Vote Morrow for a Better Tomorrow

Changes to the City of Sheffield Lake Government that Morrow Supports

Change in Governing Structure

I support without any reservations that the City of Sheffield Lake should change to a "City Manager" form of government. I would like to seriously consider long-time city employee Pat Hastings as our new City Manager, and this would be a true full-time management position that oversees the day-to-day operations of the city. Under my proposal, the mayor would be a truly part-time, largely ceremonial position and would be classified as an "ex officio mayor" and would also be the city Council President.

Transparency

All of the City's finances should be placed online. This is simple, cheap, and provides citizens the ability to audit the books and know where their tax dollars are going

Hiring Practices

The mayor should no longer be able to hire their friends or those who swear fealty to them. This is how not to do business This creates a scenario where the city's employees become loyal to the mayor and are not loyal to the city. Opening the door wide for cronyism, unethical behavior, and corruption. To shut this door we should hire and impartial headhunter to provide council with three candidates for every job and Council should hire all employees by a majority vote. City Council may fire any employee for cause with a two-thirds vote upon the recommendation of the city manager.

Inspector General

The position of Inspector General would be a popularly elected position and is empowered to have access to all city records for any investigation they wish to pursue. The position audits the performance of the city's departments and does surprise audits and inspections to ensure that policies and procedures adopted by the city and the city manager are adhered to. The Inspector General will also work with the city manager as their assistant to create job manuals and policy and procedure manuals. The City Manager would be able to empower the Inspector General to reprimand, discipline, and penalize employees at the discretion of the City Manager.

Litigation

The City Charter should be absolutely clear - in that a vote of the City Council is necessary to enter into any litigation. The law director should not work with the mayor and keep litigation concerning the city a secret. The present system has a tremendous potential for abuse.

Voting on Important Issues

I'd like to see the charter changed so the city council can put important issues on the ballot that affect us all. A good example of this is the legalization of Golf Carts in the City and expanded Airbnbs. Previously living in the Sandusky, Ohio area, I believe that it is a benefit to the community to have expanded Airbnb and have Golf Carts. But with sensible ordinances that prevent abuse and recurring disturbances of the peace. While I do believe in representative government, some issues should not be left to a handful of people to decide.

Economic Development

Priorities: A Sheffield Lake Marina

Sheffield Lake is in great need of more businesses. More businesses will help to relieve residential property tax increases through levies. I believe it is in our best interest to halt all "nice to have" projects, for the time being, that do not help to increase business within the city. I have publicly championed that the city should build a Marina with bonds, much like how the City of Sandusky did with its Battery Park Marina. A large marina will give us the necessary foot traffic to develop the city's shopping center properly and attract many businesses.

Community Days

If we develop the Shopping Center with businesses, where would we have our "Sheffield Lake Community Days" festival? I'd like to see the city purchase the wooded property that is on the corner of Irving Pk Blvd and Lake Rd, and the property adjacent to Amber Oaks Restaurant, and convert this area into a Park that would be used to host the Community Days event. The present walking trail would connect Gary Park with the new Park. The new Park would ideally have high-volume restrooms and an Amphitheater to host plays and concerts on the lake during the summer, driving foot traffic. The festival would then be hosted at the new park and Gary Park - giving the festival more room and more parking than it had.

Priorities: the expansion of the Community Center

Expanding the community center so that it can accommodate up to 3-4 weddings at the same time would be a way to increase foot traffic and increase business within the city, and we could provide convenient parking across the street from the center to maximize the potential of the Community Center.

Community Theater

Establishing a community non-profit that would act to form a community theater to put on entertaining shows during the Summer and provide students with extra credit - can help bring in more foot traffic and increase business.

Community Non-profit to identify at least two more festivals and parades for the community

I'd like to look at different and unique proposals for destination parades and festivals with a new park geared toward festivals. Something like having a Zombie Oktoberfest Festival in Early October. Maybe a Polka, Latino, Italian art and food Festival in September. Maybe a Mudfestival in mid-August (Mud Volleyball Tournament).

Safety

Investigate utilizing Teslas as our police vehicles of choice due to their low cost of ownership

While Sheffield Lake may seem like Mayberry when compared to the City of Lorain, the recent ambush and murder of City of Lorain Police officers show that all police are more at risk than ever of never returning home. Teslas have better ballistic resistance than Ford, Doge, or Chevy. Teslas, of course, have a lower cost of lifetime ownership due to lower fuel costs and maintenance costs.

Investigate the Use of Flock dispatch Software and Community Cameras

Flock cameras, gunshot and crash listening devices, and software are very beneficial in reducing crime. Florida HOAs and retirement communities use these cameras, listening devices, and software systems to deter crime - and they really work. They can also assist in an investigation by recording cars and license plates. These are the types of technologies that would prevent the crime-ridden city of Lorain from spilling over onto our Sheffield Lake streets.