We have known for quite some time that our population is aging (it is the “baby boomers” rounding third and heading home), but we have never seen any projected numbers. So we thought that we would try our hand at… Read More ›
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Housing Affordability Threshold……just in case you are still not clear on this
We have been asked why, when we are discussing the ever increasing property taxes, we seem to be focusing on those living on fixed incomes rather that the general population. The answer is because seniors on fixed incomes are going… Read More ›
Public Education…..is the future here?
We found this interesting article written in 2016 about the current state of affairs in public education. https://owlcation.com/academia/What-Will-US-Public-Education-Be-Like-in-the-Future Here is an excerpt from the article: “There are several issues that have led to the changes we are now seeing in… Read More ›
Forbes House fundraiser…save the date October 12, 2018
We want everyone to be aware of Lake County’s domestic abuse center. Since they are no longer receiving financial support from the ADAMHS Board (we have previously written about the problem), they need your help. They are having a fundraiser… Read More ›
Holiday Inn & more coming to Concord…..
Thanks to the Lake County Port Authority for this information: Concord Township Breaks Ground for New Hotel Concord Township’s business corridor continues to evolve as construction begins for a new four-story, 100-room Holiday Inn Express. Unistar Hospitality, LLC submitted plans for the $4.7… Read More ›
Marijuana sales…..coming to a corner near you….this will not end well
Thanks to Lobbyist Kim for this information on the State of Ohio issuing licenses to these establishments. In my opinion, this has disaster written all over it. Just another issue where the State and select money brokers will make a… Read More ›
Planned Parenthood…..Margaret Sanger’s nightmare on society..
We thank our Lobbyist Don for this information on Planned Parenthood. We know this is a controversial topic, but we do not shy away from controversial topics. Let your voice be heard. Here is a link to the ACLJ website… Read More ›
Home Rehab programs……another Federal grant program
With all the research that we have been doing, we have been quite surprised about the amount of poverty in Lake County. There is quite a bit of federal, state and local taxes spent to address the problem. Another HUD… Read More ›
Unfunded Pension Liabilities…..a ruling from the State’s lawyers..updated
Updated: Tuesday, 6/5/18 We have been concerned about the unfunded pension liabilities that appear on local county government’s and political sub-division’s balance sheet. We contacted Representative Ron Young for assistance in trying to determine who is ultimately responsible for any… Read More ›
Do we have an obligation to pay for public education?…taxpayers need to get involved
I was at a meeting held by Americans for Prosperity and the audience was asked if Ohio’s general population has an obligation to pay for public education? Well the State of Ohio’s Constitution says we do. Here is what I… Read More ›
How to fund an aging population….without pricing them out of their homes
Here is a great article by the Center for Community Solutions published on February 26, 2018. It deals with senior levies in the State of Ohio. https://www.communitysolutions.com/research/address-determine-access-aging-services-analysis-senior-tax-levies-ohio/ Here is an excerpt that I found very interesting: “Similar to funding for… Read More ›
Kirtland Schools cutting expenses….
An article in the News-Herald shows that Kirtland schools have a new reality. However, they undoubtedly will be back to the voters in November. Financial moves made to deal with impact of levy failure in May 8 election By Bill… Read More ›
Property Taxes ……When is enough – enough?
As we continue to try to educate taxpayers about ever increasing real estate taxes (also called property taxes), we thought that this information might be helpful. Did you ever hear a real estate agent mention that the property taxes on… Read More ›
County Comparisons…..how does Lake County measure up?
At the risk of being accused of being obsessed with numbers…..I found some very interesting statistics on the Center for Community Solutions website. I have compared six counties (Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, and Summit) in the following categories: Population… Read More ›
The Tale of Two Constitutions Seminar
We would like everyone to be aware of an upcoming seminar held in Chardon on June 23rd. Here is a link to the Seminar’s promotional trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QznuSGW2Nhw&feature=youtu.be Here is the flyer providing all of the details: Flyer for Constitution Seminar June 23rd,… Read More ›
Educating Myself on Public Education…..the leftists are winning…
I have made a commitment to educate myself about what has happened to our public education. How is it possible to continue to outspend the world on education, but not even be close to the best in the world? In… Read More ›
Lake County Demographic Reports….
These are very interesting statistics about the Lake County population. In light of our concerns about the increasing real estate taxes pricing seniors and those living on fixed incomes out of their homes, we can see why our property taxes… Read More ›
Music & Memory …….a $50,000 study from Senior Levy funds
While reviewing the Willoughby-Eastlake Board of Education’s meeting minutes, we noticed a $50,000 receipt from the Lake County Commissioners’ Office, and a subsequent payment to RSVP. So we went upstream and asked Mr. Jason Boyd, County Administrator, for the details… Read More ›
Letter to the editor….Citizens are starting to get it..
Thanks to Lobbyist Elliot for this letter to the editor in the News-Herald: Your opinions How levies are hurting some residents: I am writing to thank those Painesville Township homeowners who evidently have never seen a property tax increase they… Read More ›
Social Security…the ultimate Ponzi scheme
We found this interesting article in the JBS monthly magazine. Social Security, like most retirement systems, appears to be one very large Ponzi scheme. ************************************* According to the Social Security Administration, more than 62 million Americans are now receiving benefits… Read More ›
RSVP…our final chapter
We have been quite critical of the Retired Volunteer Service Program and Willoughby-Eastlake schools for their lack of candor when answering our questions about their program. Our questions started last year when we discovered that RSVP had received $744,000 over… Read More ›
Ohio Made The Top Ten……..in property tax rates!
Thanks to our Kirtland lobbyist for this interesting article on property taxes: Ohio’s property tax rate 9th highest in U.S The average Ohio homeowner pays 1.72 percent of their home value in taxes, according to an ATTOM Data Solutions analysis of… Read More ›
Commissioners’ Meeting 5/17/18
I addressed the Lake County Commissioners today and discussed the following items: I mentioned that I attended the Sunshine Law Training at Lakeland Community College. Since we learned that a citizen may ask for the compensation package of any public… Read More ›
Public Employees Retirement System……COLA…how sweet it is….
As we continue our research into public finances, we discovered this information on the Lake County Auditor’s website. As you know, we are concerned about private citizens getting priced out of their homes because of increasing real estate taxes. This… Read More ›
Whoa….slow down on telling us what is really happening in our schools…
Thanks to Lobbyist Kim for this update: State Board of Education members will consider postponing the implementation of the final piece of the A-F grading system — the summary grades for schools and school districts. The 2017-18 report cards will… Read More ›