Vote November 5th

No matter who or what you are voting for this election, don't forget to go vote tomorrow!

Minerva Park residents vote at the Minerva Park Community Building.

Ohio Revised Code requires that no loitering or campaigning be performed within 100 feet of a polling place, or if the queue for said polling place extends past 100 feet, campaigning may not be done within 10 feet of the line.

See: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3501.30

The 100 feet is to be marked by small flags of the United States.

In the case of the MP Community Building, 100 feet is about the distance between the entrance of the building and the opposite side of the street on Minerva Lake Road.

Comment Reminders

With the campaign getting closer, comments are a flurry on the blog.

I'd like to point out some things:
1. This blog is obviously NOT a public news source. I am under no obligation to the public in the information that I write about. If you want straight unbiased facts, you're going to have to get them from experience. Though I'm starting to question even that.

While in the past I tried hard to keep this blog to straight facts only and no opinion, it wasn't getting far and it is very hard to keep your opinions to yourself on these issues; as is evident in the comments left.

2. Please review the comment policies, located on a separate tab at the top of the screen, here: http://walkinginminervapark.blogspot.com/p/comment-policies.html

I do my best to respond to the requests to remove individual comments.

To the individual that thinks my comment removal is biased, I want to remind you that the comments about "the other side" have not been requested to be removed. Though....sometime last year I received a certified letter from a Minerva Park police officer ordering that I remove comments someone had written about him on this blog. He threatened legal action if I didn't remove them. That's a little much, eh? All one needs to do to have comments removed is ask. You can even do it anonymously! Though it doesn't make a lot of sense to ask that every single comment be removed, because what's the fun in that? What would we be without the ability to voice our opinions? Not American.

Let the Smearing Begin

I was going to point out how it appeared that the four candidates running together were forming a coalition against Roberto Segovia and Tony Benedetti.

I now have the evidence to back that up.

The very fact that the four of them are campaigning together when there are four positions open and six candidates shows that they're trying to be one side.

I have only received independent campaign material from John Michaels; none of the others have distributed campaign material of their own that I know of. True, campaigning is expensive. That's why I didn't do much by way of fliers when I ran for council two years ago. BUT...it supports the point that it's become "us against them" in this campaign.

There was a flier that went out this week. I didn't receive a copy, my neighbor whose views are well known to support Mr. Benedetti didn't get one, and the two candidates the flier bashes did not receive one either--again, the expense factor could explain, glad they didn't waste their money on us, but if they thought I wouldn't post it online they were more delusional than I thought.

The flier is an outright bashing of the two candidates that aren't part of their clan.
As always-if you would like to increase the image size, click on the image and a new page will open. Navigate with the "back" button to return to this post.

We knew that there would be outright smearing coming. If members of their campaign aren't already on this blog smearing Mr. Benedetti, they've done it publicly with this flier. 

If you want "new blood," if you want things to change in Minerva Park, I'd suggest we get a new President of Council. Pam has been the President of Council for at least the last six years. Is she effective? Things won't change until the hierarchy of those in power changes. 

They seem to have made it clear that if Tony or Roberto were elected, they wouldn't be prepared to cooperate with them based on the campaign tactics they're using now.

Ultimately, you make the decision when you vote. Whatever that may be...I encourage you to go do it. There is at least one thing I will agree with in this flier...your vote only counts when it's cast.

Trick or Treat Rescheduled

Minerva Park PD announced that our Beggars Night is now Saturday November 2 from 4-6 pm. 

Trick or Treat Night

The mayor is seeking recommendation from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission on the rescheduling of Beggars Night. 

She reports that there will be a conference call at 11 am today.

Residents should know more after that. 

What are your thoughts? 

How would this best be managed if it is moved? 

October Villager Issue Number 1

As usual, there are many issues with the presentation of items in the Minerva Park Villager.

Issue one that I would like to call your attention to is this, contained in the Mayor's Report:

"On September 23, the Planning & Zoning Commission, with some Council members and residents present, met with Fischer Homes' representatives to review an initial plan of the layout of the full development of the property and to discuss the Pre-annexation Agreement. This was not a public hearing or a town meeting." (emphasis added)

This comes immediately after Lynn's profession that everything is being open and shared with all residents. She then writes that the meeting was attended by "some residents" but it was not a public hearing or a town meeting.

Some of you are still going to insist that there is nothing wrong. Some will still say that I put a negative spin on this and am leaving other considerations out; perhaps there are other considerations--no one can possibly know everything that factors in to any particular action, even their own.

For those of you who feel that way, your opinions won't be changed, and I don't intend to make that so. You have to be the one to decide to change your own mind. Reading this blog is the first step to accepting some of the truths that many seem to overlook consistently. If that's insulting, you should be further insulted by the way that "your" elected officials run this village.

Candidates flier

What do you think?

Quote for Minerva Park Residents

"What we need as a country, is to make sure as many people as possible are involved in politics. It's a lot harder for other folks to decide our future if we are constantly paying attention."--Maria Teresa Kumar @MariaTeresa1

This very issue is the root of what plagues Minerva Park. I think we can all agree that the apathy is going to tear us apart one way or another. If we don't all agree, I'm sure we will be seeing evidence of that in the comments.

Coffee with Council

Open forum with council Monday night, September 30 at 7pm. 

Bring your own refreshments. 

A Candidate Has Been Removed

For those of you who weren't aware of the policing that Sharon Bierman does each election, I'd like to enlighten you.

There is a history of Sharon's involvement in getting candidates that are of a different agenda off of the Minerva Park ballot. She reviews the pubic records of the candidates that she chooses and if there is the slightest fault in how they are completed, she files a protest to have their candidacy removed.

This year, Russell Dobbins fell prey to her protest.

The statute that relates is:

R.C. 3513.09 If the petition required by section 3513.07 of the Revised Code to be filed with a declaration of candidacy consists of more than one separate petition paper, the declaration of candidacy of the candidate named need be signed by the candidate, or of an attorney in fact acting pursuant to section 3501.382 of the Revised Code, on only one of such separate petition papers, but the declaration of candidacy so signed shall be copied on each other separate petition paper before the signature of electors are placed on it.

Sharon reviewed Russell's petition and found that because he signed and dated after 11 of the signatures were gathered, rather than before, the 11 signatures were not applicable. 

Her letter of protest is found below, with names and address numbers redacted:

Sharon must be familiar with all the loopholes in improper petition filing. She's also probably appalled that Council didn't get the necessary paperwork filed on time to have the income tax increase on the ballot this November. The mayor plays it off as "saving us money" because it supposedly costs less to run in a spring election...but that wasn't their original intent based on what was presented in council meetings.

This has happened before to Tony Benedetti's petitions, where Sharon Bierman has protested and gotten him removed from the ballot. I wonder if she and her pals have always filled out their petitions immaculately?

In speaking with Russell, who continues to encourage I participate more actively in all aspects of the community, he says:

"The thing to remember is that you may make a change by participating, but you will never make a change on the outside looking in."

Shame we can't vote for him this fall, thanks to someone who resigned from her position on council months ago.

If it's insulting, it's because the truth is something she shouldn't be proud of.

MPCA Experiences

You might be aware that the MPCA was in need of individuals to fill the position of President, among others.

I want to share with you my experience in volunteering for the position, which I believe highlights some of the issues in our community. The MPCA is not immune to the animosity that is shown by council. Considering that several individuals act or have previously acted on both, it's not too surprising. What is...dumbfounding (not surprising) is that during the September MPCA meeting it was stated that they desire to separate themselves from council; to create a better distinction between the two entities. There are many steps the MPCA could take to do this, but currently turn a blind eye towards.

That's a separate issue.

When I asked how to volunteer, I was forwarded to Bob Gale, who is in charge of the nominating committee.

I was asked to meet with the nominating committee, though I was out of town and not sure when I would return, as I informed Bob:

---

Hi Jessica,

Can you meet with the nominating committee this Sunday evening at Bonnie Townsend's house (...address removed by Jessica for privacy...) ?

Thanks, Bob

---

Bob,

Unfortunately I am headed out of town for an event this weekend and I'm not sure what time I will return Sunday evening. 

Is there a time scheduled? I might be cutting it close. 

Thanks,

Jessica

---

It is scheduled for 7pm. Sorry I did not put that in the email. Thinking we might have a full slate by Sunday

---

Bob,

How did the meeting go?

I'm sorry I couldn't be there; I was still in transit. 

Any word on the position?

Thanks,

Jessica 

---

Hi Jessica, 

Sorry we you could not attend. We have all of the officer positions filled. We might have some committee appointments open if you are interested, but won't know until the end of the month.

Regards, Bob

---

Bob,

I am not sure how the positions have been filled when the deadline to apply was listed as today in the Villager. 

I thought that this meeting was of the nominating committee, not a meeting to vote in the officers. 

Please help me get these facts straight so that I don't have a negative perception of why volunteers have been turned down and redirected to the positions that existing officers might prefer them to be in.

It seems to me that the process is a bit backwards, since the association has not held a public meeting to address this but apparently the officer positions are filled? Please help steer me straight in understanding how this occurred. 

Something isn't adding up and before I jump to too many conclusions about the process I'd like to know what I might be missing here.

Thanks,

Jessica

---

Jessica,

It was a meeting of the nominating committee last night. As of last night regardless of the deadline we had enough people to recommend for the ballot vote for the general meeting on Wednesday. No other members of MPCA were involved in approving these choices other than the nominating committee.

We waited  over 45 minutes for you hoping you would show and then went ahead with our meeting. 

Regards, Bob

---

After the Monday night Council meeting, where the Vice President of the MPCA heard what had happened, I received this e-mail from bob:

---

Jessica you can always nominate yourself when the chair calls for closing nominations in the Wednesday meeting.

---

It should be noted that I received notice that the meeting would start at 8:15 rather than the usual, earlier meeting time, because the sitting President was going to be traveling.

I also received verbal apology from Bonnie Townsend when she informed me to bring copies of my resume to the meeting if I was going to be nominated. (Turns out I didn't need them but that's another story)

During the meeting, Dick Busick interrogated me as to why I operate "the blog that is...insulting to many in this village.."

My response was if it is insulting it's only because the truth is something they shouldn't be proud of. 

Until the officials and personalities in charge of this village start taking accountability for their actions, and start treating all residents with equal respect regardless of their political opinions, home ownership status, or hours of volunteering put in, this village is going down the pipes. If you don't believe me based on that statement, read the Villager more critically, attend a meeting or two, or read previous posts (and comments) on this blog. 

The attitude I was met with from the "officers" of the MPCA was overall not very inviting and is the very issue as to why many people don't volunteer. If the volunteers aren't doing it in a way that "they" want, they are either turned away or redirected. That said, some of the officers did seem to try to counter balance the negativity or hostility, but until there is zero tolerance for this from both officers and attendees of the meetings, things will be very hard to change. Maybe I'm too optimistic.

Crime in Vacant Houses

The Minerva Park PD Facebook page reports:

"Minerva Park PD had a report of two vacant houses for sale which were found burglarized over the weekend. Copper was removed from inside both houses. Please be aware of this information and if you see vehicles parked outside vacant homes for sale or unfamiliar persons, please call us right away to have the situation checked out. The quickest way to reach an officer is through the dispatch number: 525-3333."


It appears the Minerva Park reputation may be declining. These houses are located on Wildwood, about 5 lots away from Cleveland Ave.

It bears a reminder to be cautious and safe. If you have a vacant home, general ideas to make it look less vacant are: timed lights, keeping curtains closed, keeping up with the lawn care, keeping a vehicle there or rotating vehicles, coming and going frequently. It's a lot of work, but it may save you several thousand dollars in home value--a home without plumbing and with evidence that it has been robbed of it is going to be a lot harder to sell. 

Law Director's Contract

One of the recurring issues between Minerva Park Council and some residents who happen to pay attention is the Law Director's contract.

The contract states "Fee arrangements for additional projects will be negotiated and agreed upon by WBBB and the mayor, and approved by council."

According to research of Tony Benedetti, it has been five years since council has been asked to approve the additional work.

At monday's council meeting, Tony made this statement: "council needs to be involved and decide when the law director should be involved. The law director and mayor should say 'we have this issue, do you want to spend some of that $10,000 on this?'"

That's not the way it's done currently. The law director does what she feels is necessary, without the input of council. She does keep them apprised of the activities, but there is no longer any input on council before the hours (money) are spent.

Again, Tony provides that last year $25,000 was spent by the law director, beyond the original contract amount, and it wasn't approved by council- funds were appropriated but none of the activities were approved. There is a difference in appropriating the money and having a particular activity approved to subtract from the funds appropriated. This is another example where council has been taken out of the involvement. If the law director says something is not routine work, it comes from the appropriated funds beyond the contract amount.

In response to this, Jennifer Croghan made the following statement at the July 8 council meeting: "we would say that when you appropriate the funds for the x amount, that's when it is approved." and "when the mayor gets a lawsuit in the door we cant sit around and wait until next month to get together."


The contract also states provisions for "complex litigation," including such things as attendance at hearing before a judge and/or a jury, and appeals. The rates for complex litigation "shall be pre-approved by the Mayor prior to WBBB [law firm] commencing work on any individual matter. The fee arrangement set for the below in "additional projects" shall also apply to "complex litigation."

In other words, ..."and approved by council" applies to complex litigation.


Thus far in 2013, $11,686.64 has been billed to Minerva Park from the law director, beyond the contract amount, for six matters (five separate cases, one was appealed).

I'm uploading the previous contract as best I can do right now, in case you'd like to see what the text says yourself. Most browsers will support clicking on the image to make it large enough to read. Press the "back" button to return to the blog when finished.

These are the expenses beyond contract amounts to date

Skunks

Since we have those predatory animals about (coyotes and foxes), I'd like it if they would start preying on the skunks around here, rather than people's pets. 

I know, cats don't put up the defense a skunk can; but I'm tired of smelling them once every week or so. 

Anyone else notice increased skunk activity lately?

Another reason to keep pets and small children in during the evening and night. 

Communication in the Park

One of the issues discussed at last night's special council meeting was the lack of communication within the Village and between Council and the residents. 

Although personally I don't think twitter is the way to go, we need better communication. 

Council could start by keeping village affairs in the purview of those who are paying for it; the residents. 

Council has a pattern of waiting until the last minute to divulge information to get residents involved and informed. And them they complain that no one gets involved. 

We don't find out about meetings unless we A. Attend all the meetings to hear the plans for next week B. know people who attend all the meetings and pass on the message or C. Well I can't come up with anything for item c because there is no item c that I'm aware of. 

Also, we don't have any knowledge of what really happens with legislation until after its passed. 

It seems everything is discussed behind closed doors or discussed in passing in the village meetings and not shared with the entire village until its irreversible. 

Example: the trash contract. It was being discussed in 2011 that residents might have to start paying for trash out of pocket. Residents had little clue about this until 14 days before the bill came in April 2013. By then it was too late to do anything about it. 

So, now that I've given you some examples of the problem, lets discuss some possible resolutions. 

Twitter is not going to go far in my opinion but *something* is better than nothing that's for sure. 

Ideally we need something either free or very cheap and with the ability to cross generations. We have residents with varying degrees of technology and should not exclude that population that doesn't use Facebook or twitter or blogger or the World Wide Web. 

The MPCA has a phone tree system but the community association should not be held responsible for disseminating the messages of council. They already are in that the villager is the only way to get hard copy information about the goings on. 

The signs for the special council meeting were taken somewhat positively. If we could get a sign for each entrance and make the changes as needed for the dates or info that would be a great start. New ones are expensive but I would bet the mayor has a few extra she could donate to the cause. She did plaster the village with them last election whether asked to or not. 

If the village would make use of the resources we have here in our residents, we could resolve many issues that we have. So, please offer your thoughts whether realistic or completely hopeful. A thought cannot hurt. 

-Jessica Rhoads 

Rhoadsformp@gmail.com

Special Council Meeting June 27th Outcome

The motion to confirm the intent to buy the 52 acres of the golf course was voted down four votes to five at tonight's council meeting. The village will not be buying any part of the golf course based on this vote as of tonight.

Details might follow. I'm exhausted by the chaos that is Minerva Park Council.

Thanks for reading.

-Jessica Rhoads
rhoadsformp@gmail.com

Golf Course- Special Council Meeting

Word on the street (or blog) is that there is a Special Council Meeting to be held June 27 at 7 pm to discuss the golf course situation. 

This is highly likely to go into executive session but in the off chance that citizens are given an opportunity to listen or be involved, it would be great to have some attendance. 

Personally I have plans as of now but would like to know the outcome. 

Chickens?

How do you feel about neighbors having chickens in Minerva Park?

The village has allegedly "ok'd" them citing Franklin County's policy on them. 

But what if the chickens are in plain sight for all to see? 

How is this better than a vegetable garden in the front yard? MP tried to legislate those out of the park a while back. I don't think anything came of it. 

Bottom line is this; whenever something irritates the right person (be they in the hen house with council or the rooster that never stops crowing) there is discussion of creating an ordinance to satisfy that one person. But if you're not in that club, you're not going to get far with your concern from what I've witnessed. 

I'm all for the country way of life, myself, and I'd love to have chickens and grow a vegetable garden again. But I don't because of my locality. I have a dog. We now have foxes in the park. My interest in pursuing these dreams takes me out of mp and into a less legislated way of life. 

So, as residents or even observers, how do you feel about chickens in the park? Is there a need to create setbacks and rules as to where and how they're kept? 

This hen house looks well built and  perhaps you might say cute, but what's good for one has to be good for the other. What if it wasn't as well built? What If you find it ugly? What can be done to uphold both the freedoms we Americans are entitled to and the quality of the neighborhood?

Oh and what if someone starts selling eggs? Are they going to be required to have a home occupancy permit too, like all other businesses in the park are required to have?

Food for thought. 

Garage Sale This Weekend

The annual Minerva Park Community Association Garage Sale is this Saturday, June 15th.

Be safe out there, have a good time and hopefully a good sale if you're having one, and watch for pedestrian traffic if you're going out.

Hopefully we'll have a large crowd this year; I've noticed in past years Wildwood we haven't had as much traffic as we did years ago.

Wildlife in Minerva Park

While the wildlife is sometimes an asset in our village, many of you may already be aware of the predatory wildlife also calling this place home.

For years, there have been reports of Coyotes in the Hawthorne wildlife area. It is always a possibility.

Now, there are reports of foxes in Minerva Park. There was a sighting of a mother and baby fox on Wildwood within the last month. There are also the remains of something wildlife-like at the end of Wildwood, by the Cleveland Ave. intersection.

Two nights ago, there was a skunk about the area as well. I didn't see it; it had other ways of making itself known.

Although I have a 50 pound dog that is happy to chase off these critters, he's not always out and apparently he was in long enough for a fox and skunk to disregard his scent.

It's advisable to keep small pets in at night (cats, small dogs, etc.) if possible. If you have a rabbit, (or chickens....perhaps?...don't know what happened with that issue, myself) it is probably wise to keep their living quarters raised off the ground enough that a fox won't torment them too much. And obviously, keep their enclosures secure.

Word on the block is the Mayor has contacted ODNR for advise on how to handle the predatory wildlife we have living here. In the meantime, keep your pets-and small children-safe and watched.

The following link may provide useful information (ODNR Division of Wildlife Nuissance Species information):
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/dealing_with_wildlifeplaceholder/NuisanceSpecieslandingpage/terrestrialnuisancewildlife/tabid/5674/Default.aspx

Unfortunately, we can't tax the wildlife too. Though someone around here may try.

Car break-ins reported.

Per a message from the Minerva Park Community Association, three cars on Jordan Rd were broken into recently and valuables were stolen. 

Another reminder to keep your cars locked and free of anything a thief might be interested in. 

It is advisable to keep your home doors locked as well and valuables out of sight. 

Word has it the vehicle break-ins were forced entry, so be extra cautious about what you leave in your car-locked or not. 

Be safe and well. 

Vote no this Tuesday! We're running out of money as a village. Why put this mismanagement into a business as well.

Golf Course Meeting

Reminder: the meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, April 28th at 4pm.

It will be at Hawthorne Elementary.

Bring any information you have and a dose of respect; the more civil these discussions can be the more all will be willing to listen.

Golf Course Meeting

According to The Villager that I received in today's mail, the meeting will be held April 28th at Hawthorne Elementary's Gymnasium (the cafeteria in my mind as a former student, but maybe they do mean the gym...?)

The meeting is scheduled from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Another Trash Ordinance, and Another Emergency

Well, they're at it again.

The following legisilation will be before council at the upcoming meeting, Monday, April 8th. (Starts at 7pm)
It is already outlined to have the three readings waived, and to be passed, as an emergency, on the 8th.





































































Most abrasive are these portions of the ordinance:
"No firm or corporation other than the Village or its authorized agent who holds a lawful contract with this Municipality shall collect, remove or transport garbage or refuse from single family residences within the Municipality."

and 


"(a)    Whoever violates Section 1060.02 or pleas to a violation of Section 1060.02, or is convicted of a violation of Section 1060.02 shall be fined not more than fifty dollars ($50.00).  Each day’s continued violation shall constitute a separate offense. 

(b)   If a firm violates Section 1060.03 or enters a plea to a violation thereof, or who is found to be guilty of violation thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000)." 


In other words, even though they just passed a resolution that you'll be the one paying for services, you can't elect to use another service for trash collection. Well, you can, it's just illegal in Minerva Park now, and you will be subject to a fine.

They defend being able to do this with ORC 715.43.
The ORC Section 715.43 says this:
"Any municipal corporation may provide for the collection and disposition of sewage, garbage, ashes, animal and vegetable refuse, dead animals, and animal offal, and may establish, maintain, and regulate plants for the disposal thereof.
Effective Date: 10-01-1953"

"Provide for"....does that include requiring residents not only pay for refuse collection but also that they pay the entity that Minerva Park chooses? It seems that is the way MP officials have interpreted it. History shows, however, that that MP officials interpret isn't always correct. In my experience, it is incorrect more often than not....but nobody does anything about it, so it doesn't matter. They have free rule over this village and nobody tries to stop them for very long. Now's the time to get involved. 

Now that they are requiring residents to pay out of pocket for something that used to come from our taxes, people are starting to pay more attention.

By the way, if you're one of the many calling Local Waste asking them why you're required to pay now and when your credit from your taxes is going to come back to you....it's not. Don't ask them, ask the Mayor and Council, preferably in these "open meetings" they claim to be having.