PDA

View Full Version : Massillon city political scene


tucker
10-11-2006, 10:48 AM
I occasionally check in with another site that is supposed to be the local political hotspot and have the audio from city council meetings, but am always disappointed that it is such a hit or miss operation. Information is intermittent at best and is usually weeks or months out of date. If the site expects to be taken seriously, it should do the job it claims or fold up the tent.

Speaking of being taken seriously, a gentleman posted on the site that he wants to run yet again for some office, ANY office, and says he has been "confronted" about doing so. He seeks input from other posters as to whether he should run as a Democrat, Republican or an Independent, and wants advice on whether to run for mayor, council or school board. (So far, not a single response in a week. He does state very precisely that the opinion poll will remain open until exactly 9:10 PM and 18 seconds on November 3, so there's plenty of time to reply.)

I don't want to disparage anyone who wants to run for public office. It is a tough decison and I applaud those who want to follow that path. But it seems to me that running for office should be an intensely personal decision, knowing for sure what office one seeks and why. Anyone who doesn't know whether he wants to be a legislator or an administrator, whether he's interested in municipal government or public education, or whether he's a D, an R, or an I hasn't thought through the options very clearly. He apparently just wants to run run run. For SOMEthing!! ANYthing!! That attitude bothers me.

What does this fellow do between elections? Is he active in civic or political affairs? Does he work on boards, commissions or committees to better the community? Does he regularly attend various meetings to familiarize himself with issues and viewpoints?

Sounds like he doesn't know whether to wind his watch or scratch his a s s.

The Voice
10-11-2006, 12:39 PM
maybe NOT having a political agenda is a good thing.. however, you are correct.. he/she should have some sort of thought pattern or foundation set before running for office.. in reference to the website.. just an fyi.. COMMUNITY NEWSWATCH is a new local c span style of programming service for this area.. as a part of the program, they provide unanchored, unedited
television broadcast coverage of Massillon City Council meetings, as well as other events in our community,, the program runs every Sunday evening at 6pm on MCTV channel #22..

tv

Dr Strangemind
10-11-2006, 12:46 PM
Not exactly what most people would call leadership qualities.

jobdone
10-11-2006, 12:50 PM
Tucker, I have to agree with you about that other web site. I thought we were going to be well informed about our city goverment. It is hard to blame them for not keeping it up to date when they get so few responses. Maybe they will try it again with better participation from our citizens.

The person wanting to know what office to run for should be aware that our present mayor is going to run again with opposition from councilman Bryan. I imagine the rest will run again except council person Ferraro who will be running for the Auditors job. Bill Hamit is not running again. That opens up a council at large spot.

Since the present council has done nothing worthwhile on their own, they have not p---- anyone off. Their re-election is almost assured. I hope the Republicans run a few worthy candidates---- but I doubt it.

tucker
10-11-2006, 07:59 PM
1. massillonweb.com, to answer a request.

2. I'll bet anyone fifty cents that Mr Bryan does not actually run for mayor. How many time is this that he's floated his trial balloon? Three? Four?

3. Why in the world do the Republicans not have anyone to challenge Mr Chicchinelli? I think he's done a finejob for the most part, but it's embarassing for the Republicans not to have a qualified opponent to make it a real race. I have heard that most Republicans vote for him anyway, and have done quite well financially due to his progressive agenda.

MR EMPTY PANTS
10-12-2006, 05:51 AM
why do youse all think your local taxes are so high? you have a democrat running your city. i heard it`s 2% now. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

tucker
10-12-2006, 10:59 AM
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Massillon's income tax is 1.8%, which is below Canton, Barberton, and many other area cities. The base rate is 1.5%, which goes to the general funds to operate the city, and 0.3% which is dedicated to parks and recreation. Massillon's tax rate has been unchanged for twenty years or more except for the 0.3% park levy which the citizens overwhelmingly voted for about ten years ago. Massillon gives tax credit if you work in another city and pay taxes there, so many Massillon residents actually pay no city tax at all.

If you live in a township, there is no income tax, but then there is also no fire department, police department, health department, engineer, or any other professional service except for those funded by special levies. The county sheriff responds to police calls - about an hour aor so after it is received.

Al.
10-12-2006, 11:23 AM
why do youse all think your local taxes are so high? you have a democrat running your city. i heard it`s 2% now. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wrong. The Massillon City tax rate is still 1.8%