People of the Year: Shaker Financial Task Force Chair Martin Kolb

By most accounts, Martin Kolb had one of the toughest jobs in Shaker Heights this year.

Kolb chaired the city's economic task force, the group Mayor Earl Leiken appointed for suggestions on the best method of rising from a budget deficit. The group released a final report on the matter this spring, predicting that there were virtually no more jobs to cut without hurting residents' quality of life. That thought ultimately gave way to the 0.5 percent income tax increase Kolb and the task force recommended. Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure in August to generate $6 million in revenue.

Shaker resident John Betchkal nominated Kolb as one of Shaker Heights Patch's 2012 People of the Year for making that tough — and unpopular — recommendation.

"Kolb served the City of Shaker Heights as Chair of the Mayor's Financial Task Force, leading a project which required comprehensive and objective fact-finding," Betchkal wrote in his nomination, "followed by conduct of a campaign to convey the city's financial situation to its citizens.

"As we all know, cost reductions and tax increases are not popular subjects, but Kolb faced them squarely."

Kolb also took part in a town hall event via telephone to stress the importance of the measure's passage prior to election day.

"The tax increase passed by an impressively resounding plurality, reflecting the credibility of the Financial Task Force findings in the minds of Shaker Heights voters," Betchkal continued. "Martin's leadership brought a positive outcome to a watershed moment in the history of Shaker Heights.

"His volunteer commitment of time and talent was key to positively influencing the present and future well-being of Shaker Heights."