IT’S ELECTION CAMPAIGN TIME
Folks, I really dislike having to boast about my achievements but I am up for reelection and this is the campaign season, so I am actually obligated to do so. This obligation is a proactive approach that I am taking in anticipation of the expected actions of some of my opponents. There are now four of us running for two Trustee seats. I have what I firmly believe is an exemplary record of achievements and representing you and your interests to the very best of my ability.
Beginning with this issue and during the next couple of months, I will be recalling and reviewing the many issues that I’ve addressed during the past 12 years. I am fully aware that not all of my decisions pleased everyone but I am also sure that many of them did. I am simply asking you to look at the WHOLE picture. I have a proud history as your Trustee by being open with you, responding to your needs and saving YOUR tax dollars. I look forward to reviewing these achievements and the related history with you!
COMMUNICATIONS IS VITAL
Although I take great pride in my newsletter, to me it is not enough. I am a people person. I truly enjoy getting out there and meeting people face to face, especially when I am able to help resolve problems and issues.
By the end of this year, during my 12-years in office, I will have attended just under 7,000 meetings and other events and functions directly associated with Township business. A large percentage of these were assisting Township residents at their homes! Additionally, I handled over 50,000 phone calls and over 100,000 emails! Just to assure that I never miss your important phone calls, I have had my home phone automatically forwarded to my cell phone for over ten years!
To help keep you informed, I cooperate fully and work with our area news media, including newspapers, radio and TV newscasts and online news websites, to convey the news and facts to you in a timely and accurate manner.
To accomplish the very basic responsibilities of a Township Trustee, timely communications with the public is an absolute necessity. I believe that I accomplished this with flying colors and in a way that few, if any, in our region have ever done.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q >>> – I’m not sure if you are the person to bring this to the attention to, however, if not, will you please forward this to would sincerely look into this matter?
As I was walking down Vesta, with my 2 young children and wife, to get ice cream from Rosati’s, 2 cars drove down Vesta at much more than 25 mph. I get it, during the summer on a nice sunny Sunday, it might be hard driving 25 mph. Apparently at 6:30 in the evening (plenty of sunshine left in late August) a older style Camaro pushing 40-45 mph did not even slightly slow down, even when both my wife and I yelled loudly for him to. He didn’t even stop at the stop sign at 82. Not 2 minutes later, a white Ford (with a [local pizza delivery sign on the roof)] passed us, again not slowing down also not going as fast as the first driver but still not 25. Again, I understand when 25 mph is the speed limit, that not everyone abides by it; but I also think that as you approach pedestrians, who have the right away on the street when there are no sidewalks to walk on, common courtesy would be to at least slow down as you pass – young kids!!
My wife walked into [the pizza establishment] where she asked for a manager. She introduced herself by name and also stating that she was a resident near this pizza shop. She told the ‘manager’ that the white Ford parked next to the building with the [pizza business sign] on top of the car, just passed us, not slowing down and then turned into their parking lot. She was looking for an apology and at least a half-ass comment stating he would look into he situation. Unfortunately, she was harassed by the manager (Mel) stating that his drivers ONLY go the marked speed limits and that we were against the law walking in the street, do we not have grass to walk on? (Both the white Ford and the Camaro were parked in the lot and work at [pizza business)] He raised his voice and amazingly once she motioned for me to come into the store, he all of a sudden calmed down and made my wife to look like some crazy lunatic. I will admit that she did start to lose her temper when he kept repeating that his employees never go over the speed limit, even though we were direct witnesses to the situation. My wife wanted to call the Sheriff’s office and he threatened to call against her. I am a calm person and even then he started to raise my temper. I told him as much and he calmed down a bit. He stated his name is Mel. He never once apologized for the situation. School will be starting this week with kids walking home from the middle school. Is there ANYTHING we can do to get these delivery drivers to slow the hell down?!?? Thanks in advance.
A >>> – I clearly understand your concern. Normally, I would be more than willing to have a friendly chat with the manager on your behalf but I would probably be accused again of being a vigilante by a local gadfly activist for doing my job. I did however, forward your concern to the Sheriff’s Office and asked them to keep an eye open for these guys. The Sheriff will be setting up the “smart trailer” on Vesta to remind people about the speed limit. He will also be visiting the owner. He also suggested that you file a complaint with the owner. I’ve seen them speeding in my own neighborhood so I know where you’re coming from. And for the record, you have every right to walk along the side of the road and you DO have the right of way! But remember, a 150-pound person has no chance against a speeding two-ton vehicle being driven by someone who cares so little about your safety!
Q >>> – As per one writer’s comments in the last newsletter, I agree that the situation with the house on S. Oakmont with cars being parked in the street is a constant problem. The fact that it is located on a curve in the street makes things more hazardous due to a lack of visibility of oncoming traffic and local residents walking their dogs as well as children riding bikes. There is constant traffic in and out of the property at all hours and it gets even worse on the weekends due to frequent parties there. In addition to the traffic issues there are weeds over five feet tall in the landscaping and shrubs so overgrown that you can’t even see the house. There are still no parents living in the house so it is basically just a party seven days a week. Is there anything in our zoning that regulates who resides in occupied properties?
This house is not the only one in the development that has maintenance issues. One has a commercial van parked in the driveway and junk piled up on the driveway and another one has a camper stored in violation of our recreational vehicle storage codes and a van that has been parked in the yard so long that it has moss growing on it. There is another one that has leaves piled in their ditch since last fall and non-running four wheel drive vehicles parked in the yard. Lastly, one has junk piled up next to his garage and has had his lawn mower sitting in his front yard for three weeks. These houses are all in a cluster at the entrance to our development.
Can we have the zoning inspector take a look at these and try to get the residents into compliance with zoning regulations? I know that as a township we cannot regulate issues regarding aesthetics but the above mentioned items are, in my opinion. clearly defined in our township zoning regulations.
A >>> – Your complaint has been forwarded to our zoning inspector, Don Saunders, for investigation. We will see what he finds out and what action(s) he plans to take.
YOUR GENERAL COMMENTS
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Comments, please type the word “Signed” next to your name
I’m shocked to hear this news about Rosemary Barrett. She is a friend of mine. There is no way she would intentionally steal from anyone! She is the most honest and kindest person I have known. Our children went to St. Barnabas and Trinity together. I just feel terrible about this and hope she will get her name cleared.
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Thanks for keeping us up to date on township issues. It’s a great way to communicate current issues to the residents.
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Thank you,
Paul G. Buescher
Northfield Center Twp. Trustee – Chairman
330-467-9451
TrusteeBuescher@aol.com
www.northfieldcenter.com
AMATEUR RADIO STATION N8HHG
