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:

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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:

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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.