Mayor Leiken: Letter Not Intended As Threat
The mayor responded to some residents' claims that the layoffs and department cuts are scare tactics
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Shaker Heights resident Sara Schiavoni on Monday echoed the sentiment some residents have expressed since the city issued two statements last week about cuts that will be made if the income tax increase fails.
"I got the letter in the mail from council and the mayor, and I don't' want to say it's a scare tactic, but I feel like it is," she said.
Schiavoni, a lifelong Shaker resident who is undecided on the Aug. 7 ballot measure, was the only resident to speak at Monday's City Council meeting, the last before voters hit the polls to decide on a 0.5 percent income tax increase.
She charged that the city could cut some other services or departments "with a fine-tooth comb" instead of tapping into core services like police and fire if the increase fails. Mayor Earl Leiken said the city would not be able to make up for expected estate tax and state funding losses without laying off 10 police officers and 10 firefighters.
The mayor reiterated the points of his letter to residents for a few minutes Monday, but prior to the meeting, he responded to some residents' opinion that the letter was full of threatening language.
"They're not threats, they're intended to allow our residents to be informed so that they understand what the issues are and weigh the alternatives," he said.
"It's also so they understand the importance of voting. Council and I both feel the responsibility to make sure that everyone understands what's at issue so they can make an informed decision."
Did you miss the citywide letter to residents from Mayor Leiken? Read it here.
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Mark Zetzer
9:26 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thank you Sara for asking City Council a very good question. When City managers threaten to jeopardize citizens' safety to push another tax rate hike, it smacks of laziness at best and selfishness at worst. The Mayor and City Council are public servants who are being called upon to rise to the occasion of the fiscal emergency. As citizens and taxpayers, we have elected, entrusted and paid them to make the tough decisions necessary to operate within the means of diminishing revenues without threatening people's safety--even if it means cutting their own salaries or paying more of their own benefits premiums first.
Karen Gillooly
3:42 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I appreciate being given specific information about what to expect. Prior to these letters coming out, the Mayor was being criticized for not being specific enough about what would happen. Now that he is being specific, people are saying it's a scare tactic. The shortfall facing the city is huge. You cannot make up that amount of money by making small changes across the board. If you want to be upset about this situation, please take your complaints to those who supported and passed the elimination of the estate tax. I applaud the hard work and unselfish dedication the Mayor and Council have shown in a very difficult situation and will be voting FOR Issue 1 on August 7.
Fernandex
11:42 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The 0.5 % is a wrong number. How about 30% more of what you currently pay in Shaker Heights income tax! That is the actual increase they are asking. Besides, you also pay for income tax on the city where you work. All residents should not be scared to cut back on services offered by the city. They should rather ask the City to do more elimination of departments and cuts on pensions and other legacy costs. For sure many residents will leave the city if they can still sell their house and we will surely go to a faster path of declining home values and tax base and more abandoned houses. We will be campaigning to stop this
Tracy Johnson
8:54 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
I think the percentage increase will be much more than 30% for most residents since there has been no change to the credit limits for income taxes paid to other cities. Do the math using your last year's tax return.