TRUSTEE BUESCHER@AOL.COM
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF
NORTHFIELD CENTER TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
PAUL G. BUESCHER
~ KEEPING NCT RESIDENTS INFORMED SINCE 2005 ~
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#462 SATURDAY JULY 30, 2016
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SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
ON ISSUE 3
Will our world or way of life end if Issue 3 fails? No. Will it end if it passes? No. Simplistically speaking, the only thing that will happen will be a change in how our Fire and EMS services will be provided in the very near future and at what cost to us the taxpayers.
It will be us the taxpayer-voters who have both the right and obligation to decide the fate of Issue 3. And speaking of voters, the August 2nd special election date has been highly publicized through social media, the news media and the thousands of flyers and signs distributed throughout the Township by the proponents and opponents of Issue 3. Due to this publicity and the numerous voting options, there are no valid excuses for all registered voters not to vote!
I’ve talked with many longtime residents and none of them could recall a local ballot issue as contentious as Issue 3 that has ever occurred in the last 40 years or more. Judging by the number of “Yes” and “No” signs and written comments, a seemingly unprecedented number of people have involved themselves in the political and democratic process. It is in that context that I am applauding both Lou LaGuardia and Rich James for forming their respective P.A.C.’s (Political Action Committees) to promote their Pro’s and Con’s involving Issue 3.
Both sides have presented and argued the facts as they see them and that’s fine – That’s how political ‘games’ like this are played. Unfortunately, contentious issues like this allow emotions and ignorance of facts to cloud the real facts and common sense. This has resulted in the pitting of neighbor against neighbor and friend against friend through personal attacks just for being for or against Issue 3. I’ve heard about this happening throughout the Township and it’s even involved me personally.
In my case I’ve been subjected to personal insults, attempted intimidation and even threats from both people I know and from complete strangers, including some from outside our Township. All of this just because I voted to give the people a choice! Just look around town at all of those “YES” and “NO” signs. The number of them look pretty even to me so what better way is there than to let everyone decide this issue?
It is important to remind everyone that only the people (YOU) can raise taxes on a local level, NOT your Township Trustees. We simply provided the means for you to decide this matter. So to the few of you out there who are blaming us for raising your taxes, let it be known once and for all – QUIT BLAMING ME FOR RAISING TAXES! We are NOT raising your taxes and those saying otherwise are either doing so out of sheer ignorance and stupidity or knowingly lying!
I’ve also been publicly accused by some of using “scare tactics” in my personal promotion of Issue 3. I am willing to plead guilty to that if they equate it to my telling you what you NEEDED to hear as opposed to what you wanted to hear. There’s a big difference between hiding or skimming over the real facts to appease everyone or just presenting all of the known facts and letting people make their decisions on ALL of those facts. That’s what I have been doing since 2005 and I am not about to change now.
Now that I’ve got all of that off my chest, here are a few more related things that have occupied our minds and nerves behind the scene for the past few months or so:
We’ve been blamed for wasting $7,000 to pay for the August 2nd special election. It is true that we spent the money but at least we will have an election and its final results to show for it. What most of you don’t know is that the Northfield Center-Sagamore Hills Fire District, through no fault of its own, has been forced to spend (as of this date) in excess of $15,000 for legal fees and has little or nothing to show for it!
The District has been fighting and defending itself against constant and absurd demands and charges against it by the AFSCME firefighter’s union and SERB (State Employee Relations Board), along with their appointed ‘Fact’ finder. These organizations have been making unbelievable demands, including the negotiation of a full contract with the Fire District even though, under state law, it will no longer exist in about six weeks. Even after hundreds of documents, scores of meetings and hundreds of phone conversations and emails, they still don’t get it.
At our last Fire District meeting, which was held on July 26th, the Board unanimously rejected the Fact Finder’s report. Where it goes from here is anyone’s guess. The details of all this cannot yet be made public due to Attorney/Client privilege but since the Client (Fire District) will no longer exist after September 14th, I assure you that all of these records will be made public after that date! Only then will all of you see the BIG battle that’s been going on behind the scene.
We’ve also been very busy hammering out an agreement with Sagamore Hills over the Fire District equipment disbursement. I am happy to report that we are very close to an amicable settlement.
I also want you to know that we have been working diligently with our three surrounding communities for their proposals to provide contracted Fire and EMS services for us in the event that Issue 3 fails. The Valley Fire District has now officially withdrawn from the process so that leaves us with offers from Northfield Village and Macedonia. The details will be forthcoming.
In summation, I believe that most of you already know how you are going to vote. I just hope that your decisions are based on the facts and from your hearts. Whether you are for or against Issue 3, please get out and vote this Tuesday so that either way it goes we will all know that a true majority of registered voters made the final decision.
Paul G. Buescher
FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION ADDRESSES MISINFORMATION RUMORS
The following 10 points were taken from the literature being distributed by opponents of Issue 3. The bold sentences were written to clear up some misunderstandings that they may have. We are happy to report factual information so that you can make an informed decision, VOTE YES ON ISSUE 3.
- Get involved in your local politics, it matters more than you may know. Apathy and complaints resolve nothing. Get out and vote on August 2nd.
Agreed. Local issues do matter. Especially ones that affect your public safety as directly as an issue like this. All elections are vital to the workings of the community and everyone who is eligible is encouraged to register to vote and to go out and do it at every election.
- I cannot in good conscience vote for a tax increase on my neighbors who are senior citizens on a fixed income and/or social security.
Many of our own township neighbors rely on township emergency services. Fires, heart attacks, strokes, car accidents and other injuries are absolutely impossible to predict, but are completely able to be planned for and mitigated by your township fire department that is adequately funded and staffed.
- A “No” vote will not force closure the Route 82 station; the new fire department will use it. Nobody will lose their job. All Fire/EMS have been offered positions with Macedonia and Sagamore Hills.
A “no vote” may not force closure of the station. However, let us take a second to identify what a “no vote” will do. Your current firefighters and paramedics may no longer be serving you. Nearly 200 years of combined and collective service and experience in your township could be gone. Contracted employees from another city will be sent to this station to staff it, with half the staffing you currently have now. Your tax dollars will be paying for another city’s employees’ healthcare, salaries and benefits. One proposal from a neighboring community would only put 2 personnel at this station instead of the 4 you currently have. Those 2 would be used to supplement the 2 personnel in Sagamore Hills, often time causing Northfield Center to have 0 firefighters or paramedics in town. Two people is the bare minimum to run an ambulance, as critical emergency calls require 3-4 people upon showing up at your doorstep to accomplish many critical and lifesaving interventions simultaneously. Two people also cannot appropriately staff a fire engine according to current industry standards, requiring them to wait for additional help to arrive from miles away as a fire continues to burn.
These contracted employees would not necessarily have experience working in this township and do not know it’s intricacies or you, it’s residents. You will be losing one of the vital services that a township provides to its residents. What is the next one to go?
Also, no employees have been offered jobs. This is an incorrectly reported statement. We challenge you to back up your statement of “Nobody will lose their job”. Current firefighters and paramedics were told that they could apply for a job in a neighboring community and be considered for employment. No means was ever given to do so to any employees.
- There an increase in other taxes coming in the near future: School, Roads, Regional Sewer District and Storm Water Management from the Federal Government and others.
Other tax increases are decided in the exact same manner as this issue, by the voters. Elections happen every year all across the country to decide important issues. They have since this country was founded and will probably continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Which other tax increases are being referenced? There are NO School or Road levies planned and Northfield Center is NOT a member of the Sewer District.
- The person heading the campaigning “For” is a non-resident who lives in Sagamore Hills!?! Outsiders should not determine our choice.
Last we checked, signs showing support for voting YES ON ISSUE 3 clearly shows the name of a Northfield Center resident on them. Our residents have a tremendous interest in maintaining their own fire department.
- This is not a renewal as others have stated, this is a permanent replacement tax.
Correct, this is not a renewal. This is a replacement levy. The current levy has not been updated in nearly 20 years. That is a long time without ever coming to the voters and asking for an increase as other communities have done during that same time.
- Long Term cost are excessive:
a. On a home valued at $175,000 may cost $367.50 five-year cost $1,837.50
b. On a home valued at $250,000 may cost $520.00 five-year cost $2,600.00
(This is a forever tax! How much will you pay in 10 or 20 years?)
Given your calculations, it will cost about a dollar a day for around the clock fire and EMS coverage with proper staffing and services for the average home. One dollar a day for protection and peace of mind, whether you are home or not. This will NOT be a “forever tax” if a Nordonia Hills Fire District is ever formed because then this tax would be dropped.
- We have offers already on the table to contract with other communities that are nearly one-third the cost, just like we contract with the Sheriff’s office, without a tax increase.
Correct. Offers are on the table from other communities, but they all sacrifice a degree of services that are currently provided by the fire department with one making drastic and dangerous cuts to fire department staffing levels. They also do not account for yearly contract price increases for service, vehicle maintenance costs, vehicle replacement costs, equipment maintenance and replacement costs, building maintenance and replacement as well as day to day utilities. Those costs would still be up to the township to cover in addition to the price of the contract. All of these costs are accounted for in the Issue 3 fire levy so that no surprise costs come up outside of a “contract”.
- A regionalized fire department may provide more safety for our residents.
Contrary to popular belief and misrepresentation by local neighboring officials, two communities are prohibited from “regionalizing” by their current city charters. This is a buzz word that sounds nice to try and sell something that can’t technically be done given the current situation. The only form of “regionalized fire service” in the area is the current fire district, which apparently was not the route that Sagamore Hills wanted to continue with for whatever reasons, they attempted to sell to the public. They killed the “regionalization” that they are still trying to sell. These offers are for a contracted service with yearly price increases for half of the service that you are currently receiving. It is not a service provided by the township that you live in. Your current fire department has a long established history of the saving lives and property of Northfield Center residents for nearly 100 years.
- It is easy to spend other people’s money. They have already spent your extra money to put this issue on a special ballot when we have a presidential election in November. They did this because they know you will not show up. Show them they are wrong and get out and vote “NO” on August 2nd.
Yes, it is a special election. It is an issue that came up unexpectedly and needed to be addressed before the Fire District dissolves on Sept. 14th. Spending tax dollars is something that is not taken lightly, but it is done responsibly to provide the highest level of public safety to residents. Sagamore Hills trustees snubbed their residents and made this decision without their input and when it finally came to light, they heard about it in a packed town hall meeting with countless angry residents. Northfield Center is giving its residents the power to chart their course for this issue. It has been heavily debated and very public. It’s contemptuous to accuse readers of being ignorant to the point of not showing up to vote. We found that actually going out and speaking with the people of the community, there is a very active interest in this issue and they want to get involved and make their voice heard. There has been overwhelming support for the passage of Issue 3 with a Yes vote. This is a testament to the high level of fire and EMS services that have been provided for years and people truly do appreciate them.
VOTE YES ON ISSUE 3
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q >>> – Thank you as always for keeping us informed. The question I have is why did we team up with Sagamore Hills in the first place??? If memory serves me, we had a volunteer fire department that went to a part time department and with the inclusion of Sagamore Hills we went to full time. If we as a township could have afforded to go it alone 5 years ago we would have not needed Sagamore Hills.
So why is this even on the ballot? Northfield Center cannot afford to be a stand- alone department.
A >>> – Your memory is somewhat correct. We had a volunteer department MANY decades ago. Our Department entered into a contract many years ago with Sagamore to provide them with fire and EMS coverage. Our Department was part time during that time. Then, in 2010, our two communities got together and decided that since we were actually operating just like a district, we took the steps and formed an actual working Fire District. Both our former Fire Department and our current District were always PART TIME. We never had a full time department. The rest of this story you know about and I have explained why this is on the ballot numerous times, especially in my recent report in my newsletter issue #457.
Q >>> – After the meeting with the Attorneys from both sides, Just how much Fire Equipment will the Department have after the September split?
A >>> – We’ve had many meetings between our attorneys and all six Trustees. This is still in the works but I can tell you that we are very close to an amicable agreement on the issue. I can also say that both our Township and Sagamore will have all of the necessary equipment to cover our respective residents
Q >>> – 1st item I here both sides talking about up keep of equipment If we keep our NFD or go with contracting out either way I would think We still have to keep our equipment up witch either way we will need to Find more money other than what is voted on or what we pay at this time Is or is this not a true statement?
2nd item What is going on with the union talks? We have not heard anything of late If the issue passes and then the Dept goes with a union does that change What it will cost to operate the station?
A >>> – Item 1 – All of the expenditures that you mention were included in the proposed budget and the 4 additional mills as calculated by our Fire District CPA. Item 2 – I cannot discuss this issue since it’s still in the hands of the lawyers. However, I can tell you that the Fire District Board met this week (July 26th) with the lawyers and as a result, we unanimously rejected the SERB fact finder’s report. This might not make sense to you right now but it will when we release all of the attorney/client privileged documents and related communications between us, the union and SERB. I believe that we will be able to release these on or shortly after September 14th when the District is officially dissolved.
Q >>> – I heard that someone opposing issue 3 was throwing there fliers that were in plastic bags with stones in them at homes on Firebush and they caused damage to someones home. Is this true or just some more rumors?
A >>> – Apparently this is true. Our Sheriff’s Department investigated this incident yesterday (7/26) and found some alleged damage to a resident’s garage door.
Q >>> – I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but could you guys do something about a house at the corner of Morningside and Crestwood Lane on the S/E side I believe the address is 7625 Morningside. It is a rental , and when the people first moved in the home was cleaned up and the yard was beautiful. Now several years, the place is now a pig sty. There are piles of landscaping materials and
at least one canoe along the driveway and front yard, and even more debris in the backyard, which is readily visible from Crestwood Lane. I’m really getting tired of looking at this.
A >>> – We took care of your concern and as a result of your follow up email, it is apparent that you are now a happy camper!
YOUR GENERAL COMMENTS
I THINK THIS WHOLE THING STINKS. PEOPLE, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR MAKE YOUR DECISION & VOTE. EITHER WAY, NORTHFIELD CENTER RESIDENTS WILL END UP PAYING MORE THANKS TO SAGAMORE HILLS ABANDONING OUR JOINT FIRE DISTRICT – THAT’S THE REALITY.
THE IRONIC THING IS THAT SAGAMORE HILLS RESIDENTS WILL PAY MORE TOO! KIND OF MAKES YOU WONDER WHO THEIR LEADERS ARE! MONEY DOESN’T GROW ON TREES FOLKS! IF WE GO WITH MACEDONIA, WE’LL STILL NEED MONEY TO PAY FOR ALL THE THINGS NOT COVERED BY THEIR PROPOSAL – WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM? I’M GUESSING A LEVY.
IF WE STAY INTERNAL, WE NEED A LEVY, BUT ACCORDING TO WHAT THE TRUSTEES HAVE SAID, IT WILL BE 4 MILLS ADDED TO OUR CURRENT 2 MILL FIRE LEVY. EITHER WAY WE PAY.
A FIRE DISTRICT MAKES MORE SENSE THAN CONTRACTING SERVICES OUT. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT’S NOT IN THE CARDS AT THIS TIME. IF WE DON’T PASS ISSUE 3 WE WILL HAVE TO CONTRACT OUT. AND THAT MEANS ANOTHER LEVY TO PAY FOR WHAT’S NOT COVERED IN THE CONTRACT. IF WE HAVE TO PAY, DOESN’T IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO KEEP FIRE & EMS WITHIN OUR BORDERS TO COVER THE RESIDENTS WHOSE MONEY IS BEING SPENT?
I PLAN TO VOTE FOR ISSUE 3
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People, we need to stop the bleeding of taxes and look for what is best for our safety and our bank accounts!!! There has to be a better way – I believe our pride is getting in the way of common sense!
It is not clear to people that your taxes on a $250,000 home will go from approximately $125.00 per year to approximately $500.00 per year. Giving a valuation on $100,000 house is misleading…
I will be voting NO not because I don’t want to be safe or for my house to burn down but simply because it doesn’t make sense!
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It just came to mind that the various insurance companies rely on rating companies for data upon which to base their fire insurance rates.
If I am not mistaken, here are some of the criteria:
1) Distance of property from fire hydrant(s)
2) Distance of property from fire house
3) Type of equipment at the fire house
4) Type of department – no staffing through full staffing
and many more items which I am sure you are more familiar with than me.
I am going to stick my neck out and predict that if Issue 3 does not pass, and we contract with another department, our fire insurance rates will definitely increase.
Henry Harff
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First of all – the Vote NO campaign is not against the firemen or EMS personnel. This campaign is about keeping our costs to live in our homes in check. I have no personal vendetta or agenda against any of our firefighters, despite what some people may be claiming. Many of us living in the mid-section of Northfield Center Township are also facing the distinct possibility of paying additional real estate taxes on the Dorwick Ditch Petition. (Final costs yet to be determined). If you haven’t received papers from the County on this subject, then you are not involved, so don’t worry your heads about it. But the homeowners in this immediate area are concerned because it directly involves our taxes. And, yes, the school board decided to wait an additional year before asking for more money. But they will come begging again. So the claim of $1 a day to resurrect the fire department for the AVERAGE home translates to $365, plus the costs of the Dorwick Ditch, plus any additional funds that the school board will ask for equals a very large chunk of change
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Thank you,
Paul G. Buescher
Northfield Center Twp. Trustee Vice-Chairman
Northfield Center-Sagamore Hills Fire Dist. Board
330-467-9451
This newsletter was produced through my 5-kilowatt SOLAR power system!
