Willoughby Hills Officials Going to Meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

It looks like the City of Willoughby Hills is sending some officials to Washington D.C. to meet with the FAA.  This meeting, according to the News-Herald, is in regard to a planned airport expansion of Cuyahoga County Airport that is not planned to take place for 10 - 15 years.

Interesting.

We are wondering how engaged Willoughby Hills Officials are in the ongoing discussion regarding Jim Brown's private Lost Nation Airport (LNA) in Willoughby.

Let's not forget that LNA is in Lake County, like Willoughby Hills.  Side note: sure the Cuyahoga County Airport is adjacent to Willoughby Hills, some of which is in Willoughby Hills.  So, that "Not in my back yard" mentality is strong.

Anyhow, in about six years the City of Willoughby can close LNA...or, can keep it open.  Some speculate that Lake County will use the Lake County Port Authority to buy LNA.  This means the citizens of Lake County will have to finance this purchase, and the operating deficit of LNA.

Shouldn't this issue also concern Willoughby Hills?

Wait a minute!  Classic Lexus and Classic BMW are in Willoughby Hills.  Jim Brown's office is at Classic Lexus.  Hmmmmmmm.  Will Willoughby Hills Officials stick their necks out and oppose Jim Brown on Lost Nation Airport?

Not in my back yard!!!

Closing thought:  Willoughby Hills Officials are rightly concerned with the happenings at Cuyahoga County Airport...it's right in their back yard!  However, a large business owner in Willoughby Hills is trying to USE Lake County to pay for his own private airport.

Tax Levies Steal Disposable Income

The News-Herald ran a telling article over at News-Herald.com today.  Brandon C. Baker lamented in "Down Economy Means Fewer Jobs" there are fewer jobs for the kiddies at small businesses and local municipalities.

It's ironic that Baker included quotes from Mayor Bob Weger.  Ironic?  Yes.  Mayor Weger endorsed the MR/DD levy that just passed.  That levy will gobble more of our disposable income.  That's less money for us to spend at Scooter's World Famous Hotdog (a business in the story) meaning that the owner has less money to hire people.  We had to chuckle when Mayor Weger pointed out that Willoughby Hills has such a low income tax at 1.5%.  Chuckle?  Yep.  Mayor Weger had supported an income tax increase proposed by Willoughby Hills Council earlier this year.  Following the logic here Mayor Weger probably supported the Willoughby-Eastlake School and Library Levies.

So, Mr. Mayor--with all these levies passing and our disposable income being stolen--do you really think we are going to have the cash to go out and spend at small businesses like Scooter's Dawg Shop?

It was good to see that Mayor Weger pointed out that spending stopped six months ago and that the unions had to agree to wage freezes.  Also, he pointed out that looks like wage freezes will be in order for next year.  Sounds like a plan!!!!

It's also good to see that the the recreation department was cut from Willoughby Hills budget, according to the article. Good move Willoughby Hills!  Recreation is not an essential function of government.  Recreation departments could probably be cut from every budget.

Let's summarize a few things here.  First, the tax levies supported by Mayor Weger are BAD BAD BAD for the economy.  These tax levies steal disposable income that could be better spent by us.  Second, it looks like Willoughby Hills started to make appropriate cuts: no wage increases, cut the recreation department, etc.

However, we have to believe that this may be being used to set the stage for another attempt at raising the income tax.  Let's hope not!

Consequence of Raising Municipal Income Taxes: Willoughby Hills Should Pay Attention

Last year the voters of Brooklyn, Ohio were convinced by their Mayor and City Council that increasing the income tax 25% from 2.0 % to 2.25%.  American Greetings threatened to pull out of Brooklyn.

The City of Brooklyn wailed and moaned; they even called in Gov. Strickland (who raised taxes last year) to plea the City's case.

The City of Brooklyn seems to have come to its senses and is negotiating with American Greetings.  American Greetings employees pay 13% of the total revenues of Brooklyn, or $3 million.  Better believe Brooklyn will negotiate!

Does anyone think Willoughby Hills will be a good student of History?  Will Willoughby Hills raise income taxes a whopping 66% after they see companies are serious?

Raise Taxes Now, Really?!?

This May voters in Lake County, every one of you, will be faced with the choice of whether or not to approve a levy for the Lake County Developmental Disabilities Board; this is a proposed 3.4 mill levy that would add $58.20 per $100, 000 in property taxes.   In some communities, Madsion for instance, voters will be asked to approve a school levy; this 3.3 mill bond issue would add $115.50 per $100,000 to your property taxes.

In either case, Madison School Officials and the Board of Commissioners want to take more money out of your pocket; money that could be used to feed your kids, pay off debt, catch up on bills, etc.

 Other communities are considering "shuffling the deck" and rearranging the tax BURDEN; Willoughby Hills City Council is pondering whether or not to increase the income tax rate from 1.5% to 2.25%.  However, legislation being considered now would also increase the 100% credit from 1% to 1.85% for residents.  So, the tax burden would be shifted from many residents to the people who work in Willoughby Hills.  In any event someone may end up paying more taxes.

Officials in Willoughby Hills still have the chance to change their minds.

Consider this:  since February of last year somewhere between 7 - 8 million people have lost jobs.  Local companies like Ink Stop, Circuit City, Linens' and Things, ..., have gone belly-up.

Do you want pile on more taxes for someone?

UPDATE: Madison School Board Put Levy on May Ballot

Earlier today we THOUGT we missed the Madison Schools Levy.  A deep dig of past posts shows we covered this on 12/30/09, see here.

We are a little belated on the vote though. About two weeks ago the Madison School Board put a levy on the May ballot (News-Herald):

In a 4-1 vote Thursday night, Madison School Board approved the final placement of a 3.33-mill bond issue on the May 4 ballot to raise $21,857,274 — or 51 percent of the cost of a new middle school and elementary school — as well as a mandatory 0.5-mill, 37-year levy for the buildings' maintenance.

Madison School Board joins the leagues of the Lake County Commissioners and Willoughby Hills City Council by trying, proposing, etc. to raise your taxes.

Hats off!

Mentor-on-the-Lake: Cuts budget by $400, 000

The News-Herald ran a story today about Mentor-on-the-Lake (MOL) cutting the budget by $400, 000.

Mentor-on-the-Lake residents this year will see almost half a million dollars less street work, at least two fewer full-time employees and no new equipment purchases as usually planned annually.

Wait a minute!  The City is cutting service!?  MOL realizes it needs to live within a budget?!

Why didn't MOL just put a levy on the ballot like Willoughby Hills!?!  Why didn't MOL just raise fees somewhere, or create fees ( like Euclid)?

Cut the budget?!?!

What?  This whole article must be a typo.