JACKSON TOWNSHIP PARKS AT RISK IF REP. SCHURING AND THIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ELIMINATE "ESTATE TAX?" WHERE DO THE JACKSON TRUSTEES STAND ON THIS ISSUE?

Probably the most consequential thing at last night Jackson Township trustees meeting was the news disseminated by Fiscal Officer Randy Gonzalez that the financial integrity of Jackson eight parks spread over 350 acres could be at risk if the Ohio Legislature votes to eliminate Ohio's estate tax.

Gonzalez (see video below) says that Jackson averages about $1 million annually from the tax.  Moreover, he says he budgets $500,000 annually.  So if the Legislature acts to eliminate the tax, for fiscal year 2011 Jackson Township has a $500,000 shortfall because the bill in its present form is retroactive to January 1, 2011.

Interesting enough, the trustees (Burger, Pizzino and Walters) uttered "not a word."  The SCPR has reason to believe that they support the elimination of the tax and therefore in conjunction with appears to be a pro-elimination sentiment by Jackson's state representative (Republican Kirk Schuring) are putting the financial health of Jackson's park system at risk.

Although Schuring has not publicly stated he supports the elimination of the estate tax, The Report believes that is exactly where he will land when a vote is taken.  Schuring has bucked the Columbus-based Republican establishment only once in his career (in the Senate) and was punished for doing so.  It is hard to believe he is going down that road again.

And make no mistake about it, eliminating the estate tax is one of the Republican "holy grail" issues in the 129th Ohio General Assembly.

The SCPR tried to ask Burger, Pizzino and Walters about their positions (face-to-face); however, they brushed off the attempt in their quest to get to their third executive session of the evening (two occurred in the 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM and then the third at the end of the regular trustee meeting).

The Report followed up the attempted face-to-face with e-mails but none of the trustees have responded as of the publication of this blog.  If any of them do, The Report will post them as an update.

Last night's session was the SCPR's first live visit to the Jackson trustees and it appears that they all are very good at glad handing.  A new fire chief was appointed and the trustees were besides themselves in joy and excitement.  But they seem to lose their enthusiasm when someone like the SCPR approaches them with some penetrating questions.

The same cannot be said for Fiscal Officer Gonzalez.  Readers of SCPR know that over the three years that yours truly has written the blog, Gonzalez has be the subject of quite of bit of criticism in his various roles (mostly political) in Stark County politics and government.  He appears to be much more mature in the respect than most Stark County politicians/government officials.

The Report believes Gonzalez when he expresses concern over the financial viability of Jackson's excellent park complex?

Apparently, the trustees and state Representative Schuring are not?

Here is a video showing Representative Schuring and Fiscal Officer Gonzalez speaking to the estate tax elimination matter.

A JANUARY THAW IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CANTON, JACKSON TOWNSHIP & NORTH CANTON?

As previously reported by the SCPR, WHBC's Ron Ponder ("Points to Ponder") did bring together officials from Canton, Jackson Township and North Canton to begin a healing process among some of Stark County's most important political entities.

Readers will recall that Canton and Jackson have teamed up in what can be best described in everyday human existence is known as a "lovers triangle" leaving North Canton on the outside looking in.

North Canton and Jackson had been discussing an annexation, but according to powerful North Canton City Council president Darryl Revoldt, broke up because of Jackson's demand that it be protected from "unwanted" annexation for 99 years and because the financial numbers did not make sense.

Spurned by North Canton, another Stark County political powerhouse, Randy Gonzalez (Jackson Township fiscal officer), turned to Canton and its political leadership (Mayor Healy and Councilman Smuckler - de facto leader of Canton Council) as a replacement suitor.

The Canton/Jackson "romance" took, but did generate "jilted-esque" hard feelings between former suitors Jackson and North Canton.  So much so that when Canton and Jackson "married," North Canton went to court to force an annulment.

So far the courts have said "no" to the North Canton effort to force Canton and Jackson apart.

But enter Ponder.  Being the wise man he is, Ponder knew that Canton, Jackson and North Canton weren't going anywhere.  They are going to be a part of Stark County for as long as there is a Stark County.

So it is best for themselves and, indeed, all of Stark County that they reconcile.

Ponder who, for years, has been a leading Stark County politics and government commentator and who knows Healy, Smuckler, Gonzalez, Held and Snyder (North Canton Councilman) well, did the right thing and a good thing.

Yesterday, he had the five over to WHBC for a little "let's make up" chit-chat.

And here are the results as reported to the SCPR by Ron:

First, he says:  "the bottom line is that they [Canton/Jackson on the one side; North Canton on the other] could not make definite agreements but agreed in general terms to some substantial items."

Second, the items:

1. North Canton has a water issue that Canton promised to resolve to North Canton's satisfaction;
2. Canton, Jackson and North Canton will work together on various future regional matters;
3. Working together on 9-1-1 dispatch; and
   
4. North Canton using Jackson's EMS collection service.

The SCPR reiterates that Ponder is to be appreciated by all Stark Countians for his effort at mediation.

He along with The Report will be monitoring how well Canton, Jackson and North Canton are doing at their "making-up" efforts.

One fly in the ointment, according to Ponder, could be North Canton council President Daryl Revoldt.

Ponder could be right.  The SCPR has talked with Revoldt at length about the Canton/Jackson and North Canton economic development love/hate triangle.  He is fully invested in terms of being a primary even if "in the background player."

The SCPR will continue to discuss the triad relationship with Revoldt in hopes in some small way The Report can help Ponder bring these Stark County communities together.

After all, "making up is fun to do!"  And and cooperative Canton, Jackson Township and North Canton benefits Stark County as a whole largely.

A renewed SCPR "tip of the hat" to Ron Ponder - "Points to Ponder" - WHBC-AM (1480 on your radio dial on Monday thru Friday 10:00 AM to noon).

WHO IS THE STARK COUNTY DEMOCRAT WHO WILL "GET MANNA FROM HEAVEN" COME DECEMBER 15, 2009?

Go to the bank with it.

Steve Meeks, former Jackson Township trustee and currently Region 9 Director for the Governor Ted Strickland administration (Economic Development), will become recently announced resignee Commissioner Tom Harmon's replacement.

The SCPR spoke with Meeks minutes ago and he has confirmed with The Report that he will be submitting a letter to the Stark County Democratic Party (Randy Gonzalez, chair) to be considered for appointment as Harmon's successor.

Chairman Gonzalez will be convening an assembly of the Stark County Central Committee members who will vote on various candidates that have submitted letters of candidacy on December 15, 2009.

The SCPR has spoken with Trustee and second-in-command at the Stark County Court of Common Pleas clerk of courts Louis Giavasis (Plain) and  Trustee Michael Stevens (Lawrence) who are considering submitting letters.

However, the SCPR believes that it is unlikely that either will submit letters.

Why?

Because they both understand two things.

First, Steve Meeks has talked with the governor and his chief-of-staff John Haseley for their feedback on what Meeks tells the SCPR has been his long term desire to serve as Stark County commissioner.

While Strickland and Haseley expressed sorrow at Northeast Ohio's (and the Strickland's administration)  loss if  the commissionership materializes.  Moroveover, they gave their blessing to his effort.

Pretty powerful support, no?

Second, Steve Meeks is a long term political ally of Stark County Democratic Party chairman Randy Gonzalez.  Gonzalez, as Jackson fiscal officer and former trustee himself, served along side of Meeks while Meeks was trustee in Jackson.

The SCPR is told that Gonzalez was very upset when Michael Stevens ran against Republican Jane Vignos four years ago.  Gonzalez (not party chairman at the time) was pushing hard for Meeks to be the candidate.

Both Stevens and Giavasis are politically astute enough to understand that a candidacy for the Harmon vacancy is not "really" an open process.  They understand that former Johnnie A. Maier, Jr. hand picked most of the members of the Democratic Central Committee and that his loyalists vote as Maier recommends to them.

You can bet that Gonzalez and Maier will be working the phones for Meeks.
 
Neither Giavasis nor Stevens are gluttons for punishment.   The aforementioned political realities will likely keep them for submitting letters to be considered.

Mike Stevens, for one, is looking at making the Democratic primary on May 4th to be a contested one.  He says he has been getting calls encouraging him to run.  Look for other Democrats to climb into this race.

One of them will not be Councilwoman Mary Cirelli.  She tells the SCPR that she's been there and done that and, moreover, she has a political adviser who has persuasively made the case to her that she should not run.

You can look for the same on the Republican side in terms of candidates lining up to run for the Harmon seat.

Next year will be exciting times for statewide races and countywide races in Stark County!

GONZALEZ "THE POLAR BEAR" ON A RAMPAGE?

Step aside North Canton unless you want to get run over!

Jackson fiscal officer and Stark County Democratic Party chair Randy "I use Stark County government as a family employment agency, Gonzalez has donned his "polar bear" personality and is "huffing and puffing" as if he is going to blow your house down.

Benjamin Duer in writing an account of a Jackson trustees meeting of last night (Jackson officials finalize economic development deal with Canton) and the Canton-Jackson frustration with North Canton's legal challenge to their joint economic venture, reported this statement made by Gonzalez, to wit:

Township Fiscal Officer Randy Gonzalez said Canton and Jackson represent nearly one-third of Stark County’s population, and that this economic development agreement has been delayed by a community of 14,000 people. ... Gonzalez estimated Canton and Jackson’s combined population at 124,000.

So that makes Gonzalez a "might makes right" guy.

Folks like Gonzalez in government often turn out to be very dangerous people. We already see how he uses government for his family advantage plan. What's next?

Is he going to use his considerable political power to punish North Canton for fending for its own interests?

Of course, he has a "higher purpose." He is only about "start working on and start economic development, and maybe create jobs" for Canton and Jackson. North Canton and the rest of Stark County can just go hang themselves in their state of economic despair?

The truth of the matter is that the Canton/Jackson economic development plan is a "House of Cards." Sam "the self-proclaimed 'Darth Vader to the Townships'" Sliman thinks he can bail out the Healy administration through annexation.

Healy himself has his eye on Kent State Stark and the Stark State College of Technology as a treasurer trove of more income tax revenue. What a deal for Canton. Not so good for the employees of the colleges. Pay the tax and get nothing for it.

Gonzalez in his capacity as a Jackson community leader hasn't be able to convince Jacksonians that their future lies in incorporating. Not this nonsense of making agreements whereby Canton/North Canton/Massillon will not annex for a zillion years.

If Gonzalez, Sliman and Healy are examples of what the future holds for Stark County in terms of style and quality of leadership, then these are the best of times for Stark (on a relative scale of being higher on the scale today than we will be tomorrow) and things will only get measurably worse as time passes unless and until Stark Countians reject leaders who continue like the aformentioned who persist in doing the same old things that produce negative results.

These are indeed troubled times for Stark.

And we all better run for cover for "da bear is on a rampage!"