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April 2, 2008

Over the past few years, there have been numerous school issues on the ballot, many which haven't been passed. One of the biggest arguments has been the increase of property taxes which would finance the issues for the schools or school improvements. As an educator, it is depressing to see how society has changed its focus from our schools to our professional sports teams. Is the amount that our property tax would increase compare to what we spend on tickets to professional sporting events? Do the names Belle, Thome, or Ramirez ring a bell? We in Cleveland were unhappy that our Indians didn't offer them the extra millions to keep them. However, where is the outrage that that the latest school levy didn't pass? We don't complain when the Browns, Indians or Cavs raise their ticket prices, which helps to pay over-priced athletes, but we worry about our property taxes? We are devastated when a Cleveland team loses a big game and insist on keeping the "free agents", so why aren't we concerned about the future consequences when a school levy fails? Let's return the focus to where it should be. What's more important, focusing on our kids and ensuring them that we have the best education and resources available, or making sure that professional athletes, who make more in one week than many of us make in a year keep getting paid?

Tom Postolka

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2.	Posted by retire public servant January 23, 2009
	dear marc let it go!

1.	Posted by Marc Pepera May 22, 2008
	Regarding Trash Contract in Northfield Center / Rebuttal to Buescher Letter [News Leader 21-May-2008]. I was informed the News Leader does not publish rebuttals to rebuttals, so I am posting here. I stand by my prior letters. Trustee Buescher needs to learn to do his homework and start telling the whole truth. During the public forum of the May 05 meeting, I inquired what due diligence the Trustees performed prior to declining the optional extensions of the current contract. Perhaps Chairman Buescher doesn't remember, since he was busy staring at the table, studiously avoiding eye contact. Trustee Sommer responded that the Trustees did no research about the going rates of new contracts in the area. And the fact remains that no public Trustee discussion occurred prior to allowing the expiration of the low cost extension option. Trustee Buescher also apparently doesn't understand simple economics. Exercising the extension option would have locked in 2005 pricing. Buescher's and Sommer's decision cost Township residents in excess of $80,000 that our residents will never be able to recoup with any future contract. As for the hydraulic spill, I understand the J&J cleanup crew worked the site diligently for several hours under adverse (rainy) weather conditions to the satisfaction of officials on the scene. It was only after the J&J crew left that Trustee Buescher, apparently without prior authorization of either of the other Trustees or J&J, incurred the additional expense on behalf of the Township by calling in another crew to do the additional remediation he decided he wanted done. J&J did make a good will payment of $500 to cover the additional materials used by the crew that Buescher personally called in. J&J also pressure washed driveways and paid for car cleanup for those residents affected. What more can you ask? Marc Pepera, Northfield Center (330.467.7627)