(VIDEOS) STARK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS "REQUIRING" OTHER COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ATTEND 2011 BUDGET HEARING. HMM?

Yours truly could scarcely believe what was being said, but it is true:  Stark County commissioners "apparently" are making it "required" for other Stark County elected officials (or, presumably, their surrogates) to appear at upcoming 2011 budgetary hearings set to begin in the first part of December.

See the following video for confirmation.



Yes, the days are long gone that an elected official can be spotted sitting in his office frequently listening to music on his stereo headphones.

All county offices are facing a 16% cut in their funding coming from the county general fund in 2011.  The cuts will be in the 30% range in 2012 unless the county's financial picture changes dramatically between now and then.

Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero's office should be in for an even greater than minus 16 percent cut in 2011.  His office already gotten a $107,000 advance from commissioners out of the county's budget stabilization fund ("rainy day" fund).  If Commissioner Steve Meeks has it right, commissioners will get the $107,000 back by making deeper cuts to Ferrero's 2011 funding.

As far as the "required" appearance goes, the SCPR has this question:    How is this going to play with the Stark County Court of Common Pleas and the 5th District Court of Appeals (headquartered in Canton)?

These folks don't take orders (except from the Ohio Supreme Court).   They issue orders.  Should be interesting?

Below is the video of the bulk of the discussion between County Administrators Mike Hanke (the chief) and his top assistant Rick Flory and the commissioners.

(VIDEO) IS COMMISSIONER PETE FERGUSON THE BEGINNING OF A NEW BREED STARK COUNTY POLITICIAN?

It could be that Stark County's elected officials are "finally" getting the message.

Two-year Commissioner Pete Ferguson appears to have gotten it.  At the commissioners September 15th meeting he described for fellow commissioners Bosley and Meeks an effort he was spearheading to attain more efficiency in getting the county and Canton's building departments "under one roof."

Stark Countians in their rejection of the retention of the commissioners-imposed sales tax (0.50 of one percent) in November, 2009 were sending a message to county office holders:  "do more with less!"

One of the ways the Stark's politicos can do more with less is to mesh repeated local government functions into centralized operations and finding ways to be more efficient internally.

The SCPR believes that Prosecutor John Ferrero hasn't gotten the message.  He was in recently to see the commissioners and was asking for $288,000 to get his office through the end of 2010, while admitting he knew the shortfall was in the offing months ago.  He apparently was hoping for a miracle.  Well, the miracle did not materialize.  One has to believe that he can be more efficient with his multi-million dollar annual county general fund budget - at least enough to save a mere $288,000.

It seems as if Stark County Auditor Kim Perez hasn't gotten it either.  Laurie Hoffman of the Alliance Review (Stark County Auditor Kim Perez responds to Cuyahoga auditor's performance evaluation, September 30, 2010) lays out some revealing data about how Perez manages his office, to wit:

 

Perez says that the comparison is like comparing apples to oranges.

Hmm?  

Before the fact of showing his inefficiencies, the SCPR has learned Perez could have opted out of the comparison study.  

So it only after the study puts his office in a bad light that it becomes like comparing apples to oranges.

Hmm?

Another glaring offender on the efficiency front are the Nimishillen Township trustees.  They could merge their CenCom emergency center dispatch into the new countywide system and save Nimishillen Township taxpayers money while providing "state of the art" emergency services dispatching to them; however, they have chosen to let their fire chief Rich Peterson be "the tail wagging the dog" for his own empire- building purposes.

While the SCPR applauds Ferguson for pushing his initiative, he is being far too diplomatic about it.

He  should not be talking merely about getting the two departments under one roof.  It should be an outright consolidation and if the bureaucrats and their supporting politicians won't abide a merger, then taxpayers need to send repeated messages that there will be no new money.

On other fronts, local government officials across Stark County should be doing some head banging, too!

There was a day that school, police and fire levies passed at the drop of a hat.

That day is long gone for school levies, accelerating for police levies and fire levies will be next.

Naming names and taking rank, name and serial number of the offenders, it is the likes of Ferrero, Perez and the Nimishillen trustees who are actual enablers of inefficiencies.

Public officials love to hide under the anonymity of phrases like "government inefficiency," the glittering generality that it is.

Not with the SCPR.  The Report will be stepping out front and center with the particulars about specific folks who are inefficient as office holders.

Other Stark County media have been protecting them far too long!

Here is a video of Commissioner Pete Ferguson explaining his project.

(VIDEO) BOCCIERI/RENACCI ON FREE TRADE VERSUS FAIR TRADE - BOCCIERI & RENACCI: SCPR "ON THE ISSUES"

The Stark County Political Report has a lot of film footage of Congressman John Boccieri (Democrat - Alliance) and Jim Renacci (Republican - Wadsworth), Boccieri's opponent, speaking on the issues that voters of the 16th Congressional District care about in making their choice which of the two to vote for in the election that is now underway (early voting is in progress).

Between now and the actual general election day of November 2nd, the SCPR will be running excerpts of the film footage showing Boccieri's and Renacci's articulations of their positions on the many issues that will factor in to voters' choices as to which will be the 16th District congressman come January 1, 2011.

Check back to the SCPR frequently as The Report will be inter-splicing many such excerpts on a daily basis between now and November 2nd.

In the following video Boccieri and Renacci "debate" the issue of "Fair Trade" versus "Free Trade."

(VIDEO) BOCCIERI ON ROLE OF GOVERNMENT - BOCCIERI & RENACCI: SCPR "ON THE ISSUES"

The Stark County Political Report has a lot of film footage of Congressman John Boccieri (Democrat - Alliance) and Jim Renacci (Republican - Wadsworth), Boccieri's opponent, speaking on the issues that voters of the 16th Congressional District care about in making their choice which of the two to vote for in the election that is now underway (early voting is in progress).

Between now and the actual general election day of November 2nd, the SCPR will be running excerpts of the film footage showing Boccieri's and Renacci's articulations of their positions on the many issues that will factor in to voters' choices as to which will be the 16th District congressman come January 1, 2011.

Check back to the SCPR frequently as The Report will be inter-splicing many such excerpts on a daily basis between now and November 2nd.

In this footage Congressman Boccieri speaks about what he thinks is the proper role of government in lives of everyday Americans.

BREAKING NEWS: COPY OF NOTICE OF FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE IN GRIFFING V. REDFERN (IN BOSLEY VERSUS SNITCHLER OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT #50 RACE)

The Stark County Political Report has just received a copy of a document sent by Ohio Elections Commissioner Philip Richter to Chris Redfern (chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party - ODP) which notices Redfern that the Commission has found "probable cause" that the ODP has violated Ohio Revised Code Section 3517.21(B)(10), to wit:

Hearing is set for October 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Elections Commission in Columbus.

The ODP has issued a press release explain its position on the "probable cause" finding, to wit:

Notice the admission (in the press release) that the ODP misstated the number of times that the ODP alleges that the Ohio Elections Commission has investigated Todd Snitchler.

The Report did ask Snitchler for a comment but he declined saying that he would not do so while the matter is pending hearing.

The question that is a serious one for the candidates is what impact the so called "the rat flyer" will have on the outcome of the race.

Snitchler forces, obviously, will be hoping that 50th District voters will react to the flyer as an example of the ugly politics that has no place in the electioneering.

Bosley supporters, on the other hand, want voters to ponder on whether or not Snitchler has ethical issues in how he comports himself as a legislator.  Moreover, Bosley's group want readers of the flyer to focus on the dire economic consequences for Stark County and all of Ohio that could follow if Snitchler is re-elected and successfully pursues getting House Bill 400 (the elimination of Ohio's income tax over ten years) passed.

Bosley has disassociated himself from the ODP-generated flyer saying that he does not equate Snitchler to being a rat and that he has no control over what the ODP puts out.

The SCPR does not buy such disclaimers by either side.  For The Report, "the buck stops with the candidate."

How the Elections Commission rules will weigh in on how much oomph each side's take has on the voters.

More than two weeks will still remain after the ruling is to be made.

So Stark Countians have not heard the last of "the rat flyer!"

NEW SET OF COMMISSIONERS (LIKELY, CREIGHTON & BERNABEI" ) TO BE A REHASH OF THE PAST?

With this statement in The Repository's piece yesterday:  Commissioner candidates sound off on legal powers, (material obviously discussed in the endorsement interviews of the paper's editorial board) to wit:

Candidates agreed economic development is needed to move the county forward. They aren’t sure, though, if creating a new economic development office is the way to go about it. Stark already has public-private partnerships, for example, with the likes of the Stark Development Board. (emphasis added)

Stark Countians should be despairing.  "Not sure" about "creating a new economic development office."  Whew!

Leave it or a hodgepodge of "private-public" partnerships?

• Well, the fragmented approach makes sense if public official wants to unaccountable.  Is this what Meeks, Creighton, Walters and Bernabei are about?

The SCPR would say that Stark County voters should NOT vote for any county commissioner candidate who hasn't offered up some sort of long term economic development plan against which to be measured in four and two years, respectively.  However, that would mean not choosing among the four candidates vying for office because none of them have come forward with such a plan.

So a secondary approach for voters has to be:  whom among the four is most likely to see the light, take the bull by the horns once in office and lead the way with a bold, creative and comprehensive economic development plan with success/failure built in measurement to make the proposer accountable to the voters in 4/2 years, respectively?

Yours truly has been fighting for years now to get Stark County's leadership to to "lead!"

Although it was naive to take former Stark County commissioner Tom Harmon at his word when he was appointed by the Stark County Democratic Party in 2007 that Stark County's economic development would be his main game, all one has in these times is to hope against hope that the utterances of the one likes of Harmon (a representation of the consummate politico) really means what he/she says rather than just spewing out the political rhetoric.

Harmon never did produce on his political blandishments.  Unless, that is, his promotion of Elizabeth Burick's idea of placing a horse show arena at the Stark County Fairgrounds is anywhere near being an economic development plan.

Burick's idea is a start.  But that is all it is.  The Stark County Fairgrounds are potentially a huge Stark County asset which could with creative and visionary leadership be the anchor of a rebuilt Stark County economy.  After all, agriculture is the major economic factor in all of Stark County.

Clark County, Ohio has done a magnificent job of redeveloping its fairgrounds.  Perhaps Stark Countians can learn from Clark's experience and build upon what already has been done.

A thoughtful, energized commissioner candidate could begin with Stark's fairgrounds as a hub and showcase for an economic redevelopment project.  He/she might want to push for the creation of a "Stark Fairgrounds Economic Redevelopment Project Committee" which would be staffed by graduates of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce's (CRCC)  "Leadership Stark County Signature Program."

Perhaps a retired Stark County leader of proven accomplishment in economical development in the private sector will step forward and volunteer his/her time to lead eager LSC graduates on such a quest.

Their mandate would be clear and to the point:  work with Stark County-based resources to create a concept plan for the complete reconfiguration of the Stark County Fairgrounds into a new and modernized facility that will yield manifold economic benefit for decades to come.

Concept drawings would be generated, cost would be projected and alternative and complementary sources of funding (e.g. bond, a countywide hotel and bed tax et cetera) proposed.

The SCPR has long been critical of Leadership Stark County (LSC) because it seems to The Report that its Signature and Government leadership groups are more credential and resume building phenomena than an effective producers of hands-on leaders who get things done for the benefit of Stark County.

It appears to The Report that Janet Creighton and Tom Bernabei will be the winning candidates in November.  However, whomever wins, it is essential for Stark County to dig itself out of its financial and economic morass for the victors to adopt a plan of action for long term economic action.

Moreover, the winning candidate need to have a financial responsibility plan in mind from day one of taking office.

Those Stark Countians (e.g. Vote No Increased Taxes Committee) who demand full and complete efficiency in government must be heeded.

Beyond making local government totally efficient, a forward-looking commissioner must find ways to fund local government in ways that Stark Countians buy into.  A likely candidate is a sales tax which is dedicated to funding criminal justice in Stark County.  Criminal justice expenditures account for 70% of the current general fund budgeting appropriations.

All five candidates have been disappointing to the SCPR in terms of them having affirmative and specific ideas on how to solve Stark County government's economic and financial problems.

The SCPR for one will be pushing, pushing and pushing still more until the commissioners get it.

Get it?

Yes, get it.

The days are long past that Stark Countians are going to allow a commissioner more than one term in office when that commissioner has been a "mere" occupant of a commissioner's seat.

Productiveness and accountability are now the markers for all who get elected to this office.

In terms of meaningful economic development and financial planning, none of the current crop of commissioners (Bosley, Ferguson nor Meeks) have measured up.  It is interesting to note that of the three, only Ferguson is likely to remain after November's election.

The question is:  will the new commissioner(s) be a spark for a re-energized and re-invigorated Stark County or will they mirror the staid and stale approach of commissioners of the past?

Because Bernabei or Walters will filling a two-year term, Stark Countians will have an opportunity to go to two new commissioners in 2012 if Ferguson and/or the new commissioner has not moved the economic development and financial planning model forward.

The 2012 elections will be a time of holding the incumbent accountable!

IN THE CASE OF STARK'S 9-1-1 PROJECT MGR SELECTION, BOTH "FORESIGHT" & "HINDSIGHT" WAS 20/20? NIMISHILLEN FIRE CHIEF RICH PETERSON RAGGING ON CONCATTO & HIS MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT?

UPDATE:  10/01/2010 AT 12:01 AM

9-1-1 PROJECT MANAGER JOE CONCATTO RESPONDS TO NIMISHILLEN TOWNSHIP FIRE CHIEF RICH PETERSON

Martin a few comments about your blog on September 28, 2010, regarding the County’s 9-1-1 Project:

First, let me be clear that the Countywide 9-1-1 Dispatch Center Plan is not a one man operation led by one person.  This project is governed by a Governance Board which is a sub-committee of the Stark Council of Governments (SCOG).  The Governance Board has eighteen members with representation from the Stark County Fire Chief’s Association, the Police Chief’s Association, the Sheriff, small townships, large townships,  the Criminal Justice Information System, Stark County Government, SARTA, the City of Canton, the public and each of the larger dispatch centers in the County including CenCom.   SCOG has representation from each of the 37 government entities in the County.   All policy and procedures, budgetary issues, spending of funds and direction of the project must be approved by the Governance Board and if required sent on for approval from SCOG.

The countywide Computer Aided Dispatch system and budget was one of those projects that were approved by both the Governance Board and SCOG.  The selection process for this project was the responsibility of the CAD Project Team which is an adhoc (sic) committee of the Governance Board.   This Team consisted of the Director of the RED Center, the Louisville Fire Chief, a Captain on the Alliance Police Department, the Director of Computer Systems for the Stark County Sheriff, the Applications Development Administrator for the City of Canton, and me. 

It is important to note that the new IP based 9-1-1 system is a completely private deployed intranet network that is closed off to the public with virtually no access to the system.  The System is monitored 24/7 365 days a year and has additional security built into the system by both AT&T and Plant CML. 

Our project is driven by the new technology that will be put into this Center.  The new IP based 9-1-1 system is scheduled for May of 2011 and the Countywide CAD system will take at least 18 months.  While these technologies are being developed we continue to move forward toward one Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in two locations.  This Plan brings to the County a more efficient and cost effective countywide dispatch center.  It represents regionalization of county services which is paramount in today’s economy.

The recent incident regarding a downed aircraft is an example of why we should have one center.  This technology would be put into one center and not nine.

Presently the county is paying approximately 6.4 million dollars for dispatching in the county.  The plan is to reduce this cost by 2 million dollars.  We would use the same user fee process that is presently be used in the county but at a lower rate for most users.

The 2.75 million dollars held by the Stark County Commissioners is appropriated to the Countywide 9-1-1 project regardless if it is transferred to SCOG or not.

My motivations are not driven by a higher pension but by a sincere desire to see our county improve on an antiquated county dispatch system that has been described as a disaster waiting to happen.  It is easy for someone to step on another’s character to enhance his ego; I think that’s called lack of character.

ORIGINAL POST

A well known saying is:  "hindsight is 20/20."  In the case of the person that the Stark County Council of Governments (SCOG) Governance Committee selection of a project manager it may be that the saying is in for revision:  "both foresight and hindsight are 20/20."

In mid-March, 2009 SCOG selected former Canton fire chief and Creighton administration official over Nimishillen Township Fire Chief Rich Peterson as project manager to oversee the consolidation of Starks 11 centers (including the Stark County Sheriff's call center) into one center with a backup.

The contest between Concatto (as a substitute for preferred choice Tom Nesbitt - former safety director for Canton's Healy administration) and Peterson was intense with a lot of political maneuvering going on.

For the SCPR, at the time of the selection, it was unclear who would be the better choice.  But that was not the case for SCOG Governance Committee chair Randy Gonzalez.  He was adamantly opposed to Peterson from the get-go and it turns out - in the opinion of The Report - that Gonzalez had better insight as to which choice would be best for Stark County in the end.

The wisdom of Gonzalez's choice became even more apparent to The Report this past Thursday night as yours truly engaged Rich Peterson in a discussion of the progress of reconfiguring Stark's 9-1-1 while at Nimishillen Township Hall on another matter.

The SCPR believes - in hindsight - that Peterson is proving himself a "sore loser" and doing what he can to make the remake of Stark's 9-1-1 as difficult as possible.  David Scheurer writing for The Repository on September 25th (Nimishillen Township meeting for September 24) wrote:

In the ensuing discussion,  Peterson had these raps on the Concatto-led 9-1-1 reform effort:

• The $160,000 allocated to selected a CAD system is a waste of money.  Something, Peterson says, was done in Nimishillen by in-house people with the capability to assess the quality of competing systems.  He says Stark County could do the same.
• Because the Stark system is Internet based, the Stark 9-1-1 is susceptible to being hacked by computer hackers and put out of commission.  The better system would be to have a hybrid system (a mix of Internet based and non-Internet).  Under a hybrid system, the system would be much more secure.
• Concatto (much older than Peterson and who makes about $75,000 annually) will not be the project manager much longer because his primary reason for wanting the position was to beef up his retirement benefits. 
• Who knows when Stark's 9-1-1 consolidation will be up and running.  Had the county gone with "the Peterson Plan," the system would fully functioning at a much cheaper cost.
• There have been two recent incident (one involving locating a downed aircraft) which Stark's EMA could not locate, but which Nimishillen's CenCom can and did locate.
• The county has no financial plan to support the redone countywide 9-1-1 dispatch long term.
• The $2.75 million held by the Stark County commissioners cannot be transferred to SCOG.

It is apparent to the Stark County Political Report that Rich Peterson is the "go to" guy in Nimishillen and obviously has the trustees (except maybe Allen Gress) in thrall.

As long as Rich Peterson is fire chief in Nimishillen Township, there is virtually no chance that CenCom will be merged into the Stark's countywide 9-1-1 system.

Undoubtedly, had Peterson be chosen as project manager; he would be singing an entirely different tune, no?