http://minervapark.net/
This is currently hosted by Charles Legg, Minerva Park Council Member.
Of the continuation of the forum, which has yet to go live (hopefully it will be up soon) he says:
Working on Website - Friday, January 20, 2012
Since I have been appointed to Council and the negativity of the Walking in Minerva Park blog, I have decided to continue work on this website. I will keep everyone posted over the next few weeks. - Charles Legg
Though this blog, Walking in Minerva Park, is seen as negative, I hadn't intended for that to be the only perception of it. Of course there is negativity brought about by the topics posted here, it's politics. But, I still feel that this venue is needed to dispense information that the Village Council and/or Administration doesn't seem to actively dispense to residents.
Unfortunately most of the things posted here do have a negative reception, but I believe a lot of that reception comes from the actions of council themselves. If council did things in an open, inviting way, the negativity might decrease; and perhaps some posts would start being positive off the bat. I have seen little progress since I've started watching the goings on in the Community Building, and I have to wonder why, obviously it's because "we're so negative". It seems when opinions are different than their own or their own
intentions, they are seen as negative by council or others in the
village.
The lack of interest in this may be seen in the Rules of Council for 2012, where Citizens Comments are restricted from "anger expressed". How can you ask to limit residents from expressing their anger with something? Surely residents can be expected to be respectful and safe in their expressions, but a rule stating anger is not to be expressed shows why this blog is needed.
Dear council, perhaps you yourselves should follow this rule as well. A certain council member has been known to slam on the table when disagreeing with another. "Killing a bug" irrationally, slamming the table and stamping feet while disagreeing with what another is saying? Maybe council should follow their rules for comments as council members, not just imposing such strict rules on citizens who chose to speak up.
Negative or not, this blog gives another outlet for residents to get information, share their information, or feelings and opinions, negative, positive, or otherwise. Those that come to this blog and take the time to read it make that decision themselves. They are responsible for where they invest themselves through the credibility of their sources. The Villager is certainly one-sided, much more so than this blog is by nature.
Residents can't even have something published to the Villager (community newsletter) without it being approved by Sharon Bierman, Council member, and Villager Advertising, Design, and Layout coordinator. Among other lines of editing in the MPCA. How is this not biased?
I will be interested to see how Mr. Legg's forum is run. Commentators have to have an account, which in itself is a good idea in ways but will also deter some from commenting, or from commenting honestly and openly. I also wonder how the administrative privileges will be used.
Though this blog currently limits residents to commenting on posts written by myself (they can't start topics themselves) I do not approve comments before they go live. I do have the ability to delete comments, but reserve this for when it is requested or blatantly necessary, as outlined in the Comment Policies, above. These deletions will be documented, and have been. So far, the most common deletion necessary is simply that of formatting errors or duplicate publications. I am not here to moderate or babysit comments, though sometimes I have felt they've been somewhat personal or non-productive, the outlet of commenting is still of value for some residents.
The more opportunities we have to speak up as residents, without censorship, the better. Minerva Park doesn't seem to be doing much for that these days, hence why this blog was started, almost a year ago.
Well said and the hell with Charles Legg and his bs.He sits proud in Jessica,s seat! What a man
ReplyDelete! lol
I wonder where Charles has been? He must have got a gag order from the mayor. I know he has got his own web site know so i wonder if he will answer any of Tony's questions that he has in his letter? I have one for Him. Are Minerva Park residents aloud to have chickens???
ReplyDeleteIt's 'allowed'...not 'aloud'....idiot.
DeleteI'd like to know what Charles means by "authorized residents". It sounds to me like a way to keep people from saying things that the Council doesn't approve of. There are many people who aren't going to say anything that might get them on the "Mayor's Radar". To only allow "authorized residents" will limit most constructive criticism. Sharon Bierman already controls all the information we get in the Villager. We don,t need another Council person controlling the information we get. Sharon already paints a pretty picture with the Villager. The things going on in Minerva Park aren't pretty. Sharon's biggest deception was to print that our new Police Chief was cleared on all the charges against her when she was fired from the Sandusky Police department. The truth is she was cleared on 3 of the 4 charges against her. She appealed that decision and the courts recently denied her appeal. So it's official now, our new police chief was fired from her last job for being dishonest. This isn't pretty.
ReplyDeleteI just received the Feb. Villager and I would like to clarify something about The Mayors report. Under the Service part of her report it said that the mayor "negotiated that Local Waste would not impose tapping fees for 2012". The truth is that Councilperson Segovia noticed that the Village had been paying more than the contract amount to Local Waste for years. And after months of trying to justify why they paid more than the contract amount for the past couple years, Council decided that Local Waste could have the trash contract at the contract amount or they would have to put it out to bid again. Local Waste decide to honor the original contract. I wouldn't say that the Mayor negotiated anything, but that's the way Sharon paints the picture. I don't understand how the Community Association can say that the Villager isn't political. I know that Dianne Poncinie is the Editor, but it's my opinion that Councilperson Bierman decides what goes in the Villager. Sharon was the Treasure for the Mayor's re-election committee, if that's not political, what is? I know that Sharon provides alot of free labor for the Villager, but is it worth it.
Jason was recently told that if he didn't make more traffic stops then he would have to be retrained. From "one of the best officers I've seen" to being retrained?? Sounds fishy to me. Hang in there Jason. You could always resort to impounding keys from private property. Lock your running vehicles Minerva Park residents. The MP key fairy will take your key and leave you with a citation if you don't.
ReplyDeleteBetter the MP key fairy than a car theft.
DeleteNow comment on the real issue. Retrained, because he chooses to concentrate on other important issues like protecting personal property, house and business checks and patrolling village roads? He is the best officer you have, maybe you can learn a thing or two from HIM.
ReplyDeleteWell said anonymous. Sounds like harrasment to me. Leave the guy alone, let him do his job. Hang in there Officer Gross and continue to be the best "Officer Matt has ever seen".
ReplyDeleteAttention all MP residents: Officer Gross started his first night of "retraining" with LT Fenstemaker last night. Shortly after, Jason was sent home and "relieved of duty" for the rest of the weekend for alleged insubordination. The cruiser camera/audio was recording at the time. Stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteI smell a lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteThink you smell ANOTHER lawsuit.
DeleteWhat, did he talk with a citizen?
ReplyDeletewOW, GUESS THIS WILL MEAN MORE CLOSED DOOR SESSIONS WITH THE MAYOR, CHIEF AND THEIR PUPPETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is why the officers in Sandusky sent Nuesse packing.
ReplyDeleteHas it always been like this or did it start when Nuesse arrived?
ReplyDeleteI think all this started when the mayor and a couple on council decided to force the old police chief out so the Mayor could have control of the police dept. The old police chief did not answer to the mayor. So before they hired the new police chief they made it so the chief answer's to the Mayor.Before the new Chief was hired the mayor issued general order one. So the new chief had this to look forward to. Not to say she is perfect no one is. The Mayor is the problem !!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe mayor wants all the control she put people around her that does what she wants the to do and say like the code enforcer,Charles Legg and Sharon plus more.
It is funny to see how council votes. They all vote the same way except one and he ask questions and the rest dont like it. Hard to belive they all can agree on one thing all the time.
Boy if you only really knew the truth of this matter. Many years ago, the "old chief" completely ignored and refused to follow the guidelines of the Mayor and the officers were permitted to continue to enforce traffic violations on roads that were not considered, by the 911 dispatching authority, to be in the village's jurisdiction. This caused some serious interagency problems and when it almost came to a showdown between Columbus PD and the Sheriff (Big Jim at the time) the Sheriff was able to calm things down by "convincing" the MPPD chief to perhaps slow down on those disputed streets. This was nothing more than the actions of a chief of police operating beyond the scope of his authority and really didn't respect the needs and wishes of those who were paying their salaries. Whether you like the new chief or not, you have to understand that no police chief is lawfully allowed to operate on their own without being answerable to the elected official that oversees the department, namely the Mayor. (Notice, I capitalize the titles of those who are elected and not appointed.) The police chief of any village, according to the Ohio Revised Code, answers to the Mayor and in fact, works at the pleasure of the appointing authority, meaning the Mayor. You folks don't know the law so it's easy to see how and why you are all being so defiant of the reality that is now, for perhaps the first time in many years, being followed according to state law. Find fault all you want but don't fail to realize that the elected officials are doing the best they can to comply with not just the desires of the majority of the residents, but to do so within the confines of the Ohio Revised Code and a host of other munucipal limitations. As far as the actions of individual officers are concerned, perhaps you should ask yourself, if officer Gross was patrolling within the confines of the Village like he was instructed to do by the Mayor, he wouldn't have been on Westerville Road and involved in the tragic loss of life that resulted. Now, the Village and officer Gross are involved in a costly civil lawsuit that would not have happened had he simply obeyed his orders Those officers that have left the Village have done so knowing full well, the administration would no longer tolerate their independent actions that violated the orders lawfully set forth by lawfully elected public officials. For those of you who hold a job, how long would you think you would continue to hold it if you intentionally disobeyed the boss's orders? Do you actually think this is any different? If so, you are out of touch with reality. Many of you are so full of anger, you simply cannot logically come to the conclusion the overwhelming majority of the village residents have. And perhaps you should look at the character and integrity of one or more of those within your group that are the most vocal before you find fault with those who are merely trying to do the job the community expects. It's difficult for someone to continue to voice such negative opposition to the establishment when they themselves have personally run afoul of society by their own unlawful actions. Remember the old adage that says, People who live in glass houses..."
ReplyDeleteThe "911 dispatching authority" is not the final authority on jurisdiction. The Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Revised Code are the final authority and they clearly give Officer Gross and the MP Police Department jurisdiction on adjoining roadways. Both chief and mayor under oath stated they were unaware of such authority.
DeleteAnd to even suggest that Officer Gross was negligent in any way for the accident on Westerville Road is...simply dumb. The Columbus Police Department did a very thorough investigation and concluded that Officer Gross had done nothing wrong. That could have happened to anyone, inside or outside of MP, on any roadway. You cannot expect an officer to stay within the confines of his jurisdiction for an entire eight hour shift. They have errands and follow-ups, they meet and share other information with other officers, eat and pee all outside of their jurisdiction. Your comment regarding Officer Gross’ accident is irrelevant to the current blog.
DeleteNice idea thinking that the chief's orders are end all be all of Minerva Park but unfortunate for you,there is a real world. In the real world,the policies are in writing,policies don't change like the weather and "the boss" actually follows her own policies and knows the law. You are also misinformed on the unfortunate accident regarding Officer Gross. It was an accident. He was cleared of everything on his end 2 years ago as he was represented by the FOP then as well. Minerva Park having a long drawn out civil lawsuit isn't Officer Gross' choice. Accidents happen. Perhaps your mistaken perception would be different if it were you driving down the road,or some other officer having an accident,or better yet,the accident happened and officer Gross was the first responder....then he'd be your hero,but somehow he would still be insubordinate. In the real world, the gentleman in the accident had a near lethal alcohol level and laid down in the road bc he was suicidal. This was something his own friends who were present testified to. It was unfortunate at all angles but your perception is ridiculous. No one chooses to run over people. Perhaps if Westerville Rd was better lit,this wouldn't have happened.Perhaps if Minerva Park had more competent lawyers,they would've had a better outcome to the case.(realize this is your mindset and I'm sure the lawyers made their best decision.)Perhaps if they had a better chief and mayor who were professional and followed their own policies,they would have less costly court cases. Look at what the lawyers had to deal with. They couldn't have Officer Gross testify bc the mayor/chief fired him ruining the case....there was no winning for minerva park here. Perhaps they should quit harassing officers and instead do their own jobs. In the real professional world, people aren't told "I have the authority to relieve you of your duties (bc of supposed insubordination) but if you apologize I won't send you home." I've been in the real professional world for at least 10 years in the same job role and have never seen more unprofessional,inconsistent "bosses" than I have seen through watching my husband at work. Perhaps Officer Gross will never need to put gas in the cruiser,take someone to jail,assist other officers,or go to court in uniform....bc those all occur outside of jurisdiction. Whomever wrote this might want to come outside the minerva park bubble,it's quite nice out here in reality. Vickie Gross RN/CEN
DeleteIn reply to "Anonymous Feb 7, 2012 02:17 PM".
DeleteIn mid 2007 to early 2008 I believe the Villager had comments in regards to State Representative Kevin Bacon for his assistance in HB669 becoming law, allowing police to enforce state traffic laws on any street or highway immediately adjacent to its municipal corporation limits. Not sure how the 911 dispatching authority determines what is in the village's jurisdiction but it seems based on that information as well as other Ohio Revised Code previous to then, clearly contradicts your claim of knowing the truth of this matter. Of course maybe that is all wrong under your view of "You folks don't know the law", and what was stated regarding State Representative Kevin Bacon did not really happen.
Thank you for your condescending and somewhat flawed answer.
ReplyDelete"you folks don't know the law" is a great way to sell your ideas.
If the Mayor and elected officials (and appointed ones) were operating within the confines of the ORC, they wouldn't get sued so often, leading to a need to increase the budget for legal services.
As for "the majority" it is very likely that the "majority" who voted for Ms. Lynn Eisentrout did not have much education on what is truly going on under her rule, or are fearful of showing any opposition.
While I am not necessarily against everything that the Mayor or Council does by any means, I think those who are die-hard supporters are in serious denial. There are big problems within our village, in the administration and the police force right now, and to sit there and spend energy covering it up and pointing fingers isn't going to solve that.
To say everything is right in MP and that the mayor and police chief have done nothing wrong in the way they've handled recent issues is an obvious mark of a lack of critical thinking and honesty with oneself. It's a shame that so many people are spending their time trying to cover these things up and point fingers at the other guy and play holier than thou.
How can we believe or respect a chief who was fired for lying? The judge said her management style is one of half truths and outright lies. How can anyone follow such a person?
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ReplyDeleteHey Matt, why do you follow a liar?
DeleteI would also like to know where this person's compassion is. Do you think you would look at the parents of the accident victim and say, "perhaps if your son wasn't drunk,depressed and suicidal he wouldn't have laid down in the road thus leading to the inevitable result"??? Does it bring him back? Does it provide comfort to point fingers in the accident? Do you even understand how traumatic this incident was for all parties involved? Officer Gross isn't the cause of the problems of minerva Park. To even comment on this incident in a noncompsssionate perspective shows disrespect to all parties involved.....especially. when you werent present at the accident scene. And yes,while im not a resident or officer,I was there that horrible morning to attempt comfort/ understanding and explanation to my husband....and unfortunately have been on the other side in the trauma room to hold hands of family members in similar situations. Have some respect,no one "won" in this case! Vickie gross
ReplyDeleteTo the person who thinks everyone else doesn't understand the law. You should read Ohio Revised Code 2935.03 (E)(3). This is the law that gives police departments the authority to pull people over on the road immediately adjacent to the boundaries of there jurisdiction. To say that the laws weren't being enforced correctly before and now they are is backwards. Minerva park police have the authority to make traffic stops on Westerville Rd. and Cleveland Ave. The Mayor and Chief both have testified that they didn't believe that Our Police can make traffic stops on Cleveland Ave and Westerville Rd.If you read this code you will see who doesn't understand the law.
ReplyDeleteIt's my opinion that the person shooting off their mouth is Dick McCreary. I have heard him at a Council meeting say that he knew what the overwhelming majority of the residents of the village were thinking. I don,t think anybody can say they know what the overwhelming majority of the residents feel. The overwhelming majority of the residents don,'t understand how bad things are getting in the Village, that I am sure of.
Remember this old adage; Better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
ReplyDeleteThe remaining silent is why your mayor keeps getting elected.....people need to know what is going on in MP and quit burying your heads in the sand. Perhaps the mayor and chief should stay quiet as they've become the laughing stock of the area.
DeleteWhy don't all the Jason lovers get their own blog instead of filling up Jessica's blog with the same comments over and over!
ReplyDeleteWhy don't the haters stop bringing up the topic of officer gross if you don't want to hear a response? There have been a lot of public issues brought up with his firing. I don't imagine you like hearing about it Matt bc you are part of the root of the problem. Incompetent people trying to use the "power" you think you have when you have nothing to support your inappropriate actions.
ReplyDeleteThe first step in resolving any problem is to admit that there is a problem. So far we haven't got to that point. The blog is not full of Jason lovers. This blog is the only vehicle residents have to discuss the important issues that face the Village. The most immediate problem we have is the Jason Gross case. During his appeal hearing The Mayor and Chief gave testimony that demonstrates a lack of understanding of The Ohio Revised Code. This is what the president of the Fraternal Order of Police told me while we waited for Council's decision. The people on this blog are tired of the Village administration. The village Council, Mayor, and Police Chief have taken an oath to up hold the laws of the State of Ohio and the Village. I don't know how many examples of the Village misapplying the laws you need before Council admits we may have a problem.
ReplyDeleteThey don't need examples. They need dollar amounts to create an understanding.....so how much money has been spent on lawsuits. Just curious how much money has the council spent harassing officer gross? Stay tuned for the end settlement.
ReplyDeleteCouncil or the mayor will never let that be none!!
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ReplyDeleteDid Nuesse take a physic test?
ReplyDeleteVery good question! Although the mayor seems to be at the root of MP's issues.
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ReplyDeleteDo not believe anything Nuesse says. Remember was the judge said about her. Her management style is one of half truths and outright lies!
ReplyDeleteWell now, looks like no one is gonna comment since the council meeting is Monday. The council members and Matt must have been told to keep their mouths shut, and it will all be discussed on Monday night behind closed doors. Sounds about right, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteCan not catch Nuesse in a lie if it is done behind closed doors!!!
ReplyDeleteTrue, but for some reason they are still coming back and biting her and the Mayor in the a--.
ReplyDeleteAbove comments have been removed by request.
ReplyDeleteI ask that posters review the comment policies:
http://walkinginminervapark.blogspot.com/p/comment-policies.html
(or by clicking the tab at the top of the page)
Though I am not responsible for comments made on this blog, I am the only source of administrative access as of present, and can remove comments when necessary or asked.
I have been asked to remove comments above, as they were seen as libelous. Out of respect for these concerns, they are no longer online.
While the purpose of this blog is to air concerns and share ideas, I do hope that it remains productive. Let's try to keep things as well-sourced as we can, and have proactive ideas of how to help our community.
I would say air your concerns over said issues to the Village Government, but I'm afraid the faith in that chain of command is low at present. Go ahead and test the system though, let them prove me wrong.
The Minerva Park Community Network and Forum is still up and running. Only have a handful of residents registered and no activity on the forums. It seems that Jessica has given up as her last post was in the spring and she has quite coming to council meetings. Come on over and take a look at http://www.minervapark.net.
ReplyDeleteSo are residents of Minerva Park allowed to have chickens and goats?
ReplyDelete