Monday, July 12, 2010

Willoughby Hills Doubles Down: Second reading of proposed income tax increase

That's right folks! One of our favorite Cities, Willoughby Hills, had a second reading for a proposed income tax increase last week, on 7/8/10.

However, the Willoughby Hills City Council Finance Committee met tonight, 7/12/10. Sources tell us that the Finance Committee meeting didn't go so well for Mayor Weger's and Councilman Malecek's income tax increase.

There are whispers that Councilman-at-Large Dave Fiebig may have done the right thing and torpedoed the income tax increase in the finance committee.

But, we digress....

Read the proposed legislation for yourself:
Agenda.0708  
Ordinance.2010 27
ORDINANCE NO. 2010-27 – SECOND READING
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE SAFETY FORCES OF THE CITY THROUGH AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF THE MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX TO 2% AND FURTHER PROVIDE A TAX CREDIT OF 100% WITH SAID CREDIT LIMIT TO BE EQUAL TO 1.50% AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

What is even more disheartening is that Willoughby Hills City Council is going to "use" the safety forces to manipulate the electorate. Sad. Sad. Sad. Manipulative.  Disheartening.  Deceptive.

We expect the usuals to come on here and e-mail us about how we are meddling in Willoughby Hills' affairs, that this is giving WH's City Council's so-called crusade to give Willoughby Hills residents more power (in the future), blah, blah,blah.  Seems like this is more of a bait 'n switch.

Bottom line: There is a tax increase being considered by Willoughby Hills City Council.

Will Kevin Malecek and Mayor Weger get away with taking money out of the pockets of the workers in Willoughby Hills?

8 comments:

  1. Are you too afraid to post my comment from last night? After all, it was polite and factual and made no accusation against anyone except for you, for disseminating false and misleading information. For one who strives for the truth, I would think respect that.
    Dave Reichelt, Vice President
    Willoughby Hills City Council

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  2. ummmm. YOU LIE!

    You never left a comment last night. But, let's not squabble. Repost what ever comment you claim we did not publish.

    We have posted many comments scornful of our efforts hear...especially from folks critical of us on Willoughby Hills City Council...ask Ray Somich!

    Anyhow, the former publisher of the News-Herald ripped us apart last week, and guess what! We posted every comment!!!!

    Go ahead and repost whatever accusations about us you would like Councilman. Be our guest.

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  3. In short, last night I submitted something to the effect: I wish your blog would report accurately.

    There are many errors in your post... the most troubling of which is: WH Council "had a second reading for a proposed income tax increase last week." The true fact is that the Council will be voting to allow the people to approve or reject an income tax increase at the polls in November. The Council will NOT be voting for the increase, nor would they be advocating its passage - the Charter does not allow it even if Council wanted to do that.

    There are other errors in the post, but they are obviously just the slanted view of your "source" and frankly, aren't worth debating here. However, the issue listed above is a fundamental error in your reporting that needs to be corrected.

    I understand the desire for blogs to sensationalize issues, but the citizens of Willoughby Hills deserve the truth. I encourage you and your readers to seek out the truth if they are concerned about items posted here regarding the City of Willoughby Hills. I would be happy to clarify any questions, anytime. My e-mail address is: DavidReichelt@WilloughbyHills-OH.gov

    Thanks,
    Dave Reichelt, Vice President
    Willoughby Hills City Council

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  4. David Reichelt - what are you complaining about? The blog post according to you read "proposed." I take propose for what it is - a proposal. This blog was not in error - you just don't grasp the concept of the word. For future reference - just because you don't agree with someone doesn't mean they are wrong. It just means you disagree. Real simple.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. Kathy: Thanks for your feedback. We appreciate it!

    Anyhow, there really is nothing to argue with Councilman Reichelt about. We posted Willoughby Hills' own Council Meeting minutes and the proposed resolution.

    This is far more than the News-Herald did for Mayor Weger and Councilman Somich in the following article:

    http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/06/24/news/nh2683738.txt

    A careful read of this article is even more damaging to Willoughby Hills and their quest to raises some peoples' taxes.

    The News-Herald is NOT going to go through the trouble of publishing the proposed legislation and analyze its potential implications...it's much easier to regurgitate the talking points they were fed.

    Moving along....

    We suggested to Mayor Weger and Councilman Somich the last time we went through this income tax increase debacle that they should educate the public about there efforts to "cut" the budget.

    Sure enough, in the previous article:

    "We're going to be very much in education mode right now," Councilman Ray Somich said.

    See one of the reason why these guys get so mad is WE publish a lot of commentary and analysis of their "facts," statements, and actions.

    For instance, Weger et al. will fall all over themseleves to say how they negotiated a one year pay freeze for safety forces in the past.

    Guess what!?

    It's payback time now for Willoughby Hills Police and Fire!!!!

    A SAFETY LEVY! It's about the kids...I mean...it's about police and fire--don't you want to be safe???!!!????

    The only thing that will be safe will be that Willoughby Hills Police will continue to write tickets if they get their safety levy. If the safety levy tanks--guess what! The Willoughby Hills Police ain't gonna write tickets to help the bottom line.

    We know, We know. Police only enforce the traffic laws for public safety--not to generate revenue.

    Bwaaaaa hahahahahahahahaha!

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  7. Kathy Sak,

    With all due respect, the word "proposal" is not the issue. My point is that the Ordinance is not levying an income tax hike, it's not advocating an income tax hike, it's not even proposing a income tax hike. The purpose of the Ordinance is to put to a public vote (in the November election) the following question to the voters: Would you like to raise the City income tax? If Council passes the Ordinance, we are simply facilitating the democratic process of getting the vote of the people. If they agree to pass it in November, fine. If not, that's fine, too.

    This process is the manner in which our City Charter directs council to handle tax increases and I think it's a good process. It allows the people to determine what level of tax, and city services, they want.

    Dave Reichelt, Vice President
    Willoughby Hills City Council

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  8. You have a very good site that the main thing a lot of interesting and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

We don't Censor...we just make sure its polite and factual! Accusations made against private citizens will not be tolerated. Public Officials, past & present, or those seeking office do not enjoy the same treatment. If you don't like it...don't run for office!