DISCUSSION: THE NAYSAYERS ON BOSLEY PROPOSAL TO GET FUNDING FOR A REVAMPED 9-1-1 ARE IN THE MINORITY?

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) has learned that Stark County Commissioner Todd Bosley has received about 67 e-mails as feedback on the Stark County public's reaction to his "Reform 9-1-1 Now" plan (The Report's characterization).

Bosley says that the feedback is more positive than negative with some of it being in the middle.

Bosley further says that for those in the middle or even against the plan, once he explains the details of the plan - then they become more favorable.

Of the 67 Bosley says that about 44 were positive with most the remainder falling in the middle with a few being outright negative.

The question: Are you suprised for the generally favorable take on the Bosley plan?

DISCUSSION: WHO REALLY LOST IN OHIO'S 50TH HOUSE DISTRICT?

In the video posted below, Stark County Democratic Party chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr. tells a Celeste DeHoff campaign rally how important the 50th Ohio House District was?

Maier put everything he had as a veteran Stark County and Ohio politician into this race.

The stakes could not be higher for Maier.

Win and be celebrated in Columbus as a re-validated mythological-esque party chieftain that can - when devoted and committed to the cause - make a winner out of even the most non-descript candidate (as the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT [The Report] believes DeHoff was).

Lose and tarnishment of the mythological image as the handiwork of losing begins its erosive work.

Undoubtedly, Maier pushed the Ohio Democratic House caucus to put tons of money into DeHoff's campaign. He got Governor Strickland, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Ohio Treasurer (now attorney general) Richard Cordray as well as former senator and U.S. astronaut John Glenn to come to Stark County to campaign for DeHoff. Stark County Democratic political strategist and tactician Shane Jackson was put to work on the campaign. Massillon councilwoman (and, in the opinion of The Report - likely candidate for Massillon mayor in 2011) Kathy Catazaro-Perry was brought on board as campaign treasurer.

And, the field was ripe to be harvested! The 50th was an open seat. Veteran politicians covet running for an open seat. Especailly a seat like this one which was gerrymanndered Republican to keep it Republican. The time to turn a gerrymandered seat over is when it is open.

So why did DeHoff err Maier lose?

The Report believes that Maier chose DeHoff because of personal political loyalty factors. It's hard to believe that a political warhorse like Maier would do such a politically foolish thing. In a Republican district you pick a candidate

For a politico like Maier and consummate politicos everywhere - winning is everything, especially when that politico has put his/her political prestige on the line.

You notice that Barack Obama did not go to Georgia, as president-elect, to campaign for the Democrat senatorial candidate in his run-off against Saxbe Chambliss. Why? Because the on-the-ground-politicos knew the odds of the Democrat winning were between "slim and none" and slim just left town.

Obama's political people were not about to allow party loyalty to tarnish his impressive political victory over McCain.

So yes, The Report says that the "real" loser in the 2008 Ohio House 50th District was none other than Stark County Democratic Party chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr.

In the 50th District House race, personal political loyalties trumped everything Maier knows about political realities.

DISCUSSION: PART II - WILL OSNABURG TOWNSHIP'S FIGHT TO KEEP ESLICH ENVIRONMENTAL, INC'S C & DD OPERATION FROM EXPANDING - SUCCEED?

In the video that follows, watch as East Canton/Osnaburg Township residents step up and tell East Canton's Village Council what action they want council to take on the Eslich Environmental, Inc. move to get a re-zone it can live with as a prelude to being annexed by East Canton.

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) is impressed with these citizens who do not sit idly by and let things happen to them. But rather seize the inltiative in their quest to shape their future.

Hats off to the citizens of East Canton and Osnaburg Township for "seizing the day" and being active to control the community's destiny.

Watch the accompany video for the the argument that these citizens make for themselves and future generations of East Cantonians.

DISCUSSION: HE WANTED THE JOB. NOW HE HAS IT. IS HE UP TO IT?

When he was campaigning in the Democratic primary, Pete Ferguson was firm in his conviction that more could be cut from the Stark County budget.

He couldn't provide the specifics. But he was confident there was still slack to be cut.

Well, Commissioner-elect Ferguson will have his chance to comb county operations for cost-cutting opportunities.

Could it be that Ferguson has a magic pair of eyes that enable him to spot excessive spending that neither Commissioners Bosley, Harmon and Vignos have been able to discern?

Stark County operated on $58 million plus revenue in 2007. In 2009 it is slated to be about $52 million. Five or so million is a lot of cutting to do.

Of course, Ferguson could vote to impose the Commissioner Bosley proposal to increase the county sales/use tax by a net 1/4 of a percent and then not have to do any cutting at all. If he votes to impose the additional tax, it will be interesting to see how he get from his Democratic primary position of "there are more cuts that can be made" to "no there aren't" and Stark County needs additional revenue. Isn't this an example of the box some politicians put themselves in?

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) is skeptical that Ferguson can find anything to cut. More power to him, if he can. But it is one thing to engage in campaign rhetoric and it is another to have to deliver.

Whether it is the judges, the Veterans Commission, the Board of Elections or Sheriff Swanson, Ferguson can be sure that the budgetary pressures "upward" will be the reality he has to deal with.

Is Ferguson up to handling the political realities of holding office?

DISCUSSION: PERRY TOWNSHIP JOINS STARK COUNTY GOVERNMENTS FIGHTING AEP; SO DO OSNABURG TWP & LOUISVILLE,: WILL THERE BE OTHERS?

Perry Township joins the list of Stark County governments looking out for the rank-in-file citizen. Moreover, the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) has learned that Osnaburg Township and Louisville have also weighed in with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio objecting the the size of the AEP (locally, Ohio Power) requested increase over the next three years.

The essence of the Osnaburg resolution is as follows:

WHEREAS, American Electric Power (AEP), which services the residences and businesses in Osnaburg Township, Stark County, Ohio, has requested that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approve increasing its electricity rates each of the next three (3) years, and

WHEREAS, the AEP rate increase proposal calls for a fifteen percent (15%) residential rate increase in each of those three (3)years, which, when compounded, wi1l increase the electricity rates of Osnaburg Township residents by 52 percent (52%) by 2011, and

WHEREAS, the compounded rate of increase for commercial and industrial customers would amount to
a 62 percent (62%) increase, and

WHEREAS, the AEP proposal does not cover any additional transmission cost increases, which may be requested separately, and

WHEREAS, AEP also requests that the PUCO authorize various riders and surcharges over and above the 15 percent (15%) annual increases for future cost recovery, and

WHEREAS, Osnaburg Township citizens and businesses, facing uncertain economic times fraught with increased expenses and declining pay and revenue, should not be burdened by excessive costs caused by this proposed rate increase.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Osnaburg Township Board of Trustees to hereby officially oppose this unreasonable rate increase for its residents and businesses being proposed by AEP, and requests the PUCO to require and ensure that any rate increase granted is logically derived, reasonable, justified, necessary and in the best interests of utility users in Osnaburg Township, Stark County and the State of Ohio.

The question now is: Will other Stark County local governments be stepping up to fight for everyday citizens?

DISCUSSION: PART I - WILL OSNABURG TOWNSHIP'S FIGHT TO KEEP ESLICH ENVIRONMENTAL, INC'S C & D OPERATION FROM EXPANDING - SUCCEED?

Donna Middaugh, Osnaburg Township trustee, is on a quest: Stop Eslich Environmental, Inc from expanding its C & DD (Construction and Demolition Debris) disposal site currently located in the township.

The township is party to a lawsuit on zoning issues now in the appeals process before Ohio's 5th District Court of Appeals.

But that is not all Osnaburg is doing.

Middaugh summarized the legal maneuverings in this except from a letter to the editor which appeared in The Press-News on November 26th, to wit:

In 2007, the village became part of the Environmental Review Appeals Commission appeal to stop the permit to expand this landfill. The township trustees have a zoning court case and two E.R.A.C. appeals in process.

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) showed up at the East Canton Village Council meeting of December 1st with camera in hand to record the passion of the opponents who oppose the possiblity that the C & DD would be allowed to expand.

East Canton and Osnaburg citizen-activists showed up in force. The Report applauds these citizens for becoming involved and trying to affect how government actions are implemented on "quality of life" issues in the community in which they live.

In this Part I video, The Report focus on the disagreement on how much expansion could be in the offing. It appears that not even council knows and thus Councilman Collins was successful in his effort to get a vote on the passage of the proposed rezone postponed for now.

It was obvious at the meeting that some council members believe a rezone will curtail any expansion beyond However, township officials and citizens disagree.

Watch the video below and additional videos which will follow this Part I in coming days.

DISCUSSION: PLAIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE LOU GIAVASIS KEEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST AEP INCREASE ON STARK COUNTIANS!

THE TEXT OF THE LETTER

American Electric Power is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for rate increases that will amount to a 52 percent increase for residential users and a 62 percent for industrial over the next three years.

AEP reported $1.1 billion in profits in 2007. AEP Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Morris has been quoted as stating, “Our earnings for the first nine months of this year are well ahead of where we were for the same period in 2007.”

At the recent hearing at Glenwood Middle School, it was said that AEP, with these increases, will yield another $1 billion.

With information like this coming from AEP, is it fair to ask if these increases are truly necessary?

AEP officials have said they understand that these rate increases would cause some hardships. That statement minimizes the true effects. Increases of this magnitude will cause closings and job loss.

Many residents will have to choose even harder between paying for insurance, needed medicine, groceries, gas for their vehicles and heating their homes. They may well be pushed financially over the edge.

If these rate increases are approved as filed, Stark County and every community in it will suffer. Every community school system will be pushed even further into deficit.

Easing the financial burdens on our residents and saving and creating jobs should be every elected official’s top priority. The Stark County commissioners, Plain, Jackson, Canton and Nimishillen townships, Canton and North Canton have filed objections with the PUCO. I strongly urge those communities that have yet to file an objection to please do so.

Call your elected officials or attend a council or trustee meeting and ask. Send your objection to Alan R. Schriber, PUCO Chairman, 180 E. Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215.

LOUIS P. GIAVASIS, PLAIN TOWNSHIP

PLAIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE