An important Question on the Miami Street Project

Normally, I support Tiffin University's socially responsible efforts and encourage others to do so, too. This time, though, Tiffin University Officials have become so aggressive, they are abusing those of us in the neighborhood who would otherwise support them.

Their Miami Street Project Plan , if allowed to go through by our City Government's Ordinance will abuse more than just a few of the private property owners on and near the TU campus. Because of this prospect for abuse (such as closing a through street without resident taxpayer permission, cutting down eleven large 75-100 year old shade trees, encouraging future eminent domain action, etc.) I have to place the Miami Street Project Plan and their corresponding Tiffin City Ordinance into the category of " Clear Abuse of Power". Why? Why do I keep using that word, "abuse"?

Why, indeed! Because there are too many unanswered questions about the integrity, need for, and high price that Tiffin Citizens will pay for Tiffin University Officials to landscape their campus...under the auspices of "pedestrian safety".

When I called him to comment on the accuracy of the safety issue, our Tiffin City Engineer said he "observed the pedestrian interaction with traffic". There was NO safety issue. He "did NOT approve any TU Plan designs and specifications"...as Tiffin University President, Dr. Paul Marion has publicly asserted in the Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune.

Further, although it is common practice in other communities, to prevent lawsuits of mayors and individual council members, our Tiffin City Engineer has NO plan to conduct a professional traffic SAFETY STUDY to determine whether the costs of pedestrian/traffic crashes or personal injury would justify closing a public street. Maybe he has NOT been ordered to do so by the City Administrator. Performing the Professional Safety Study, by a Licensed Professional Engineer, would quickly resolve the issue. I would agree to "go away" and stop pestering Tiffin University Officials, the Mayor, and the Tiffin City Council to do the right thing.

So, here is the first question that needs to be answered regarding the ill-conceived and abusive Miami Street Improvement Project that includes closing Jackson Street to neighborhood traffic.

Why should our Tiffin City Council and Mayor approve of spending $800,000 worth of tax-funded contracts to close Jackson Street so the TU can improve a "pedestrian safety" problem that does NOT really exist?

Except for empty rhetoric offered by several local politicians in the past, I don't expect any good answers. On November 4th, please add yourself to the thousands of other Responsible Citizens for Tiffin and vote "NO" on the Miami Street Project Referendum.

Thank you,

Joe Monaco
Tiffin. Ohio Voter