No matter what other principles of good citizenship and honorable action they take, make NO mistake about Tiffin University. Their Miami Street Improvement project will INCREASE TAXES to Tiffin Taxpayers! But you have an opportunity to prevent that! Think about it.
Citizen TAXPAYERS have been subsidizing Tiffin University's aggressive expansion with TAX Dollars for the last 25 years. This might have been OK when TU was economically weak and uncertain. Now that they have evolved into a powerful and influential economic Juggernaut, they hardly need TAX SUBSIDIES anymore. Please don't encourage Tiffin University Officials to continue exploiting their powerful economic and political influence to use our TAX DOLLARS for projects that hurt or abuse even one Tiffin Citizen of their rights.
On November 4th, please vote 'NO' on the referendum that will spend $800,000 of your tax dollars that Tiffin University does NOT need! Please vote 'NO' on "Ordinance 07-70 Miami Street Project" Referendum that will Close Jackson Street to neighborhood traffic.
Showing posts with label Tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tax. Show all posts
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Eminent Domain Action by Tiffin University?
After viewing another website that is frequented by Tiffin University Officials, they confirm that University Officials have already started an eminent domain action against the Monaco Family!
According to a conversation I had with a prominent Tiffin civic leader and banker, TU wants the Monaco Family property "...really bad". TU officials are willing to do anything to get it, except pay for it after a good faith negotiation with the Monaco's!
One of the precursors to eminent domain is that the property owners refuse to negotiate with the people seeking to acquire their property. So, whether they win the Miami Street Project Referendum, or not, TU's so called "offers" of $125,000...$150,000...and now the rumored $500,000 have given Tiffin University's President, Paul Marion yet another reason to exploit our Tiffin City Government for your Tax dollars needed to "buy" the property through an eminent domain action. Dr. Marion's plan is to avoid a good faith negotiation by getting the Tiffin City Government to CONDEMN the Monaco Family Home...forcing the Monaco's to give-up their property. It would also clear the way for closing Jackson Street to neighborhood through traffic. Why is it that TU can force our Tiffin City Government to do their "dirty work" for them? Just follow the money!
Director of Tiffin University Development, Mike Grandillo and his 1/2 dozen associates, who always "post" on other websites without using their actual names, have made their sentiments clear! These Anonymous bloggers of Seneca County have NO scruples. They have publicly accused the very elderly Mrs. Monaco of being "greedy": her son is accused of "raping Tiffin University of millions of dollars": and these so-called Tiffin Civic leaders would have the Monaco Family "run out of Dodge"...because the Monaco Family opposes the idea of closing their public street, and donating their home to help Tiffin University advance their strategic plan! The Monaco's are competition that stands in the way of the private real-estate interests, as well as TU Officials...often the same people.
In the end, after the Monaco's decide to leave their property, someone will have to agree on how much the Monaco Family Home is worth to both the Monaco Family and whomever might want to purchase it. How much is it worth to acquire:
1. the ONLY private property that controls permission to have Jackson Street vacated near Tiffin University?
2. the most talked-about, written-about, blogged, and viewed private property in Tiffin, Ohio?
3. the largest home on the largest private lot in the middle of Tiffin University's campus?
4. a house that can be rented to 24 students by the Tiffin University at $4000 per bed?
5. a rental unit size that Tiffin University Officials typically exploit for revenues of $96,000 per year?
6. A Family home to 4 generations of Monaco's who have lived there starting in 1949...and will indefinitely enjoy living among and renting property to college students who need the price break?
7. a property that is considered as a nuisance by TU Officials because the elderly Mrs. Monaco and her family wants to keep their residence on Jackson Street open to through traffic?
8. a property that TU, if they played fair with their neighbors, would be required to ask permission through a "vacation" petition, so they could possibly own the street they want to capture as campus property?
9. a property that stands in the way of TU's Board-approved Strategy to acquire the whole neighborhood?
Why vote 'NO' on Ordinance 07-70 Miami Street Project Referendum? Because you are NOT one of the Anonymous bloggers from Tiffin University! Please join those of us who are Responsible Citizens of Tiffin, Ohio...and cast your 'NO vote. If you don't, you or your neighbor might be next. It is NOT a good use of our TAX DOLLARS!
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, OH Voter
According to a conversation I had with a prominent Tiffin civic leader and banker, TU wants the Monaco Family property "...really bad". TU officials are willing to do anything to get it, except pay for it after a good faith negotiation with the Monaco's!
One of the precursors to eminent domain is that the property owners refuse to negotiate with the people seeking to acquire their property. So, whether they win the Miami Street Project Referendum, or not, TU's so called "offers" of $125,000...$150,000...and now the rumored $500,000 have given Tiffin University's President, Paul Marion yet another reason to exploit our Tiffin City Government for your Tax dollars needed to "buy" the property through an eminent domain action. Dr. Marion's plan is to avoid a good faith negotiation by getting the Tiffin City Government to CONDEMN the Monaco Family Home...forcing the Monaco's to give-up their property. It would also clear the way for closing Jackson Street to neighborhood through traffic. Why is it that TU can force our Tiffin City Government to do their "dirty work" for them? Just follow the money!
Director of Tiffin University Development, Mike Grandillo and his 1/2 dozen associates, who always "post" on other websites without using their actual names, have made their sentiments clear! These Anonymous bloggers of Seneca County have NO scruples. They have publicly accused the very elderly Mrs. Monaco of being "greedy": her son is accused of "raping Tiffin University of millions of dollars": and these so-called Tiffin Civic leaders would have the Monaco Family "run out of Dodge"...because the Monaco Family opposes the idea of closing their public street, and donating their home to help Tiffin University advance their strategic plan! The Monaco's are competition that stands in the way of the private real-estate interests, as well as TU Officials...often the same people.
In the end, after the Monaco's decide to leave their property, someone will have to agree on how much the Monaco Family Home is worth to both the Monaco Family and whomever might want to purchase it. How much is it worth to acquire:
1. the ONLY private property that controls permission to have Jackson Street vacated near Tiffin University?
2. the most talked-about, written-about, blogged, and viewed private property in Tiffin, Ohio?
3. the largest home on the largest private lot in the middle of Tiffin University's campus?
4. a house that can be rented to 24 students by the Tiffin University at $4000 per bed?
5. a rental unit size that Tiffin University Officials typically exploit for revenues of $96,000 per year?
6. A Family home to 4 generations of Monaco's who have lived there starting in 1949...and will indefinitely enjoy living among and renting property to college students who need the price break?
7. a property that is considered as a nuisance by TU Officials because the elderly Mrs. Monaco and her family wants to keep their residence on Jackson Street open to through traffic?
8. a property that TU, if they played fair with their neighbors, would be required to ask permission through a "vacation" petition, so they could possibly own the street they want to capture as campus property?
9. a property that stands in the way of TU's Board-approved Strategy to acquire the whole neighborhood?
Why vote 'NO' on Ordinance 07-70 Miami Street Project Referendum? Because you are NOT one of the Anonymous bloggers from Tiffin University! Please join those of us who are Responsible Citizens of Tiffin, Ohio...and cast your 'NO vote. If you don't, you or your neighbor might be next. It is NOT a good use of our TAX DOLLARS!
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, OH Voter
Friday, September 5, 2008
Taxes Subsidize Tiffin University?
Since Tiffin is such a small town with a shrinking population, how do we justify paying taxes from our shrinking tax base to continually subsidize Tiffin University? To explain this, I was told by one of the McDonalds Breakfast Club participants to simply "follow the money!"
It may be true, but I find it hard to accept the insinuation that we have celebrated Civic Leaders who are profiteering from their close relationship with either our Tiffin City Government, or the Tiffin University. There are laws against "private inurement" as the IRS calls it, so its existence in Tiffin would probably be a criminal offense. Does this despicable practice exist in Tiffin, or not?
Follow the money?
It may be true, but I find it hard to accept the insinuation that we have celebrated Civic Leaders who are profiteering from their close relationship with either our Tiffin City Government, or the Tiffin University. There are laws against "private inurement" as the IRS calls it, so its existence in Tiffin would probably be a criminal offense. Does this despicable practice exist in Tiffin, or not?
Follow the money?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Did City Officials Abridge Tiffin Citizen's Constitutional Right to free speech?
I like Tiffin as four (4) generations of my family, and some of our neighbors, continue to benefit, at least in part, from the Tiffin University's growing presence in our neighborhood. As much as I like the idea of Tiffin University's growth, can't the TU Officials carry out their business WITHOUT abusing their neighbors...or by using Tiffin City Officials to carry out the resulting punishment to normal citizens?
I believe our Mayor Boroff to be an honorable man, but did our honorable Mayor and another Tiffin City Official violate Tiffin Citizen's constitutionally protected right of free speech?
[Click the Title, above, and read the Advertiser-Tribune's account of a recent Tiffin City Council meeting.] You decide. Here is what I decided and why:
A referendum petitioner, a small business proprietor, was following all the rules when asking people to sign the petition to put Tiffin University's Miami Street Project on the November 4th ballot. The petition signature page was attached to explanatory documents, so each voter would know what they were signing. Although he didn't have the Miami Street Project plan document in his possession, he informed voters of Tiffin University's 2005 plan to close Wall Street at the railroad crossing. This document is on file at the municipal building, or at: http://groups.google.com/group/rctohio/files
As I heard it, from a mutual friend, he was quickly and privately admonished for his petitioning activity by a Tiffin City Official. Again, as I heard it, this small business proprietor was told to stop telling voting citizens about Tiffin University's published Miami Street Plan that documents, complete with artist's rendering, their goals including closing of the Wall Street Railroad intersection.
I count our Mayor and most Tiffin City Officials as honorable. However, did TU Officials prompt attempts to thwart a referendum petitioner's First Amendment Constitutional right to freedom of speech? If it was TU's normally pervasive and powerful influence on our Tiffin City Officials, I can easily forgive City Officials their transgression. Do they at least owe an apology to the small business proprietor? To the petitioners opposing the closing of Jackson Street and other neighborhood citizen abuses? To all Tiffin Citizens?
The Advertiser-Tribune recounted Mayor Boroff 's action:
Mr. Boroff told me that they (meaning the Tiffin City Council and Himself) agreed with Tiffin University Officials in a deal that Tiffin City Officials would vote to pass ordinance 07-70, if TU would remove the Wall Street Railroad Intersection Closing as part of this current referendum issue. Mr. Boroff was deliberate and clear when he also said that this consideration of Tiffin University plans is only good on this particular referendum issue. It does NOT preclude Tiffin University from initiating an ordinance to close the Wall Street Railroad Intersection at a future date of their choosing.
I believe that Mayor Boroff and another Tiffin City Official simply made a mistake that unfortunately resulted in abusing the First Amendment right of Tiffin Citizens who have a right and duty to disclose the documented fact that TU still plans to close the Wall Street Railroad Intersection. If our Mayor had succumbed to the influence of a politically connected and powerful Tiffin University Official, I can easily forgive him, because I believe him to be an honorable man. It is the Tiffin University Officials to whom I will accord the same honor when they take the "high road", do right by their neighbor Citizens, and never again refer to Tiffin Citizen concerns as "irrelevant" (More on Dr. Marion's "irrelevant" comment, later)
So that you can view the Tiffin City Council file on TU Official's Wall Street Closing Plan, go to: http://groups.google.com/group/rctohio/files.
This kind of "abuse of power" in our City needs to stop, don't you think? Please join the growing number of Tiffin Citizens who have already pledged to vote "NO" on November 4th regarding the Miami Street Project Referendum - Ordinance 07-70 that includes closing Jackson Street WITHOUT neighborhood property owner permission.
Thank you,
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter
I believe our Mayor Boroff to be an honorable man, but did our honorable Mayor and another Tiffin City Official violate Tiffin Citizen's constitutionally protected right of free speech?
[Click the Title, above, and read the Advertiser-Tribune's account of a recent Tiffin City Council meeting.] You decide. Here is what I decided and why:
A referendum petitioner, a small business proprietor, was following all the rules when asking people to sign the petition to put Tiffin University's Miami Street Project on the November 4th ballot. The petition signature page was attached to explanatory documents, so each voter would know what they were signing. Although he didn't have the Miami Street Project plan document in his possession, he informed voters of Tiffin University's 2005 plan to close Wall Street at the railroad crossing. This document is on file at the municipal building, or at: http://groups.google.com/group/rctohio/files
As I heard it, from a mutual friend, he was quickly and privately admonished for his petitioning activity by a Tiffin City Official. Again, as I heard it, this small business proprietor was told to stop telling voting citizens about Tiffin University's published Miami Street Plan that documents, complete with artist's rendering, their goals including closing of the Wall Street Railroad intersection.
I count our Mayor and most Tiffin City Officials as honorable. However, did TU Officials prompt attempts to thwart a referendum petitioner's First Amendment Constitutional right to freedom of speech? If it was TU's normally pervasive and powerful influence on our Tiffin City Officials, I can easily forgive City Officials their transgression. Do they at least owe an apology to the small business proprietor? To the petitioners opposing the closing of Jackson Street and other neighborhood citizen abuses? To all Tiffin Citizens?
The Advertiser-Tribune recounted Mayor Boroff 's action:
"Mayor Jim Boroff in his report also addressed rumors he has heard
that the project involves closing the Wall Street railroad intersection.
He said that intersection is not involved in the plans.
that the project involves closing the Wall Street railroad intersection.
He said that intersection is not involved in the plans.
Mayor Boroff also said anyone with questions on the project can call his office."
So, I called Mr. Boroff with my questions. When asked if the Tiffin University has revised their Miami Street Project Plan (on file at the municipal building) to exclude the Wall Street Intersection closing, he admitted that Tiffin University has NOT revised their plan to close it.Mr. Boroff told me that they (meaning the Tiffin City Council and Himself) agreed with Tiffin University Officials in a deal that Tiffin City Officials would vote to pass ordinance 07-70, if TU would remove the Wall Street Railroad Intersection Closing as part of this current referendum issue. Mr. Boroff was deliberate and clear when he also said that this consideration of Tiffin University plans is only good on this particular referendum issue. It does NOT preclude Tiffin University from initiating an ordinance to close the Wall Street Railroad Intersection at a future date of their choosing.
I believe that Mayor Boroff and another Tiffin City Official simply made a mistake that unfortunately resulted in abusing the First Amendment right of Tiffin Citizens who have a right and duty to disclose the documented fact that TU still plans to close the Wall Street Railroad Intersection. If our Mayor had succumbed to the influence of a politically connected and powerful Tiffin University Official, I can easily forgive him, because I believe him to be an honorable man. It is the Tiffin University Officials to whom I will accord the same honor when they take the "high road", do right by their neighbor Citizens, and never again refer to Tiffin Citizen concerns as "irrelevant" (More on Dr. Marion's "irrelevant" comment, later)
So that you can view the Tiffin City Council file on TU Official's Wall Street Closing Plan, go to: http://groups.google.com/group/rctohio/files.
This kind of "abuse of power" in our City needs to stop, don't you think? Please join the growing number of Tiffin Citizens who have already pledged to vote "NO" on November 4th regarding the Miami Street Project Referendum - Ordinance 07-70 that includes closing Jackson Street WITHOUT neighborhood property owner permission.
Thank you,
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter
Friday, April 25, 2008
Did Paul Marion Dis-Honor the Late Congressman Gilmore?
If you heard or read the accounts of the public hearing (Click title, above), where record-setting numbers of Tiffin Citizens opposed the Miami Street Project Ordinance 07-70, you gotta ask at least one question. "Is the President of TU, Paul Marion, trying to dis-honor himself and those who supported him in the past?"
At the end of the public hearing, Dr. Marion declared the many participant's concerns "irrelevant". In an obvious cable-televised attempt to intimidate the citizens and remind our City Officials of his politically powerful associates. He continued his closing remarks by invoking the memory of the late Paul Gilmore, who represented Tiffin, Ohio as a US Congressman. The Gilmore Family Name is on several important buildings in Tiffin. The respected Gilmore Family is indeed one of the most generous influential public benefactors in Seneca County, Ohio, and beyond.
I believe Paul Marion should apologize to the Gilmore family. Why? He has caused their unwitting participation in a project that clearly harms those families who live in the Tiffin University Neighborhood .
We had no idea until March of this year (2008) that TU Officials were trying to use the power of Tiffin City Council to abuse us. Certainly the Gilmores didn't intend their legacy to include a growing number of Tiffin Citizens who scoff at the misuse of power their name might now represent. The Gilmore's do not deserve to have their name soiled in public by certain Tiffin Community Leaders.
The project may well benefit some Citizens. But, the Tiffin University's project and our City government's approval of it is misguided as it disregards the wishes and welfare of neighborhood property owners. (I have written of this earlier, and presented detailed facts at the Public Hearing, that was televised on local cable).
Remember, Congressman Gilmore took Tiffin University's application to Washington D.C where he successfully secured an appropriation of $800,000 for the Miami Street Project. The application (see copy on file at City Council) has misrepresentations embedded in beautifully crafted "word smithing". So, Congressman Gilmore could have no way of discerning for himself that even he was being used to advance the financial interests of Tiffin University Officials while abusing Tiffin Citizens of their right to use Jackson Street. I assume that the late Congressman Gilmore counted as honorable the President of Tiffin University and his Director of Development, Mike Grandillo. Did the betrayal of Tiffin Citizens start with the betrayal of Congressman Gilmore's trust? Why don't I just let it go? Well, I'm trying to make the situation "right", for myself, my family, and my many neighbors in Tiffin. Many, many respond with contemptuous disapproval when I simply mention Tiffin University's Miami Street Improvement Plan.
So, what was so deceitful and misrepresented on the Application that US Congressman Gilmore took to Washington, DC? [So that you don't think that I'm making this stuff up, read a copy I got from our Mayor at this location: http://groups.google.com/group/rctohio/files]
Note 1: In the Congressional Application, Tiffin University's Mike Grandillo clearly documented that the purpose of the Miami Street Improvement Project was "Pedestrian Safety". He made eleven (11) references to "Safety" throughout the formal application. In that 2004 application, the manipulation of public opinion, of our City Council, and that of Congressman Gilmore, started with each "Safety" reference. Why was this manipulative and deceitful? Mr. Grandillo knew fully that there was NO SAFETY ISSUE that would justify spending upwards of the requested one(1) million tax dollars to close neighborhood streets. If there WAS a safety issue that justified such an expensive re-engineering of the neighborhood around TU, the Tiffin City Engineer, the Tiffin Police Department, and the Ohio Department of Transportation would have files describing so many crash incidents, personal injury, and other costs that would make this a real issue. If that was the case, I would concede, and stop thinking up ways to irritate those who I would then have to honor with my sincerest best wishes.
But, NO SUCH FILES EXIST! Our Tiffin City Engineer has said to me in a recent telephone interview that during a walk-by, with ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation), and a Tiffin University Official, he observed NO safety issues on Miami or Jackson Streets. Our Police Chief also was unable to recall any reports of injuries or crashes when asked during a recent Public Tiffin City Council Meeting.
Further, if our Tiffin City Government was to spend $800,000 of taxpayer funds to improve the safety of neighborhood streets in any other part of Tiffin, they would justify the tax-spending based on something other than a "wink-and-a-nod" from each other. To be responsible with our tax dollars, and to avoid unnecessary abuse of any individual citizen's rights, A PE (Professional Engineer) such as our own Tiffin City Engineer would be told by the Mayor to commission a formal Traffic SAFETY Study, including the fully-loaded cost of pedestrian injury, auto crash costs, and property damage. But, why isn't our City Government interested in such a traffic SAFETY study? In other communities (but not likely in Tiffin) such obvious pandering and un-justified, abusive decisions on the part of local government, would get a whole bunch of City officials sued by the more assertive and righteous Citizens among them.
Finally, if you talk to ANY of the more honorable members of Tiffin City Government, or those who know Tiffin University best, they will recount to you that at least one Tiffin University Official has, in private, gleefully admitted that "...of course there is NO safety issue. How else were we to get the public and City Council to approve of our plan?" ...wink...wink...wink.
Note 2: If you read the 2004 Application to Congress, at a certain question it asks whether TU Officials expect "...any opposition..." to the proposed plan. They marked this "NO". If they marked it "Yes", they would have had to explain in the space provided. So, they marked it "NO".
Well, who could have known they might want to oppose anything? How could I know my family home, and the neighborhood streets were about to be "captured" in a grab for real estate? That Jackson Street would be closed to through traffic? Except for only a few of the privileged, the Miami Street Project Plan, that was quietly funded through confidential efforts of TU Officials, wasn't seen by anyone until March 2008. I went to the City Engineer's Office and asked to see "the designs and specifications" that Dr. Marion referred to in the Advertiser-Tribune as "Approved...by the City Engineer...". It took a half hour to find the documents that the Assistant Engineer said were only preliminary plans and would NOT yet be in the "approval" stage. Should someone be held accountable for hiding and misleading everyone from the US Congress to the Tiffin Citizens the project is to benefit?
Did Tiffin University soil the good name of the late Congressman Gilmore, who certainly would NOT have approved of the abusive parts of TU Official's Miami Street Project Plan?
What happened to the concept of "Honor"? Who among us, with local political power, and a belief in decency, will step forth to do the right thing, only because it is the right thing to do?
You can help set the record straight by joining us on November 4th to vote 'NO' on Ordinance 07-70 Miami Street Project Referendum.
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter
At the end of the public hearing, Dr. Marion declared the many participant's concerns "irrelevant". In an obvious cable-televised attempt to intimidate the citizens and remind our City Officials of his politically powerful associates. He continued his closing remarks by invoking the memory of the late Paul Gilmore, who represented Tiffin, Ohio as a US Congressman. The Gilmore Family Name is on several important buildings in Tiffin. The respected Gilmore Family is indeed one of the most generous influential public benefactors in Seneca County, Ohio, and beyond.
I believe Paul Marion should apologize to the Gilmore family. Why? He has caused their unwitting participation in a project that clearly harms those families who live in the Tiffin University Neighborhood .
We had no idea until March of this year (2008) that TU Officials were trying to use the power of Tiffin City Council to abuse us. Certainly the Gilmores didn't intend their legacy to include a growing number of Tiffin Citizens who scoff at the misuse of power their name might now represent. The Gilmore's do not deserve to have their name soiled in public by certain Tiffin Community Leaders.
The project may well benefit some Citizens. But, the Tiffin University's project and our City government's approval of it is misguided as it disregards the wishes and welfare of neighborhood property owners. (I have written of this earlier, and presented detailed facts at the Public Hearing, that was televised on local cable).
Remember, Congressman Gilmore took Tiffin University's application to Washington D.C where he successfully secured an appropriation of $800,000 for the Miami Street Project. The application (see copy on file at City Council) has misrepresentations embedded in beautifully crafted "word smithing". So, Congressman Gilmore could have no way of discerning for himself that even he was being used to advance the financial interests of Tiffin University Officials while abusing Tiffin Citizens of their right to use Jackson Street. I assume that the late Congressman Gilmore counted as honorable the President of Tiffin University and his Director of Development, Mike Grandillo. Did the betrayal of Tiffin Citizens start with the betrayal of Congressman Gilmore's trust? Why don't I just let it go? Well, I'm trying to make the situation "right", for myself, my family, and my many neighbors in Tiffin. Many, many respond with contemptuous disapproval when I simply mention Tiffin University's Miami Street Improvement Plan.
So, what was so deceitful and misrepresented on the Application that US Congressman Gilmore took to Washington, DC? [So that you don't think that I'm making this stuff up, read a copy I got from our Mayor at this location: http://groups.google.com/group/rctohio/files]
Note 1: In the Congressional Application, Tiffin University's Mike Grandillo clearly documented that the purpose of the Miami Street Improvement Project was "Pedestrian Safety". He made eleven (11) references to "Safety" throughout the formal application. In that 2004 application, the manipulation of public opinion, of our City Council, and that of Congressman Gilmore, started with each "Safety" reference. Why was this manipulative and deceitful? Mr. Grandillo knew fully that there was NO SAFETY ISSUE that would justify spending upwards of the requested one(1) million tax dollars to close neighborhood streets. If there WAS a safety issue that justified such an expensive re-engineering of the neighborhood around TU, the Tiffin City Engineer, the Tiffin Police Department, and the Ohio Department of Transportation would have files describing so many crash incidents, personal injury, and other costs that would make this a real issue. If that was the case, I would concede, and stop thinking up ways to irritate those who I would then have to honor with my sincerest best wishes.
But, NO SUCH FILES EXIST! Our Tiffin City Engineer has said to me in a recent telephone interview that during a walk-by, with ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation), and a Tiffin University Official, he observed NO safety issues on Miami or Jackson Streets. Our Police Chief also was unable to recall any reports of injuries or crashes when asked during a recent Public Tiffin City Council Meeting.
Further, if our Tiffin City Government was to spend $800,000 of taxpayer funds to improve the safety of neighborhood streets in any other part of Tiffin, they would justify the tax-spending based on something other than a "wink-and-a-nod" from each other. To be responsible with our tax dollars, and to avoid unnecessary abuse of any individual citizen's rights, A PE (Professional Engineer) such as our own Tiffin City Engineer would be told by the Mayor to commission a formal Traffic SAFETY Study, including the fully-loaded cost of pedestrian injury, auto crash costs, and property damage. But, why isn't our City Government interested in such a traffic SAFETY study? In other communities (but not likely in Tiffin) such obvious pandering and un-justified, abusive decisions on the part of local government, would get a whole bunch of City officials sued by the more assertive and righteous Citizens among them.
Finally, if you talk to ANY of the more honorable members of Tiffin City Government, or those who know Tiffin University best, they will recount to you that at least one Tiffin University Official has, in private, gleefully admitted that "...of course there is NO safety issue. How else were we to get the public and City Council to approve of our plan?" ...wink...wink...wink.
Note 2: If you read the 2004 Application to Congress, at a certain question it asks whether TU Officials expect "...any opposition..." to the proposed plan. They marked this "NO". If they marked it "Yes", they would have had to explain in the space provided. So, they marked it "NO".
Well, who could have known they might want to oppose anything? How could I know my family home, and the neighborhood streets were about to be "captured" in a grab for real estate? That Jackson Street would be closed to through traffic? Except for only a few of the privileged, the Miami Street Project Plan, that was quietly funded through confidential efforts of TU Officials, wasn't seen by anyone until March 2008. I went to the City Engineer's Office and asked to see "the designs and specifications" that Dr. Marion referred to in the Advertiser-Tribune as "Approved...by the City Engineer...". It took a half hour to find the documents that the Assistant Engineer said were only preliminary plans and would NOT yet be in the "approval" stage. Should someone be held accountable for hiding and misleading everyone from the US Congress to the Tiffin Citizens the project is to benefit?
Did Tiffin University soil the good name of the late Congressman Gilmore, who certainly would NOT have approved of the abusive parts of TU Official's Miami Street Project Plan?
What happened to the concept of "Honor"? Who among us, with local political power, and a belief in decency, will step forth to do the right thing, only because it is the right thing to do?
You can help set the record straight by joining us on November 4th to vote 'NO' on Ordinance 07-70 Miami Street Project Referendum.
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Large Crowd of Tiffin, Ohio Citizens Overwhelm City Council Hearing
Click on the title, above to see Advertiser-Tribune's report on the Public Hearing and 3rd reading of Tiffin City Ordinance 07-70: Miami Street Improvement Project that includes closing Jackson Street to neighborhood private property owners. Why did City Council decide to NOT vote that night?
Here is my take:
Wow! I think an important event in Tiffin's history is being made, starting with last night's Tiffin City Council Public Hearing that was supposed to conclude with a vote of City Council...but didn't.
Never before in the history of our local government did so many Tiffin Citizens unite in opposition to a Tiffin University initiated ordinance that would normally get "rubber-stamp" treatment by City Council and the Mayor. In fact the Tiffin Citizens are so angry that they converged on city hall, where some turned away or left early because of the crowded, uncomfortable court room pews. It was so crowded that people were standing ten-deep in the hallway. Terminally ill and elderly people, one of which was using an oxygen canister, came early. Young people who would speak out in opposition came with their families. Normal Citizens came from every Tiffin City Ward and beyond.
This was Tiffin Ohio Citizenship at its finest! Starting now, Tiffin Citizens can claim to be different from others in the United States where citizens often complain of their lack of influence on their government. But, they never act to perform their civic and constitutional duty to set their government straight..."or to remove it".
With their action, and I'm sure more will follow, Tiffin Citizens are setting a fine example for what other American citizens can do to influence their local government...if they just focus on one issue at a time.
Even the grandson of the founder of Tiffin University, Dr. Thomas Keen, came with his wife to make an articulate and compelling argument for why City Council should defeat the ordinance. Mrs. Keen publicly chastised the President of Tiffin University, Dr. Paul Marion, for his lack of "integrity" for misleading information, attempts to mislead the public, and using his standing as a high-profile community leader to get Tiffin City Council and the Mayor to ignore our own citizen/neighbors. Dr. Marion is NOT even a Citizen of Tiffin.
For nearly 2 and a half hours, about 35 of the people each got up and spoke. Person after person gave one or more reasons for City Council to defeat the ordinance. After all were finished, I presented a Power Point litany that gave documented fact-after-fact that pointed to Dr. Marion, and Dr, Grandillo's lack of regard for the individual Citizens of Tiffin who were now opposing their Miami Miami Street Project Plan. Their Plan includes closing Jackson Street without the approval of the neighborhood property owners, and to have the private property owners suffer other indignities.
The hearing was covered on Tiffin's Cable Television network and viewed by about two-thousand people at home. My presentation disclosed misrepresentation-after-misrepresentation for which I believe these TU Officials should be held accountable. Yet, it seems that some Council members were getting bored as they pretended to listen. When Dr. Paul Marion was allowed, by Council President, to make the concluding statement, the Tiffin University President took the podium, turned to address the Tiffin City Council and said,
" Well, I heard a lot of emotion tonight.
I could NOT believe my ears! With his declaration to City Council that Tiffin Citizen concerns were all "irrelevant", Dr. Marion announced his dark political view and contempt for local governance. He might as well have said:
It is now clear and public knowledge that Drs. Marion and Grandillo, have acted arrogantly, and hurt the trust of Tiffin Citizens. They have publicly embarrassed the institution we call Tiffin City Council. It is hard enough for individual council members to do their often thankless job of governing our City. Our honorable council members do not need to be again flumoxed to provide their official votes to favor the tax-financed plans of Tiffin University Officials...because such plans are...wink...wink..."for the good of Tiffin"; any justification of which will never come. These Tiffin University Officials have thus acted dis-honorably.
Tiffin Citizens are people who can govern themselves in the true spirit of being an American...even if they are from this small Ohio town called Tiffin. City Council Members and the Mayor are elected from the ranks of Citizens, but they are human and not immune to powerful and beautifully crafted attempts to persuade their votes. They are under a lot of pressure, so before you judge them, please first understand their quandary in the face of raw political power.
Why did Dr. Marion think it appropriate to ask our Tiffin City Council President to come to his campus office at Tiffin University for a "Damage Control" meeting?
Is someone confusing the governance mission of Tiffin University with the governance mission of Tiffin City?
I think we need to take account of what has happened. The unusually large crowd of Citizens at Council's Public Hearing have delivered their certain message. Our normally quiet Tiffin Citizens have found their voice and have now taken an important step in learning how to use it.
The abuses of Tiffin, Ohio political power against those Citizens who can't protect themselves, needs to stop.
Now, it is up to Council Members and the Mayor to take the next step that will either embolden Citizens to participate more in their government, or embolden Tiffin University Officials to continue abusing the sick, elderly, and hopeful among us. Maybe both.
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter
Here is my take:
Wow! I think an important event in Tiffin's history is being made, starting with last night's Tiffin City Council Public Hearing that was supposed to conclude with a vote of City Council...but didn't.
Never before in the history of our local government did so many Tiffin Citizens unite in opposition to a Tiffin University initiated ordinance that would normally get "rubber-stamp" treatment by City Council and the Mayor. In fact the Tiffin Citizens are so angry that they converged on city hall, where some turned away or left early because of the crowded, uncomfortable court room pews. It was so crowded that people were standing ten-deep in the hallway. Terminally ill and elderly people, one of which was using an oxygen canister, came early. Young people who would speak out in opposition came with their families. Normal Citizens came from every Tiffin City Ward and beyond.
This was Tiffin Ohio Citizenship at its finest! Starting now, Tiffin Citizens can claim to be different from others in the United States where citizens often complain of their lack of influence on their government. But, they never act to perform their civic and constitutional duty to set their government straight..."or to remove it".
With their action, and I'm sure more will follow, Tiffin Citizens are setting a fine example for what other American citizens can do to influence their local government...if they just focus on one issue at a time.
Even the grandson of the founder of Tiffin University, Dr. Thomas Keen, came with his wife to make an articulate and compelling argument for why City Council should defeat the ordinance. Mrs. Keen publicly chastised the President of Tiffin University, Dr. Paul Marion, for his lack of "integrity" for misleading information, attempts to mislead the public, and using his standing as a high-profile community leader to get Tiffin City Council and the Mayor to ignore our own citizen/neighbors. Dr. Marion is NOT even a Citizen of Tiffin.
For nearly 2 and a half hours, about 35 of the people each got up and spoke. Person after person gave one or more reasons for City Council to defeat the ordinance. After all were finished, I presented a Power Point litany that gave documented fact-after-fact that pointed to Dr. Marion, and Dr, Grandillo's lack of regard for the individual Citizens of Tiffin who were now opposing their Miami Miami Street Project Plan. Their Plan includes closing Jackson Street without the approval of the neighborhood property owners, and to have the private property owners suffer other indignities.
The hearing was covered on Tiffin's Cable Television network and viewed by about two-thousand people at home. My presentation disclosed misrepresentation-after-misrepresentation for which I believe these TU Officials should be held accountable. Yet, it seems that some Council members were getting bored as they pretended to listen. When Dr. Paul Marion was allowed, by Council President, to make the concluding statement, the Tiffin University President took the podium, turned to address the Tiffin City Council and said,
" Well, I heard a lot of emotion tonight.
As far as I'm concerned, it is all irrelevant."
I could NOT believe my ears! With his declaration to City Council that Tiffin Citizen concerns were all "irrelevant", Dr. Marion announced his dark political view and contempt for local governance. He might as well have said:
"The Citizens of Tiffin are irrelevant, should
quietly pay their taxes and accept that they
have NO say in how they are governed."
or
"The Citizens of Tiffin are too stupid to know
what is relevant to their own governance.
Government needs to be firmly in the hands
of those who command power."
or
"How dare these people assume that anything they said at this public hearing will be given any consideration by those of us who really govern Tiffin, Ohio. Do they think this to be a Democratic Republic?"
quietly pay their taxes and accept that they
have NO say in how they are governed."
or
"The Citizens of Tiffin are too stupid to know
what is relevant to their own governance.
Government needs to be firmly in the hands
of those who command power."
or
"How dare these people assume that anything they said at this public hearing will be given any consideration by those of us who really govern Tiffin, Ohio. Do they think this to be a Democratic Republic?"
It is now clear and public knowledge that Drs. Marion and Grandillo, have acted arrogantly, and hurt the trust of Tiffin Citizens. They have publicly embarrassed the institution we call Tiffin City Council. It is hard enough for individual council members to do their often thankless job of governing our City. Our honorable council members do not need to be again flumoxed to provide their official votes to favor the tax-financed plans of Tiffin University Officials...because such plans are...wink...wink..."for the good of Tiffin"; any justification of which will never come. These Tiffin University Officials have thus acted dis-honorably.
Tiffin Citizens are people who can govern themselves in the true spirit of being an American...even if they are from this small Ohio town called Tiffin. City Council Members and the Mayor are elected from the ranks of Citizens, but they are human and not immune to powerful and beautifully crafted attempts to persuade their votes. They are under a lot of pressure, so before you judge them, please first understand their quandary in the face of raw political power.
Why did Dr. Marion think it appropriate to ask our Tiffin City Council President to come to his campus office at Tiffin University for a "Damage Control" meeting?
Is someone confusing the governance mission of Tiffin University with the governance mission of Tiffin City?
I think we need to take account of what has happened. The unusually large crowd of Citizens at Council's Public Hearing have delivered their certain message. Our normally quiet Tiffin Citizens have found their voice and have now taken an important step in learning how to use it.
The abuses of Tiffin, Ohio political power against those Citizens who can't protect themselves, needs to stop.
Now, it is up to Council Members and the Mayor to take the next step that will either embolden Citizens to participate more in their government, or embolden Tiffin University Officials to continue abusing the sick, elderly, and hopeful among us. Maybe both.
Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter
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Tiffin University Threatens Property Owners
Here is how it feels to be an Elderly Property Owner at Tiffin University