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Post by estherlike on Apr 14, 2009 14:01:29 GMT -5
 >:(How dare the Commissioners come out and say they are looking for input from the community on the use of the vacant Heartland Home building. The community already made their views known and were dismissed. According to the maintenance department for the county, the Commissioners are preparing the building for sale. If they are telling their maintenance manager and employees to prepare the building and bring to code for sale, why are they again lying by asking for the publics input. They have had an agenda for this building since the beginning and everybody knows it. They, the Commissioners, have said they did not know they were going to close Heartland Home until the night before the decision was announced when, according to Kim Edwards, Jerry Smith was in her office and said she had no choice but close the home. If that is true, then why, according to their letter to the editor, did they say over the course of 4 years 5 companies had toured the facility? If you are not going to close something,why do you have companies looking at it? Again, if you are not going to close a company, why do you reject income for at least 3 months prior to the announcement that you are closing it? I am referring to the Commissioners not allowing admissions to Heartland Home in October and November of 2008. 9 residents total were refused admission which would have substantially assisted the shortfall of the finances. We are not blind or stupid, we can see the writing on the wall and we have long memories.
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Post by cockycowboy on Apr 14, 2009 17:04:47 GMT -5
If the Commissioners want our opinion, let's give it to them. Since this was meant to be a county home and they didn't see fit to allow it to be a county home for those who needed medical attention, let's make it a county home for the homeless. This way those who have lost their homes due to economic times will have a place to go, we could get federal dollars for homeless shelters and help take the pressure off the Red Cross and such.
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Post by ormand on Apr 15, 2009 18:34:45 GMT -5
If the commissioners sell Heartland Home, the revenue will go right out the window as fast as it came in, the same way our tax dollars have gone down the tubes with the commissioners being so fiscally irresponsible in the past! I agree with cockycowboy, it would be great to have a homeless shelter to take some of the burden off the Red Cross and also to be able to
bring in some grants to pay for it, at least it would be used for the good of Ashland County residents. It would still be the best to open it again as The County Home and that also might
be combined with a portion of it being used for shelter on a temporary basis. The commissioners are not being truthful about the plans, and they are certainly NOT being TRANSPARENT in the process!!
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Post by estherlike on Apr 17, 2009 15:01:04 GMT -5
:oAnd their at it again. What kind of sense does it make for the Commissioners to say we can't rely on income from recreation and yet we rely on the money from the lottery? The Commissioners are saying they are not comfortable with backing the casino issue in Ohio and yet they readily accept money from the gambling the citizens do when it comes to the lottery. And what about the parks and recreation money? We receive money from their for people utilizing the parks and rec areas and that is okay. My chief complaint about this issue though is the fact that we as county receive dollars from the lottery which is no different than gambling in a casino. Having a casino in the larger areas that would bring so much for jobs and funding may be worth looking at. I don't remember the Commissioners asking us our opinion on a topic so major, do you?
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Post by gunny on Apr 17, 2009 15:20:10 GMT -5
They are trying to look good so people will forget about all the rest of it. I seem to remember a person who mentioned ,when asked about the petition, that the public would forget in 6 months and things would go on as they always have. I have to study this a little more before I give it my stamp of approval. I don't even play the lottery games!
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Post by estherlike on Apr 17, 2009 17:37:41 GMT -5
;DNeither do I, who can afford it anymore. But I fail to see the difference. The state says "NO GAMBLING IN OHIO" and yet what do you call the lottery and scratch games? Additionally, why would they object to the income? One post on the TG stated that the Commissioners have lost all credibility and I agree. Their credibility is so trashed right now that the public in general is going to do now just what the Commissioners have been doing, whatever the Commissioners want the public will opt for the opposite. Don't get me wrong, I agree. When the Commissioners have proven so wrong so many times you tend to go in the opposite direction which will probably prove to be the correct direction.  |
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Post by gunny on Apr 17, 2009 22:02:43 GMT -5
I admit that gambling is gambling no matter what form it is. It is like the old saying, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck than it is a duck. I remember a story about the Lincoln/Douglass debate. Lincoln asked how many legs a cow has? Douglass said 4. Then Lincoln said said if we called the tail a leg then how many legs would a cow have? Douglass said 5 to which Lincoln replied, no because no matter what you call it, it is still a tail and the cow only has 4 legs. It seems hypocritical to allow the lottery and keno but balk at the casinos. I know the picture painted by both sides rosy and in this case I agree with another Lincoln saying: the truth often lies in the middle. The Commissioners have bothed most of the things they have done.
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Post by guest on Apr 18, 2009 0:44:44 GMT -5
face the facts, these 3 are clueless. Mansfield is looking into bankruptcy, is that what's next for us? the sales tax from a few years ago that they didn't keep is what started all this. You guys are only exposing the tip of the iceberg. dig deeper, ther's a lot more. Look at the commissioners travel budget for this year. Why have they gone from a parttime ema person to a fulltime with a takehome car and an assistant? Whos laid off in the commissioners office, or on reduced hours?
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Post by estherlike on Apr 18, 2009 10:08:47 GMT -5
Guest, you are correct. I have suspected for sometime that we are only brushing the tip of the iceberg. We have no problem doing the research and bringing out the facts when we know were to look or at least a tip of what to look for. That is what this forum is for and why it is set up to allow complete anonymity. We greatly appreciate the lead and we will look into it. As soon as we have the info, it will be up on our site. THANK YOU!!!!
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Post by ormand on Apr 18, 2009 16:13:04 GMT -5
How pitiful these three elected officials! Not only do they lie to the community, but they continue to break the laws! How dare one discuss a 21 year old former county employee with
his parent who works in the prosecutor's office.....he is an adult and if she has something to say you tell it to the person. Oh yes, I forgot, "the commissioners are above the law and not
even the Supreme Court can tell them what to do" according to the President of the three! If
I were the person, I sure would press the issue, talk about a "hostile environment" seems like the commissioners fit right into that catagory! Quit circling the wagons you three and tell the community like it is! We have heard enough and seen enough of the lies, it is about time we get the TRUTH!!
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Post by Friend on Apr 18, 2009 17:10:11 GMT -5
;DAs a friend of one of your members I can tell you that you need to get these three Commissioners out NOW!!!! If you don't you will never get control. If your community would get behind you and stand up for what is right you have a chance. If not, you will never have your county back again. Closing your county home is just the first step to total control. If you don't oust these three now, they will slowly take everything you treasure and need in your county and you will have nothing left to fight for.  |
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Post by gunny on Apr 19, 2009 15:07:31 GMT -5
I have thought about Guest's post number 10 today and this group's mission. I sat down for a minute and watched a rerun of Glen Beck and one of the tea parties. Ted Nugent made a statement that these rallies are good and get people fired up but when they get back home they don't raise enough Heck. People should go home and raise heck at least once a month to their elected officials letting them know how you feel, in a respectful way He also mentioned they work for us. Penn from Teller and Penn fame was on the show and he mentioned about Jefferson who said a government governs best who governs least. This led me back to our Ashland County.
Number 1 it appears our Commissioners want to govern with absolute power and will not listen to their boss - the citizens.
Number 2 they govern with their best interests at heart and the closing of Heartland Home is just the beginning.
Number3 it is amazing that people have to come to a website like this to express their ideas and opinions because they are afraid of recrimination if their opinions are known. Freedom of speech is not in this County. Even the TG's editor has threatened out those who disagree with them or the Commissioners.
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Post by Guest on Apr 19, 2009 16:26:13 GMT -5
if you want to know how much the commissioners care about there jobs, just look for there cars in the pkg lot. They have reserved spaces, and except for Thursdays, you will almost never see there cars there for a full day ANY day. Queer told everyone during the campaign and after she was elected that she would be there every day, but she isnt.
Still no layoffs in there office, except they didnt replace a janitor. Oh, by the way, after almost $2 million in renovation to the county bldg, it STILL isnt ADA approved - try to get in that bldg if your in a wheelchair. they have ramps, but no pushbutton doors.
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Post by estherlike on Apr 19, 2009 17:26:29 GMT -5
::)Guest, you are so right. And there is alot of the time the elevator on the basement or BOE level doesn't work. I have been in a wheelchair for a few weeks now and had to go to the county building. The office I needed was on the 2nd floor and my son had to walk me in my wheelchair around the front of the building to the 2nd street entrance. Try doing that on your own without someone to push you up that hill!!! Most of the offices do not allow for a wheelchair either. This makes it near to impossible for someone in a wheelchair to access the offices of the officials of this county.
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Post by guest on Apr 19, 2009 19:25:37 GMT -5
violation of ADA = malfeasance in office. The main county offices in violation of federal law? inexcusable.
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Post by estherlike on Apr 20, 2009 16:20:30 GMT -5
>:(Guest, you are right. But it is just another example of the three not caring enough to allow equal access. The building on 250 where they are thinking of putting the Health Department is much worse. To try to get to the lower level where it is being discussed to hold the shot clinics, a person in a wheelchair would have to use a "lift" that will not hold a wheelchair and an assisting person. There is no elevator at this location and access other than the lift is by way of a full set of stairs either inside from the upper level, or outside from the parking lot. Not at all ADA compliant. We, the disabled, just don't matter to these Commissioners. We are more of an after thought than a part of their constituents. SAD, SAD, SAD!!!
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Post by estherlike on Apr 24, 2009 10:09:15 GMT -5
>:(Once again the Commissioners just don't get it. Although it may be true that the funds spoken of for Job & Family Services may not be from General Fund, it is still our tax dollars and if they are wasted rather than letting the state have them back when they can be used in other areas to help the economy, then what is that saying about us. Waste is waste no matter whether it is county, state or federal dollars. And this only proves that our Commissioners don't care.
And they are quick to point out how much they have transferred for Heartland Home this year but not so quick to point out that had Kim Edwards hatred for Jerry Smith not clouded her judgment, we wouldn't be transferring any funds from general fund.
We need to unite as a county and get these three removed but it is going to take more than just 20 or 25 people. Come one Ashland County, get behind this action.
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Post by katie272882 on Apr 27, 2009 11:24:50 GMT -5
guest Guest, you are correct, and if you look into it a bit more, you find that this is not the ONLY violation in office! Guess we all had better join or at least attend the meetings of the
Community Activists of Ashland County!! Seems like they are trying hard and we should all support them, how about it guess Guest, are you ready to attend, I think I am!
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Post by cockycowboy on Apr 27, 2009 14:41:48 GMT -5
I know I'm ready to join in. We all need to get on board or it is only going to get worse. When and where?
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Post by estherlike on Apr 27, 2009 14:48:29 GMT -5
The public is welcome to attend the meetings. The next meeting is Thursday April 30 at 6:30PM and will be held at the Ashland Public Library downstairs meeting room. Feel free to attend and make your views known.
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Post by estherlike on Apr 28, 2009 16:26:57 GMT -5
:PSo now the three stooges, actually the president of the three, are claiming the person that I am aware of was shorted on vacation pay because of the dating of contract. This person stayed on after the hiring of the new administrator to help with the duties while he learned his jobs and this was agreed to by the Commissioners. Now that this person should be compensated for accrued vacation time, they will not acknowledge the three months spent as a full time assistant because they (the Commissioners) did not follow through with whatever paperwork should have been done to extend the contract. Why should this person be shorted earned funds because the Commissioners did not do their job? Yet another reason these three need to go. They have no clue how to run our County in the best interest of the citizen.
Everyone, EVERYONE, that is able should attend as many of our meetings as possible.
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Post by lyskye on May 1, 2009 13:12:47 GMT -5
hi, replying to the current complant by eshterlike, commissioners must have had quite the past two days because my husband had just questioned them on dates and insurance on the 29 of April. which ruffled their feathers and got them to raise the voices!! And of course they are always right??? from the mouth of commissioner Edwards "It is what it is"!!
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Post by estherlike on May 1, 2009 21:23:59 GMT -5
:oThat seems to be one of Kim Edwards favorite sayings. I guess we could say the same about them "It is what it is". Such as the fact that the refund of worker's compensation and the fact that no funds would be needed for worker's comp payment was not brought up until AFTER the Commissioners agreed with the cuts in the Recycling Center. This amounts to almost $130,000 ($80,000+ that had been budgeted for worker's comp payment and the $45,000 refund) that could have gone to help keep the recycling center running without sending more material to the landfill that should be going to the recycling center. Also interesting is the lack of the TG reporting on the items donated to other county offices from Heartland Home. Why in the world are we donating items that should have followed the residents to the Sheriff's Office which will end up being used by the inmates? Why did the dog shelter end up with items that could have been donated to homeless shelters or the salvation army for use by the needy in the county? And why were the citizens not given the chance in saying where these things went? Instead of opening it up for discussion with the citizens of this county, it went straight to resolution without the citizens even being made aware these items were leaving the home. Also interesting is the lack of resolution for the items that had already been removed from the home several weeks ago which were all antiques. It makes you wonder if these antiques don't end up showing up in someone's "Ashland County Museum" in their home. Doesn't seem right that our tax dollars went for these items but we have no say in what happens to them once this home was closed. NO THOUGHT PROCESS WHAT SO EVER!!!!
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Post by gunny on May 2, 2009 20:01:12 GMT -5
I need to add after I read about the last meeting in The Obstructionist. Donating the food to the Career Center was an eyebrow raiser to me. If they had some frozen meat or vegetables that needed to be used quickly, I can understand this. However, after reading something like $22,500 in a grant to the Emergency food and shelter program, why wasn't the can goods and such donated to the Ashland Food Bank, and Salvation Army? I do have it on good authority that 1/3 of the student body of the Career Center have applied and been accepted for free and reduced lunches and more are applying daily. The best estimate is about 50% would receive it if they applied. I just feel not enough thought was put into this. I am more concerned about the non food items and where they have gone.
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Post by estherlike on May 3, 2009 12:39:13 GMT -5
>:(I am concerned about ALL of it considering the citizens were not given a chance to have a say in what should be done with the property left at Heartland Home. I am also concerned about the fact the Commissioners have NEVER brought out to the public what has been taken previously from Heartland Home. Why do they, the Commissioners, think that are authorized to do this? I understand they are the "trustees" for Ashland County funds and belongings, but "trustees" are suppose to follow the wishes of the ones who put them in that position. When you assign or the court assigns a trustee in the case of an estate or a bankruptcy, they are to do the bidding of the one who placed them in that position, so why does this not apply to the Commissioners?
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Post by estherlike on May 4, 2009 18:13:45 GMT -5
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Post by estherlike on May 11, 2009 15:54:54 GMT -5
:oVery interesting and disheartening special meeting of the Commissioners today. The audio of this meeting and the charts handed out by Cindy Funk, Treasurer will appear sometime today on the Community Activists of Ashland County webpage located at www.caofac.org. Be sure to check it out for yourself. |
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Post by Whirled Peas on May 11, 2009 21:09:43 GMT -5
Website has been updated. Audio and pdf files are right on the home page. www.caofac.org |
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Post by estherlike on Jun 13, 2009 20:17:19 GMT -5
Well, it appears the County Commissioners are again not doing their job. There are meetings that they are suppose to attend that they are a no show, no call. I am so fed up with paying these 3 their full salaries and they do half the job. Remember Ashland County, this website is for YOU!!! If you have a suspicion or opinion that you would like to post, feel free to do so. We have people that can do the research and find the answers if they are there. Some of the information on this site was provided to the appropriate persons to assist in the Anna Tomaseck-Musson situation and it appears it has been resolved, although the City of Ashland still paid a big price. That does show that together we can move mountains. PLEASE, make your voice known.
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Post by gunny on Jun 14, 2009 7:02:42 GMT -5
Estherlike,
I must agree with you and I am also disappointed how the posts have dropped off and then stopped. This website was created so people could voice their concerns and opinions in a safe environment without anyone fronting them out like like the editor of the TG mentioned he might do. This was done after a Commissioner mentioned that their were two poisons in this county and the blogs were one of them. This site wants opinions, fellow posters, so others can research and bring the truth to light. The only way things can be done for the betterment of its citizens is a dialogue between people. Please Ashland citizens, voice your concerns and solutions so Ashland County can be some place special in a positive light.
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