For the question to the Mayoral candidates about the Twinsburg Community Improvement Corporation, I deferred the first response to Mr. Yates. There was none. Here is my response about the CIC. I would make it a priority to abolish the Twinsburg CIC for many reasons as follows.., > LACK OF TRANSPARENCY - When I asked if the CIC meetings were open to the public, I received two responses. One from an Akron attorney with a link to the Ohio Revised Code saying they should be. The other response came from Mr. Yates saying The meetings are not required to be open. With that being said, nothing is being hidden from the public. (see post below) Whether they are required to be open or not, if the meetings are not open to the public, EVERYTHING is being hidden from the public. > ETHICAL CONCERNS - With the lack of transparency, the CIC lends itself to opportunities for questionable moral practice. I cant say that there are ethical violations taking place, I cant say that there arent. No one knows what happens in those meetings with them being closed to the public.I question that they are serving the greater good of the community. > REDUNDANT POSITIONS - The duties of the Twinsburg CIC have already been provided for within our City Charter. Section 7.11 - Department of Community Planning and Development. “The Department of Community Planning and Development shall consist of a Director of Community Planning and Development, the City Planner, the Building Commissioner, the City Engineer, the City Architect and other personnel as determined appropriate by Council. The Department of Community Planning and Development shall administer the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code and Zoning map, Building Code and Subdivision Regulations. These duties have not only been provided for in our charter, but are also performed within the checks and balances of our city government. > LEGAL CONCERNS - I am concerned about the legality of the CIC within our City boundaries and Charter protection. This may get a little confusing, but bear with me.., While the Ohio Revised Code 1724 DOES provide for the creations of Community Investment Corporations, the provisions of ORC1724 were never adopted by Twinsburg voters into our Zoning code. A state code CANNOT over-ride City Charter powers for land use within the boundaries of our City. OHIO REVISED CODE 701.05 Grants Municipal Home Rule authority. “Municipal corporations operating under a charter ---- making of improvements and levying of assessments differing from the method prescribed by Ohio law. What all this means.., the Twinsburg CIC formed under the Provisions of ORC 1724, have no legal standing, having no provisions in our Planning and Zoning Code, and ORC 701.05 grants City Charters power over state statutes for self governing. The legality of the Twinsburg CIC deserves be challenged based on these statutes and precedent cases. Any one of these is a good enough reason to dismiss the need for a CIC in our Community. Put all these reasons together and ask yourself.., Does this really serve the people of Twinsburg?
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 02:16:35 +0000