Tiffin University NOT a Democracy?

Tiffin University governance - of employees and students - is NOT an exercise in Democracy.

Nor should it be.

When faced with opposition to its own mission and policies from within, No University President will deny that a more "heavy-handed" approach is necessary. To allow dissidence within Tiffin University's campus could result in yet another Ohio College going defunct.

At independent colleges, such as the Tiffin University, long term survival is often dependent upon bold, deliberate, and decisive action to carry out their mission. The mission is usually stated in a formal Strategic Plan that, if not substantially executed. can result in bad things happening. For example, the University could lose accreditation, loss of revenue from students who won't come to an unaccredited college, and the President, along with some staff will certainly be fired from their jobs for their lack of effectiveness! In the higher education industry, it is considered fair, necessary, and just that Universities are NOT Democracies.

If you are not familiar with this basic University governing philosophy, here's a link that gives a very rare look into the ongoing NON-DEMOCRATIC governing philosophy and practices of Tiffin University Officials:

http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/protect/academicfreedom/investrep/2002/Tif.htm

Although I do NOT agree with the methods he has chosen because they hurt Tiffin University neighbors, with the abusive aspects of the Miami Street Project, I can sympathize with TU President, Paul Marion's "rock-and- a- hard-place” situation.

He is on a mission. He has a Board-approved plan that he MUST carry out to keep University accreditation, his job, and that of other high-paid staff members. All of this is VERY STRONG motivation to do everything possible to ensure Tiffin University's Institutional survival...even if it means "bending the rules; or giving up your personal sense of integrity. Dr. Marion and company are very effective in ensuring their survival and prosperity BECAUSE they carry out their mission and plans in a much focused way, without consideration for any issues they are known to call "irrelevant". Herein lies the rub.

Nothing about governing Tiffin University's resources is Democratic. If you are employed here, you either "tow the company line" (and don't oppose any University policies), or it is quite clear that you
will be fired from your job. If you don't believe this, you haven't spoken to enough of Tiffin University’s 180+ employees, or their relatives who will quietly tell you some version of their own fears that their loved one can loose their job, if they "speak-up" about any TU related indignity. [Why else would nearly every TU employee who was asked, say to us, "No, I work for Tiffin University, I would be fired, so I can't sign the Referendum Petition!” ].

If you are a student, please don't assume that the $25,000+ you bring to the University gives you any license to proclaim your objections to important indignities you might notice on campus or off. You too will have to suffer silently, or you will quickly get a lesson in dark power-politics that will scare out of you any trust and esteem you might have accorded your institutional Officials. If you are intent on having your young innocence thus violated, you might be best-served to patiently wait for other dark University-inspired events to take their toll on you. In this way, probability suggests you will be spared most indignities. The link above, gives but one account of how this affects would-be activist students at Tiffin University.

Remember, through the energetic, fresh and smiling faces of TU students, this “fear” dynamic quietly permeates the Tiffin University's campus. Do you think Dr. Marion and his key subordinates, such as Dr. Grandillo, are also subject to it? If you are highly paid, or highly compensated in some other way, it is easier to rationalize or encourage the indignity. If you know anyone not-so-privileged who has ever been out of a job, this is tough to take in an economically depressed city like Tiffin, Ohio. It can change your values and re-order your priorities in a way that most of us are not proud to admit.

TU Officials are extremely effective at governing this NON-Democracy known as Tiffin University, with its attendant dynamic of silent fear and oppression among their own rank-and-file…as well as their own fresh and smiling young students.

Why do TU Officials act like they have a right to subject Tiffin, Ohio Citizens to the same abusive methods of governance?

What makes them act like they actually expect our Tiffin City Council and Mayor to act as a cartel on their behalf?

Why do we allow the pervasive influence of Tiffin University Officials to virtually "dictate" abusive actions of more than just one or two Tiffin City Officials?

We need to separate this currently confused mission of Tiffin, Ohio governance from the governing philosophy and self-interested influences of Tiffin University Officials. Encourage and allow the University to survive and prosper on its own merits. The abuses should NOT be subsidized at the TAX expense of regular Citizens. Responsible Citizens for Tiffin objects to subsidizing publicly disputed TU projects with Citizen tax dollars...or with Tiffin Citizen’s neighborhood streets...or with our homes.

Just like any private enterprise, Tiffin University Officials are legally allowed to fire their employees and to dictate the rules every employee (and student) is required to follow. If employees don’t obey Tiffin University rules, or protest them in public, Tiffin University Officials have a documented history of silencing them into the ranks of the unemployed. This is the punishment for speaking up!.. even if employees would have a family, a modest mortgage on a home, and are now headed for certain financial ruin.

However, I am hard-pressed to find any Responsible Tiffin Citizen who does not clearly condemn the same philosophy and practice when applied to the governance of Tiffin Citizens. Even though a few Seneca county businesses will benefit financially, the resulting abuses to the rest of us are nothing short of outrageous!

If YOU vote ‘NO’, TU will NOT suffer in any way,. The simple act of voting ‘NO’ will be a powerful show of citizen action that will mark Tiffin Ohio Citizens as vital patriots of our country, protectors of our constitution, and protectors of those among us who would be abused because they have been declared “irrelevant” by TU’s top official. These are civic principles that will also save $800,000 in TAXES that would otherwise hurt some individual citizens.

Responsible Citizens need to take back our City and place it into the hands of those elected council members and the Mayor who represent us! This is one example of where your “NO’ vote can make an immediate difference! It does NOT cost you one additional penny. Your ‘NO’ vote does NOT cost the Tiffin University one additional penny either!

Please mobilize with the Responsible Citizens for Tiffin on November 4th, and vote "NO" on the Tiffin University's Miami Street Project Referendum Ordinance 07-70. Your employer is probably NOT a Tiffin University Official, so YOU can't be fired for voting "NO". All others, when you are alone in the voting booth, practicing your constitutional right as an American Citizen, please consider voting "NO", too!

Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter

Referendum Disclosed by Mayor: Vote 'NO'

I'm delighted to see that Mayor Boroff has offered us a preview of the referendum language that is expected to see the Tiffin University's Miami Street Project defeated on November 4th.

As you know, the Tiffin University is so financially and politically powerful, it does NOT need TAX SUBSIDIES from financially struggling Citizens. Our 'NO' vote on the referendum will send a strong message to University Officials that the Citizens of Tiffin are responsible TAX PAYERS; we do-NOT want to see Jackson Street or Wall Street closed without permission of neighborhood property owners; and Tiffin Citizen concerns are NOT "irrelevant", as the President of Tiffin University declared at the public City Council hearing.

So, in the A-T ( http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/509703.html?nav=5004)
Mayor Boroff says the following is the "referendum language" we will see on the ballot...for which Responsible Citizens for Tiffin will vote 'NO':

"Ordinance Authorizing city administrator to prepare specifications, advertise for and receive bids, and recommend and execute contracts for the Miami Street near Tiffin University improvement project that includes converting the portion of Jackson Street between Clay and Miami Streets into a cul-de-sac closing access to Jackson Street from Miami Street. Shall Ordinance No. 07-70 be approved: Yes / No".

You can make an immediate and decisive impact on our Tiffin City government by casting your 'NO' vote. 'NO' is a good thing for Tiffin Citizens. 'NO' is a responsible use of our tax dollars.

When you are alone in the voting booth, please choose to vote 'NO' on 07-70.

Thank you,

Joe Monaco
Tiffin Ohio Voter

Vote 'NO' to agree with Advertiser-Tribune Editorial

I agree with the Advertiser-Tribune on the principle of protecting the use of our TAX DOLLARS.

In his recent editorial entitled: "Bailout shouldn’t protect profits, salaries" (http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/509337.html?nav=5006) the A-T Editor reminds us that TAX DOLLAR decisions "...must not cross the line to protecting the profits - or the salaries - of companies and executives that will benefit."

Unacceptable behavior is permitted by government officials, and encouraged by big business, whenever the big financially successful institutions are subsidized by our tax dollars. Remember what the A-T Editor wrote:

"Taxpayers who probably will be on the hook for $700 billion to fund the bill are reluctant enough to spend that kind of money to keep financial institutions from sinking. If they learn anyone, either personally or corporately, actually has made additional profits as a result of the measure, they will be furious. They should be."

Thank you, Mr. Editor, and everyone else at the Advertiser-Tribune who supports this line of responsible thinking! It is clearly in every one's best interest that NO single person, business or institution profiteers from TAX SUBSIDIZED decisions that are supposed to benefit ALL of us...but would abuse us, instead. I agree with the A-T that we should all be "furious"!

Do you notice the civic-minded principles the Advertiser-Tribune espouses, and to which nearly all Tiffin Citizens agree?

Did you notice that these principles clearly explain what has gone wrong with the financially powerful Tiffin University and their Miami Street Project? Did you notice TU Officials are trying to get TAX MONEY to pay for their Miami Street Improvement project, even if it would harm every Tiffin Tax Payer in the neighborhood, while it benefits a select group of businesses?

Tiffin University continues its march as the most financially powerful and influential business in Tiffin, Ohio. They don't need the tax subsidy from financially struggling taxpayers, but every private business person in line for a contract is "drooling". The financial drooling of these private businesses is based on the hope that Tiffin University Officials, along with the Chamber of Commerce Board, will be able to confuse Tiffin Taxpayers into abusing each other from the voting booth.

I agree with the Advertiser-Tribune when the Editor said,

"That is human nature. It is understandable. But it is not acceptable."

So, get furious! The right thing to do is to vote 'NO' on the Miami Street Project Referendum from Ordinance 07-70.

I'm glad to hear that the Advertiser-Tribune agrees with good principles of Citizenship! This is only one more principled reason to vote 'NO' on Tiffin University's Miami Street Improvement Project. Please vote 'NO' on the Referendum for Ordinance 07-70. Your 'NO' vote is for responsible use of our TAXES. Please get furious, now!

Thank you,

Joe Monaco
Tiffin, Ohio Voter

Tiffin needs more "Raised Eyebrows"!

When I was a teenager in Tiffin, I had a handful of regular friends with whom I hung-out doing normal teen-age stuff. Visiting the home of one of our friends, her mother would always listen intently and sometimes join in the conversations. She was careful not to judge any of us publicly which I think caused us to trust her with conversation we would not have had with other parents. You would ALWAY know whether she approved of our conversation though. All you had to do was talk while watching her eyes.

If she approved of what you were saying, she would continue to listen intently. At the moment she heard something she disliked, or found suspicious, she would, without as much as a single word, raise her right eyebrow into a sharp arch! If that happened, you knew it was time to leave her home. We did so out of respect. We were "found out". The "raised eyebrow" would thus put an end to any nonsense. It was that simple. My friends and I never discussed the issue again. In the future, we would only occasionally chide her daughter for having the same innate skill of the "Raised Eyebrow".

With the Tiffin University's Miami Street Referendum on the ballot, I think we all need to use a "Raised Eyebrow".

Consider that the Tiffin University Officials and friends have recently hired an expensive political consultant. Large and costly advertisements are placed weekly in the Advertiser-Tribune. (and, NO, Congressman Gilmore would NOT have approved of the abusive aspects of his hard work!) Thousands of letters are being mailed to registered Tiffin Voters. Tiffin University's payroll is being used to send their own highly-paid Officials door-to-door to talk to Tiffin Citizens. Some of our own Tiffin City Council members are so flummoxed by the powerful political and economic influences of Drs, Marion and Grandillo, that (exept for Councilman Lepard) all of them voted to pass the Miami Street Ordinance...even though nearly 60 Tiffin Citizens, from every ward and beyond, showed-up at the cable-televised public Council hearing clearly voicing opposition to it. What happened to our democratic republic?

Isn't Tiffin University going through a lot of effort and expense? Should we put a "raised eyebrow" on it?

Tiffin University wouldn't have to take such drastic and expensive measures to ensure the referendum vote, if they simply stopped the abusive aspects of their plan! Close Jackson Street without property owner permission? Destroy 11 Shade trees? Cut-out parking on Miami and Jackson Streets? Improve a safety problem that they admit in their own Traffic Study "is insignificant"? Create jobs with NO committment as to how many? Spin..Spin...Spin...When will TU Officials Stop trying to Spin us?

Please practice your "raised eyebrow", now. Practice it with your family. Practice it in public places. Especially, practice it the next time you see President of Tiffin University, Dr. Paul Marion.

Tiffin Citizens oppose ordinance 07-70, not because they don't like Tiffin University, but because there are aspects of the Miami Street Project that are unnecessarily abusive to neighborhood residents. Add that to the certainty that TAXES WILL GO UP because the "Miami Street Project"will have to be destroyed and re-built to make way for the sewer separation. On November 4th, please use your own "Raised Eyebrow" and Vote 'NO' on the Miami Street Improvement project from Ordinance 07-70.

Thank you for your consideration,

Joe Monaco
Tiffin Ohio Voter


“Representative government and trial by jury are the heart and lungs of liberty. Without them we have no other fortification against being ridden like horses, fleeced like sheep, worked like cattle, and fed and clothed like swine and hounds.”

—John Adams, 1774

Congressman Latta Votes NO. Please Vote NO, Too!

Congressman Bob Latta Voted 'NO' to the Bail-Out. Bravo! After giving his thoughtful reasons, his 'NO' vote, along with others, soundly defeated the US Taxpayer bail-out that would use our tax dollars to subsidize a few large businesses while indenturing the rest
of us with the TAX BILL for a long-long-time.

The point is that he didn't vote to spend tax dollars on a pig-in-a-poke. He wasn't going to subsidize bad decisions by powerful and irresponsible businessmen.

Whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent, please consider that your 'NO' Vote on the Ordinance 07-70 Miami Street Improvement Project Referendum will help relieve our TAX BILL, too. I'm appreciative of Congressman Latta's fine example of Representative Democracy. Its an example of how all of us can use our own 'NO' Votes to defeat the Referendum on Tiffin University's Ordinance 07-70 Miami Street Improvement Project. Tiffin University doesn't need the TAX SUBSIDY. Tiffin Tax-Payers don't want to subsidize abuses to ourselves!

On November 4th, please vote 'NO', too.


See Article in the Advertiser-Tribune at:
http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/509280.html?nav=5005