Jerry, a regular guy from Akron, sent this over. On February 25th, 2014, during the NEOSCC Board meeting, I had the opportunity to speak out against the Vibrant NEO 2040 plan. In addition, I was called as a guest for the Sound of Ideas show on WCPN, FM 90.3, a National Public Radio affiliate, on March 5th (ideastream.org/soi/entry/60094). I am just an individual tax payer in Akron concerned about current events in our local community. The Vibrant NEO 2040 plan is designed for one purpose: GOVERNMENT REGIONAL CONTROL First, why did this non-profit organization seek Federal Government tax payer funding to the tune of $4.25 Million? If they are seeking to promote investment in new high density affordable housing, mass transit solutions, and preserving land, why not get funding from private investors? Why does the tax payer need to assume the risk? Ill tell you why. The CEO of NEOSCC, Mr. Hunter Morris, was the Cleveland City Planner with close ties to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development and used his influence to secure a lucrative grant of tax payer dollars to support his study. If this plan is approved by our Townships, Cities, and Counties, he will essentially allow the Federal Government to establish Regional control over our local NE Ohio affairs and push through a Progressive agenda to further strengthen government control over the population. Second, this plan declares that the urban cities immediately surrounding Cleveland and Akron in Cuyahoga and Summit counties are somehow the epicenter of Northeast Ohio. Really? Since when? Also, NEOSCC firmly believes that all future development must stop in the suburban areas and shift to the high density inner city urban communities. They are using the excuse of environmental impact of suburban growth and vacant homes in the urban areas to support their argument. I voiced my objection stating that this plan will eventually take away our property rights and limit our choice on where to live. They argued that our choice of property will not be limited, but there will be additional cost if you and your family decide to move to the suburbs or purchase acreage of land. Anytime I see the Federal Government sponsor a study such as Vibrant NEO 2040, I am convinced our individual freedoms, individual liberties, and local sovereignty will be compromised. We will be subjected to a host of new regulations and legislation to force our hand to comply with new demands. If this plan takes hold, once again the middle-class will shoulder the burden of yet another expensive government program and see our take home pay decrease yet again. Expect increased property taxes to pay for affordable housing projects, increased gasoline taxes and higher car registration fees to pay for new transportation modes (bus and light rail), tightened environmental regulations and enforcement to inhibit free use of personal property, and inflated home assessments in the suburban areas to drive up tax revenues collected from private ownership. How can you help? Get the word out to your neighbors and contact your local township, city, county, and State representatives to stop this Vibrant NEO 2040 plan in its tracks. The focus should be on attracting industry and manufacturing back to NE Ohio, first and foremost, not this utopian vision which values the collective over the individual and exerts regional control over our local affairs. Jerry Egel 330-715-8544
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 03:11:22 +0000
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