Gloria Ferris

I certainly hope so.  In this day and age, there is a lot of talk about something called “tough love”.  I think it is time that the taxpayers of Cuyahoga County start issuing some “tough love” to the Port Authority and our County Commissioners by voting NO on the renewal of the tax levy for the port–ISSUE 14.  As always, this post is the opinion of one woman and is strictly based on my observations over the past year of the shenanigans we witnessed firsthand here in Cuyahoga County.  There are three issues that I found very troubling this past year.

1. eminent domain– We all know about this one–the celebrated case of Wolstein vs. private owners in the Flats.  Supposedly, the Port had nothing to do with the case, but their fingerprints were all over it, albeit one step removed.
2. Conflicts of Interest– Thanks to Ed Hauser, this one just wouldn’t go away.  John Carney was probably the most celebrated member of the board with conflict of interest hanging over his head, but I bet if an investigative reporter wanted to scratch the surface, many eruptions would surface, just like acne on a teenager’s face.
3. Bond Issuance– Issuing bonds to retail and other development throughout the state.  Just how and why is this a function of a PORT authority?

And why are these three issues important to the future of the Port?  The recent revelation that “the Port must move, and these are the three places” story.  Eminent domain, conflicts of interest, and bond issuance will be keys to where, when, and how the Port will be moved.  The particulars of “the plan” mirror the detailed planning techniques of the County Commissioners recently.  You know, the old “aw shucks, trust us we’re your partners” motif that says nothing and means even less. What? you want plans, demographics, statistics?!?  Don’t worry! When we will build it, they will come. Trust us.

Instead of telling us what they have achieved since the last levy, we get the same old tired saw about 20,000 jobs. What are those jobs specifically, what is the industry, where are they located, etc.  Reading between the lines, we know that if they don’t get what they want, we the taxpayers will be responsible.  More economic downturn, more unemployment.  But where have we seen what they ACTUALLY have done to create and retain economic development?  Who have they partnered with on a regional or statewide basis to raise the level of prosperity?  Where are the details?  Where are the statistics?

Oh, and then there is this tidbit–it is not an INCREASE, only a RENEWAL.  Well, I ask you this question: How long do we continue to renew without concrete evidence that our taxpayers’ dollars are being used to good advantage?  How long are we expected to “trust” before “enough is enough”?  Well, I for one have reached that point with the Port Authority.  Whiskey Island was the last straw for me.  Why Citizen Ed Hauser and others had to go to such lengths to save a treasure on the lake that again will be at risk with the movement of the Port made me mark the block “No” on my absentee ballot.

Please weigh all the options before making your decision on Election Day.  Continuing to give this appointed Board our money just can’t be the answer.  Couldn’t it truly be time for some tough love?

This entry was posted on Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 1:48 pm and is filed under Cleveland, growing an economy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.