IS HE SAINT STU OR SATAN STU?

Updated March 12, 2019  

Confirmation factor of SCPR sources' saying Stu Lichter has purchased the McKinley Grand?

For over a week now, The Stark County Political Report (SCPR, The Report) has been hearing that Pro Football Hall of Fame Village Expansion (HOF, HOF-VP)  developer Stu Lichter (also, IRG Lichter bio) has agreed to purchase the McKinley Grand Hotel located in downtown Canton.

Here is an e-mail from an indirect source:

It was announced at an annual Civil War Ball [Ohio Military Regimental Ball on or about February 16, 2019] that the hotel was bought out by Lichter and people should book their rooms ahead for next year. ... then told me her boss confirmed it and said the hotel was bought out by the Lichter organization.

The SCPR has been checking the Stark County auditor's office real estate transfer log and has not so far in detected a transfer so far this year of the McKinley Grand.

If true, the Canton city government may think of him as being Saint Stu.  Mayor Thomas Bernabei's administration is making strides in turning Canton's economic/financial slide of some 60 years.

However, the Bernabei administration must ramp up Canton's effort to encourage the development of "attractions" so that out-of-towners want to come to Canton and be downtown to enjoy the attractions.

Recently it was announced that downtown Canton is going to get a state-of-the-art WiFi infrastructure boost.

A purchase of the McKinley Grand by anybody (Lichter or some other person/entity) with a promise to plow money into updating the hotel would be would be music to the ears of Mayor Bernabei and Canton City Council members.

Such a development would be one more step forward on the long trek to recover some of Canton's greatness.

An attempt was publicly revealed (LINK) in September 2017 through December 2017 to sell Canton's only major hotel:  The McKinley Grand which originally opened in 1986 as a Hilton hotel to become briefly a Marriot hotel but mostly as an independently operated hotel which is its current status.   It's current owner took over in 2001.

In December 2017, it was reported that the downtown Canton hotel was taken off the market, it seems, because nobody was willing to offer the asking price.

If the report of an imminent sale to Lichter is true, one has to wonder how much Lichter paid for it.

According to Stark County auditor records (see below in this blog), the current appraised value is $4.5 million.

But who believes, again, if reports of the hotel's sale to Lichter is in the works, that he has paid $4.5 million.

Perhaps so but the SCPR would be shocked if a sale to Lichter is made and consequently the transaction gets processed through the Stark auditor's offer that it will show $4.5 million or better purchase price.

Lichter has demonstrated over years that he is a savvy real estate developer who makes terrific deals for himself through his company Industrial Realty Group (IRG).

To say it again, if a sale is in process, the threshold question is:

Does Canton and Stark County want more of Stuart Lichter as a new owner of the hotel?

This blogger has not heard many positives about Lichter in discussing with various Stark Countians their view of Lichter's role the HOF-VP and the Hoover complex (a North Canton redevelopment project.

The most heard observation made to this blogger is that when Lichter is gone from the local scene, then, and only then, will the hoped-for HOF-VP have a good chance of succeeding.

Those folks obviously see Lichter and the barrier he seems to embody of keeping the HOF-VP stagnate as being Satan Stu.

However, Hall Fame official C. David Baker likely remains a big fan of Lichter and probably addresses him as Saint Stu given this Repository article about the duo in July 2016.

Repository publisher Jim Porter and the likes of Denny Saunier (president, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce), the SCPR thinks, are likely to be advocates of Saint Stu.

Here is Lichter of Industry Realty Group (IRG) Twitter page image which appears to be his (and, perhaps, HOF top official C. David Baker) originally envisioned expansion plan, to wit:

But as we all know, the project is nowhere near the evolving vision (i.e. started out at about $500 million (including a stadium rehab of $22 million) to a nearly $1 billion (including the incomplete stadium rehab of at least $139 million) which should be (according to numerous promises made by HOF connected officials) nearly finished in time for the 100th anniversary of the National Football League birth.

HOF officials had hoped to bring the 2020 NFL draft to Canton.  That plan got modified to include Cleveland as the primary base for the draft with the third day in Canton, which plan, was rejected in early December 2018 inasmuch as Las Vegas was selected.

So far, it appears, approximately $200 million of a projected nearly $1 billion has been raised from the public (i.e. taxpayer money) and private sources.

And, from all appearances, is currently stopped "dead in its tracks" while the M. Klein financial group works feverishly to find some $800 million to complete the project as envisioned or, of course, a lesser amount if the project is in the process of being scaled down, which, The Report is told is the reality.

For instance, the original plan called for a 5-star hotel to be built on the HOF Village site.  Now, sources say the-hotel-to-be-built plan has been scaled down to a 3-star hotel.

Take a look at this Google search listing in order to get a sense of complaints made against Lichter/IRG over the years on previous projects he has embarked on.

We should not forget the troubles (LINK) the HOF-VP ran into in paying contractors who worked on Phase I on the project.

So if it is true that Lichter is buying the McKinley Grand the question is:  A Good or Bad thing for Canton and Stark County?

From a Google search:  There is a lot of difference between a 5-star hotel and a 3-star hotel. A 5-star hotel is a live expression of lavishness and luxury. Whereas a 3-star hotel is meant for travelers who can compromise a bit on facilities offered at the hotel in exchange for more relaxed and reasonable rates.

• One-star hotels: average $80, ...
• Two-star hotels: average $112, ...
• Three-star hotels: average $171, ...
• Four-star hotels: average $289, ...
• Five-star hotels: average $436, ...

Source:  Tailwind by Hipmunk

According to Yelp, The McKinley Grand is rated at 2.5-stars.

Currently, The McKinley Grand brings in about $117,000 in property tax revenues to Stark County political subdivisions.

Here is the valuation history going back 10 years.

If one were to ask North Canton Mayor David Held, he might well say that it is a bad thing.

Why is that?

Because, Held, who was an enthusiast for Lichter when he agreed to purchase the shutdown Hoover complex, was hopeful that Licher's arrival on the scene would be a successful repurposing of the complex.

LINK & see excerpt below

California developer Stuart Lichter swept up the vacant Hoover Co. campus at a bargain price Monday - paying $5 million for a property that, when occupied, might have fetched four times that. (emphasis added)

It has probably dawned on HOF officialdom that there is absolutely no way the average National Football League fan could afford to stay at a 5-star hotel.

And besides that, it is likely that Klein et al are having trouble getting financing for a 5-star.  David Baker himself has said there is no way that the private sector would finance a somewhere of the neighborhood (when it is completed) $150 million football stadium.

Even a 3-star hotel might be beyond the means of HOF attendees especially if a family with several children.

A return on investment for a 3-star HOF sited hotel might be hard to come by, no"

Of course, it will take generations to get a return on investment on a $150 million outlay in Canton, Ohio even if there is a large increase of visitors (now said by the Stark County Regional Planning Commission to be about 300,000 a year) coming to Canton.

Canton City Schools are finding out that it is taking forever to get the districts Football Operations Center (includes a locker room in replacement to the one torn down).

For those readers who want a fuller understanding of North Canton's frustration with Lichter, the SCPR blog of July 16, 2018, is a good starting place should go to the SCPR blog of July 16, 2018, in which Mayor Held speaks on video of his frustrations on the delayed development of the Hoover complex.

At the initial Strengthening Stark meeting in January 2018 on the encouragement of Stark County commissioner Janet Creighton "to let it all hang out" (a paraphrase), Held tied into HOF officials and by implication Stuart Lichter in suggesting that $30 million in federal EB-5 money had been diverted from the Hoover complex project to the HOF VP.

Held and council members have to be frustrated with Lichter.

Undoubtedly, there has to be more at this date in 2019 than the $6.7 million alleged by North Canton citizen activist Chuck Osborne alleged in August 2014 that North Canton has poured into the Hoover project.

Note:  From North Canton councilman-at-large Daryl Revolt 

Re North Canton and Meyers, the CIC purchased the cranes but still owns them.  The investment paid for itself within 4 years.  Value of used cranes was about half of purchase price.  DR

Recently, the Shroer Group announced that it was relocating from the former Hoover facilities thereby taking some 300 jobs from North Canton.

Frustrating indeed, no?

If Lichter is, in fact, buying the McKinley Grand, Cantonians ought to be bracing themselves for him to ask for property tax relief and some money from Canton taxpayers in the form of a grant or otherwise.

Back in 2015, Canton City Council did pony up $5 million towards the HOF-VP.

The question has always been on the HOF-VP, the Hoover project and, now, perhaps, a Stuart Lichter hotel owned hotel in the heart of downtown Canton is something will be beneficial or not.

If approached by Lichter, local government officials for local government grants or ways to funnel money into the $12 million rehab; they need to make sure that it is a "no-brainer" in terms of any such public investment paying off down the line.

If the project is a completely "private" investment matter, then Godspeed to Lichter and any other private sector investors who might be forking out $12 million.

Bottom line is that Canton mayor Thomas Bernabei and Canton City Council are likely to be thinking of Lichter as St Stu if the purchase becomes a reality.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of others in Stark County who as a reaction to the dealings they have had with him, view him as Satan Stu.

Which side do you fall on?

CELEBRATING WOMEN FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO A QUALITY AMERICAN LIFE

UPDATED ON 04/16/2019 TO ADD IN OHIO HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING IRENE BALOGH SMART

Last month the Stark County District Library (SCDL)  celebrated the contributions of African-American to the well-being of American life.

This month, another "legally-designated 'minority'" takes center stage at the SCDL, to wit:  WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH & INTERNATION WOMEN'S DAY, March 8, 2019.

From Wikipedia:  Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8, 2010.

On Monday, March, 4th, the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum will be presenting a program on Women's History at the North Branch of the Stark  County District Library.

As readers of this blog know, all Stark County Political Report (SCPR, The Report) blogs tie whatever the topic of a particular blog may be, to in some way, fashion or form tie it to a Stark County factor.

This blogger goes back a considerable piece (since 1974) as an attorney in Stark County and over the years can name a number of women who have contributed mightily to respect that Women have garnered over the years as an emerging leadership phenomenon in Stark County political and government circles.

First, on the list:

Irene Balogh Smart (March 24, 1921 – May 3, 2017) was an Ohio Democratic Party politician and a former member of the Ohio General Assembly. Smart was a graduate of Wittenberg University, Harvard University, and the William McKinley School of Law. An attorney by trade, Smart first ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in 1972 and defeated Republican incumbent Ross Heintzelman in a narrow victory. She won reelection in 1974 and 1976.

In 1977, Smart ran for Canton City Municipal Judge and won. She took the bench in 1978, resigning her House seat to do so, and was succeeded by Robert Regula. She served on the municipal court until 1985, when she moved up to the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. In 1988, Smart again moved up, this time to the Ohio 5th District Court of Appeals.  In 1994, Smart was unable to seek another term since she had hit the 70-year age limit and retired at the end of her term.

Here is an extract (restructured for clarity and essence) of  Ohio House Resolution 151 (2017)

2017 H.R 151 included as sponsors Christina Hagan (the 50^th) Kirk Schuring (the 48^th) and Thomas West (the 49th)

A R E S O L U T I O N

In memory of the Honorable Irene Balogh Smart.

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the132nd General Assembly of Ohio were deeply saddened to learn of the death of the Honorable Irene Balogh Smart and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Irene Smart left an indelible impression on the people whose lives she touched, and she will be remembered as an aspirited individual who contributed immeasurably to the world around her.

An attorney and former member of the Canton City Council,

she was elected by the people of the 49th district to serve as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for three terms, and

she also served as a judge for the Canton Municipal Court,

the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, and

the Ohio 5thDistrict Court of Appeals, from which she retired; and

WHEREAS, Irene Smart’s regard for improving the quality oflife in our society was clearly evident in her personal sacrifices of time and effort to her family, friends, and community, and her generosity, talents, and seemingly inexhaustible energy will beheld up as a measure for others to aspire to.

A remarkable individual,

she was a skilled violinist,

a gifted artist, and

a devoted member of Christ Presbyterian Church, and

she displayed exceptional concern in all of her endeavors. Her absence will be keenly felt; … [list of family members]

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the House of representatives of the 132nd General Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, express a profound sense of loss and sincere regret at the death of the Honorable Irene Balogh Smart; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit a duly authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of the Honorable Irene Balogh Smart

Next:

JANET WEIR CREIGHTON

From GOVERNING:  STATES AND LOCALITIES:

Janet Creighton plans to end her career in government close to where it started: Stark County, Ohio. Creighton, whose career path has taken her from the mayor’s office to the White House as a national coordinator for federal and local policy, grew up in southwestern Canton, the seat of Stark County. She was drawn to politics early on, first as a “complaint technician” -- the office today would more likely be called “public information officer” -- in 1979, and then to elected office in 1984. A Republican, Creighton had been appointed county recorder to fill a vacancy, but the party backed a male candidate when the election came around. Creighton ultimately launched a petition bid and was successful.

From there, Creighton went on to serve as auditor, followed by [becoming the] mayor of Canton in 2004 -- the first female in the city’s history to hold that office. In early 2008 she was tapped by President George W. Bush to serve as his deputy assistant and director of intergovernmental affairs. She later returned to the Stark County Commission, which she says will be her last post. “I’m a Canton-born woman without a college degree, and for what I’ve been able to accomplish with the help of so many people … I always try to put my best foot forward for them.”

What the above biography does not include is the guff that Creighton had to take from the then white, male leadership of the Stark County Republican Party back in 1983 and 1984 and of effort to seek elective office.

As the Governing:  States and Localities article indicates, Creighton has contributed much to the well-being of Stark County in serving in various roles as an elected official.

But with the SCPR, her most significant contribution has been in being a model for future generations of Stark County women who want to be part of our politics and governance.

Next:

Sheila Farmer

Retired judge Sheila Farmer like Irene Smart and Janet Weir Creighton has been a trails blazing woman for younger Stark County women in taking their right places in Stark County government and politics.

An article was written by Ed Balint of The Repository at the time of her mandatory retirement (by a rule of the Ohio Supreme Court) contains a paragraph that articulates Farmer's importance to women achieving parity with men in Stark County public life.

Farmer served on the 5th District’s first panel comprised of three women; the other judges were Patricia A. Delaney and Julie Edwards. She also joined former Canton Municipal Court and 5th District Judge Irene Smart as pioneering women who first served as judges locally.

Next:

Mary Regula

An excerpt from the National First Ladies Library website on Mary Regula:

Mary Regula has had a varied career as a schoolteacher, Congressional spouse, and mother of three children. 

She has distinguished herself in service to her community and nation through dedication to education, her involvement in numerous volunteer activities, and personal leadership. 

She also reaches out to people through her inspirational and historical programs.   

Mary received an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Mount Union College in May 1999, and, in May 2004, The University of Akron bestowed on her an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in Education.   She was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in October 1999.   Her most outstanding accomplishment is being the founder of the National First Ladies’ Library.

Lastly:

CONSTANCE (CONNIE) RUBIN

"Connie" Rubin is perhaps the least recognized by the Stark County public among the women listed in this blog.

However, in her own way she is every bit the equal of Smart, Creighton, Farmer, and Regula notwithstanding her lack of notoriety when compared to them.

Here is a website link that lays out all the achievements of Connie (be sure to "click on" the red link categories on the webpage in order to gain an appreciating of her personal/civic contributions to the Stark County community.

In 2006/2007 Connie was selected as "Democrat of the Year" in North Canton and Stark County politics.

Presently, Connie is a plaintiff (see above and to the left) in a lawsuit the trial of which is to begin on Monday, March 4th, with the objective of ending gerrymandering of Ohio's 16 congressional districts (to be 14 in 2022 elections) which now stands at 12 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

While presently, in statewide elections, not including the gerrymandered legislative districts, Republican candidates are faring much better than Democrats/

However, races for governor, state attorney general, auditor, treasurer and secretary of state were recently won by Republicans but in more or less competitive races which were not 3 to 1 in the outcome as have been in 2018 the gerrymandered congressional and statehouse legislative seats.

While Ohio presently is "leaning" Republican, the Ohio General Assembly has run roughshod over those citizens who are registered Democrats and non-partisans.

So kudos, to Ms. Rubin for stepping forward as one of a number of plaintiffs in the aforementioned lawsuit.

To be sure there are many other Stark County women who come to mind from this bloggers' knowledge of county political subdivision governance and politics.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

As anyone who follows the SCPR knows, this blogger is especially proud of the women who are part of the Olson family.

Wife Mary continues to this day as an elected member (vice president) of the Stark County Educational Service Center (SCESC) having been first elected in November 2005.

As is the case with many boards of education, the superintendent recruits candidates to run when an existing member decides not to run for reelection.

In 2005, longtime SCESC member John Regula (brother of then 16th district congressman Ralph Regula) decided to stand for reelection.

It appears to Mary and me that then-superintendent Larry Morgan and, likely, existing members of the board had decided on someone other than Mary to succeed John.

If such was the case, then one has to say Mary (then a member of the Lake Local Board of Education) delivered quite a surprise on November 8, 2005.

Mary was first elected to the Lake Board in 1991.

It is likely that Mary lost in the elections of 1995 because of her leadership in convincing three of five board members to place a 13.9 mills "continuing" levy on the May 2, 1995 ballot.

It took political courage and fortitude for Mary to place her reelection hopes aside in doing what she was convinced had to be done to ensure the fiscal viability of the Lake Schools finances for years to come.

Hearkening back to the 1991 election, you have another case of Mary not being the preferred choice of those who fancied themselves as being the "powers that be" in Lake educational circles.

It was somewhat amusing to this blogger who was at the Stark County Board of Elections that night how then superintendent Bob Dunnerstick changed his interaction with me as the early results made it clear that Mary was going to be elected.

Mary?

She was in bed and asleep before I called to inform her that she had been elected.

In all her years as an elected education official, Mary brought her 35 years experience as an educator (Akron Public Schools) to the table in dealing with the challenge of the board of education being effective in providing leadership to the students, parents, faculty, administration and the community of the Lake Local School Districts.

It is with pride that this blogger commends wife Mary for being an elected-leader-woman among women for the contribution she has made for the well-being of education in Stark County.

America, the state of Ohio and Stark County are better off because of the work of Irene Smart, Janet Creighton, Mary Regula, Connie Rubin, and, yes, wife Mary Olson.

Our nation, state and local community has much to celebrate for the contribution of women to our advances and well-being notwithstanding that they have been deemed by the law as being a minority even in the face of being by number count the majority in most areas of America.

Much remains for women to achive to achieve a full partnership with men in providing quality leadership across America!

7TH DISTRICT (INCLUDES MOST OF STARK CO) CONGRESSMAN BOB GIBBS EMBARRASSED HIMSELF IN COHEN HEARING?

MICHAEL COHEN

THE PERFECT SQUELCH

ON 7TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN BOB GIBBS

Even Congressman Bob Gibbs' political friends do not defend congressman's inability to communicate effectively

Watching Gibbs yesterday as one of 17 minority Republican members U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Reform embarrassed himself and his constituents in Ohio's 7th congressional district which includes most of Stark County.

But that is what one gets when a political party gerrymanders congressional districts so that the chief attribute of getting elected in to be "alive as evidenced by breathing.'

People like Ohio Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken (a Stark Countian, by the way) thinks that gerrymandering which inflicts the likes of Gibbs on is good for the country and Ohio.

Wow!

What a sad day for Stark County and the rest of the 7th.

If it were not for the gerrymandering, Stark et al might have elected Ken Harbaugh (Country Over Party) last November.

Instead, we got a Party Over County guy who seems to think being a member of the Committee on Oversight entails being a cheerleader for the president and exercising oversight over a co-equal branch of government is an act of disloyalty.

Oversight means. holding the executive and judicial branches accountable in our Constitutional system of "checks and balances," no?

Here is how the NY Magazine Intelligencer described Gibbs' performance in Washington yesterday:

The Committee is one of several with the Democratic Party takeover of the House in the November 2018 elections who feel that the changeover from  being Republican-controlled to being Democratic-controlled was a message from voters that the public wants the House and Senate to reassert the Congress as being a co-equal branch of government with the Executive and Judicial branches of government and in particular the Committee on Oversight ... to hold the executive branch accountable.

Most Republicans serving in the Senate and House apparently think that their role is to defend the president on a host of allegations of presidential misconduct. Chief defender on the Committee is Republican Freedom Caucus member Jim Jordan of Ohio.  Jordan is the ranking minority member.

And Gibbs of Holmes County demonstrated he is one of the sycophants to the president.

We can all agree that Michael Cohen, a convicted felon, is close to being a match to the president conduct and veracity.

It seems his willingness to "take a bullet for the president" is how get was able to "up close and personal" with Donald J. Trump.

Trump must have sensed in 2007 when he started to have Cohen doing his Trump Organization legal work that Cohen was going to do what he did over the next 10 years:  "protect and take marching orders (direct or implied) from Donald J. Trump.

"Dumb Bob" proved his stupidity yesterday in comparing his "little bit" of knowing President Trump to Cohen's 10 years or better.

But that "ain't all."

First, Stark County Political Report (SCPR, The Report) readers need to see the Gibbs' debacle.

Bloomberg as upload the entire hearing to YouTube.  Gibbs begins his questioning at the 3:18:42  mark of the hearing and ends it at the 3:22:49 mark.

And to really get the feel for the incoherent Gibbs' rambling, here is the full transcript of his exchange with Cohen:

Gibbs:

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE, I'M NEW TO THE COMMITTEE. I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY.

I WAS LOOKING THROUGH THIS -- YOU COMING HERE AND YOU RAIL ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, WHILE HE'S OVER ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN, TRYING TO NEGOTIATE AND HAVING THE COMMITTEE AT THIS TIME

BUT YOU CALL HIM A RACIST, A CHEAT. YOU'RE ATTACKING HIS CHARACTER AND I'VE BEEN WITH THE PRESIDENT A LITTLE BIT AND I DIDN'T SEE THAT IN THE PRESIDENT. I SEE A PRESIDENT WHO'S VERY SINCERE, HE'S TRYING TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY BETTER FOR EVERY AMERICAN

AND FOR YOU TO COME IN HERE AND DO THIS, IT'S REALLY UNBELIEVABLE. REAL REPENTANCE WOULD BE GO SERVE YOUR TIME AND DON'T COME HERE AND MAKE ALLEGATIONS.

LOOKING HERE FROM THE REMARKS ON THE PROSECUTOR OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, FALSE STATEMENTS TO BANK 3 WHICH COHEN PLEADED GUILTY -- IT WAS A LONG SERIES OF SELF-SERVING LIES COHEN TOLD NUMEROUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

EARLIER IN YOUR TESTIMONY, I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY IT WAS A HOME EQUITY LOAN. BUT THE PROSECUTORS THINK THERE WERE OTHER FINANCIAL THINGS THAT YOU DID. MANAGED TO COMMIT A SERIES OF CRIMES ALL WHILE BEING A LICENSED ATTORNEY.

ALSO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT PROSECUTORS SAID THAT -- WROTE THAT YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF WRONGDOING IS FLEETING, THAT YOUR REMORSE IS MINIMAL AND YOUR INSTINCT TO BLAME OTHERS IS STRONG.

SO I'M KIND OF LEFT HERE, WHY YOU WORKED FOR THE PRESIDENT FOR TEN YEARS, BEFORE HE WAS PRESIDENT, IF YOU HAVE ANY SENSE OF INTEGRITY, WAS THAT BAD, WHY DIDN'T YOU LEAVE? YOU WEREN'T STUCK THERE FOR FINANCIAL REASONS, YOU HAD WAYS TO LEAVE. YOU WERE AN ATTORNEY.

THAT'S KIND OF -- THE PRESIDENT IS WORKING TIRELESSLY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY LUCRATIVE DEAL AT SOME POINT IN YOUR LIFE BECAUSE YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU'RE CLOSE TO RETIREMENT. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF A DEAL.

ONE OF MY QUESTIONS IS, TALKS WITH YOU AND YOUR ATTORNEY AND THERE'S BEEN TALKS ABOUT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND STAFF AND YOU SAID THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSIONS, WAS ANY OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS THAT YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEYS HAD WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS OR STAFF OR PROSECUTORS TO CONSIDERATIONS TO FAVOR OR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS OF YOUR FAMILY IN THE FUTURE?

NO. THE CONVERSATIONS WERE ABOUT THE TOPICS AND BECAUSE THERE WERE THINGS THAT ORIGINALLY WE COULD NOT SPEAK ABOUT AT THE REQUEST OF WHETHER IT WAS THE SPECIAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OR ANY OF THE OTHER AGENCIES INCLUDING THE HOUSE SELECT INTEL OR THE SENATE SELECT INTEL.

THIS WORLD TODAY WITH THESE LUCRATIVE BOOK DEALS AND MOVIES THAT COME ABOUT, I THINK YOU'LL BE PRETTY GOOD IN ABOUT FIVE YEARS.

COHEN

JUST FOR YOUR PERSONAL EDIFICATION HERE, I WAS ASKED TO COME HERE. YOUR CHAIRMAN SENT A LETTER TO MR. DAVIS. AND I ACCEPTED. SO I'M HERE VOLUNTARILY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT. I THINK THIS IS POLITICAL THEATER.

I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN SAYING ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT MR. TRUMP.

YOU'VE MET HIM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I'VE BEEN WITH HIM FOR OVER A DECADE. I'VE TRAVELED WITH HIM INTERNATIONALLY, I'VE SPENT DINNERS WITH HIM.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. AND AS FAR AS SAVING FACE, I'M NOT SURE HOW BEING IN FRONT OF THE WORLD, BEING CALLED --

STARK COUNTIANS: BE SURE TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON PROPOSED GASOLINE TAX INCREASE

February 28th UPDATE - Statement by Representative Thomas West (D - 49th Ohio House) on his consideration on a proposed gasoline tax increase, to wit:
:

I am incredibly honored to be in a role in which I am tasked to look at the infrastructure, transportation and transit needs of Stark County.

I've been hearing from concerned constituents, local community and business leaders, and from the DeWine Administration about the proposed gas tax intended to fix our crumbling infrastructure and improve our roads.

I will be diligent in my work to come to a conclusion about the proposed gas tax increase and will continue to listen to all those who will be affected.

February 27, 2019 To Date Results

VOTE IN POLL LISTED BELOW

In order for Stark Countians to have an avenue to speak to members of the Stark County delegation on controversial issues that come to the fore, The Report will be publishing polls for everyday Stark Countians to respond to and be heard.

Hopefully, enough Stark Countians will participate so that our county's legislators will have to listen.

THE POLL

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BY OELSLAGER, SCHURING, STOLTZFUS & WEST ON PROPOSED GASOLINE TAX INCREASE

VOTE ON PROPOSED 18 CENT GASOLINE TAX INCREASE AT END OF THIS BLOG.

Results so far included.

UPDATE: 02/26/2019  JLEC (as reported by Capitol Letter) Financial Disclosure of Rep. Thomas West for 2017.

(EXTRACT)

LINK TO FULL REPORT

1. West reported earning from $0 to $999 from his position on the Canton City Council (he left in January 2017 to become a state representative) and from $3,000 to $30,996 spread out between four rental properties. West earned $60,584 in legislative pay.

2. He reported investments with the Public Employee Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System.

3. At some point in 2017, he owed more than $1,000 to Navient, CSE Credit Union and the law firm Roderick Linton Belfance.

4. At some point in 2017, Gloria Norris, LeErika Lawson, Cantonian LLC and ABLE Inc. owed West at least $1,000.

5. West received $6427.77 in travel reimbursement, including $4596.80 from the state of Ohio, $833.15 from SIX Legislative Conference, $425.40 from the Public Leadership Institute's Strategy Forum, $296.40 from the Blue Green Alliance and $276.02 from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. 
 
UPDATE:  02/25/2019 So far most poll takers support 18 cent gasoline tax increase!

TAKE SCPR POLL
(AT END OF BLOG)

FIRST RESULTS:

BY CITY/VILLAGE & TOWNSHIP

ORIGINAL BLOG

LET YOUR STATE REP/STATE SENATOR

KNOW HOW YOU VIEW GOV. DEWINE'S 
PROPOSED 18 CENT GASOLINE TAX INCREASE

It appears to The Stark County Political Report (SCPR, The Report) that newly elected Republican Reggie Stoltzfus as state Representative for the 50th Ohio House District (see above) is going to be the most interested in and responsive to the wishes of Stark Countians as a member of the Ohio General Assembly (OGA).

Undoubtedly, Ohioans and Stark Countians know that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has run out of money to do new road construction work across the state.  ODOT will only be able to maintain the roadways it is responsible for and that's it if the OGA does not agree to new revenues in the form of additional taxes on gasoline going forward.

Governor DeWine has the unhappy job of convincing Ohioans that Republicans are again at the forefront of raising our taxes.  On the other side of the tax issue is a history whereby Republicans have decreased (though mostly benefiting the well-off) Ohio's income taxes.

Of course, Stark Countians want to hear the viewpoints of members of the Stark County delegation to the Assembly.

Moreover, the state representatives and the state senator (Kirk Schuring; R-the 29th) should want to hear the viewpoint of their constituents here in

The SCPR has contacted Stoltzfus and Democrat Thomas West (the 49th House District) but not Oelslager and Schuring.

Oelslager and Schuring have demonstrated to this blogger is that both have taken on an arrogance likely by virtue of been members of the OGA for a combined 60 years (either as a state representative or senator as they switch back and forth in order to overcome Ohioans desire for a term limit of eight (8) consecutive years in either the House or Senate.

The "organized" Stark County Democratic Party has not put up viable candidates of either over those 60 years.

Hence Stark County has two OGA members who only .listen to and engage "the movers and shakers" in Stark County politics.  Certainly not everyday Stark Countians especially if like SCPR they ask pointed, put them on the spot, and/or difficult to answer questions.

But Stoltzfus is showing that he does care.

Here is the complete exchange between the SCPR and Representative Stoltzfus.

On Feb 22, 2019, at 11:54 AM, Martin Olson <tramols@att.net> wrote:

Representative Stoltzfus,

What is your position on Governor DeWine's proposed increase on gasoline taxes at 18 cents per gallon?

Thank you,

Martin/SCPR

Hi Martin,

 I am never in favor of more taxes, I believe we pay enough taxes already.

 I will be open to listening to the Governor, and ODOT Director Marchbanks state their case as to why Ohio needs to raise the gas tax. 

I will be more interested in hearing how the residents of the 50th District feel about this proposal, these are the people I represent.

Thanks. -Reggie 

The jury is still out on Representative West.

In order for Stark Countians to have an avenue to speak to members of the Stark County delegation on controversial issues that come to the fore, The Report will be publishing polls for everyday Stark Countians to respond to and be heard.

Hopefully, enough Stark Countians will participate so that our county's legislature will have to listen.

THE POLL

DEWINE USED OHIO TAXPAYER MONEY TO DELAY EFFORT FOR FAIRNESS/COMPETIVENESS IN OHIO CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS HAS FAILED

UPDATED:  FRIDAY, 02/22/19 - GERRYMANDERING HISTORY, STATUS OF CURRENT SCOTUS CASES & POINT/COUNTERPOINT ARGUMENTS

IS HE THE GOVERNOR OF "ALL" THE PEOPLE 
OR 
PRIMARILY FOR REPUBLICANS?

SOURCE OF MAP

Regular readers of The Stark County Political Report (SCPR, The Report) takes a stance of "a pox on both their houses" regarding the "organized" Democratic and Republican parties and their self-serving ways as manifested in either party, where the opportunity presents itself, to gerrymander legislative districts so as to ensure that the party's candidates have a huge advantage in contending for election.

Polls consistently show that Americans oppose this practice by a large margin.

This duopoly use voters in general to feather the nests of their respective political organizations and more particularly the well-being of individuals in each party who control the structure of his/her party.

In November, Freakonomics (a popular podcast series) published a podcast entitled America's Hidden Duopoly.

For anyone who wants to break up this duopoly, the America's Hidden Dupoly podcast presents some ideas.

This podcast (LINK) is a must listen to broadcast for all who care about the health of court democratic-republic.

The sometimes collusive action by the Dems and Reps to "stack the deck" for their respective parties and/or candidates/elected officials is in the assessment of this blogger "political corruption."

To see a history of gerrymandering, the primary court arguments and the status of all legal challenges currently underway, here is a LINK to Ballotpedia's blog on the matter.

America by its Constitution is intended to be a democratic-republic which both the organized Republicans and Democrats (sometimes alone, sometimes collusively with each other) corrupt the framers of the Constitution.

Nowhere in the United States of America Constitution are political parties mentioned.

The "organized" Reps' and Dems' perversion of the intentions of the Constitution framers is, grain-by-grain, undermining public confidence in our government staffed for the most part with declared Democrats and Republican.

Grain-by-grain the voting public gets more and more disillusioned with the Democrat/Republican undermining of fair and competitive processes of governance and elections which, slowly but surely, prompts ordinary citizens to opt out of our political processes.

The best that can be said for the manner in which "organized" Republicans and Democrats function is that they appear to be "a necessary evil."

A key way to keep them in check is for fair-minded citizens and civic organizations to file or be part of a lawsuit designed to impose Constitutional standards on the "organized" parties.

A striking example of this phenomenon is action taken by then Governor-elect Mike DeWine's hijacking of taxpayer finances/resources in the waning days of his being attorney general of Ohio (notably:  not before the gubernatorial election of 2018) in seeking to delay a trial set for March 4, 2019 "in the name of all of Ohioan which, of course, is designed to benefit Republicans.

The DeWine action has been taken over by November, 2018 elected Dave Yost as attorney general.  He is also a Republican.

Stark Countian Constance "Connie" Rubin is a named plaintiff in the lawsuit.  She is quite active in the party.

The main of DeWine's argument: (Citing that the US Supreme Court is considering two gerrymandering cases presently [see specifics several paragraphs down in this blog]) is as follows:

“If the Supreme Court finds that these redistricting claims are nonjusticiable, then this upcoming trial will constitute a waste of time, money and resources of the litigants, the Court, and the taxpayers of Ohio,” 

The entire DeWine argument:



The Court's decision rejection of the DeWine initiative.

In other state jurisdictions (e.g. Wisconsin and Michigan), Republican factors have sought (at taxpayer expense) to delay judicial proceedings in fear that the courts will find for the plaintiffs in filed "end gerrymander" lawsuits which possibly result in gerrymandered congressional states dominated by Republicans  having to create "fairer" and more competitive districts in time for the 2020 congressional elections.

Consonant with the Wisconsin/Michigan objectives is clearly DeWine's goal obvious objective has been to delay fairness and competitiveness in Ohio elections until the 2022 elections before which an Ohio voter-mandated district (state and federal) reformulation will have taken place.

Ohio will only have 14 congressional districts in 2020, down two from the current 16 as shown in the partisan map above.

DeWine/Yost apparently seek to benefit the likes of 7th Congressional district Bob Gibbs, who, if he had to run in a competitive election, would likely lose.

Gibbs is the vapidest and among the most partisan U.S. congresspersons from all the collective of Ohio districts.

Before this blogger hears it, it is acknowledged that the Democrats do it too.

Response:  Two wrongs, do not make an act right."

That is why the SCPR over the 11-year span of the blog has worked hard to be equally critical of each political party and filtering down to each party's candidates for officer and, of course, elected officials of both parties post-election.

Organized Republicans and Democrats each have an instance of claimed in Maryland (Democrat controlled) and North Carolina (Republican controlled) of unconstitutional gerrymandering before the U.S. Supreme Court.

To repeat, "a pox on both their houses."

Both "organized" political parties are "might makes right" entities.

To quote Ohio Republican chairperson and Stark Countian Jane Timken:

"elections have consequences"

which impliedly is tantamount to saying "to Hell" with Constitutional standards of fairness.

Where else are we hearing nearly on a daily basis these days:  "to Hell" Constitutional standards (e.g. Separation of Powers in our national government).

To repeat for a third time with regard to "organized" Republican and Democratic entities:  "a pox on both their houses!"

CANTON CITY SCHOOLS BOARD MEMBER ERIC RESNICK HAS CANTON EDUCATION CIRCLES RILED UP, AGAIN?

UPDATED:  TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 11:20 AM

A defense of Adrian Allison's Work as Superintendent

Note:   Readers of this blog should go to this Ohio Department of Education (ODE) LINK to get definitions of the headline criteria used in the introductory graphic to this blog.

One of Canton's most activist/provocative citizens, The Stark County Political Report thinks, is Canton City Schools board member Eric Resnick.

SOURCE:  CCS WEBSITE

The latest of which is his January 30, 2019 posting on his Facebook site this:

The furor at the surface level seems to be over the above-Resnick-posted-documents' use of explicit sexual language.

But the outrage expressed by some Cantonians may be more about race than about the document's language.

When one has one agenda, it is not unheard of for such a person to hide the primary agenda under the subterfuge of another.

And that is what some folks are saying that what really is at play here in the wake of African American Adrian Allison Canton City Schools (CCS) Board of Education's removal of Allison as CCS superintendent (six years as superintendent) in early January of this year.

It appears that a former and highly respected African American CCS BOE member Nadine McIllwain Massey is leading the charge in taking Resnick to task on the Facebook posting which some think is because he was part of the dismissal of Allison in a 5 to 0 vote of the CCS BOE.

See McIllwain in a link to The Repository's  video of her appearing before the CCS BOE and in a Greater United Way of Stark County video in which she is being awarded United Way's Gold Key in 2013.

This is what McIllwain-Massey says about herself on a posting on Resnick's Facebook page:

Nadine Massey Jean Haidet Hershberger Just wanted you to know that I was a teacher for CCS for over 20 years at my beloved Timken HS. I served 12 years on the CCS board of Ed and I am a graduate of McKinley Senior HS. I love CCS school as much as anyone. And for the record, I was the first teacher in Stark County to receive the Millken Family Foundation National Teacher Award. What we said at that board meeting is true and needed to be said. Rinaldi was first to accuse us of racism because of our vote regarding the McKinley football coach. Everything we said at that meeting is supported by newspaper articles and video, which I will be happy to share with you.

Resnick himself says he has a lot of regard for McIllwain.

Also appearing the United Way video was Vincent Watts

• who has been a commenter on the Resnick Facebook page 
• who disqualified today (Tuesday) by the Stark BOE as Democratic candidate for mayor of Canton, and
• who is a former president/CEO of The Greater Stark County Urban League

A Watts comment on Resnick's FB page:

Vince Watts 

Mr. Resnick, Not sure where this post came from or why you are chosing (sic) to repost it, but as a school board member there are several parts that are of a concern to parents, or in my case, grandparents of children in our school system, i.e. p**** in v***** deserve pity, f*** off, really? 

Maybe you can put together a forum to discuss these issues so that we can build an understanding of what it is you are trying to address in this post in particular. There is support out here, but driving this wedge seems intentional and unnecessary. Just my thoughts.

There may be yet another factor in Allison's departure as regards his handling of an incident at a McKinley High School football game on November 9, 2018 involving a gay (according to media reports) McKinley student.

Resnick has been openly gay for some time now.

Undoubtedly, there are those who think that Resnick was a key figure in Allison's being let go as the CCS superintendent owing to his handling of the November, 2018 incident reportedly involving a gay student.

These folks have to be questioning themselves in suggesting such given that January BOE vote to remove Allison was a 5 to 0 vote.

Reasons for why Allison was dismissed likely varies from member to member and The Report thinks it probably a mix of dissatisfactions that prompted the BOE to go in another direction.

And that is not all.  Allison was superintendent of Canton schools when the CCS BOE made the decision on Allison's recommendation to merge Timken High School with McKinley back in 2015.





It is hard to tell whether or not anybody is capable of pulling the CCS out of its ODE overall "F" rating.

Just take a look at Canton's poverty rate.

From the SCPR's point of view, the primary reason should have been Allison's apparent inability to pull the CCS out of its "F" rating on a number of criteria presuming however that there is somebody who can successfully get the job done.

On the poverty factor, a SCPR reader (who requested non-attribution) has made (in a Tuesday, 02/19/2019 e-mail) this point:

I read with interest your recent posting.  

Poverty is not the only issue with regard to school system failures.  

I started life in poverty in Cleveland but the difference is that I had a mother and father who valued education.  Eventually, we moved out of the projects in Cleveland, because my parents cared.  

After graduating from College of Wooster having majored in Physics and Mathematics, I turned down a graduate program at Cornell University and went to Cleveland to teach. It was based upon my Catholic training that to whom much is given then much is expected. 

 When the Vietnamese kids came into the system, I learned that commitment by families to education was important.    

I was privy to some studies that confirmed that family stability is a big factor.  

Such factors as single parent household, and family mobility are very important factors. 

Later after I left teaching and made it to Canton, I learned from Attorney Randy Snow, who was a member of the Canton School Board that mobility is a big factor on student success.  

Poverty is a factor but not the sole factor.  

Family emphasis on education, strong family units and mobility are more important factors. 

I close examination of housing in Canton demonstrates that Canton has a high transient community.  The housing stock has aged and there has been an increase in rentals.  

Allison seemed to have done his best but he did not teach and therefore lacked some of the knowledge with respect to what was going on in the classroom.   

It will be difficult for the Canton School System to turn the system around in the few years left before a state takeover.  Unfortunately, a state takeover is not a solution.  A close examination of the state takeovers in Lorain, and Youngstown illustrate this point.  

Of course in a society which rewards and values its entertainers and athletes more than its teachers, we should not be surprised that we are getting what we pay for in large urban education systems across the nation.

We cannot expect one person to solve the problems.  The solution lies in a greater commitment by the community as a whole.  

One should ask:  Is Canton a realistic candidate for academic redemption?  Take a look at this study.

Isn't the poor academic performance in Canton owing to the high poverty rate which indicates that it will take the entire Canton community to abate that factor?

Solving the link between poverty and poor school performance will not happen overnight no matter who the school superintendent is.

If only the likes of Repository publisher Jim Porter, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce president Denny Saunier and C. David Baker of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) put the same effort in the finding ways and means to improve Canton schools academic, the timetable to recovering the schools to academic viability could happen sooner than later.

Baker a year or so ago bragged about the CCS "having the best damn high school football stadium in America at what he said was a $150 million price tag.

A stadium, the last the SCPR knew,

• (The Report has e-mailed board president J.R. Rinaldi about the exact status but he has not answered) 

still lacks locker room facilities for the McKinley Bulldogs.

Talk about not having your priorities straight?

The Youngstown schools are currently under state of Ohio control.

A report indicates that the schools are still failing under state standards but improving.

Resnick last year (September 6, 2018) appeared at an Ohio Schools Board Association sponsored candidates forum (which had candidates for the Ohio General Assembly present).

One of Resnick's most provocative questions had to do with the passage and implementation of House Bill 70 (see this LINK for efforts to repeal it) which dealt with the state of Ohio takeover of the poverty-ridden/highly urban Youngstown School District and the bill's threat to districts like the Canton City Schools district.

These are not happy days in the CCS.

The question is:  Is Resnick helping or hindering a turnaround with the Canton City Schools and the public perception of the district?

It is hard to believe that diversions like the Things Queer Culture Teacher Teach That Straight Culture Doesn't.