TRANSPARENCY

The Issues that need Addressed

Like many other communities in Ohio, I want to put the city's finances online. For example, the cities of Amherst, Vermilion, and Huron all have their finances online and available for review by residents. This is normally done at a nominal cost and integrates with the City's accounting software - this is not an expensive or time-consuming endeavor. This helps put an end to rumors and innuendos that divide a community

Putting our City's Finances Online

HIRING PRACTICES

Realigning Loyalties

Allowing the mayor to handpick one candidate for a vacant position is not governance — it’s favoritism. City jobs should serve the citizens, not the mayor’s inner circle.

Our charter must change. The mayor can set qualifications and narrow the field, but the City Council must choose from the top candidates. This keeps hiring focused on merit, not political loyalty, and protects the city from cronyism, nepotism, and abuse of power.

A professionally run city does not run on favors. It runs on competence, accountability, and the rule of law. Let’s write that into our charter.

A CITY MANAGER

Changing our Form of Government from Mayor to City Manager

Our city has outgrown the need for a part-time mayor. No one can work a full-time job and still run a city in 10–20 spare hours a week. The result is predictable: delayed decisions, reactive governance, and missed opportunities.

The charter must evolve. We should have a City Manager, hired and accountable to City Council, who manages day-to-day operations as a full-time professional. The mayor should serve as Council President, guiding policy and working with the manager — not acting as a part-time CEO.

Cities like Huron and Sandusky made this change and have transformed themselves since the Rust Belt era. We deserve the same: a government that runs on competence, not overtime.

THE LAW DIRECTOR & CITY PROSECUTOR

We need a full-time Law Director

We pay our Law Director over $105,000 a year — a full-time salary — yet he maintains a private law practice and represents other municipalities. That is not full-time service to Sheffield Lake.

Our charter should require that the Law Director and Prosecutor be the same, full-time position, dedicated solely to our city. Residents deserve legal counsel whose loyalty is to the city and its people — not divided between outside clients.

When the city’s top lawyer fails to act until it borders on irresponsibility, the cost is ours to bear. It’s time to change the charter and make this role truly accountable.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

It is time to get Serious about Attracting Businesses to our City

Our shopping center has stagnated not because of fate but because no one is working full-time to bring business here. Economic development isn’t passive — it’s a pursuit. It’s not waiting for opportunity; it’s creating it.

Because our city relies on a part-time approach, we’ve had little proactive marketing, little outreach, and little growth. The result? Lost revenue, higher taxes, and missed chances to expand city services.

It’s time to change that. We need a knowledgeable Economic Development Committee, empowered and focused, even if it requires a charter change. The future of our tax base — and our quality of life — depends on it.

ROADS, SEWERS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

We Have Serious Problems

Our storm and sanitary sewers are outdated and overwhelmed. We need retention ponds, French drains, pumping stations, and diversion channels to keep basements dry and insurance claims low.

Our roads and alleys need upgrades and consistent maintenance — not patches that fail every winter.

Our electrical infrastructure is aging and underfunded. Council should be seeking innovative funding to modernize our grid and keep the lights on.

We cannot keep waiting for disaster to force action. It’s time to invest boldly and rebuild our city’s foundation — before the next storm, the next blackout, and the next crisis.

POLICE, FIRE, EMT

We can Pay what we can Afford - Not what we believe Safety Services are Worth

I support our police, fire, and EMS — and I want them to earn a fair wage. But our safety service costs are outpacing what the city can reasonably afford.

We’re told our pay rates must match big cities like Cleveland because of “competition,” yet many of our officers now earn more than Navy SEALs or Green Berets (Heroes in their own respect) — and far more than private-sector workers like Truck Drivers - who are twice as likely to die in a fatality as law enforcement or a fire fighter - and it is these workers and earners like truck drivers and factory workers that are footing the bill of our safety services.

This isn’t about cutting wages — it’s about freezing them long enough to bring pay back in line with the city’s finances. If we don’t act, rising taxes will keep squeezing residents while city services everywhere suffer.

A fair contract is one that the city can actually sustain. It’s time to balance public safety with fiscal responsibility.

Community Lifestyle Decisions

On some issues that pit Neighbor versus Neighbor - I do like ballot initiatives

Not every decision should rest with the City Council. Some issues are so divisive that they deserve to be settled by the voters themselves.

Take Golf Carts on city streets or short-term rentals like Airbnb — both spark strong opinions on every side. Personally, I support them with clear rules and sensible restrictions, but my opinion shouldn’t override the will of the people.

For issues this contentious, we should put the question to a referendum, requiring at least 60% approval and placing it on a general election ballot in an even-numbered year when the most citizens are voting.

This ensures that major lifestyle decisions in Sheffield Lake are made by a clear majority, not by a handful of council votes.

THE SHOPPING CENTER DEVELOPMENT

I am adamantly opposed to the Shopping center being developed into an Apartment Complex

Turning our best commercial property into another apartment complex is not “development” — it’s a missed opportunity. That land could fuel real growth: retail, restaurants, essential businesses that define a town center, professional offices, entertainment, festivals — a place that draws visitors and generates revenue.

Instead, we’re locking it into more housing in a city already surrounded by housing. That is a bad growth policy.

Before we give away our future, we must ask: what has this administration done to market this land? What opportunities has it created? Have we even tried a party and entertainment district concept to compete with destinations like Lorain’s Black River Landing?

Our city deserves vision — not just more rooftops. Let’s turn this area into an economic engine, not another apartment complex.

THE PLANNING COMMISSION

The Horrendous Decision by the Planning Commission Deserves to Be Addressed

A Planning Commission serves the people — not the mayor, not developers, and not its own opinions. Its job is to follow the law and consistently apply the city’s charter fairly.

The recent decision to ignore the mandatory criteria meant to protect our community was more than disappointing — it was unacceptable. When the rules are skipped, residents lose the very safeguards that keep development fair and transparent.

The charter must be amended to guarantee a clear, consistent process that forces the Commission to consider every required factor before recommending any zoning change. Our community deserves nothing less.

Addressing the Leaning and Rotting Utility Pole Problem of Sheffield Lake

Ensuring Well-Maintained Utility Infrastructure

In Ohio, residents have the right to expect a robust and reliable electrical infrastructure that is properly maintained and not in disrepair. Utility infrastructure, including utility poles, must be maintained to prevent them from becoming eyesores or decreasing property values. Regular inspections and timely maintenance are essential to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical transmission systems.

Responsibilities of Municipalities and the PUCO

It is the responsibility of municipalities to monitor the condition of the electrical infrastructure within their jurisdictions. When infrastructure is not being maintained satisfactorily, it is crucial for municipalities to bring this to the attention of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The PUCO oversees the maintenance standards and can enforce corrective actions to ensure that utility companies comply with their obligations.

Holding Energy Companies Accountable

Energy companies, like First Energy, must not compromise the quality of service and infrastructure maintenance for profit. It has been observed that some companies may prioritize financial gains over the needs of the communities they serve, often resulting in inadequate maintenance and delayed repairs. This practice can lead to deteriorating infrastructure and potential hazards for residents.

Addressing Infrastructure Issues in Sheffield Lake

In Sheffield Lake, the electrical transmission infrastructure is currently facing significant challenges. First Energy's approach to "restoring" utility poles often involves attaching metal supports to damaged poles, rather than replacing them. This method is insufficient for long-term reliability, as utility poles are typically expected to be replaced every 50-60 years due to natural deterioration, which can reduce their strength by a third. Additionally, poles that are not set deep enough in poor soil conditions and lean can experience additional stress, further weakening their structure.

The Impact of Neglected Maintenance

Utility poles with woodpecker damage or age-related cracks can deteriorate more rapidly due to water and ice infiltration. Such conditions necessitate timely replacement to ensure the poles' structural integrity. Unfortunately, First Energy's current maintenance practices in Sheffield Lake are allowing the infrastructure to fall into disrepair, posing safety risks to the community.

THE SHEFFIELD LAKE UTILITY POLE PROJECT

Pole Straightening Program

At the very least Sheffield Lake needs a pole straightening program. When poles lean wires sag - during high winds the wires can generate significant torque on a pole because they are not straight and taught. When a wind and an ice storm event happen simultaneously such torques can be generated to break utility poles and snap power lines. Leaning poles are a hazard and they reduce property value.

Why Should We Consider a Community Improvement Foundation for Sheffield Lake?

As residents of Sheffield Lake, we all desire a cleaner, more beautiful city that we can take pride in. One innovative way to achieve this goal is by establishing a Community Improvement Foundation. This foundation could play a crucial role in transforming our city and bringing numerous benefits to our community.

Benefits of a Community Improvement Foundation

1. Focused Efforts on Beautification and Clean-Up

   • The foundation can channel resources and efforts specifically towards projects that clean up and beautify Sheffield Lake, ensuring sustained and focused improvements.

2. Increased Funding for Community Projects

   • With a dedicated foundation, we can attract donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations that care about the city's welfare. These funds can be used for various initiatives, from park enhancements to infrastructure upgrades.

3. Tax Advantages for Donors

   • Donations to the Community Improvement Foundation would be tax-deductible, providing a significant incentive for individuals and businesses to contribute. This means that donors can support their community while also benefiting from reduced taxable income.

4. Enhanced Community Involvement

   • The foundation could foster a greater sense of community involvement and ownership. Residents would have a direct stake in the projects and improvements funded by the foundation, leading to increased civic pride and participation.

5. Sustainable and Long-Term Impact

   • Unlike one-time grants or short-term projects, a foundation ensures that there is a continuous stream of funding and effort dedicated to the city's improvement. This sustainable approach guarantees long-term positive impacts.

Administration by a Community Advisory Board

To ensure that the foundation remains accountable and truly represents the interests of Sheffield Lake residents, it can be administered by a Community Advisory Board. This board would be composed of residents appointed by city council members, ensuring diverse and balanced representation.

• Structure of the Advisory Board:

  • Each city council member appoints four Sheffield Lake residents to the board, totaling a comprehensive group of community representatives.

  • The board members would oversee the foundation’s projects, ensuring that funds are used effectively and transparently.

  • They would also serve as a liaison between the community and the foundation, gathering input and feedback from residents to guide the foundation’s initiatives.

Making a Difference Together

By asking the question of whether a Community Improvement Foundation could make a big difference in Sheffield Lake, we open the door to numerous possibilities for enhancing our city. The benefits are clear: increased funding for beautification projects, tax advantages for donors, and a structured, community-driven approach to long-term improvements.

Together, we can build a cleaner, more vibrant Sheffield Lake. Let’s explore this opportunity and make a lasting impact on our beloved city.