman Kevin Fisher,
• Ward 6 councilman David Dougherty,
• Ward 7 councilman John Mariol (except 2013),
• Ward 8 councilman Edmond Mack,
• Ward 9 councilman Frank Morris, III
• Councilman-at-Large Jimmy Babcock

It could be that the foregoing councilpersons bought "hook, line and sinker" this hyped up presentation by Mayor Healy on March 1, 2012 in his post annual State of the City Address press conference about the thousands and thousands of jobs that the oil and gas industry might be bring to Canton and Stark County which of course suggest significantly higher tax revenues for Canton.

Accordingly, who has to worry about vetting budget proposals?

Here is Healy spewing out unbounded optimism about thousands and thoursands of jobs coming to the area.



But it wasn't long until the Healy-hype was following apart.

(LINK)

(LINK)

The Report finds it fascinating that this now exiting mayor as of December 31st has seemingly had a mesmerizing affect on most of the councilpersons listed above.

Interestingly enough, seven of the eight (not Babcock) who joined in a lawsuit as the window dressing for Healy to deny Mayor-elect Thomas Bernabei (the man who Healy fired as chief-of-staff and service director in January, 2009) the right to change his political affiliation from Democrat to "independent." 

 (Stark Dems subsequently withdrew)

The change part of his plan and mission to right all that is financially and economic development (i.e. producing net gains in Canton income tax paying jobs) wrong with Canton and thereby has or currently prevents Canton from delivering to Cantonian residents/taxpayers:

• Full strength policing services,
• Full strength fire and EMS services,
• Needed infrastructure repairs/reconstruction,
• For example:
• Streets and roadways,
• Removal of abandoned residential housing,
• Storm sewers
• Implementation of the Canton Comprehensive Citywide Plan (study cost of $350,000; opposed by Councilman Morris),
• Having capital for infrastructure improvements in relation to linking the Hall of Fame Village Project (HOFVP) with downtown Canton, 
• Financing need infrastructure improvements in the neighborhood of the HOFVP, and 
• Enhancing/fostering the development of the Market Square Project,

Now with the park levy being defeated in the November 3rd election, will Canton have to be dipping into general fund revenues perhaps to the tune of $3 million annually to keep the parks system afloat?

A source tells the SCPR that the deficit picture in Canton is likely to get worse before it gets better.

What has not been fully factored in for FY 2016, according to the source, is the full impact of the loss of some 400 Nationwide Insurance jobs and income tax revenue loses for Timken jobs moving out of the city.

Of great concern to some Canton councilpersons is that a interim temporary budget to get FY 2016 off and running is coming from what those councilpersons think is a fiscally irresponsible lame duck Mayor William J. Healy, II.

Given the projected $3.7 to $5 million project full FY 2016 budget, the question is on the part of critics is: how can council as a whole possibly be considering passing yet another Healy proposed budget?

As for Mayor-elect Thomas Bernabei, he is the one who during his successful campaign to unseat Healy alerted the Canton public that all was NOT well with Canton finances.

That the number could be as high as $5 million is indication that Bernabei was not in to hyperbole (so common in electioneering) when he projected $3 million in campaign statements.

It is amazing to the SCPR that Bernabei was willing to wade into the obvious fiscal mess that Canton now finds itself in running for mayor.

But if anyone can provide the leadership to bring Canton to fiscal responsibility over the next four years, it is Bernabei who has a track record of having done so as interim CEO as the Stark County Area Transportation Authority (SARTA/2009) and in conjunction with is fellow commissioners (Creighton, Ferguson succeeded by Regula) as one of three commissioners with his election in November, 2010.

Short term what Canton will need is the undivided attention of members of Canton City Council members working with Mayor Thomas Bernabei vetting each and every outlay of funds so as to put the sparse Canton revenues to their most effective use.

Long term the goal will be to restore trust in Canton City government that the city lives within its means and merits being entrusted with more taxpayer dollars so as to be in a position to deliver quality basic services to the city's citizenry.

Such is something that the SCPR thinks that a working majority of Canton's councilpersons have not done heretofore.

Some councilpersons might argue that had they known Canton was headed for a $3.7 to $5 million 2016 budget deficit they would have voted differently on the budgets leading up to the upcoming 2016 budget, but were they duped by a slick talking mayor into thinking all was well.

One of the points made by several councilpersons on the election of Bernabei as mayor is that the mayor is really not that much of a factor in Canton government decision making inasmuch as Canton has a strong (LINK to council minutes containing Councilperson Smith's comment) council form of government, to wit:

It they really believe that the mayor in the end has to bend to the will of council, then it appears to the SCPR that they have been will participants in the Alice in Wonderland 2012—2015 which spent like money

Accordingly, council-as-a-whole now owns the problem that they followed Healy on as he led them down the primrose path.

In a practical sense, they will now have to acknowledge that forthcoming reductions in city services were precipitated largely by the strong council's failure to be strong in sufficiently vetting the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 budgets and council's failure to recognize the onset of a net loss of income tax revenues inherent in the exchange of relatively high paying jobs (Nationwide and Timkens) for low paying jobs like the Healy administration touted VXI telemarketing jobs.

It will be interesting to see how council's consistent year-in, year-out majority budget endorsers handle a problem that is largely one of their own making whether as being a "dupee" or a willing participant in the 2012 through 2015 "smoke and mirrors" budgets.

So much for the rhetoric of being a strong council, no?

AN UNLIKELY PAIR: CANTON COUNCILMAN KEVIN FISHER & NEW ENGLAND PATRIOT OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH MCDANIELS?

VIDEO

JOSH MCDANIELS

HONORED

BY

CANTON CITY COUNCIL

AND

FORMER MCKINLEY CLASSMATE

COUNCILMAN KEVIN FISHER

The photos above (provided the SCPR by Fisher) are of Ward 5 Canton City Councilman Kevin Fisher and New England Patriot offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels, a former Canton McKinley football star, when they were in high school.

Last week at the beginning of Canton's council meeting, Canton City Council member voted unanimously to honor McDaniels for the fame that he as brought to the Pro Football Hall of Fame city in being the member of the coaching staff of the 2014-2015 edition of the Patriots who won the Super Bowl in dramatic fashion.

While Josh was not born in Canton (rather, Barberton), his father says that he considers Canton as being his hometown.

The interesting twist to this Stark County Political Report blog is that Fisher should sponsor the forgoing informal resolution and be the councilperson making the presentation on March 9th to Josh's father and longtime McKinley football coach (1982 - 1997) Thom McDaniels.

Interesting twist?

Indeed!

While Kevin and Josh graduated together from McKinley (named after the sister of President William McKinley), they were miles apart in terms of academics, athletics and accomplishment as students at McKinley.

McDaniels' McKinley High School (MHS) bio:

• Boys Basketball, grades 9 and 11,
• Canton Scholars, grade 12,
• Class officer, Vice President, grade 9,
• Computer assistant, grade 9,
• Football, grades 9, 10, 11 & 12,
• Captain, grade 12,
• International Club, grades 10 & 11,
• Office assistant, grades 11 & 12,
• Saxton, grade 12,
• National Honor Society, grades 11 & 12,
• Spanish Honorary, grade 11,
• Student Council Vice President, grades 9, 10, 11 & 12,
• Teen Board, grades 11 & 12

Fisher's MHS bio?

Get this:

Proof enough that while they were both at McKinley through high school, they were worlds apart, no?

In not, then let Kevin Fisher speak for himself:

Marty,

I have been trying to think how to frame your request for a snapshot of Mckinley when Josh and I attended.

What i think is best is to show a comparison between the two of us at that time... .

Its pretty interesting,  actually,  in my opinion because Josh and I had such drastically different backgrounds and experiences in school.

For one, I didn't really know Josh. McKinley was much bigger back then (I would guess about 3500 to 4000 students).  I've included 5 pics from the yearbook for you...including a list of extracurricular activities for each.

As you can  see, Josh was very involved as a student, an athlete and socially.

I on the other hand "attended" high school only  in a technical sense.

While being long-winded even back then, the fact that i spoke a lot in school didn't translate into really knowing anyone. 

I didn't run with any particular crowds, nor did I associate with people outside of school.

Associating inside of school was rare in fact, as my attendance was scarce at best.

Where josh was a national honor society member, I managed to graduate with the bare minimum number of credits.

In fact, I did not even attend my graduation ceremony,  opting instead to take an extra shift at work.

So, where Josh received an academic scholarship to John Carroll  where he continued to play football,  I went to work at a series of assembly lines and retail stores, mostly earning minimum wage for the next 3 to 4 years.

I guess showing up and doing homework may have been the better call...lol

The one thing we both seemed to have in common was an intense love for Canton and McKinley sports.

So, 20 years later...I find myself sponsoring a proclamation honoring my classmate.

While on the surface,  some may see this and think that it a councilman honoring a high school buddy who made good, the truth is it is more a story about how McKinley HS has a way of uniting people from different worlds, even if they are from the same city.

Obviously, Fisher did not apply himself in high school.

But he has certainly made up for lost time over the past 20 years.

The SCPR considers Fisher as among a group of Canton Councilpersons The Report has tabbed as being "the four young turks," (Fisher, Mack, Mariol and Morris), he and his compatriots are the future for Canton in terms of getting the Hall of Fame city back to any semblance of her former glory.

He is and continues to be a difference maker in the process of slowly but surely bringing Canton back from the abyss.

Of course, the SCPR does not have access to Josh McDaniels for purposes of this blog, but yours truly has to think that Josh has to be proud of the work of Councilman Kevin Fisher on projects like the Hall of Fame Village endeavor as part of a citywide comprehensive plan to restore city to being one of the great cities in Ohio and indeed in America.

They may have been worlds apart in high school.

But they are united not only as McKinley forever football fans but in making their hometown of Canton, Ohio the better for having walked the streets that President William McKinley once walked.

Here is the video of Councilman Kevin Fisher making the presentation to Josh's father Thom of Canton City Council's informal resolution honoring one Josh McDaniels:

PART 3: SCPR ANALYSIS OF STARK CO. CANDIDATE FILINGS ON 02/04/2015 - CANTON

As far as The Stark County Political Report is concerned, city of Canton Democrat voters, beyond veteran council member Bill Smuckler, have a Hobson's Choice as to whom to select from among Jimmy Babcock, Mary Cirelli and Tom Harmon to fill out the remaining two Democratic Party slots for the November election.

THE MAYORALTY FACE-OFF

With the Canton mayoralty race all but decided, in the opinion of the SCPR given the following:

• as of December 31, 2014 Mayor William J. Healy, II $115,000 in campaign funds available and opponent and Treasurer (City of Canton) Kim Perez - less than $10,000, and
• the advantage of being mayor enabling Healy to benefit from having an agenda in progress for example:
• oil and gas shale development in the Canton/Stark County area,
• a relatively low unemployment rate unfolding over the course of seven years being mayor,
• Note:  with their attendant increased income tax collections
• Canton economic development and enhancement projects/plans like:
• the Citywide Comprehensive Plan which is to be unveiled likely before the May, primary election
• the VXI Calling Center employment numbers,
• the Onesto Lofts project,
• the Hall of Fame Village development planning,
• the Mahoning Road/12th Street corridor rehab projects,
• the revitalization of Canton parks and recreation infrastructure, and
• safety force employment being beefed up

unless Mayor Healy steps on his p**-p** (which he surely is capable of) between now and May 5th, the only races which mean anything this year are Canton City Council races.

Over the nearly seven years of the publication of the SCPR, yours truly has done many, many blogs on Healy detailing numerous goof ups and yet he lives on as perhaps Stark County's most skilled politician.

He indeed has to be the envy of the proverbial "cat with nine lives" in that he seemingly survived way more than nine times in escaping from one scrape after another scrape after another scrape over his seven plus years in office.

Even the competitive 2015 Canton City Council contests are of minimal significance, if any, in terms of producing new leadership that has to potential spark Canton to an accelerated and higher level of economic, financial, cultural recovery from decades of decline.

COUNCIL-AT-LARGE

A Hobson's Choice is one in which there is only one substantive choice but appearances indicate otherwise.

Of the four Democrats running for three Canton City Council positions, the only who is prepared and who has demonstrated that he belongs there is the dean of council; namely, Bill Smuckler.

All the rest are in the opinion of the SCPR "no choice at all."

Jimmy Babcock did impress The Report in raising meaningful questions to the Healy administration in recent council deliberations on whether or not to pass the Onesto TIF (Tax Incentive Financing) whereby Stark County entrepreneur Steve Coon's enterprises will benefit the tune of about $2 million (a SCPR gestimate) over 10 years while costing Canton City Schools, Stark County government, Stark County mental health and children services, Stark Parks a like amount in revenue.

Why Babcock and and others (Morris, Fisher and Smith) were correct in voting "no" on February 2nd, the SCPR thinks, is that Coon was going forward anyway.

But Babcock is mostly silent in council sessions and does not appear to have qualities as a legislator that make him an overall asset on council.

What can one say about Mary Cirelli?

Mary is Mary, God Bless her!

However, her main value has been to be council's "naysayer-in-chief."  While there is a time and place for voting "no," the SCPR's take on Mary is that she votes "no" seemingly for the mere sake of voting "no," while not offering positive alternatives.

The most that can be said for Tom Harmon is that he apparently is running at the behest of Bill Smuckler.  Harmon was involved in Smuckler's campaign to be county commissioners in 2012.

While it is comforting to know that there is a close association between Harmon and Smuckler, should the long term former Canton Municipal Court clerk of courts, short term Stark County commissioner be elected to Canton City Council, one wonders what contribution he would make to the improvement of Canton (other than to follow the lead of Smuckler)?

The SCPR got to know Harmon from his days as commissioner and to say the least The Report was not impressed.

His big economic development project as commissioner was to promote the building of a horse show arena on the Stark County fairgrounds.

And, of course, we all know where that went:  absolutely nowhere.

Unfortunately, Canton may end up with two at-large councilpersons (as among Babcock, Cirelli and Harmon) who in the judgment of the SCPR have little if anything to offer towards the revitalization of Canton.

Hopefully, independent Councilman-at-Large Richard Hart will run for reelection (filing deadline, May 4, 2015).

Hart does have a vision for Canton possessed by neither neither of the three mentioned above, at least, as demonstrated to date.

While Cantonians will elect three at-large council persons in November, in terms of substance there may be only one choice; namely Bill Smuckler, should Hart decide not to run.

And that is how the SCPR comes to equate the at-large candidacies as perhaps being a Hobson's Choice.  The only "real" choice (absent Hart) being Bill Smuckler.

WARD 1

l

Greg Hawk is probably Canton City Council's most adept financial councilperson.

And, before Mayor Healy had his way in getting him removed as chairman of the finance committee for one term (2012 - 2013), he was a festering sore to the mayor.

Well, guess what?

He's back!

With the change in the composition of council in the elections of 2013, he regained his coveted finance chairman post.

And Hawk does have a mouth on him.

He often weighs-in during council work sessions and has a decent handle on city finances.

It was painful though to hear him talk (several weeks ago) about the Onesto TIF as the "to be cut out of 75% of tax revenues" Stark County political subdivisions as getting 25% of something rather than 75% of nothing.

The SCPR thinks (as stated above) that Coon was going ahead with the Onesto project whether the TIF passed council or not.

So it appears that the TIF is one gigantic taxpayer give-away.

In most instances, The Report agrees with Hawk's financial take and believes him to be an effective watchdog of Canton taxpayer money but not on the Onesto thing.

Tim Porter does not seem to have any particular agenda/point-of view and likely would be like a potted plant waiting for the mayor or a city administrator to water the plant.

WARD 2

Long time Ward 2 CouncilmanThomas West may be the most talented of all Canton City councilpersons IF one looks at the "potential" of a person.

The SCPR sees him as:

• being intellectually sharp,
• having high grade communication skills,
• being politically sophisticated,
• having a astute awareness of Canton's problems, and
• demonstrating passion for issues he cares about

However, The Report sees him as excessively self-serving and prone to sophistry and "out-of-touch with reality" on some issues and largely misguided in how to achieve fairness for Canton's African-American residents.

If West could ever "get his leadership act together," he could be a dynamo in providing Canton Council with substantive issue expertise (meaning well researched and urbanely presented).

His work on the proposal to bring traffic cameras was impressive.

However, he failed to be in touch with the sentiments of the constituents of his fellow councilpersons (also, likely his own) and therefore was unable to close the deal.  

West does aspire to leadership, witness his (in the opinion of the SCPR) disruption of Canton City Council getting going in its current term (ie. 2014 - 2015) in dragging out the selection of a new majority leader (vice president of council,)  in competing with ultimate winner Ward 9 councilman Frank Morris.

That he competed was desirable.  That he dragged the process out in technical legal grounds was not.

The SCPR thinks, though generally liked by his fellows on council, hurt himself in the leadership regard they hold for him in his "gilding the lily" on his vying with Morris.

The question with Councilman Thomas West if whether or not he can learn from experience and grow as a councilperson so that he can achieve a leadership role.

For West will be around as Ward 2 councilman for as long as he wants.

He seemingly has a nemesis opponent in Gloria E. Norris. 

This year's May 5th Democratic Primary will be her third try going back to 2011.

West has trounced her but good in two tries to unseat him (once in the 2013 Democratic Primary and once in the 20122 general election).

In 2013 he pushed for a change in Canton Council's election cycle from two years to four years.

What was that all about?

The SCPR longs for Ward 2 Councilman Thomas E. West to reach his potential as a Canton City Council leader and concomitant as an effective Canton/Stark County African-American leader.

One thing about West that absolutely drives the SCPR up a wall is his constant bellyaching about the futility of African-Americans achieving elected office proportional to their over all numbers place in Canton/Stark County.

More numerous African-Americans in Canton/Stark County government would be, the SCPR thinks, a good thing.

However The Report has seen nothing from West in the way of creating/developing a political, educational and "preparation for governance" structure that will enhance the prospects for African Americans to attain leadership posts.

West himself has shown (November, 2006) that he has wide political appeal across Stark County.

Note that West substantially out polled a well known former Stark County judge running for the same state senate position only four years before.

There are not 55,541 African-Americans living in Stark County.  And there certainly not 55,541 registered to vote African-Americans.

Moreover, President Barrack Obama won Stark County in 2008 and 2012.

So it is utter nonsense that African-American cannot win in Canton citywide and countywide.

• Note:  One of the reasons West is opposed to charter government for Canton is his concern that he fears that it could lead to less minority representation on council.

If a person like West and his enormous potential would focus more on action than bellyaching, he could be the catalyst to bring increasing numbers of African-Americans into leadership roles in the county and the county seat.

Councilman West needs to:

• forget the likes of "The Rooney Rule, and
• put his innate abilities to work on devising ways and means for getting African-Americans into their rightful place of being competitive across Stark County and Canton,
• for example:  create an education and training structure which citizens are recruited to participate in so that a pool of candidates are at the ready to run in wards and at-large.
• now that would be leadership

The SCPR will say it again.  

Thomas West has the potential to be one of Canton's and Stark County's finest leaders.

But time is moving on faster than he apparently thinks.

It could be that when his time has come and gone, the talk will still be about "the potential of Councilman Thomas West."

WARD 3

Late last year Ward 3 Councilman Jim Griffin announced he would not see another term as the ward's councilman.

The lingering memory of the SCPR is a campaign appearance a number of years ago in which the councilman's main point was "how much I enjoy being councilman."

Well, as far as The Report is concerned, that doesn't quite cut it in terms of qualification being a Canton councilperson.

So the news that Griffin was steeping aside was good news to the SCPR in the hope that more vigorous and intent in being engaged candidates might emerge.

And perhaps in Ryan Brahler and Jason Scaglione such might be in the offing.

However, they, despite their relative youth when compared to Griffin, may prove more of the same.

Scaglione has showed some fire in taking to the lectern during Public Speaks at Canton council.

Here is a LINK so that readers can get a sampling of Scaglione's approach.

Brahler is a member of the Canton City Schools Board of Education (president of the board, believe it or not) which is mired in a controversy about whether or not Canton's two high schools (Timken and McKinley) should be merged beginning with the 2015/16 school year under the banner of McKinley with all of Canton's grades 10 through 12 being sent to the current McKinley facility.

How he votes on February 25th on the CCS merger, could go a long ways in determining whether or not he realizes his dream of being a Canton councilman.

Two years ago Brahler toyed around with running as an independent but was denied ballot access by the Stark County Board of Elections.

It appears (given that he's jumping ship this election cycle) that his running for and being elected a CCS-BOE member in 2011 (unopposed) was not because he has passionate about being a BOE member.  But rather as a way-station waiting for Griffin to step aside.

Brahler strikes yours truly in having an anemic public presentation tone to him that if elected suggests that he will be a Jim Griffin-esque city councilman.

Scaglione on the other hand appears to be a forceful personality.

WARD 7

Zutali has run for Ward 7 councilman before.

He is an able candidate but he has the misfortune insofar as the SCPR is concerned to be running against one of Canton City Council's more energetic, thoughtful and visionary councilpersons.

Mariol is one of a group of four "young" councilpersons, except, perhaps for Majority Leader (vice president of council) Frank Morris which group, in addition to Morris, includes Ward 5 councilman Kevin Fisher and Ward 8 councilman Edmond Mack.

Mariol has a visionary quality about him.  He is a major proponent of the Market Square (3rd St, North/Market Avenue, North) project now being talked about and planned.

While the SCPR sees Mariol as one of council's better thinkers, he can get ahead of himself when he allows his enthusiasm for moving Canton forward cloud his judgment in considering whether or not council ought to be funding this or that project.

An example is to be found on the Onesto TIF project.

Mariol's reasoning for voting to approve the TIF is to put Coon's company in the best possible position to repay a $2 million loan which Canton has underwritten with its bonding power.

So you probe deeper with a company that you question whether or not it can repay a substantial loan?

Doesn't make any sense to the SCPR.

And, of course, "the going in deeper" costs Stark County political subdivisions some $2 million over ten years for a project that some think is going forward even if the TIF is not passed.

More vetting needed to be done by Mariol and other supporters of the TIF in order to make sure that BUT FOR council approving the Onesto TIF the project would not have gone forward.

The vetting was not done.

The SCPR expects more of Mariol and Mack.

Morris deserves accolades for penetrating the hype and cheerleading for the TIF in stepping back and looking at the Onesto thing and saying:  "You know what, this guy (Coon) is going to complete the Onesto Lofts EVEN IF Canton does not give away $2 million of Stark County political subdivison money!"

That's what the SCPR expects of a thoroughgoing majority leader of Canton City Council.

Morris being the oldest of council's newest and youngest foursome may well also by virtue of greater life experience be the wisest, no?

CONCLUSION ON CANTON FILINGS

All-in-all, the SCPR is not impressed with the filings for Canton mayoralty/council candidates.

While Fisher, Mack, Mariol, Morris, Hawk, Smuckler provide consistent and well thought out leadership; it is "hit and miss" with the rest of them and in the case of a few "completely miss."

The Stark County Republican Party has shown itself to totally unworthy to call itself the "Stark County" Republican Party by virtue of its complete abandonment of having candidates for Canton government posts.

Get this.

Not one Republican is vying for Canton government office.

One lady did take out petitions for Ward 3, but she did not file.

Jeff Matthews should have been dumped by the Party long ago.

Under his leadership, the Stark GOP is irresponsibly ignoring its obligation to put competitive heat on the supermajority (Richard Hart, a former Republican and now independent is currently councilman-at-large) Democrats who control Canton government.

Here's a guy who The Report is told by super-knowledgeable Republican "in-the-trenches" workers not to bother encouraging everyday Republicans to seek election as precinct committeepersons.

Why?

Undoubtedly, the SCPR thinks, because he is unsure whether or not he can control them.

When citizens do not run for the office, guess who gets to appoint them?

You've got it!  Chairman Matthews.

Shame on Chairman Jeff Matthews and the "Stark County?" Republican Party for being absentees in Canton's and Stark County's political/government mix!

Had there not been what local civic activist Craig T. Conley names as being Zeiglergate (2009 - 2011); one  has to wonder whether or not Republicans would hold any countywide non-judicial elective offices, no?

CLOUDY DAYS IN OFFING FOR CANTON CITY SCHOOLS' "BRIGHTER TOMORROW?"

UPDATE:  10:00 AM

At Wednesday's (January 14, 2015) Canton City Schools' Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Adrian Allison (superintendent for little over a year) (LINK to prior SCPR blog featuring Allison in video) unveiled a plan to merge Canton McKinley High School (adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame) with Timken High School which is located in downtown Canton close to he intersection of Tuscarawas St W and McKinley Avenue.

The SCPR received a communication from Canton City Council Vice President Frank Morris, III which voices his individual concerns (i.e. not speaking for council as a whole) about the announced plan to merge which The Report publishes in this blog (see below) in its entirety (restructured for clarity sake).

The theme of the email as the SCPR interprets it is that the Canton City Schools and Superintendent Allison are "out-of-touch" with the greater Canton school community and therefore have created more "turmoil" for an already struggling city.

Although Morris disclaims speaking for council as a whole or other councilpersons, the SCPR does not totally buy that line.

Morris certainly has the strength of personality and character to be "a lone wolf, the SCPR thinks that he does express the sentiments of councilpersons other than himself.

It appears that Allison and the BOE have stumbled and bumbled their way into a  communication/relationship problem and consequently there may have to be a major rework of Phase III the CCS "Brighter Tomorrow" concept.  (LINK to Phase I, LINK to Phase II)

The Allison invitation:

The Morris email response:

Mr.  Allison

 I respectfully decline your offer to attend the meeting to discuss your Brighter Tomorrow Phase III plan. 

Canton City Schools called for a special meeting to unveil this plan before having conversations with community leaders. 

If our opinions or concerns were truly relevant to your plans you would have consulted us prior to scheduling the special meeting. 

I do not disagree with the concept that Canton may very well only need one high school however your disregard for the turmoil this will create in the community is unacceptable. 

Canton City School Board and yourself have laid out a plan for the future and neglected to include the residents, and taxpayers of the district.

I have believed for years that our school district has lost all concern for our neighborhoods in the city. 

Now the school district is going one step further by:

• stripping the identity from the elementary schools and junior high schools. 
• One mascot, same school colors, 
• the loss of neighborhood schools, 
• vacant schools, and 
• children being bused out of their neighborhoods 

are examples of a lack of concern for our neighborhoods and is proving to be detrimental to Canton.

The merge[r] of the high schools maybe the only alternative based on our population and limited resources. 

My issue with this is the lack of communication between the district and the community. 

This is going to be a heated debate between Timken supporters and McKinley supporters which is going to divide our city. 

You took it upon yourself to exclude many elected officials, community leaders and the general public in coming up with this plan. 

If you would have made an attempt to gain public support prior to unveiling this plan my attitude would be different. 

I am not speaking for my colleagues on Canton City Council on this issue as I am sure we will all view this differently. I am expressing my concerns as taxpayer, parent and ward councilm[a]n. 

You didn't ask for my input before you went public so don't ask for it now.

Respectfully,
Frank Morris
Ward 9 Councilmen

Morris (completing - this year - his second two year term) is:

• a Perry High School graduate
• a Democrat who represents Ward 9, and
• majority leader of council, and a member of the:
• Rules Committee (Chairman), 
• Parks & Recreation Committee
• Community & Economic Development Committee
• Public Property Capital Improvement Committee 
• Judiciary Committee

A most disturbing implication of Phase III of the CCS Brighter Tomorrow Phase III is that Canton's long term decline is projected to continue in terms of population base and a concomitant reduced student population thereby, for financial reasons, necessitating the shrinkage of the CCS school complex.

Phase III is, the SCPR thinks, a sort of a "in your face" (i.e. "Here is reality folks!") to Canton's political/government leadership and "a vote of no confidence" that they are going to be able to turn Canton around in the immediate near future.

This apparent reality is a tough "pill to swallow" in particular for members of Canton City Council in view of the struggle they are "up to the necks in" as they search for ways and means to stop the bleeding (e.g. $300,000 plus to the Canton Citywide Comprehensive Plan, $5 million to the Hall of Fame Village project, loan/TIF for the Onesto project, 12th Street corridor project, Mahoning Road corridor project et cetera) and ultimately restore Canton to a pathway of health and growth.

The SCPR thinks that Morris is correct in saying that Canton with the selling of Phase III of Brighter Tomorrow, there is going to be a new doses of turmoil in Canton political and government circles.

It does seem that the CCS BOE is on an island by itself and is not communicating with Canton's political leadership effectively.

Morris is right to make an issue of the failure of communication, coordination and inclusion.

The question is whether or not the superintendent and the BOE members have the skills to adjust and correct the glaring error they have stumbled and bumbled into.

WARD 9 COUNCILMAN FRANK MORRIS: THE ONESTO TIF - A CASE OF CANTON CITY COUNCIL MAKING THE RICH RICHER! UNNECESSARILY?

VIDEOS

Deputy Mayor Fonda Williams

on

the

Onesto Loffs

Tax Incentive Financing

=======================

COUNCIL MEMBERS

"SOUND OFF"

ON

TIF ISSUE

SMUCKLER

BABCOCK

FISHER

MORRIS

WEST

MARIOL

SCHULMAN 

HAWK

=======================

LAW DIRECTOR

JOE MARTUCCIO

=======================

MAYOR WILLIAM J. HEALY, II

=======================

MORRIS

POST-MEETING INTERVIEW

======================= 

In a YouTube published video made in 2008 (LINK, the source of his photo above), Steve Coon of Louisville (Stark County) makes an impressive presentation on the potential of a restored/reconfigured (1928 built, 1930 opened) Onesto Hotel (Wikipedia Commons photo credit LINK) which is sited in the core of downtown Canton at 2nd Street, NW & Cleveland Avenue.

Note:  The video was made available to the general public on YouTube "courtesy of Deloris Angeli from Plant Et Art and the Sadie M. Angeli Foundation."  The SCPR encourages readers to pause and view the video.

The project is billed on the YouTube site as being the "Historic Onesto Loffs Renovation - 2008."

According to Coon in the video, he paid $100,000 to acquire the building.

When he gets done, according to an "independent" audit ordered and paid for by the City of Canton, it will be worth $10.8 million when completed.

But if his optimism and projected occupancy rate of the 45 apartments that comprise the project prove accurate (93% in the first year, according to local media reports), it seems to the SCPR that Coon will net over $1 million yearly by 2020 and accordingly and seemingly will recover his personal and his company's funding/underwriting of the heavily taxpayer subsidized project in just a few years.

Coon, who has been restoring historic buildings for over 30 years,  back in 2012 completed what appears to be a similar restoration in Hamilton, Ohio.

Along the way in proceeding on the Onesto project, Coon and his company will have had a lot of taxpayer support at the federal, state and local government levels.

So far, it appears (from local media reports) to the SCPR that he has received some $4.05 million in federal and state grants including a $1 million Clean Ohio grant for asbestos removal.

Coon specifically mentioned the Clean Ohio subsidy in the video referred to above.

And it looks like Canton is going to kick in:

• perhaps as much as another $2 million or so in the form of a proposed Tax Incentive Financing (TIF),
• 75% of property taxes returned to Coon's enterprise; 25% to local government entities for a 10 year period of time,
• as well as guaranteeing - in effect - via a city issued bond, a $2 million loan
• with the risk that the project does not pan out and the city might be left "holding the bag" or some portion thereof.

The SCPR thinks that Ward 9 Councilman Frank Morris, III may well be correct in his prediction (see video below) that Coon will complete the Onesto restoration EVEN IF Canton City Council decides not to do a TIF on the property.

If he is correct and a majority of his council fellows join him in voting down the proposed TIF, then Canton and various other Stark County political subdivisions could have the benefit of a $10.8 million fair market value property to draw $300,000, more or less, upon in property taxes annually to be divided accordingly a formula (effective tax rate) shown in a SCPR generated spreadsheet published later on in this blog.

If council approves the TIF, which is highly likely, then Stark's political subdivision by the SCPR's analysis see them only having about $70,000, more or less, annually to divide up.

While the SCPR agrees with Ward 1 Councilman Greg Hawk "in theory" it is better to get 25% of something, rather than 100% of nothing."

The "reality" seems to be that the Onesto rehab is likely "a done deal" in terms of going forward to completion - "no matter what,"  and consequently Canton's legislature may be giving Steve Coon and his enterprises "something (vitally needed taxpayer dollars to support vital local government services) for nothing."

The "reality" may be that the Onesto TIF is unnecessary and therefore to the tax revenue detriment of:

• Stark County government, 
• Canton city government itsef,
• the Canton Joint Recreation District
• the Stark Parks, 
• the Stark County District Library, and
• various mental health agencies and 
• children services.

At a work session of Canton City Council last Monday (January 5, 2015), there was a thoroughgoing discussion of the proposed TIF.

DEPUTY MAYOR FONDA WILLIAMS
 
Williams opens the discussion chaired by Ward 4 Councilwoman Chris Smith.

He describes and summarizes the general terms of the TIF and answers questions posed by council members.

COUNCILMAN BILL SMUCKLER

Does the "Urban Redevelopment TIF"  include the adjacent Bliss Tower and attendant parking garage?

COUNCILMAN JIMMY BABCOCK

Is the Onesto project being treated differently than the hotel that was recently constructed alongside of Interstate 77 south of Canton.

COUNCILMAN KEVIN FISHER

(CONTENDED BY COUNCILMEN HAWK & SMUCKLER on getting into matter of developer/union negotiations)

Does Canton have a history of doing TIFs?

How is that Mr. Coon terms the project as being "residential" when it comes to dealing with union wage rates (commercial mandating higher wages) but then "commercial"when it comes to a TIF inasmuch as residential properties are not eligible for TIF status?

COUNCILMAN FRANK MORRIS

(Councilman West joined-in on matter of improving "core" downtown Canton beyond one building)

Morris:  Why is Canton abiding a millionaire coming to council for a tax break after Canton government having already provided for a $2 million loan to his company on the same project?



COUNCILMAN JOHN MARIOL

Isn't it important to approve the Onesto TIF in order to enhance Coon's ability to repay the $2 million loan already provided to his company by Canton City Council?



COUNCIL PRESIDENT ALLEN SCHULMAN

Isn't the key in approving the Onesto TIF to protect the $2 million loan investment already agreed to and to forward council's commitment to improving downtown Canton?

COUNCILMAN JIMMY BABOCK 
(a former Stark County auditor's office employee)

Is the high appraisal designed to provide more taxpayer dollars to Coon's company?




LAW DIRECTOR JOE MARTUCCIO

Explains the steps involved in approving the Onesto TIF.



COUNCILMAN GREG HAWK
(chairman of CCC Finance Committee)

Makes the point that 25% of something is far better than 100% of nothing, Mayor Healy agrees with him.

How about that!


MAYOR WILLIAM J. HEALY (his part in video)


SCPR question:  If council does not approve Onesto TIF, is it "a deal killer?"



COUNCILMAN MORRIS

Says a few councilpersons will join him in voting "no" on Onesto TIF.

If council would reject the TIF,  the Onesto project will still go forward to completion.

As the SCPR understands TIFs (be sure to take a look at this explanatory LINK) of this variety, Coon's company will receive 75% of property tax receipts calculated on the Canton City School District (CCSD, 00020) rate to spend on the restoration over the next 10 years. Assuming the Stark County auditor deems the independent appraisal ordered and paid for by Canton government to be an accurate "fair market value" statement of value, here is what the SCPR calculation looks like:

 


So, by the SCPR's calculation, the TIF could generate over $2 million additional for the Onesto restoration. On other side of the equation is how much in terms of absolute dollars (25% of the 35% taxable value assuming a fair market value of $10.8 million) remains to be distributed over the next 10 years to other Stark County political subdivisions (CCSD) recipients of property tax revenues. Here is the SCPR "projection" (note emphasis on "projection"):



  

Right now, these local governments get next to nothing. 

As Ward 1 Councilman Gregory Hawk said in last Monday's council work session:  "25% of something is better that 100% of nothing." And Mayor William J. Healy, II agrees with him. 

Morris did vote with the rest of council back on  September 15, 2014 (a 12 to 0 vote) in agreeing to the issuance of a bond to provide Historic Onesto, LLC (a Coon company) with a $2,000,000 loan to use in completing the Onesto Loffs, to wit:

The Director of Public Service, on behalf of the City of Canton, is authorized and directed to enter into an interest bearing loan agreement in a principal amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 with Historic Onesto, LLC in order to provide gap financing for Phase One of the Historic Onesto, LLC Redevelopment Project. 

The execution of said loan agreement is contingent upon passage of pending supplemental legislation which shall provide for the initial designated capital funding, the creation of loan fund(s), with necessary appropriations, and the issuance of bond anticipation notes.

The interest rate shall be determined based on what rate the city shall be obligated to pay plus costs, and basis points.  The final interest rate shall be defined and will be included in all supplemental legislation

It appears to the SCPR that the TIF will pass, but Morris says he will not be among those voting "aye." 

Morris' point of how well the entrepreneural class does at the public trough appeals to the SCPR in that one that the SCPR thinks deserves very careful consideration. 

Council should approve the Onesto TIF:

• if BUT FOR the TIF, the Onesto project will not be completed, then
• Should a councilperson be satisfied that BUT FOR  is NOT the case, he/she needs to go one step further (before approving the TIF) and consider:
• the number, quality of and duration of jobs the project will generate,
• the degree of aesthetic enhancement to downtown Canton, and
• the value in putting the Onesto back on the property tax rolls beyond 2025 at 100% of the revenues goong to the political subdivision beneficiaries 

Moreover, in this step (assuming the analysis gets beyond the BUT FOR test), members need to ask whether the overall benefit benefit substantially outweighs

• the risk of the possibility that the project might fail and the city loses upwards of $2 million on a loan gone bad, and 
• the additional loss of some $2 million plus in a TIF that would be better spent on other projects (i.e. "the opportunity cost." 

In the event that the Onesto would be completed anyway should the TIF not be approved by council and council goes and approves it nonetheless, such is somewhat reminiscent of North Canton Council (the SCPR's very favorite Stark County city council) action in May, 2009 approving a $6,600 abatement without the company having asked for it in the first place.

Undoubtedly, Stark County taxpayers think it is hunky-dory for council persons to give away taxpayer money either when unasked for or not a difference maker as to whether a economic development project goes forward.

Maybe Canton's council persons who are about to approve the Onesto transaction (assuming it would go forward without the TIF) relate to former North Canton councilman (in fact, council president at the time) Daryl Revoldt's "we want them to feel loved" sentiment?

There is of course one important difference between the North Canton situation and the Canton one.  Steve Coon very much wants the TIF.  And he has some very important and powerful people in Canton government who support his quest.

Of course, these are taxpayer dollars; not the personal dollars of the decision making government officials involved.

Go figure! no?

One final point on the Onesto valuation, the SCPR thinks, is at play.

And that is the role of Stark County auditor Alan Harold.

The auditor's office will make the determination of what the fair market value of a restored Onesto will be.

This is how Harold put it in an e-mail to the SCPR's question about the process, posed on Friday:

Martin - thanks for the note.  I have not seen an appraisal so I don't want to opine on its purpose or any of its conclusions.

As to what the values we will assign to the parcel, the staff is still completing its work (and, coincidentally, had a site visit today).  The next value we set will be for 1/1/2015 and that will be made available sometime mid-summer.

So, what's the point?

Well, Harold, not that many years ago worked for Steve Coon's company.

Harold had worked at Huntington Bank.

In 2007/2008, he got the itch to run for Stark County treasurer.

In hindsight, there are undoubtedly many Stark County officials (including Democratic officials) who wished that he would have run in 2008 and won.

But, as the SCPR has written in prior blogs, it appears that political pressure was brought to bear on Harold in 2008 (a staunch Republican) by high up Huntington Bank officials to condition Harold's continuing employment with the bank on his not taking on the-then treasurer Gary D. Zeigler.

Of course, we all know the rest of the story.

For those readers who are new to the SCPR or new to Stark County, here is a LINK for you to catch up on 2009 through 2011 developments in the Stark County treasurer's office)

Nobody can blame Harold for backing out in face of the Huntington Bank hierarchy's edict.

Interesting enough, Harold decided to move on from Huntington and went to work for Coon's company.

As events from what local attorney and civic activist Craig T. Conley coined as being "Zeiglergate" unfolded,  Harold decided to run against one-time Zeigler political pal Kim Perez for county auditor.

And in November, 2010 he was elected as county auditor.

The Report thinks very highly of Harold.

However, nobody gets by the scrutiny of The Stark County Political Report.

In view of the past employment connection between Harold and Coon's company, the SCPR thinks Harold should recuse his office from the Onesto valuation process.

He should ask another highly competent by reputation county auditor office with no connection whatsoever, past or present. with Coon or his commercial enterprises to make the determination of the fair market value of a fully restored Onesto.

Whatever value is assigned to the Onesto property must be constructed to stand the test of time and challenge.

Councilman Babcock, the SCPR thinks, implied in his line of question last Monday that it is in Coon's interest to have a "high" appraisal now so that he gets a return of more taxpayer dollars from the 75% TIF.

In ten years, the entire "taxable" (the 35% figure) valuation will revert to Stark County political subdivisions and the work done in 2015 needs to be well-founded enough that the increase inures to the benefit of those subdivisions.

Understandably, Coon or a successor business, playing the astute businessperson, might want to challenge the 2015 valuation a few years down the road.

And that's every taxpayer's right under the law of Ohio.

Accordingly, the work done now must be absolutely solid and not vulnerable to attack.

Again, the SCPR thinks Harold is a public official of very high character and would insist on thoroughgoing and documented standards being implemented in the Onesto fair market value determination process.

However, in view of his past Coon connection (chief of financial operations), his office should farm out the Onesto fair market value determination process.