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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - I'd like to welcome all of you to Massillon City Council for Monday, March 20, 2006. We have in attendance with us this evening: Mayor Cicchinelli, Auditor Hamit, Community Development Director Aane Aaby, Law Director Stergios, Police Chief Williams, and Stark County Treasure Ziegler. On the wall to your left are agendas for anyone who wishes to follow the meeting. Also under item #5 on the agenda is where the public can speak on any item that appears on the agenda and then under item #17 is where the public can speak on any item that does not appear on the agenda. I'd also like to remind anyone with a cell phone please turn it off or turn it very far down. 1. ROLL CALL Roll call for the evening found the following Council Members present: Tim Bryan, Kathy Catazaro-Perry, Jayne Ferrero, Chuck Maier, Ron Mang, Paul Manson, Dave McCune, Donnie Peters and Tony Townsend. Thus giving a roll call vote of 9 present. 2. INVOCATION COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - led the invocation for the evening. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE COUNCILWOMAN FERRER - Chairperson of the Health, Welfare and Building Regulation Committee led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. READING OF THE JOURNAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Madame Clerk are the minutes of the previous meeting transcribed and open for public viewing (NOT QUITE) We'll look for additions and corrections at our next meeting. 5. REMARKS OF DELEGATIONS AND CITIZENS TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA STEVE CAVAS - 835 Standish NW, Massillon. Casino, definitely what I'm here to talk about. You know, I was listening to all the comments and all the things that's going to happen to our town. We don't know what's going to happen if it does come in here there's going to be good points and bad points we know that anything that's going to happen. Nobody touched upon the fact that all the gambling that's going on in this town who doesn't play the lottery; you're gambling. That money's not going here, it's going down south the state. So you've got to look at this thing is it going to help our city. I think it will there's nothing we're tied by the hands if you do go with this agreement and look at the prospect of this happening. So you have to think about it. But I think you're going to find the percentage of the people that talked here are in favor of you making the agreement to see what can happen and then take it from there. JUDY PACQUELET - 11849 North Crest the City of Massillon. I'm coming here simply to ask council to consider and vote put the resolution on so that further study can be done. None of us including me and any of you can make a rational decision about this until more in depth study is done. That's going to take you whatever, but please, at least consider it. Basically, I'm for it at this point; what I know now I would vote yes. That doesn't mean in 6 months I would vote yes. Thank you. TOM ROSS - 1721 10th NE, Massillon. I'll try to be brief. The casino developers say that 12 million or 2% of the gross will be coming will be distributed to entities of this area. By the same token that means 98% or 588 million will be leaving Massillon, Stark County and Ohio. Now if the casino doesn't remove almost 600 million from the area then the less than 12 million will be distributed. So don't be rushed into this deal, make sure how much you're going to get out of it if you go for it. The Mayor and the Council, the Chamber of Commerce of Massillon should be encouraging small manufacturing and businesses that are locally owned not owned out-of-state, but locally owned even a few of those would have a positive effect. The money stays right here a casino will drain cash right out of the area. It will hurt local merchants, it hurt local restaurants so I say think very carefully and get the numbers right. A lot of people I remember sitting in this council chamber and the lady that runs the Great Escapes Theater said their payroll would be between $500,000 and $600,000. I would challenge her and mean that number tonight. The city is depending on income from that to pay I would like to ask the Mayor perhaps to report on the TIF that is financing the work that the city did down there. I think that the theater is a money drain too it's all going out of Ohio. That's all I have to say I hope you consider it carefully. MARTHA BASARA - I live at 430 23rd Street NE, apartment 32. Everybody's talking about money, money nobody's thinking about the elderly. I lived in California and Arizona where they have all these casinos. I'm a retired nurse and I've seen these people, these older people go into the casinos and they spend their money and then they're broke then for the whole month. Who takes care of them, the churches in the areas? Is our churches ready to help with these people when they don't have the money to spend? Also the younger people that were welfare go to the casinos and use their money up and the kids would be the ones that were neglected. So and there was a lot of crime in those areas like I say I feel sorry for the older people that have to live on social security. Because social security is nothing compared to what people in the city have had. Thank you. ED GREER - I live at 227 Dwight Avenue SE, Massillon. I'm here to talk about I'm going to change things up a little bit. I'm here to talk about Ordinance No. 37 - 2006. St. James Day Care Center that we're trying to get started will be located at the old Nova building; 111 Tremont Avenue SW, Massillon. There's a new for day care in the Massillon area. Many parents with children have fallen through the cracks for one reason or the other. Therefore day care is not being provided for a lot of parents with children in the area. This would be a full time all day, day care center. We will provide educational opportunities for kids in a structured environment providing quality day care for Massillon area youngsters. We will meet the needs of young people would be a top priority. This would be a first rate facility. Also feel there's a very good location we right downtown; everybody knows where it’s at the building is in excellent condition. We've already been licensed for a day care sometimes it takes anywhere from 6 months to a year just to get licensed because of the improvements that you have to make and sometimes it gets awful time consuming. This will be a (inaudible) day care facility, the kids that will be in here will do activities and programs will be implemented on a daily basis to encourage educational and cultural enrichment type of activities. There will be opportunities for parents for involvements with parent meeting seminars, monitoring programs for teen parents and a parent volunteering program. Also the staff that will be working there will be taxes. So there will be return to the City of Massillon in terms of people who will be working there will be paying city taxes and that's also very important. We feel very strongly that this project will have a positive impact in the Massillon community and we certainly appreciate your support. Thank you very much. ROBERT LEWIS - I reside at 1930 Stoner NE, Massillon, Ohio. I am speaking right after Ed Greer concerning the St. James Day Care Center. He has covered well what we are about, but I wanted to share this that I believe our community is in need of a place where our children can come or children that don't have the opportunity can come and not only have the safety of a day care center, but also the ability to know that the children will be cared for greatly. There's a need in our community we see for more and listening to what I've heard concerning the gambling and all the things that we're trying to make decisions about. You know I'm a pastor and a pastor's going to stick up for I believe God wants us to do. But I believe our children deserve more and so as we endeavor to get this project started we're asking that you would support us with a one time offering that we might be able to do the work that's in mind. We plan and will be training people for our staff in the different areas of CPR, first aid, disease and child abuse and neglect those of things that happen everyday in our community and most of the time the day care center you can an awful lot that's going on that our children have to go through. We'll be servicing ages 2 thru 12 that means we will have some school age children and more like a latch key program also that will be offered. We do have qualified people who we're looking for to help us with this day care. So we would appreciate if you would look at this proposal and take it under consideration and know that it will be an improvement in our community especially with that beautiful property at 111 Tremont. It will be a moving property again you noticed that for the last few months it has not been much going there and we want to make it a viable part of this community. Again, as Ed Greer said we will be doing some tax money amen, some money will be coming to the community. So we ask you if you will to consider this proposal and allow us to do some work in this community that I believe will bless this community. Thank you very kindly. MARK CHARKINS - 2641 Erie Street South in Massillon. I'm a resident citizen of Massillon and also the pastor of Anchor Baptist Church. I'd like to speak on the casino gambling issue. I speak in opposition to that contrary to the gentleman that had the presentation at the beginning that quoted someone saying that's not its not biblical or he can't find a biblical thing. I think I can find a lot of versus and principles that would tell us that gambling is wrong. We do have gambling in our community, its in our nation we understand that I'm opposed to it. However, we're talking about an issue of bringing a facility here that is not now in existence. So I would be opposed to do that it seems to me and its only my opinion that the bulk of the conversation or a lot of it is it revolves around money. There are things more important than money in our nation I believe is in desperate need of some moral direction and I believe that homes and families and those things are more protected without these things. I know that people have to represent all people in the city I understand that I appreciate that, but a moral direction not for our city but for our area I believe would be opposed to this and thank you for your time. PAUL BERENS 1706 Jefferson Road NE, Massillon. I've lived here all my life. The only time I left was to serve my country. I'd like to say I'm in favor of the casino; it's only a small part they're also talking about a recreation center or investment putting other building in there. I think it will create jobs 2400 jobs we could loose if we don't go for this and also the $12,000,000.00 in the revenue that could generate. I think it's important to the city we see manufacturing in this country now they're saying their service jobs that's what these are. That's my input. Thank you. MARGY BERENS - 1403 Brooklyn Street NW, Massillon. The issue of the casino is really a gray area; one is legal one is financial and one is moral. Most of the comments we've heard has been financial. The presentation by Mr. Casey I felt did not completely address some of the legal issues. Someone said something about putting the cart before the horse and some of the things I've been able to find on line deal with. Ohio is not Class III state which I understand means that they can not have a for profit casino in this state. That means something would have to change legally so I'm not sure why this resolution is even under discussion at this point. Some of the questions that I would Mr. Casey he said there wouldn't be any upfront costs right now. What costs would there be for Massillon later on. What does he foresee in the future that he did not mention in his presentation. In the paper they had something about the airplane manufacturing being connected with this casino. It sounded like that is only possible if the casino comes and I don't understand why that would. He said the casino would be 2 to 4 acres on a 200 acre piece of property. It's interesting that wasn't really addressed in people's comments. They are not concerned about the residents they're concerned with the casino itself. I don't understand if Mr. DiPietro owns this land why I guess I don't understand the connection between the Eastern Shawnee Tribe. Is he going to sell the land to them, is he going to retain ownership and they're going to manage the land? I don't understand why a tribe that's based in Oklahoma wants to come to our town. As much as I would like to believe in people being good to one another you're not going to give me money to put in my pocket just out of the goodness of your heart. You know, you're going to earn money and you're going to spend your money on your family; why do they want, they want to make the money. Where is that money coming from? You know that some of that money is coming from our town as well as the people that's going to bring from out of town. If the casino is not here what would replace it? What possibilities do we have for development? There are other options that may come up that I think sometimes we look at right in front of us and we don't look at things long term; we only see what's here in front. I was one of the things I found on line is the Indian Gaming Act of 1988 that's something you might want to investigate and I would really look carefully. Does this in anyway violate current Ohio law, does it violate what is the Ohio Constitution? It's fine to talk about something, but if you're going to get down to the nitty-gritty paperwork of something obviously its got to fall within Ohio law. Going to the financial aspect I think upfront it will give us money. It will give us jobs I think that's true, but long term I don't I think it's a financial negative for our area for many of the reasons that other people have already mentioned. The social costs will be (inaudible) are far greater than the economic benefit overall. If you look at the numbers of people who deal with compulsive gambling it is a same percentage of gamblers, but they have a very large cost and if you go on line one place is the America Policy Roundtable.org you can find statistics there that will tell you what some of these financial costs are. Also and I guess this goes back to the legal if the Shawnee Tribe if an Indian tribe controls a casino my understanding is that then they control that land and they don't pay taxes on that land. Now I'm not sure if that's really true or not, I'm but that's something that would require investigation if they don't pay taxes on that land then that's going to be a loss for the City of Massillon. Going on to well with the financial also some of the things are with yes you get some jobs, but you are also loosing jobs depending on how the gamblers are spending their money. One real concern that I had with Mr. Casey's presentation when he mentioned that there's not a commandment in the Ten Commandments thou shall not gamble. That's true there is one however, that says thou shall not steal. If you look portionitely those in a lower income bracket spends by far the highest percentage of gambling money. We already struggle a lot of unemployment people being laid off, people loosing their jobs. Do we really want those people in our area to struggle more with that? Many people have already said they gamble and they assume everybody gambles. I have not ever gambled you may not believe that, that's okay. But the point is that there are people in this area who have trouble with that issue. Let's make it worse for them, I felt as a Christian I resented him saying that. I didn't care for that at all. I am a mother of 10 children, three of whom are adults and live in this area. We wouldn't be going to that resort to be spending our money there. We will however, support local businesses like Ernie's Bicycle Shop and others like that. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Can we ask you to wrap your comments up, please? MARGY BERENS - Okay, I guess my only other comments on the gambling and the religious issue is that people reference to being okay or some others feel that's a fundraiser. I've never played bingo however, if a church runs bingo that is to raise funds for their church. If you gamble at a casino who are you raising funds for? It's not for your church it's not for Ernie's Bicycle Shop. Thank you. MANDY HANNON-WILLIAMS - I live at 1225 16th Street SE, in Massillon, I'm following my pastor in regards to the day care. We talk about jobs a facility like that brings jobs to lower income families. We talk about what we need and what's going on in the community and what our children need. Our children need a place to go after school; there are far too many kids that are picking up the key from underneath the door mat because their parents can't afford day care. I have three children, three boys, one school age, two that are in pre-school. I pay $300.00 a week for my kids to go to day care because I have no choice. I have to go to work; I have to go to school. Not everybody is as blessed and is not able to do that. With a facility like the day care lower income families single mothers they'll be able to go there and spend time with their kids or volunteer to be there or maybe work there if they have the opportunity to train and get a job and make money and become stand up citizens and not just a statistic. Because that is what we deal with in the city, we deal with a lot of statistics. There's a lot of just unnecessary things we talk about the casino is going to bring all types of jobs, but is it really? It's going to bring a lot of debt, I heard when I was standing out there we have so many foreclosures we have so many this, we have so many that. It's only going to get worse with a valuable positive influence in the community that is desperately needed. I mean I can't see anyone sitting on the council saying Awe don't a day care@. Our young people need a place to go. They need a place to go and that is going to give them a place to go, it is going to give their parents time to do something with themselves beside sit at home and have to wait for their kids to get home from school. They can go get jobs then, they can go to school then. Some of them can go further their education and that will give them a chance to get off welfare and be able to do something else and be positive role models for their kids. Thank you. ESTER BRYANT - I reside at 1423 Walnut Road SE, in Massillon. I'm here to speak on #47. I would ask that council will continue to support of Lighthouse Vision; which is for foster children 15 and under. At this time we have grown to size that we now hold classes at Friendship Baptist Church. We're not only including foster children, but we're including any other child 15 and under. We try to them basic life skills during their formative years before they get set in their ways. We had spoken last week to Walnut Hills Association and they are going to be working with us which will bring in additional children and more youth. We're proud that the Massillon Tigers are coming on board with us in the month of April and May to help us with our children one day a week. On Saturday we started a step classes which is step drill to keep these children active in doing something and we have a lot more projects that are being worked on. I have a 12 year old foster child in my home and he had a visit the other week and he came back and he said AI told my mom that I know how to eat right@. That's what makes it worthwhile? Thank you. LISA ALBERT - I live at 434 5th Street SW. You can see the interest in the people by the crowd at was here tonight. My questions is, is this an issue that has to be decided by council either yes or no to bring this here? I'm opposed to it I would not like to see this come to Massillon. Would this be something possible that could be put to a vote at the people; because there is a lot of interest? Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - That will be reflected later in the discussion. JESSE PROWE - I live at 905 Johnson St SE, Massillon. I'd like to speak in relation to this child care center St, James' endeavor to bring forward. I'd like to press upon your minds the urgency or the need for this type of child care center. You fathers, city fathers, councilpersons should want to adopt. It seems that we have in the southeast section, southwest section some problems. We just purchased a property not paid for we have some heavy debt for it. So we need some extra help from you there would be with this child care center there is some safety factors involved. A fence must put to enclose the children so they will not run in the streets and get injured. Also there will be other things involved with we would like to probably set up within the building now we have invested one section on the west side of this Nova building we have 40 rooms that's available there's many more rooms that I could give you examples but you take up 40 rooms and the amount of space that's available there's a lot of activities that could be brought forward, One other activity we would like to set up if possible the computer school for the young folks. This is one thing that they need to understand that technological changes are coming forth can't stop them, but the only way that you can do is enjoy is get in there and help yourself with them. Have to train these young folks, if you train them when they get older they won't depart from that training. It's one thing about it that we're we stepped out on faith, but faith will not work for you if you don't for work for it. You can use all the faith you want but you have to work in order to be able to see the faith and we try to put a child care center but we want you to help us. If there's a sidewalk that have to be put in down there and we need approximately about $150,000 so if this budget that you will receive keep in mind for St. James. Thank you. JASON COMBS - I live at 2103 Alden Avenue NW, Massillon. Right there's an opportunity for jobs right there. I mean yeah it takes money, but look at the money that's going to be coming out of that situation. Children are gong to learn, they're going have jobs training people and that's not even the topic conversation that I'm on. But that right there that's something that could help this community; it helps families in that area, it helps children learn, it helps mothers and fathers both to be able to get out and find jobs and better themselves which in turn is going to better the city. A casino is not the answer you're bringing in minimum wage jobs and yeah it might look good for the business the building of it brings in money what happens when that's done. What is people going to do then? Are you going to try to bring in another something you know just like the building of the Great Escape? Yeah, it created some jobs for some people, but where's the money. You know, people are talking about we have gambling in Ohio; yeah, well it doesn't mean it's right. Doesn't mean we have to bring it in here. We have prostitutions are you gong to legalize that? Are we going to work about legalizing this so we can make money on that? Are we going to legalize drugs to make money on that? We can control it you know maybe we can control it we can give money out. Doesn't mean it right, it's not moral. I would hope that you don't think bringing in a casino is moral. If they're so interested in bringing in this resort bring it in as a resort why do they have to have a casino with it. Maybe what are you bringing a resort to Massillon for that has to have a casino? If you want people to go to the Hall of Fame why do you want them to spend their money on a casino? Bring them the resort and let them go to the places around it. Let them spend their money around it not on the casino that's in it. It's not going to bring any money to the hotels in Massillon. It's a resort they're staying at the resort they're not going to go to a hotel in Massillon. They're not going to eat in Massillon, they're going to have restaurants in the resort. Why would they go out and spend their money anywhere else. They can spend their money in a casino they can stand in there and eat. They can stay in there and sleep they have no reason to go see anything in Massillon other than that resort. If they want money in this town bring in the resort without the casino. People will have to go out. They'll go to Amish country because that's what they're coming here for. Stay in the resort enjoy swimming pools, activities in the resort, they're going to go out. They'll go out to the malls, they'll go out to the shops, the places in downtown Massillon. But they will not spend their money here if there's a casino in that resort. You want to bring something to Massillon bring the resort without the casino. Thank you. BILLIE HUBBARD - I live at 3121 Maple Avenue, Canton, Ohio. Yes, I am a resident of Canton, Ohio, but do attend church at St. James Zion in Massillon which we now have the property which was formerly known as Nova Behavioral facility. I would just like to take this moment for you to see the number of people that are in support of the Ordinance No. 47. So if everyone could please stand that supports. I would like for you to take notice of the people that are willing to empower our young people within the Massillon community. We are talking about our future. We're talking about the casino which affects our future. However, we've forgotten that the youth are our future and that it takes a village to raise our children. Without empowering our children to become better adults we have to learn how to start very young when they're young, we can't teach them how to pull a slot handle down and expect that to benefit their family. So I'm just asking that you would please consider the effects of the casino versus empowerment for our young people. Thank you. MID FIGHT - 323 Harding Street NW, Massillon. I'm here on behalf of the Lighthouse Vision. I'm the coordinator, activities coordinator for this facility, we already have a tutorial program in place and we take them bowling and roller skating and some other things. The thing is we need some more money you know because its growing and you know its really a wonderful thing. I'm also on the board of trustees for Quest. You know Quest is a drug and alcohol facility, now Lighthouse Vision we get them from 7 to 15 and most of these kids are people that have parents that's been on drugs. So to have this type of program intact right here in Massillon is a plus. Not only for Massillon but for the whole community. You know to see the wonderful smiles on these young people's faces after they learn how to do these basic skills I mean its just wonderful you know. If you know if you look at them and find out that they can really accomplish some stuff, some different stuff they weren't able to do before I think its just wonderful. So we're just looking for some more money we need all the help we can because the program is growing and to see the smiles on the little kids' faces is really priceless. Thank you very much. TIM MATTHEWS - I reside at 235 22nd Street SE. I'm up here in support for the St. James Day Care Center. Right now at the present time I'm a bus driver for the city schools and I see a lot of these kids on the bus which is like they don't have anything to do or any place to go. I know myself I just figure this for myself I've been a member of this city for over 30 years. I coached for the city for many years the Mayor had been supportive of coaching. I know this church here will have good representatives for your children and its not just black kids I just want you to know that. It's not black we have a non-denominational church also. So its going to be a mix of things we're doing here and we got good staff we got good people and we got good backing and I will say 100% I think this is t he best thing that ever happened for the City of Massillon. Just to be able to help us with this life care center, day care center. And another thing what I would like to say also about the casino; I worked at Republic Steel between 9 years and half and got thrown out of there I guess because the mill shut down. Really I got ill feelings about you know this place this casino going up over there in the first place. Because what I looking at right now its telling me right now I was a hard working man for 29 years. Now its like I don't have anything I don't even have a future to look forward to the only thing that I have is my pastor and I have God on my side. That's the only thing that I have right now. I don't have anything else going for me I don't have a job especially you can't even get a job here in Massillon in my own town. I have done good things for this town that probably a lot of people don't know about. But the only thing God knows about what I did in this town here. What I'm trying to get at Fleming shut down, you had Perry Rubber shut down, you had Republic Steel shut down. The only thing I want to say to about them places those high paying jobs that we had in the city. Now Mr. Ziegler he got up and said that you know you got foreclosures on houses and stuff like that. Well let's go back to 2000 to right now then add up the foreclosures at that point in 2000 to 2004 and see how many foreclosures was in Massillon. I bet it was very few, because the jobs were providing for a family. Now everybody is going to bat for this casino well when these other jobs went down I don't see anybody who rallied around like they're doing now trying to put Republic back, Fleming back, Perry back nobody cared about that. Now you're trying to put a casino up which is going to take money from these people who can't even afford it. See I won't even play I don't even play the lottery. I don't see nobody here in Massillon that you heard that they hit the lotto and they hit it for $100 million they're out of here we still here. That casino you going to put up you're not the people in Massillon not going to make no money. I mean also I'm a charter bus driver on the weekend and I go to all the casinos around the area from New York to Detroit. I go to all of them and I don't know a soul that I have about 35 trips I don't know a soul came back on my bus and said Athat we hit it big@. Nobody and a matter of fact even when its 3:00 I'm suppose to pick them up they're outside waiting at 1:00. They're broke they don't have no money, they don't have you know what I'm saying it's a crying shame because I see some people on that bus that really don't need to be there. You know what I'm saying? COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Can we ask you to wrap your comments up in a moment or two? TIM MATTHEWS - I'll wrap it. It's just you know you want me to wrap it up. What I'm trying to say the casino maybe a good thing or maybe a bad thing I'm not going to talk about against. But what I'm saying the jobs that are going to be in there is only going to be like $7.00 jobs. That's all it's going to be, so if people in Massillon are not going to get a benefit out of that and then the next couple of years you won't have to worry about me because I'm moving out of here because I can't even find a job in my city. I went down to North Carolina about a month and a half ago and I was only going to be down there like a week and in that week's time I had 7 job offers and it's not because the jobs are plentiful down. The reason why there was 7 jobs offers down there they didn't play that prejudice thing like you guys do here in Massillon. You can say that its not prejudice but I say it is. I went to any trucking company I went down there looked like they wanted to hire me I go here in Massillon they tell me Awe're not hiring@ next guy go down there with color he gets the job. So I don't what that is. So all the 30 years I've been here you know and help your children in this community this is what I get. But I'm going to leave you guys alone, I'm going to leave you with the city, I'm going to leave you with the casino and I'm going to be working down there and I'm going to call and say Ahey, I'm having a good time@. JAMES IRMALICK - I hope you let me speak because I saw this on television and it didn't say who could come. I'm a resident of Parma, but I know what I'm talking about. I think every person here will gain by what I say. When I was walking in here I asked the woman Ahow long can you talk@ she said 20 minutes. Look I only want to talk 3.5 minutes I wish you would be respectful and let me finish because I really do have something to say. Okay, I lived in Chicago for 6 years and this book here I'm sure everybody can get it. The name of this essay in here is How Al Capone Would Run The Country by Cornelius Vanderbilt. It's very interesting; in prohibition days under the Purple Gang of Detroit there were 400 gang slaying at the time liquor was prohibited and even then the Federal Government couldn't control it. The whole local government of Chicago was bought off the mayor, politician, judges, policemen. To show you how powerful the Capone syndicate was he feed 250,000 poor people each day in the Depression in the soup kitchens in Chicago. This prohibition gang land slayers are going to look like kids playing with squirt guns in comparison to when the casino syndicates take over. Just one casino in Pittsburgh is slated to have 5,000 slot machines, it's gong to generate in the first year 1.5 billion dollars in revenue. There are 10,000 cities, towns and villages in this country; Pittsburgh is just one. Where liquor was illegal, casinos are legal. Imagine when the syndicates which own or control casinos really get rolling the money they take in will be more than the gross national product of a lot of countries. The gangsters will have their own pair of military forces they will either buy off the politicians or a politician runs against their interest they will gun him down or they will find a car bomb in his automobile. I will give you some examples the first point I want to make casinos means the end of democracy no exaggeration. Perry Reed is the Majority Leader of the Senate which was in the Nevada Gaming Commission to clean up Las Vegas. He got he mob out, he talks about a car bomb in his automobile. I'm going to just close now, don't take my word for it read any book in Borders that has to do with gambling whether its politics or sports or kids trying to break blackjack in Vegas. It's all about casinos, bribery and murder. The book starts out with murder my conclusion is if you let your political leaders mislead you and be bought off by casinos your going to have Iraq right here in this country. Thank you fro being attentive. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Can I see by a show of hands who else is intends to speak this evening. We have two more. - I came in regard to St James' Day Care Center. As many have said before I happen to be one of those statistics of being a single mother and it is very hard to find some place for a child to go. I've been (inaudible) because I have two children and it's very hard to find place in which your children are safe and you can trust the workers. As my experience with a day care my daughter at two years old open the door for me and it was supposed to be a locked day care center. She regressed they hired teenagers from high school and it was not very safe. I struggle everyday with trying to raise my children up in a very good way in a manner that I was raised. You know I was fortunate my mother stayed at home and took care of me and was able to teach me the things that I needed to know in life. I unfortunately am not able to do that. But I have grown up in St. James and I know the people there and I know what a caliber of people they are and good Christian people are. I am fortunate and very blessed to have my children be able to attend there and to know those people that took care of me growing and they get to go and sit in a day care center which I know there are people there that I can trust and relay on and who will call me and tend to my children as if they are their own children. Its very reassuring I don't know I mean struggling to find a day care is very hard and being a single mother not being able to be with your children is even harder because you have to work and you are the only one to take care of your children. You can't do all the things that you need to do; you can't stand up for your children when you need to all the time. But to know that you have someone in your place that you can trust and rely on to stand up for them to correct them, to teach them the things that you aren't able to teach at that time is very, very reassuring. I support the church wants to do this because I do know some of the people that are there and working at having to care of the children. Because I have known them and grown up with them I'm very comforted in that and I would ask that you please support St. James in doing this and helping so many children. Because we do have a lot of children and being that the congregation is not denominational it wouldn't just benefit only children of color it would benefit a community. That is what our church does anyways on every Sunday in every time we have something its for the community it's not just about one type of person or one race or one anything it's not single minded and the children do need that environment because I live at 4312 13th Street which is Perry and because of that my children have no after school program because Perry states that there's no need. So my children have nowhere to go I guess I am fortunate that I have people who love children and love me enough to stand with me and support me. But if I am not able to be there when they come old enough to stay at home by themselves they are going to be a latch key child. They have to open the door for themselves because I have to go to work. Because Perry says there is no need for any after school programs and I'm not the only single parent in the Perry District. So if my children have some place that they can go that is safe and can be constructive for them then I don't have to worry about what their learning from their friends or what's being taught to them on television or what they're bringing into my house. If something that another person institutes another life because I know that somebody is reinforcing the values and morals that I'm teaching them and what I'm raising them to become which is good citizens and good strong young women of the community. Whenever they step out on life they can look at me and see the struggles that I've made and have people to help me and stand behind me and say do better, do more and be more. Because you can not because there's nowhere to go; there's nothing for you to do and there's no one to rely on. So I ask that you support this day care center so they have someplace to go someplace with structure someplace that will teach them good values and good morals and reinforce what I've already instilled in them. Because I don't want them to suffer in the long run. BRIAN GARLOCK - I was born and raised here I live in Alliance 678 Union Avenue. I'll keep this short. I just wanted express my displeasure at the idea that a gambling facilities will be brought to Ohio no matter what the decision goes down. The gentleman brought up the White House the person from Parma I don't know if anybody knows this, but it was reported in the major newspapers that employees of some of those casino boats noted that there was a possibility that some of those 9/11 hijackers were on the casino boats. I am going to leave you with that thought. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - We'll mention that we have had nearly 2 hours of public input which is always a fantastic thing I don't want to give anyone the impression we were trying to rush you through at all. There will be another public hearing next Monday as part of Council's committee work session. And for those folks here for the Urban League or Lighthouse or St. James there will also be a formal public hearing on the CDBG Program probably a month from tonight. So there will be plenty of opportunity for the citizens to speak on any of these matters. 6. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS COUNCILMAN BRYAN - Yes, I move that we move Resolution No. 9 up to the beginning of our consideration of introductions of ordinances and resolutions. There were no objections. RESOLUTION NO. 9 - 2006 BY: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCILMAN BRYAN - I had since last Wednesday I've spoken to Mr. Mang and asked him to take responsibility for this resolution since I feel it's a community development issue. I'm going to make the official request tonight that it be reassigned to the Community Development Committee. It's already on the agenda I just feel that Mr. Mang should handle it. COUNCILMAN MANSON - Yeah, we discussed this at our committee meeting you put it as a committee of the whole and I think seeing how important of an issue it is for the City of Massillon I think we should just leave it right there. I think your decision was a wise decision. COUNCILMAN BRYAN - Just that when Mr. Manson met with the Mr. DiPietro and the Mayor all last year I believe he was there because he was the chairman of the Community Development Committee. I think this opposition all along is that this is a Community Development issue. I don't mean to strain at gnats here, but that's how I've seen it all along. Since I have given Mr. Mang everything I've been given and forwarded every email that I've gotten to him and he's prepared to do this. He chaired the meeting. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Is there any objections to moving this over to Community Development? Alright, Mr. Mang. COUNCILMAN MANG - Yes, Resolution No. 9 deals with the city to reach an agreement or to enter into a contract with Intergovernmental Agreement with Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. As you know we had Mr. Casey here who went through a very short version of the casino. We also have a public hearing scheduled for next Monday evening. If we have the size of the crowd we have here tonight I wonder if we might consider moving that public hearing to another facility. I think maybe ought to talk about that this week and see if maybe we could possible go to the Lincoln Theater or some place like that so we can get more people here. At least to listen to comments I'm not sure we'll have more people who will want to give more comments. But at least they'll have the opportunity to hear them. I think we ought to consider that this week and if that be the case we would then ask the media to initiate that for us. Other than that this resolution I'm asking for first reading. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - May I ask what your intent will be next Monday Mr. Mang as far as do you anticipate a special meeting coming up before our April meeting? COUNCILMAN MANG - I think we will discuss that at the work session. I think council all needs to have their input as to whether we feel another meeting is needed prior to voting. Actually, at the next council meeting actually is the 3rd, but we do have a work session on the 27th? At that point I think I would leave it up to the decision of the body whether they would like us to call a special meeting to vote on this issue. COUNCILMAN BRYAN - On the same subject, I guess there's a lot of questions were raised this evening by people as well as statements made. Given the fact that we want to have plenty of public hearings we scheduled one for tonight and it lasted until now and then we have one scheduled for next Monday at 7:30. I'm sure we're going to have enough time to really discuss and debate and ask questions of our Law Director and our Mayor and Mr. DiPietro and the other people who are here and still be at a public hearing at here or at the Lions Lincoln Theater next Monday night. Maybe we need to have an additional session just to do that or maybe we can do some of that tonight. I don't know, but I think we need to have some time to discuss this and talk about this and ask questions of the people that we have here with us. COUNCILMAN MANG - I guess I only have a problem with the hour. People, you know, sitting here since 6:00 listening to or 6:30 listening to a lot of things. I do think though that it's possible that this body have a work session prior to our work session next Monday night. Is it possible to have the questions that the body would like to hear answered I don't know if that would be in line or not. Again, I think that's something that we should discuss I could move that we have a special meeting. I would say a special work session at which time council would have the opportunity to address itself of the questions. How would council feel about a meeting Thursday evening, Wednesday evening? Let's put it this way do we have objections from any of the council members here if we have a work session sometime this week? COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - Is our work session only going to consist of the casino issue? (That is correct) And then will we not be discussing that on Monday the 27th? COUNCILMAN MANG - The only thing it would do it would save time we would have a chance now that we've heard everything to get our questions answered directly from Mr. Casey and etc. So that we don't go to the public hearing and then we have that input again. We would then be in a position to have a special meeting after that. COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - Mr. Mang, are you planning not voting on this until April 3rd? COUNCILMAN MANG - No I'm planning on bringing this before council prior to the end of this month. COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - On the 27th? COUNCILMAN MANG - Or a special meeting after that. COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - Well, I think if we're going to meet on Thursday evening then we need to make sure that Mr. DiPietro and his other experts are here to be able to respond. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Excuse me, Mrs. Ferrero has the floor. Mr. Mang will direct the tone of the conversation if you would like to call someone forward please do so. But for right now you've got the floor Mrs. Ferrero. COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - I thank you for your time. I would suggest that we bring Mr. DiPietro forward so that we could get some input from him right now. If they would be available. COUNCILMAN MANG - Okay, Mr. DiPietro, I guess the question that Jayne is bringing forward would you be available to be here at a work session this week Thursday evening, or Wednesday evening not Friday for discussion with this body on the issues that they may have or the concerns that the public has already rendered? STEVE DIPETRO - If I can't be here Terry could here Wednesday. COUNCILMAN MANG - I'm going to propose that we have a work session on Wednesday evening. COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY - Mr. Mang, would it be appropriate to make a comment on this resolution at this time. COUNCILMAN MANG - No, Madame. You're quite freely I would like to settle a work session thing and then any member of council its on the council agenda can address this matter. But I would like to know the participants that we would have for Wednesday evening at 6:00. COUNCILMAN MCCUNE - I can be here sometime after 6:00. COUNCILMAN MANG - So we have Jayne can't make it, Paul can't make it and Donnie can't make it. How about Thursday evening? Donnie, is Thursday okay by you or (What time are you planning on having it?) Well, I'm saying at 6:00, but that doesn't mean we can't go to 6:30 or whatever. COUNCILMAN MCCUNE - Ron, with Mr. DiPietro is saying that they can extend this to the 3rd and maybe we have the time. COUNCILMAN MANG - Oh, we can extend this to the 3rd? STEVE DIPETRO - Yes, sir we checked with legal council on our end and if it's beneficial to council we can extend it to the 3rd so nobodyY. COUNCILMAN MANG - Well, have you at the next work session which is Monday night and we will discuss the issues with you at that point. At 7:30 we'll have the public hearing and then we'll have our regular council meeting on April the 3rd. Okay? Objections? Mr. President, I'm proposing that everything I talked about before be removed and we'll have a work session on Monday night start at 5:45 and we'll have the public hearing that will follow at 7:30. Then we'll have this resolution will be up for its 3rd reading at our first meeting in April. COUNCILMAN MAIER - Yes, I'd like to find out on next Monday's work session if there could be a portion set aside for question and answer because there were some good questions that people couldn't get answered because this was just an informative session. COUNCILMAN MANG BI'm hoping that those questions can be well they can be answered at our work session. But also they will be answered at the public meeting which will start at 7:30. (Next Monday?) Right. COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY - Yes, as most of you know. There was an article written as well as an editorial incinerating three council members were hiding something from the public and that the sunshine law was violated. I've spoken to private legal council and we are permitted to gather facts. We did not deliberate, we did not vote or discuss we listened to a presentation from Mr. Steven DiPietro. We did not have a quorum of city council. Paul Manson and the Mayor have been meeting for months on this issue with Mr. DiPietro and Paul Manson did not report anything back to city council. We were in the dark. I believe we were misrepresented and that the citizens of Massillon need to know that I am working hard for them, that I have a high integrity and that I did not break the sunshine law. Thank you. COUNCILMAN PETERS - I have a statement also I'd like to make along the same lines at Kathy. I'd like to go on record with this statement that I first of all pleased with the meeting about tonight allowing for the public's input on the casino. It is always been my intention that all matters relating to the city should receive public input. I would also like to correct some of the statements that was made by the local press last week regarding the so called violations of the sunshine law. I also have received private legal council on that matter from people who are well versed in the sunshine law. Based on their legal expertise and experience the citizens of this city should know that no sunshine laws were violated in any meeting that I participated in. There were no deliberations, there were no vote, there were no discussions of any other issue before the council or committee. The vote on this casino project will be one of the biggest vote in the history of this Massillon City Council. A vote of this magnitude requires that all the information and facts are presented to each and everyone of us. Based on the council that I have received from the legal experts the citizens of Massillon can rest assured that there were no violations of the sunshine law. Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Mr. Bryan, you have a statement? COUNCILMAN BRYAN - You saw this coming didn't you? COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - You know, I'll let you do that, but the appropriate time is under item 12, but go ahead the other two have. COUNCILMAN BRYAN - When, first of all let me state that I along with Mrs. Catazaro-Perry and Mr. Peters did not break the open meetings law. I did not believe that we broke the open meetings law at any point in time when the reporters questioned me about it I shared with them my understanding of the law and why I did not feel that there was any breaking of the sunshine law. The newspaper editor decided that he could decide whether we had broken the law or not and declared that we had. I was quite upset by that. Since then I have also spoken with legal council and let me tell you it took about me 2 days to find legal council in this part of the state that had experience in the sunshine law but I did. What he told me was exactly what I had expected that since we did not have a quorum of the city council and that we did not deliberate or vote on the issue that there's no problem with us having violated the sunshine law. We did not violate the sunshine law and if there's any action against us stating that we did I'm confident that it could not succeed. I wanted to say this to clear my name I have a long standing history and reputation as a public servant and I needed to say that I need to set the record straight that I did not break the law. Thank you. COUNCILMAN MANSON - Yeah, I guess I'd like to comment since my name was brought up about the meetings that I've had with the people making the proposal on the Republic Steel land. I believe that it is my was my job at that time as a Community Development chairman to sit in on meetings at that time. It's not my job to bring forward the projects. It was the very earliest of the discussions and they said they were legal things that they were looking at and I feel all of at times work on projects that we don't come running to council immediately. There's an appropriate time to move something forward. My meetings were last August and September I didn't have anymore meetings after that with this project. If I was the Community Development Director I would have I probably would have been involved in some more. I don't see any problem with that at all. What I was doing was representing Massillon at the best possible way I could. COUNCILMAN MCCUNE - As a new member of council I would just like to state that if there is a need to call council members together to discuss any issue let alone an issue as important as the casino issue is we could have a working lunch. We could come together we would not have to have meetings that would be interpreted as possibly violations of the sunshine law. If it was necessary and immediate for us to come together I feel certain that if you as president or Tim as pro-tem contacted us we would try to arrange to be here. We could have an official meeting we could have the press here we could invite the public there's no need to put ourselves in a position where we maybe looked at in a less than legal light. With that that's where I stand. I see no reason for that type of action to take place. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Mr. McCune as you mentioned I did call a meeting for 4:00 Monday notified everyone and notified the press. COUNCILMAN MAIER - Yes, the Independent also reported that I had a meeting with my brother in his office insinuating that was an illegal meeting for the Independent's they're welcome to write this we discussed the memorial service we had for my father last Sunday. So we didn't even discuss any council business so that's just for your information. Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Mrs. Ferrero and Mr. Mang, anything from either of you? (No.) RESOLUTION NO. 9 - 2006 WAS GIVEN FIRST READING. ORDINANCE NO. 47 - 2006 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN MANG - .Yes, at our last work session when the application portion of distribution of funds where given to council members Aane Aaby was ill at the time and was not able to be here. But we do now have the complete document and I'm going to ask council that we look at the application we look at the request for money and we also look at the areas that are always been proposed that the money be spent. This evening we had at least 2 units come here that have applied for funds and expressed their interest in council supporting it. I think at our next work session I would ask Mr. Aaby to go over this with us so we have an idea as to why and how some of this was done. It will also give council an opportunity to decide whether they would like to seek funds being derived or directed in another direction. That will be a decision that council can make. They can amend; they can do whatever they want to with this. But I think first and foremost we need to have the information from Mr. Aaby regarding the proposal we have. There will be a public hearing held on April 17th at 6:30pm. ORDINANCE NO. 47 - 2006 WAS GIVEN FIRST READING. ORDINANCE NO. 48 - 2006 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN MANG - .Yes, we discussed this a little bit of this in the work session. The plat was approved by the Planning Commission and the plat proposes they want to create 5 new lots fronting on Cherry Road and it also includes the dedication of a portion of the existing street. These lots are already zoned R-1 single family. I have heard nothing from anybody in the area that would be opposed to this and in fact it seems to be a reasonable thing to do I totally would support this. I would ask council tonight to ask for suspension of rules and we could bring this question of passage. COUNCILMAN MANG moved for suspension of the rules and passage, seconded by Councilman McCune. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote of 8 yes, 1 no. Peters voted no. ORDINANCE NO. 48 - 2006 WAS PASSED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 8 YES, 1 NO. PETERS VOTED NO. ORDINANCE NO. 49 - 2006 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN MANG - Yes, this ordinance deals with lots 4332 thru 4339 that are located on the south side of Lincoln Way East between 22nd Street SE and 23rd Street SE. The total site is approximately 1.81 acres in size. The applicant proposes to demolish existing buildings on these properties and redevelop the site commercially. The applicant is Carl Oser. The Planning Commission denied the request. This will have three readings, tonight being the first a public hearing will be held on April 17th at 7:00pm. ORDINANCE NO. 49 WAS GIVEN FIRST READING. ORDINANCE NO. 50 - 2006 BY: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN MANSON - This is a routine easement. If there are any questions we have Mr. Aaby here I'm sure he can help us out it. COUNCILMAN MANSON moved for suspension of the rules and passage, seconded by Councilman Maier. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote of 9 yes. ORDINANCE NO. 50B 2006 WAS PASSED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 9 YES. ORDINANCE NO. 51 - 2006 BY: HEALTH, WELFARE, BLG REGULATION COMMITTEE COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - If you'll look at the Ordinance No. 51 you will see attached to it what they are planning on changing in the ordinance. They are changing the purpose and scope, omitting brief language and adding the word Aand vacant lot@. COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO moved for suspension of the rules and passage, seconded by Councilman Peters. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote of 9 yes. ORDINANCE NO. 51B 2006 WAS PASSED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 9 YES. ORDINANCE NO. 52 - 2006 BY: POLCE AND FIRE COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN MAIER - Yes, this ordinance brings forth forward the agreements with all the agencies that use the Massillon City Jail for their fair share of usage of the jail. It has not gone up it's just a matter of housekeeping as far as I know. COUNCILMAN BRYAN - We have the chief here if we could get him and just ask him a question I would appreciate it. Chief, this maybe your first time through this too; but these are contracts that which we already have in place and we're extending them? POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS - That is correct, we're just extending them to the end of this year. We would be looking at possibly making some changes at the beginning of next year. But it's just extending it till the end of this year. COUNCILMAN BRYAN - I noticed that either party may terminate this agreement upon 30 days written notice to the other party. Is that correct? POLICE CHIEF WILLIAMS - Yes, sir. COUNCILMAN BRYAN - It seems it says that in every one of the them. (Yes, sir) That's all my questions. COUNCILWOMAN FERRERO - Chief, are all of these communities current with us do they pay us on time and current? (Yes, ma'mam) COUNCILMAN MAIER moved for suspension of the rules and passage, seconded by Councilman Peters. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote of 9 yes. ORDINANCE NO. 52 - 2006 WAS GVEN FIRST READING. ORDINANCE NO. 53 - 2006 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY - This is a grant that we will be receiving to do just that. It will be an upgrade for our additional technical development of the crime mapping program. It's for $13,385.00 the Chief is here if you have any additional questions. COUNCILWOMAN CATAZRO-PERRY moved for suspension of the rules and passage, seconded by Councilman Bryan. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote of 9 yes. ORDINANCE NO. 53 - 2006 WAS PASSED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 9 YES. ORDINANCE NO. 54 - 2006 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY - This ordinance would give $10,000.00 to the travel, seminar and schooling for police. It would also purchase an air core condensing unit for $10,000.00 and $10,000.00 for supplies, materials and postage. We would like to appropriate this money this evening. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - I noticed that travel, seminar and schooling is listed twice on two different account numbers. Are the account numbers correct? AUDITOR HAMIT - Yes, the account numbers are correct. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Alright, we'll call it a typo. COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY - I'd like to make a motion that we amend this ordinance. COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Just consider this a typo. COUNCILWOMAN CATAZRO-PERRY moved for suspension of the rules and passage, seconded by Councilman Bryan. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote of 9 yes. ORDINANCE NO. 54 - 2006 WAS PASSED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 9 YES. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NOTHING 8. PETITIONS AND GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS - NOTHING 9. BILLS, ACCOUNTS AND CLAIMS - NOTHING 10. REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS A). POLICE CHIEF SUBMITS MONTHLY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2006. - COPY FILE 11. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES COUNCIL PRESIDENT GAMBER - Committee meetings will be Monday, March 27th. Mr. Mang, can you remind everyone again what the schedule is going to be for next Monday. COUNCILMAN MANG - For next Monday night the work session will start at 5:45 at that point we'll have Mr. Casey or Mr. DiPietro here to discuss the issues that have been raised tonight. At 7:30pm we'll have the public hearing #2 regarding the casino. I had mentioned earlier about holding it at the Lincoln Theater I'm going to state at this point unless somebody wishes to go further with it that the public hearing will be held here. 12. RESOLUTIONS AND REQUESTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS 13. CALL OF THE CALENDAR - NOTHING 14. THIRD READING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCE NO. 32 - 2006 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY - This is the third reading for Ordinance No. 32. This would allow Seifert Technologies to do a discovery phase on our computers and software within the city. A lot of our departments are not connected so they can not share information according to Mr. Loudiana. At first I was against this ordinance because this money would be coming from the General Fund. However, after speaking with him and speaking with Mr. Hamit learning from the income that they can share information easily it's not time efficient. So I believe $4,800.00 in this instance would be well worth it to discover exactly what we have in our city according to hardware and software. I'm gong to support this measure this evening. COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY moved to bring Ordinance No. 32 - 2006 forward for a vote, seconded by Councilman Bryan. ORDINANCE NO. 32 - 2006 WAS PASSED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 9 YES. 15. SECOND READING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCE NO. 38 - 2006 BY: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN MANSON - Yes, we're going to get more information on this so I'm going to give this second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 38 - 2006 WAS GIVEN SECOND READING. ORDINANCE NO. 42 - 2006 BY: STREETS. HIGHWAYS, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY COUNCILMAN PETERS - second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 42 - 2006 WAS GIVEN SECOND READING. ORDINANCE NO. 43 - 2006 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE COUNCILWOMAN CATAZARO-PERRY - second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 43 - 2006 WAS GIVEN SECOND READING. 16. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS - NOTHING. 17. REMARKS OF DELEGATIONS AND CITIZENS TO MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA MATT MILLER - I apologize because I know it is late and I know that my comments aren't going to be half as exciting as what you've heard the rest of the evening. I'll tell you what I think I sent each of you a letter at least I signed one for you so I hope you received it. My name is Matt Miller and I'm a candidate for the U.S. Congress. I'm running in the republican primary against Ralph Regula and I want to begin by saying that Ralph is a very good man. He's done a lot of good for the area, but the fact is there comes a time in every organization when a change is necessary to keep the organization moving forward. I want you to know right up front that my run is in no way an attack on him. The four issues that I'm running on is particular simplifying the tax codes in a way that will help attract high tech jobs to the rural areas, areas like Massillon and help the developers move into some of these old vacant facilities now that they're seeing pop up all over the place. The reality is the job losses you've experienced aren't isolated to this area and Stark County they are certainly across the area from Ashland to Medina and Wayne County as well. That's the first issue the second issue work force development. We focus on work force development from the aspect of retraining those men and women who have lost job to find new jobs. But you know, we have to do more than just focus on that end of the spectrum. If we are truly serious about competing with the rest of the world then we also got to focus on the incumbent worker trainer. Our best and our brightest and most talented performers that already have positions we need to help them improve their own skills so we truly can compete with other countries around the globe. Third of all, of course, and that is to move toward energy independence and its more than just economic issue. You know, we all think that it means dollars and cents and certainly it does without question, but I think you'll agree with me with the whole in the situation that it's in its an issue of national security. The reality is our battle to protect our God given freedoms is certainly not going to stop in Iraq. All you have to do is take a look at the rattling of the swords in Iran and North Korea and you can see that this is something we need to take very serious. Because we must be able to make sure that we have an adequate fuel source for our people as we move forward in the future. We're at a key area in Northeast Ohio because we have a lot of research going on that we can continue to vest in to make sure that some of those new energy sources benefit not only the country but the economic development situation here in our own region. Then finally and I'll tell you what we all talk dollars and cents and most of the discussions last night or this night and in the last discussions you had about the casino in the past it all comes down to dollars and cents. The reality is economic developments is very important for not only our region and for the country. But economic prospers will never be lasting unless we also take care of the matters of the heart. That's reclaiming the culture by restoring decency and honor and integrity and those types of things that you and I know are right regardless of party we can probably agree on are necessary in order for us to compete with the rest of the world and survive as a nation. All you need to do is read your history books and you'll see the nations that got those issues wrong they are no longer left to be read about. We're not going to be one them. I appreciate you taking the time to see me and I'll tell if I didn't have so many councils to hit before May 2nd I would have passed tonight and come back another evening, but it's been tough to get everyone, but everyone meets on Monday. So I do have a brochure that I'm going to give and I'd like you to take a look at it. Please know that I'd appreciate your support and know that when I win I'll be back to help you in any way I can. So I appreciate you listening. 18. ADJOURNMENT COUNCILWOMAN FEERERO - I move that we adjourn, seconded by all. _________________________ ______________________________ |
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