…Of the People…By the People…And for the People

NEWS RELEASE

For More Information Contact:
October 30, 2008 Jane Murray
740.353.5354

Citizens’ For Change in The Fifth File Recall Petition

Members of Citizens’ For Change in The Fifth filed a petition Wednesday, October 29 to recall Council President Howard Baughman. “We believe Mr. Baughman has not only been ineffectual but has totally ignored the issues and problems facing our neighborhoods,” stated members of the Committee on behalf of the 204 residents who signed the petition. The Committee took out the petition October 6.

“Baughman has failed to address repeated pleas for help with sewage backup in the homes of residents in the Grandview Avenue, 25th Street, Shawnee Road, Summit Street area since 1997. With uncontrolled development at Southern Ohio Medical Center and other large water-impervious developments in the area, the problems have grown in recent years and now more than 60 homes have thus far been identified as getting sewage and sewage-contaminated water in their homes and on their properties. Other homes are affected by storm water run-off where government staff and Mr. Baughman have not required compliance with existing laws adopted to address the problems.”

“We have multi-million dollars of loss to these home owners. And now that same government wants to address the problem not by having those largely responsible for its creation to pay their proportionate share but by having the average residential water user pay it. We do not want to see that happen. We believe SOMC and others who’ve largely created the problem be financially responsible for solving the problem.”

“Likewise, Baughman has not addressed the increased types and volume of traffic with its noise, dirt and pollution that are negatively impacting the residential neighborhoods of the Fifth Ward. Streets are in disrepair in the 5th Ward as they are citywide. As President of Council, it is Mr. Baughman’s job to ensure that policies and budgets are adopted that adequately and fairly address these infrastructure needs and myriad other issues including neighborhood redevelopment, parks & recreation, issues of quiet enjoyment, declining housing stock and the very livability of our city.”

“As I walked the neighborhoods and talked with people, I heard over and over how frustrated and angry people are with Mr. Baughman. I was told ‘He says he’ll do something and then nothing.’ ‘He didn’t even return my phone call.’ ‘He said he’d do something about it and then nothing.’ ‘He told us he’d help do something about the sewers but nothing has been done for more than 10 years.’, etc., etc.,” stated Committee member Jane Murray. “Typically I don’t favor recalls but like my neighbors, I am unwilling to wait another year or longer for things to start changing for the better,” continued Murray.

“As residents of the 5th Ward signed the recall petition, most also committed to being personally involved in planning for and helping develop a real future for Portsmouth.”

A special election is already scheduled for February 3, 2009. The recall and replacement of Mr. Baughman will be held at the same time, thus avoiding additional costs to taxpayers.

607 Chillicothe Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662-4023

October 23, 2008
A Better Government Coalition
political action committee

PRESS RELEASE

Better Government Coalition Questions
GOP Support for More Taxes

Press reports today indicate that the Scioto County Republican Central Committee has endorsed the proposed Marting’s “City Center / Justice Center.”

As a party known for its eight years of borrow and spend economic policies that have doubled our national debt and, as well, a party that has cut tax rates for the very wealthy, it is perhaps surprising that the Scioto County Republican Party should decide to support a 30 year, 3.1 mills, 440% increase in property taxes upon a community rated as having one of the lowest per capital incomes in all of the United States.

According to the Scioto County Auditor, the scheduled city property tax rate for 2009 is 3.8 mills, up from 0.7 mills in 2008, to pay for a fire truck and fire station repairs. The scheduled city property tax rate for 2010 is 0.7 mills. Approval of the Marting’s “City Center / Justice Center” will raise city property taxes by 440%.

The $12 million being asked for two buildings is nearly double the first Marting’s proposal that voters rejected, by nearly 70% to 30%, in May of 2006. It is also nearly double what the public City Building Committee recommended in December of 2006.

What is unique about the new Marting’s “City Center” proposal is that it would put the City in the business of running a retail mall, thus competing with private investors and property owners. This is not an essential function of government – this should be a function of, and risk to, private enterprise; not taxpayers. And press reports indicate that the City has yet to find one company interested in moving into the Marting’s building. This is not surprising given the number of empty storefronts throughout Portsmouth.

Most might assume that the Scioto County Republican Party listened to both sides of the issue. They did not. A Better Government Coalition was not invited to present an alternative view – nor was any other group or individual. Given that City Auditor Trent Williams and Councilman Mike Mearan are members of the Scioto County GOP, and are key supporters of this tax hike, such is not surprising. What is surprising is that a deliberative body such as the Scioto County Republican Party would not be interested in all the facts they could possibly obtain prior to making a decision of such importance to the Portsmouth community.

Finally, perhaps the Scioto County Republican Party should review the Republican National Platform adopted at their convention earlier this year, which reads, in part:

“The most important distinction between Republicans and the leadership of today’s Democratic Party concerning taxes is not just that we believe you should keep more of what you earn. That’s true, but there is a more fundamental distinction. It concerns the purpose of taxation. We believe government should tax only to raise money for its essential functions.

“Economic freedom expands the prosperity pie; government can only divide it up. That is why Republicans advocate lower taxes, reasonable regulation, and smaller, smarter government. That agenda translates to more opportunity for more people.”

The local Republican Party is already failing to live up to its Party’s promises made just a few months ago.

Paul E. Johnson, Chairman ~~~~~ Larry C. Essman, Treasurer
BetterGovernment@roadrunner.com

River Vices hardcopy:

CLICK:  http://portsmouthcitizens.info/blog/?page_id=553

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE: 

In this morning’s Portsmouth Daily Times you will find, on page D-1, an article by Arthur F. Kuhn, Managing Editor, entitled “City auditor clarifies City Center financing.” This is not on the PDT website so I’m unable to share it herein. This clarification provided by City Auditor Trent Williams actually is the letter he provided to the Ohio Elections Board, via Austin Keyser, in defense of Progress Portsmouth claims that “your vote (for the Justice and City Center will) not (increase) your taxes.”

Even with this letter, the author of which is described by Mr. Kuhn as “a man with a talent for making clear and meaningful the financial morass that leaves most of us scratching our heads,” the Ohio Elections Board was unimpressed as it voted unanimously to forward Harald Daub’s complaint of “misleading campaign advertising” to the full board.

Contempt

When the Portsmouth Daily Times reported upon the Ohio Elections Board initial finding regarding Mr. Daub’s complaint on October 17 (see link), City Auditor Trent Williams was asked for a response. http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2008/10/17/news/3news_commission.txt

Mr. Williams curt response was, “Consider the source.”

How may one consider this response other than that of contempt for a fellow citizen, voter, taxpayer… and one who is supported by a number of people who have asked the same question now being asked of the Secretary of State – is Progress Portsmouth utilizing false and misleading political advertising in support of the new (though not improved) Marting’s bailout?

One of the issues noted by A Better Government Coalition in its formation was how certain of our leaders demean those who oppose their initiative to raise taxes. In a press release it was noted that: “This committee will operate,” notes (Paul) Johnson, “just as we wish our City government to operate – openly, transparently, ethically, honestly… We will not be operating in the shadows, we will not hide the source of our funds, we will not hide behind curtains of secrecy and we will not demean, threaten or otherwise intimidate those with whom we might disagree. Our community is “family” – and within any family there are bound to be disagreements. These are our principles.” (My emphasis.)

Contempt for the public and their opinion(s) is exactly why our city government does not, has not and cannot operate openly, transparently, ethically or honestly.

Threats

Attached you will find a demeaning, contemptuous and threatening letter we received yesterday by mail. Written anonymously, of course, it included two Portsmouth Daily Times clippings – one titled “America needs John McCain as its next president” written by Kevin L. Zornes of Lucasville and the other a guest commentary by Steve Hayes titled “If we’re going to be a city, let’s act like one.”

This anonymous and threatening letter says more about our current political process and the nature of this current Marting’s campaign than I possibly can. I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, to draw your own conclusions.

Sincerely,
Kevin Johnson