Politics

This report, which contains observations and selected highlights of a meeting of the WCOG, is the first in a new series by members of the League of Women Voters - Cuyahoga Area. It is not an official statement of the LWV.

The Westshore Council of Governments was founded in 1971 "to foster cooperation between municipalities in all areas of municipal service." The mayors of the six WCOG cities meet on the second Tuesday of the month, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at the Lakewood Women's Pavilion. Official minutes are prepared by Mayor Summers' office. All meetings are open to the public.

Present: Mayors Bobst (Rocky River), Clough (Westlake), Sutherland (Bay Village), Summers (Lakewood) 

Absent: Mayors Kennedy (North Olmsted), Patton (Fairview Park)

Grant ceremony began 9:30; meeting called to order 9:51 without a quorum; Mayor Sutherland arrived 9:58; meeting adjourned 11:30

CERT grants

Dominion East Ohio and Friends for the Community Foundation presented grants to Westshore Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) for two generators and other equipment.

Hello, my name is Marty Mace and I am running for Mayor in Bay Village. I am running because I care about Bay Village, its residents and the direction the City has taken while addressing the financial challenges caused by today’s economic climate.

I have served the public for 37 years, as a firefighter/paramedic, and I will continue to serve you as your mayor. I will listen to what you have to say, and then work with my team to set goals and priorities to reach our objectives. I will promote cooperation with the core values of integrity and fairness, and will accept that ultimately I am accountable to you.

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." These 39 simple words were first proposed by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1878. Official certification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution came 42 years later, on Aug. 26, 1920.

To mark the 50th anniversary, the National Organization for Women sponsored the 1970 Women's Strike for Equality. More than 20,000 women throughout the country protested for workplace opportunities, political rights and social equality. "Don't iron while the strike is hot!" was their most famous slogan.

Bay Village citizens will have a chance to see the four candidates for Bay Village mayor side by side on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Bay Middle School cafeteria, 27725 Wolf Road.

The Bay Village Chapter of the League of Women Voters - Cuyahoga Area is presenting the forum. Candidates will make short prepared remarks, and an LWV moderator will pose screened audience questions.

Cuyahoga County purged over 38,000 voter registration records on July 17. Was yours one? Check www.443vote.com to ensure you are still eligible to vote. While you're there, verify your address and polling place. This is particularly important if you do not vote regularly or if you have moved since 2007.

Students and young adults who move frequently are especially encouraged to verify their registration and address. A new address, even within the same city, may place you in a different precinct or ward, and it may change your polling place.

The take-away message from the June 19 League of Women Voters' forum on regionalization was that fire district mergers are extraordinarily difficult, and citizens should "demand a long-term, strategic vision" for the proposed merger of Bay Village, Fairview Park, Rocky River and Westlake fire departments.

Dr. Mary Pisnar-Sweeney, associate professor at Baldwin Wallace University and co-author of an influential study for a southside fire district merger, stated that this strategic vision, clear benchmarks, a transparent process, public involvement and defined milestones are essential to success. Benchmarks should include concrete measures such as response times, run times, staffing, expenses and training. If the merger is not meeting its benchmarks or milestones, it should stop, and the process of "unknitting the sweater" should begin.

The Bay Village, Rocky River, Fairview Park, Lakewood and Westlake/North Olmsted chapters of the League of Women Voters-Cuyahoga Area are sponsoring the third of three voter education forums on regionalization on Wednesday, June 19, 7:00 p.m., at the Fairview Park Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 21225 Lorain Road.

This third forum will focus on the factors involved in a merger of fire departments: how it should be evaluated and implemented and the impact on citizens, cities and firefighters. The forum speakers are Dr. Mary Pisnar-Sweeney, an associate professor of business administration at Baldwin Wallace University and Bernard W. Becker, Director of the Center for Emergency Preparedness at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

During the May 22 session of the Ohio House of Representatives, State Representative Nan Baker presented a House resolution to Kelsey Higgins for being named the 2013 Ohio Rose of Tralee.

The Rose of Tralee competition is open to women of Irish descent who reflect the intelligence, compassion and independence of modern Irish women. After being nominated by local businesses or organizations, Roses compete in local competitions in cities around the world. In August, one Rose will earn the title of the Rose of Tralee at the International Festival in County Kerry, Ireland.

Hello. I want to introduce myself and ask for your vote on May 7: Nick C. Nunnari, for Westlake City Council, Ward 2. As your voice on city council I will ensure that our tax dollars are used responsibly and address Ward 2 issues. I will champion your input to envision a plan to keep our city moving forward for our community’s future stability and growth.

I consider myself well prepared for this position:

• First-hand experience: born and raised in Ward 2, Westlake resident for 40+ years
• Warm and approachable: build solid working relationships
• Knowledgeable: attend city council meetings regularly; have gone through the budgeting process
• Well versed on residents’ concerns: water department issue, too frequent electrical interruptions, safety and security posed by aging housing stock, need for better street lighting, attention to speed limits on major streets, more involvement for our senior citizens.

I am blessed with having a combination of three professional licenses: Attorney at Law, Certified Public Accountant, and Lay Minister, all of which I am presently engaged in concurrently. I have served the public for over 30 years, and I am now seeking to use my expertise in serving the public as Ward 2 councilperson.

Two major functions of Council are the enactment of laws (which we call ordinances at the local level) and authorizing expenditures through adoption of the annual budget and supplemental appropriations as the year goes by. My combination of expertise in law and finance makes me exceptionally qualified to excel in the performance of these functions.

Hello, my name is Steve Presley and I am asking for your vote as Westlake’s Ward 2 City Council representative. I have chosen to run for election for several reasons. Foremost is because I care about Westlake, about the residents and the direction of the City that I’ve resided in for over 35 years. I want to ensure that it remains a place where my children want to raise their families.

Secondly is to represent the residents of Ward 2 in a professional, responsive manner that will reflect positively on you and the City. Lastly is to utilize the financial knowledge and experience of municipal government operations that I have obtained over the past 24 years to benefit not only Ward 2 but all residents of Westlake in future decisions made by Council.

State Rep. Nan Baker recently introduced legislation that will help fund rape crisis centers in Ohio and provide essential support for victims of sexual assault.

House Bill 108 requires each person who registers as a convicted sex offender on the Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) database to pay a $100 fee, which is then deposited into the Rape Crisis Center Trust Fund administered by the Ohio Attorney General. It also adds a representative of rape crisis centers as a member of the Safe Victims Assistance Advisory Committee.

State Rep. Nan Baker applauded the Ohio House of Representatives’ passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 2, which designates March 2013 as Reshoring Month in Ohio.

S.C.R. 2 states that reshoring in Ohio will not only create vital manufacturing jobs and efficiently strengthen the economy, but also improve the quality of goods, negate the possibility of trade secret thefts, reduce imports and increase exports, reduce delivery times, and strengthen the industrial base.

With a primary election on Tuesday, May 7, I am asking for your support to be your next Westlake City Council member to represent Ward 2.

I am energized by the opportunity to further serve the public, which has been something I have done my entire life, in both the public sector and non-profit arena – as illustrated by my active involvement in the community for the past decade. 

Currently, I serve as an elected member of the Westlake School Board, and currently work for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, where I serve as the executive director.

Attorney and registered nurse Marie Novak announced her candidacy for the Westlake City Council Ward 2 primary to be held May 7.

Ms. Novak is a wife, mother of two young boys and an active member of the Westlake community.

“I live and work in Westlake,” Ms. Novak said. “I am invested in this community, the schools and the people who live here. I look forward to the opportunity to become ‘a new voice for continued success’ as a member of the City Council from Ward 2.”

Mayor Debbie Sutherland has announced her intention to seek re-election as Mayor of Bay Village, citing unfinished work and the desire to keep the city on the right track.

“As all of us continue to work through these difficult economic times, I am extremely proud of how our city has managed these challenges. Our bond rating has improved two times over the last four years, our home values are stable, our city services have remained strong – all while at the same time reducing our city budget,” Sutherland said.

“I am very pleased that Bay Village was ranked the number one suburb in 2012 by Cleveland Magazine and one of the Top Ten Towns for Families in the US by Family Circle, but we cannot rest on our laurels,” Sutherland continued.

The Fairview Park Democratic Club meeting on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. at Bain Park Cabin will feature as guest speaker Ann Henkel, a representative from the organization Voters First. Henkel, from Columbus, will share information on their campaign to change the redistricting process in Ohio. She is on the board of the League of Women Voters of Ohio.

Voters First, a coalition of groups led by the League, turned in 450,000 signatures of Ohioans to the Secretary of State's office on July 3 to propose an amendment that would change the way we draw legislative and congressional districts in our state.

Job creation: two small words that mean so much for Ohio’s future. In my time as your state representative, I have always emphasized job growth as the key to our economic prosperity, both individually and on a statewide level. Getting Ohioans back to work is one of the most important focuses here in the Statehouse. Accordingly, throughout this General Assembly, my colleagues and I have implemented a number of different tactics to promote this critical objective.

Wonder what the "War On Women" is all about? Come to an exciting and timely forum on Tuesday, June 19, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Rocky River's Umerly Center, 21016 Hilliard Blvd. Hear speakers outline what this war is all about and how we can fight back. Speakers include:

• State Representative Nickie Antonio
• Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio
• Gary Dougherty, state legislative director of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio
• Cynthia Demsey, chair, Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus

Throughout this legislative session, the Ohio House has been working hard to promote job creation, business growth and economic recovery. In recent months, Ohio has experienced a dramatic influx of industry and jobs. In January of this year, the Buckeye state gained 25,000 jobs, and in February, we led the nation in jobs gained with an uptick of more than 28,000. With more and more businesses relocating within our borders, these trends are poised to continue as we move forward in 2012.

Each time that I walk into the Statehouse, I know that my colleagues and I will be working to address important issues facing Ohio. This certainly covers a broad range of topics and each deserves the attention of the state legislature. Two such issues have recently risen to the forefront of the House legislative agenda: workforce development and fraud in government agencies. In the coming months, important actions will be taken to better Ohio by increasing job training opportunities for job seeking Ohioans and routing out fraudulent practices in state government.

Todd LeVeck congratulated newly-elected Andy Meyer who will serve as the 16th District Democratic candidate facing Republican Nan Baker in the November election.

LeVeck stated: “I am grateful to the citizens of our district for all their support during our energetic campaign. My thanks to all those who participated so tirelessly. It has been a joy to work with so many good people of our district. I look forward to all we can do together for the betterment of our community as we go forward toward the election this November.”

The Westlake Republican Club will be gathering on Tuesday, March 6, to celebrate the election of precinct leaders throughout the Westlake community and enjoy the primary election returns.

Are you concerned about the direction our country is headed? Are you frustrated because nobody seems to listen to conservative common sense solutions? You are not alone!

In the past year, the Ohio General Assembly has focused on many important issues affecting Ohioans across the state. From job creation to health care and education, we have worked to better the government services that are entitled to you as a resident of Ohio. One important area that the House has focused on is the protection of injured workers. In the past year, many positive changes have been made to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, ensuring that employees receive the security they need and companies are able to operate with stability.

Most recently, a pharmacy lock-in program has been instituted to limit the misuse of medications by those injured in the workplace. This program will deal with the issue of doctor shopping, limiting the ability to obtain prescriptions from more than one physician and pharmacy in certain cases. The BWC is responsible for the smooth reintegration of recovered workers back into the workplace, and this objective is impaired when injured employees begin to misuse and abuse their prescriptions. With the new pharmacy lock-in program, this danger will be dealt with head on.

We have had an encouraging year with a drop in the unemployment rate and successful results in the arena of job creation. We are moving in the right direction after a series of very financially difficult and unstable years. While the pain of the financial crisis is still able to be felt, the wound is beginning to heal for Ohio. The key to keeping job creation and economic recovery headed in the right direction is developing legislation that is both innovative and resourceful. It is in the spirit of innovation and resourcefulness that I introduced House Bill 18.

H.B. 18 is a bill that accommodates future growth by using resources that Ohio already has in its possession. In recent years, economic hardship has forced businesses both large and small to leave Ohio, abandoning their operating buildings in urban, suburban and rural settings. These buildings sit vacant in areas that are full of citizens that need jobs and are ready to work. Areas with high percentages of vacant properties are also areas that have high unemployment rates.

Congressional boundaries have changed significantly on the westside of Cleveland. Depending on where you live, you may have a new congressman. Due to declining population reported in the 2010 census, Ohio lost two Congressional seats requiring Ohio’s U.S. Congressional districts to be redrawn.

The new districts have now been set and most of the Westshore is primarily in the 16th U.S. Congressional District. The new 16th District added Fairview Park, Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Parma Heights, Strongsville and Westlake, and parts of Berea, Parma, Rocky River.

The House District 16 campaign for Democratic candidate Todd LeVeck kicked off over the holidays with a stirring event in Rocky River on Dec. 29.  

A Westlake resident, born and raised in Cleveland, Todd is a Cleveland Public Schools teacher and a member of the Naval Reserve, as well as a husband and father. Surrounded by family, friends, co-workers and supporters, Todd shared his reasons for running and his passion for change.

As 2012 begins, I thought this would be a good opportunity to re-cap what has been accomplished in the first half of the 129th General Assembly. Our focus from the beginning has been creating jobs and improving the state’s economy. Here is a taste of what we’ve accomplished thus far:

• State Operating Budget: Through the passage of the biennial budget, we filled the state’s $8-billion budget deficit without raising taxes, while retaining many vital public services that citizens depend on.
• Personal Income Tax Reduction: Annually since 2006 – excluding 2010 – four percent each year of the collection of income taxes has been reduced. In that time, Ohio went from being the seventh-most-taxed state to the 16th.

State Representative Nan Baker announced her candidacy for representative of the 16th Ohio House District during the 130th General Assembly.

As a small business owner and chairwoman of the House Economic and Small Business Development Committee, Rep. Baker understands that creating an environment to retain, create and bring jobs to Ohio is a number-one priority. In addition to supporting a budget that filled an $8 billion budget hole without raising taxes, she also supported measures to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, make Ohio’s job-creation efforts more effective with the establishment of JobsOhio, and offer incentives to businesses that have received out-of-state offers in an effort to keep them in Ohio. Keeping American Greetings in Ohio and locating in Westlake is an example of that effort.

On Monday, April 11, I filed petitions with the Board of Elections to continue my service as councilman for Bay Village's Ward 1. With your help, this will be my fifth term of office.

I began my first term as Ward 1 councilman in 2002. Ward 1 is located in eastern Bay. The ward begins at the Rocky River border and goes west to Parkside Road.

I'm particularly proud of the semi-annual Ward 1 meetings I started during my first term in 2002.  These meetings were the precursor and were responsible for City Council’s current Town Hall Meetings of today.

Longtime Bay Village resident Bob Ziebarth is actively campaigning for the Ward 3 City Council seat being vacated by current Ward 3 representative Scott Pohlkamp, who has opted to run for an At-Large seat in the upcoming fall election. Mr. Ziebarth is a licensed Professional Engineer in 15 states, including Ohio.  

“The Code of Ethics for a licensed Professional Engineer is to be dedicated to the protection of the public’s health, safety and welfare; and these are the same principals I will bring to this position,” Ziebarth stated.

With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Valparaiso University and a specialty in Fire Protection, Mr. Ziebarth would bring a unique skill set to the city that fits well with many of the issues we are currently facing. Some of these issues include storm sewer improvements to help reduce basement flooding, upgrades and maintenance to many of the aging city-owned buildings, and the need to still remain fiscally responsible with regards to the city’s budget.

Bay Village resident and Planning Commission member Clete Miller is actively campaigning for the Ward 2 City Council seat vacated by longtime Ward 2 representative Paul Koomar, who has opted to run for President of Council.  Miller has served on the Bay Planning Commission since 2005 and views his candidacy as a natural progression of his interest in serving the community.  “I’ve really enjoyed serving on the Planning Commission.  It has given me a strong foundation to take my commitment to the city and its residents to the next level,” Miller stated. 

Ward 2 is unique in Bay Village in that it contains most of the city’s businesses as well as schools and family dwellings.  Miller’s professional experience translates well to Ward 2. In addition to his current role with the planning commission, Miller is employed by the architecture firm Weber Murphy Fox since 1999 as a project manager. Miller is a Pennsylvania native, relocating from State College, Penn., in 2002 to assist in expanding Weber Murphy Fox’s Cleveland office.

State Representative Nan Baker (R-Westlake) recently introduced legislation that, when enacted, will help unemployed Ohioans find gainful employment and revitalize Ohio’s economy.

House Bill 17 authorizes a $2,400 income tax withholding credit for an employer who hires and employs a previously unemployed individual. Originally proposed by Rep. Todd Snitchler (R-Uniontown) during the 128th General Assembly, this bill is a component of the “Future of Ohio” Economic and Small Business Development Initiative.

In November, 2009, Cuyahoga County residents voted to restructure our County government to an Executive - Council form of government.  For the first time in county history, on November 2, 2010, voters will choose the Cuyahoga County Executive who will lead the new government, and elect their own County Council District Representative. Bay Village and Westlake are part of the newly-formed District 1, along with Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky River and Olmsted Township, all except Precinct D.

The League of Women Voters is presenting two nonpartisan forums of particular interest to Bay Village and Westlake residents. Citizens are encouraged to attend.

First, the District 1 County Council Candidate Forum is set for Monday, September 20, 2010, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Westlake Performing Arts Center, 27820 Hilliard Blvd. (located behind the high school). In partnership with the Westlake City School District.

Many readers are aware of the puppy mill problem in Ohio, where over 11,000 dogs spend their entire lives in small crates strictly for the purpose of breeding and generating income for those who view them only as a cash crop. Daily they suffer, with little or no vet care, no air conditioning, no heat, and often not enough food and water.

Yet many are not aware that at the dog auctions in Farmerstown, Ohio, these dogs are bought and sold in the same manner as livestock. The auctions are the economic engine for the continued sale of these poor animals to pet shops (as has been seen in various TV and newspaper reports) and to each other – the puppy-millers themselves – for the sole purpose of keeping the "breeding stock" and the money flowing in. Many buyers and sellers who attend this auction have long-standing, repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act and/or have been convicted of animal cruelty.

Since 2004, the Ohio Dog Auctions have grown into anything but run-of-the-mill. Breeders who participate in these auctions are raising large numbers of dogs and puppies with profit as the primary motive for existence.

Many of  them are found to be unhealthy, not screened for genetic diseases, do not show resemblance to the breed standard and lack good temperament. 

Participating breeders at this auction travel from many surrounding states, including some, such as Pennsylvania, where public dog auctions are illegal.

Fairview Park Councilwoman Peggy Cleary announced her candidacy for the Ohio State Representative 16th District – an area representing Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky River and Westlake.

Cleary, 54, is a life-long resident of Lakewood and Fairview Park. She has served on the Fairview Park City Council since 2005, where she is a member of all three standing city council committees, and currently serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee, responsible for the oversight of a $23 million dollar municipal budget. 

She has sponsored and supported legislation that reduced city expenses; supported focused economic development; and facilitated municipal collaboration and consolidation within the West Shore District. 

Fairview Park Councilwoman Peggy Cleary was sworn in as an officer of the Northeast Ohio City Council Association (NOCCA) at its February dinner meeting at the Embassy Suites in Independence. 

Cleary, a candidate for State Representative for the 16th District (includes Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky River and Westlake) has been an At-Large member of the NOCCA Board since 2008. She will serve as Secretary to the eleven-member board through February 2011. 

Bay Village resident and activist Rosemary Palmer formally announced today that she will be a candidate in the 2010 Democratic Primary for the Ohio House of Representatives' 16th District.
 
Palmer, a former Statehouse journalist, entrepreneur and teacher, has made sustainability and the green economy cornerstones of her campaign.
 
"Times have changed. It's no longer acceptable to have part-time representatives in Columbus working on yesterday's problems. The people of Bay Village, North Olmsted, Rocky River, Fairview Park and Westlake need a full-time representative focused on tomorrow's economy and helping to create a climate where innovative, new industries can take root and grow our region," said Palmer.

Barbara Anne Ferris, Founder and President of the International Women's Democracy Center (IWDC), is the featured speaker at the next League of Women Voters public meeting set for Thursday, March 4, 2010, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. It is open to the public free of charge, with free parking behind the Cathedral off Prospect Avenue.

The International Women's Democracy Center was established in 1995 to ensure that women worldwide have the necessary tools and skills to participate in politics, policy and decision making within their own democracies. Its offices are in Washington D.C., Ohio, Botswana, Northern Ireland, and Tajikistan.