tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.comments2012-06-11T09:01:35.531-04:00In The ArenaJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-24805352753513342062012-06-11T09:01:35.531-04:002012-06-11T09:01:35.531-04:00Thanks, Jay! And of course it is a 12 year old let...Thanks, Jay! And of course it is a 12 year old letting me know what the 21st century sounds like. :)Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-24686455577882347272012-06-11T07:33:47.881-04:002012-06-11T07:33:47.881-04:00Ah, Jill, we're 20th century people living in ...Ah, Jill, we're 20th century people living in the 21st century. We used words like 'groovy' and 'outasite' with a straight face. Anyway, what does 'meh' mean?Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05598422390998719400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-46889332299824098672012-01-27T17:06:13.704-05:002012-01-27T17:06:13.704-05:00Whether I agree with you or not, as I know we both...Whether I agree with you or not, as I know we both know, that's a judgement that the voters of Woodmere and those they elected will make.<br /><br />I'd also debate you as to whether changing your name implies a change in your existence in the same way that eliminating the existence of a political subdivision, through annexation or merger renders the former political subdivision's name obsolete. ;)Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-68624880327871917712012-01-26T10:27:46.514-05:002012-01-26T10:27:46.514-05:00I think the loss of identity is a very low price t...I think the loss of identity is a very low price to pay for all of the four cities for the benefits that will be derived. I would gladly change my name for future health and financial stability for my family.Ron Markowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003000131331635327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-35574771726853047572012-01-23T17:18:55.775-05:002012-01-23T17:18:55.775-05:00Interesting regionalism case study, maybe you can ...Interesting regionalism case study, maybe you can take the discussion over to the Civic Commons. I would love to hear what Angie and some of the others say about this.<br /><br />Here are the facts as I understand them:<br /><br />A.) Cleveland Water has to be one of the worst-run Cleveland-based regional entities.<br /><br />B.) Westlake residents are faced with ever-increasing rates to cover (A.), while still having to pay again to make water system infrastructure improvements in their city which Cleveland refuses to cover. <br />C.) Cleveland does not deny either fact (A.) or (B.)but using as one of their arguments that Westlake should stay in Cleveland Water to be fair to Cleveland and the other communities who will have to pay even higher rates to cover both (A.) and the decreased user baes caused by Westlake's leaving.<br />D.) You are on Westlake Council, elected to serve Westlake residents (as I am in my city.) You can either vote to continue (B.) or to stop the cycle to go to over to Avon water. But "regionalism" says Westlake taxpayers should pay higher water rates and taxes to maintain the system because they can "afford it" and to be "fair." <br /><br />I think I have summarized the situation --am I missing a point?ProNEOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00674206082459393211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-6392163415410002382012-01-23T10:07:05.775-05:002012-01-23T10:07:05.775-05:00I am not familiar with the structural operations o...I am not familiar with the structural operations of the Cleveland Water Department but maybe it's time to appoint a representative board consisting of a representative group of municipal customers who will have a "say" in how to get the department running in a responsible and professional manner.Ron Markowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003000131331635327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-37208196839560962652012-01-21T09:23:03.445-05:002012-01-21T09:23:03.445-05:00You're right Jill. It may or may not have happ...You're right Jill. It may or may not have happened. Maybe what should be considered while "merger" is being studied is to establish a criteria whereby each of the cities would communicate major issues they are faced with acting on withing the next 12 months to determine whether joint action would be beneficial.Ron Markowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003000131331635327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-85356950751194955382012-01-20T13:42:27.877-05:002012-01-20T13:42:27.877-05:00I'll only say that I don't know that that ...I'll only say that I don't know that that did not happen. Might have, but might not have. It would be interesting to know if Woodmere or Orange consulted with the planning commission or the County at all re: how might what they're contemplating fit in with the current situation. But then wouldn't this same potential expectation be placed on Pepper Pike's dispatch situation? And maybe there are others out there. Hard to know where exactly to draw the line when talking about keeping a municipality functioning, esp. one like Woodmere that absorbs so much out of towner action via Eton etc.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-1595350381074432402012-01-20T07:29:23.454-05:002012-01-20T07:29:23.454-05:00It's somewhat discouraging that while we'r...It's somewhat discouraging that while we're deeply immersed in "merger" discussion that all four Mayors didn't get together to discuss the best way to effect Woodmere's safety/financial problem.Ron Markowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003000131331635327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-24921722207185039422012-01-17T22:25:28.477-05:002012-01-17T22:25:28.477-05:00Hi Ron,
Thanks for the comment. I met someone f...Hi Ron, <br /><br />Thanks for the comment. I met someone from the community of Waite Hill the other day - I believe they have less than 500 residents. Walton Hills is another tiny community. It does make one wonder, "What will it take?"Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-18126368919468416102012-01-14T13:13:41.722-05:002012-01-14T13:13:41.722-05:00The only major difference is his position retains ...The only major difference is his position retains mayor, police chief, fire chief, treasurer, council members, and millions of dollars of redundant infrastructure and equipment.<br /><br />The additional cost saving resulting from "MERGER" could be converted to signidicant dollars available for the schools.Ron Markowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003000131331635327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-40957976897972132062011-10-10T21:33:32.607-04:002011-10-10T21:33:32.607-04:00Well - I would only add that there are in fact tim...Well - I would only add that there are in fact times when money is not well-spent but it is often a judgement call, but not always. A city government does, imo, have an obligation to review and make sure that they believe all money IS in fact well-spent - we have to account for it. That includes not being bullied into thinking that paying people well is NOT worth it. That's part of the battle we're waging everywhere, I'd argue. Thanks for reading and commenting btw.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-64644920859661919402011-10-04T18:34:33.354-04:002011-10-04T18:34:33.354-04:00Shalom Jill,
Like efficiency and productivity, do...Shalom Jill,<br /><br />Like <i>efficiency</i> and <i>productivity</i>, <i>doing more with less</i> is a code word for turn the clock back to the good ol' days when workers knew their place and worked until they dropped because they knew that if they didn't there was always another poor sod ready to work rather than starve.<br /><br />When we allow the 1 percent to define the terms of the discussion, the 99 percent has lost the fight for basic human rights and dignity.<br /><br />The current discussion is all about starving the beast, the people who demand they be treat like people and not animals.<br /><br />B'shalom,<br /><br />JeffAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-69343061733766885052011-10-04T17:31:34.558-04:002011-10-04T17:31:34.558-04:00Thanks for that perspective, Paul. I agree with yo...Thanks for that perspective, Paul. I agree with you for the most part. There's no question that public education of how this all works is a huge and needed task - there are so many myths perpetuated on all sides. That's part of why I posted this article.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-65011081317851959492011-10-04T10:09:16.076-04:002011-10-04T10:09:16.076-04:00School districts do the same - ours has 100% pick ...School districts do the same - ours has 100% pick up for both the teachers' union and the support staff union.<br /><br />It's a matter of perspective: Is the pickup just a way to give the employees a way to make their retirement contributions with pre-tax dollars; or is it hidden extra pay? I've always looked at it as the former.<br /><br />In school districts, it's pretty common for the top administrators to also have 'pickup on the pickup.' This is an approach where there a no deductions - pretax or otherwise - from the employees gross, and the both the employer and employer shares are paid by the employer. Furthermore, the employer contribution is recognized as 'salary' by the retirement system, inflating the eventual benefit.<br /><br />I get frequent calls from a community member, complaining about some other thing he's read in the Superintendent's contract. I tell him to quit worrying about the individual components of the compensation package, and just look at the total cost to the taxpayer. <br /><br />Judge that number to be too low, too high or about right, and forget whether it comes in base pay, accumulated sick days, car allowance or retirement pick ups.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-49823563961976961532011-07-10T12:22:04.389-04:002011-07-10T12:22:04.389-04:00Thanks for reading and commenting, Ron. You make s...Thanks for reading and commenting, Ron. You make several points that other residents and council members have noted. <br /><br />Also thanks for the kind words re: efforts to keep folks informed - but I am possibly even more grateful when residents make the effort to go on the record themselves - many people aren't interested or for whatever reason, even fearful of doing so.<br /><br />It also always make me smile to think that those who do speak up just might be future candidates for elected office! ;)Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-34482848004493712692011-07-09T22:46:26.805-04:002011-07-09T22:46:26.805-04:00Jill - Assuming the choice is between a fee for se...Jill - Assuming the choice is between a fee for service vs an income tax increase to keep the trash pick-up as is, then I'm in favor of a fee structure. It is the fairest approach to share the burden among all residents. <br /><br />I prefer rear yard pick-up to curbside pick-up almost exclusively for aesthetic reasons. I feel that rows of trash cans regularly lining the streets would cheapen our community and negatively affect property values.<br /><br />I also really appreciate your tireless efforts to inform & encourage input from Pepper Pike citizens. Keep up the good work.Ron Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12384967343075346050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-64351649536789065622011-01-04T09:18:12.261-05:002011-01-04T09:18:12.261-05:00Happy New Year, Jeremiah.
Is the 500 number you&#...Happy New Year, Jeremiah.<br /><br />Is the 500 number you're referencing (for the sake of others reading) from the attitude survey phone call number?)<br /><br />As to your question, there's only one way to find out, yes!? ;) <br /><br />And whether I think Pepper Pike residents' views would or would not be significantly different from Shaker Heights' residents views, the real point in asking the residents of each community to rank and rate services, esp. in connection with how those services are paid for and how well they're delivered, relates to them being the taxpayers. It's not my money, even if I've been elected to pass appropriations laws.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-38743895811418111252011-01-04T08:45:47.522-05:002011-01-04T08:45:47.522-05:00Jill,
Do you think Pepper Pike residents would hav...Jill,<br />Do you think Pepper Pike residents would have significantly different views than the 500 Shaker residents? Why or why not?Jeremiah Arnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16470997946013279812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-55338769393193594792011-01-03T21:37:57.484-05:002011-01-03T21:37:57.484-05:00Bingo - totally completely agree. That is exactly...Bingo - totally completely agree. That is exactly what I've faced as I've voted no on things that the council members who've been there for two or more decades have wanted. We all get how when the city was flush, they didn't put money away for a reserve and they were generous - they, were, generous. And they never prepared for the worst - only for the best case scenario. It's little solace to look around and see how many other places, far less fortunate than Pepper Pike, have to suffer through all this - and their employees. It is absolutely wretched to know what you are doing to people's salaries and livelihoods that they've come to depend on. But you are right - not being with the Council at the times when they felt able to make choices that led to the consequences we're now facing makes it easier to say, "Consequences - they are real - we MUST consider them NOW."<br /><br />It is really really REALLY unpopular to do that, I knew before I did it and know even more since I've been doing it.<br /><br />Having a committee make recommendations is fine and all - but they don't report back and vote for the fiscal health of 6000 people. The buck does not stop with them, and that does change an awful lot.<br /><br />(And damn - I still owe you an email!)Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-34548352404940841572011-01-03T21:32:44.236-05:002011-01-03T21:32:44.236-05:00Hmm. One thing not discussed in your excerpt (but...Hmm. One thing not discussed in your excerpt (but perhaps in the full story) is the changing composition of legislative bodies. D, R, or otherwise, many people elected in the past 5 years have little or no fealty to labor unions, see the financial troubles in front of their faces, and know what needs to be done. Those folks, imo, have no need to cover past choices they didn't make. Indeed, they should be applauded for making tough ones now - irrespective of who gets worked up over the results.Jason Haashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14581224941149292415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-28721802236466801442010-12-29T19:39:02.449-05:002010-12-29T19:39:02.449-05:00Hey Derek - thanks for the link - I'm adding i...Hey Derek - thanks for the link - I'm adding it to the main post and here it is for those who want to go directly to it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.derekpangallo.com/2010/12/newark-nj-mayor-cory-booker-twitter.html" rel="nofollow">Mayor Cory Booker, Twitter Superhero</a><br /><br />Thanks - I will go update. :)Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-49950621770991403462010-12-29T17:58:30.109-05:002010-12-29T17:58:30.109-05:00He did a great job, incredibly popular. Looks like...He did a great job, incredibly popular. Looks like he's ready to be catapulted to higher office. <br /><br />I profiled him this week too: http://goo.gl/VlQt0<br /><br />You do a good job too Ms. Zimon, but it looks like your twitter bio is almost a year out-of-date.The Googlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540603358025000473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-4303095423610999762010-11-17T18:34:08.363-05:002010-11-17T18:34:08.363-05:00Dear Sean,
Thanks for reading.
I am absolutely n...Dear Sean,<br /><br />Thanks for reading.<br /><br />I am absolutely not in the business of giving advice about real estate purchases, having only made two in my own life (one in Pepper Pike of course!).<br /><br />Although this is a bit of a dodge to your question, it's based on the fact that I've only been on Council since January 2010 while five of my six colleagues have been on for a minimum of 10 years and the sixth was on the planning and zoning committee through most of the years that the Pointe/Townes has been in development. I actually believe he would be one of the best suited to respond to your question.<br /><br />I have only participated in changing the plans once, and that set of changes is what has cleared the way for the current phase of development in the Pointe/Townes. So, I would not describe the situation as one in which "the plans are continually changing" - but I can imagine how partial the information may seem if someone is searching online and trying to put information together.<br /><br />You can find contact information for all the elected officials as well as the City department heads and others (including building department, law director, and so on) at the very bottom of this page:<br /><br />http://www.pepperpike.org/Contact<br /><br />Thanks again and let me know if there is more information I can offer (and I'll always let you know when I can't!).<br /><br />JillJillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803307350223769583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827784169880628207.post-57555697936578621862010-11-16T23:37:55.558-05:002010-11-16T23:37:55.558-05:00Dear Council Member Jill,
I came across your blog...Dear Council Member Jill,<br /><br />I came across your blog after conducting research on the Pointe / Townes of Pepper Pike at Sterling Lake being built by Pulte as a prospective home-buyer.<br /><br />Reading related articles on CVT; I am now unsure if I should buy a town-home in this community or not, considering that the plans are continually changing.<br /><br />So what is your advice to a working professional (early 30's) who prefers to reside closer to work (Beachwood) and finds the 200k - 300k affordable especially for a new construction?<br /><br />Looking forward to hearing from you.<br /><br />Best Regards,<br /><br />Seansnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17734921817258838978noreply@blogger.com