Sewer hike has a better shot now

[Lakewood]

MASSILLON, OH — Massillon City Councilman David McCune, who cast the deciding vote against sewage-rate increases for residents, industries and commercial businesses last month, said Monday he is strongly reconsidering his position.
McCune voted against the ordinance because he didn’t want to burden residents with additional charges during what he called difficult economic times.
He reintroduced the ordinance two weeks later, hoping to pass a version that left out the residential rate increases.
But after learning that the city would continue reimbursing residents for sewage-line backups if the ordinance passed, McCune changed his tune.

Councilman McCune is the biggest flip flopper on council

[Tuslaw1971]

Looks to me like the Mayor finally got Dave to walk to the dark side. What a lame excuse to try to use to join the rubber stampers. If there is a sewer backup that is proven to be the fault of the city, the liability will come back to them no matter where the money comes from to pay for the damages. I will admit the increase is not a big one, but the city has not proven any type of sound fiscal responsibility to be asking for more money to dump down the drain. After being a Frank supporter for many years I am finally getting fed up with the politics, excuses, and mismanagement of our tax dollars to sit back and not voice my opinions.

[Proud Tiger]

As always -- some people just never get their facts straight. The paper reported that after Council turned down the sewer increase, the Mayor said that it was a done deal. He would not pursue the matter any further. In fact, if it was to be brought up again, it would be at the request of Council to do so. Apparently, that is what has happened. Some Council members chose to bring the matter back up and reconsider their actions - ON THEIR OWN.

Apparently, you are not aware of that Massillon is one of the only cities in Stark County, if not the only one, that has adopted a policy, thanks to Mayor Cicchinelli, to actually help homeowners if they have a sewer backup. Yes, that can cost a lot of money. Wonder where this money comes from? Perhaps our sewer rates - not to mention that it does cost quite a nice chunk of change to run the plant in the first place. I think if you are really using your head, you can see that this increase is minimal compare to the rates that are being charged to the surrounding areas around us. Massillon still maintain the lowest sewer rates - even if Council would reconsider to raise the rates.

Don't take my word for it - check around. Check similar Cities and jurisdictions - see if they take care of backups - see what their rates are. I think you will find Tuslaw 71 that you can still back Mayor Cicchinelli. He has not let you down like you thought - you were just being mislead by uninformed posters.

[Ron Halter]

I posted several months ago, that when our sewer rates, Aqua Ohio min. water rates, and our 1.8% income tax are added together, we are by far not among the lowest in the state!!!

[Tuslaw1971]

As always -- some people just never get their facts straight. The paper reported that after Council turned down the sewer increase, the Mayor said that it was a done deal. He would not pursue the matter any further. In fact, if it was to be brought up again, it would be at the request of Council to do so. Apparently, that is what has happened. Some Council members chose to bring the matter back up and reconsider their actions - ON THEIR OWN.

Apparently, you are not aware of that Massillon is one of the only cities in Stark County, if not the only one, that has adopted a policy, thanks to Mayor Cicchinelli, to actually help homeowners if they have a sewer backup. Yes, that can cost a lot of money. Wonder where this money comes from? Perhaps our sewer rates - not to mention that it does cost quite a nice chunk of change to run the plant in the first place. I think if you are really using your head, you can see that this increase is minimal compare to the rates that are being charged to the surrounding areas around us. Massillon still maintain the lowest sewer rates - even if Council would reconsider to raise the rates.

Don't take my word for it - check around. Check similar Cities and jurisdictions - see if they take care of backups - see what their rates are. I think you will find Tuslaw 71 that you can still back Mayor Cicchinelli. He has not let you down like you thought - you were just being mislead by uninformed posters.

Thank you for your response ProudTiger, but what the Mayor says in public compared to what he says behind back doors are not always the same thing. If he can use some pressure or influence to change the mind of a councilman, he is going to do it, which is the game of politics and does not make the Mayor a bad guy. If you knew Mr. McCune like I do, you would understand where I was coming from with my post. I was unaware the Mayor spearheaded a policy to pay for sewer backup damages, so thank you for that info,but I do believe if it came to a legal fight,the city would be liable anyways. Just my opinion on that one. As far as the rates, I did say the raise was minimal and I did pay a lot more when I was under the jurisdiction of the County. Being annexed into the City was probably one of the best choices I ever made and have been very happy with the services, except for snow removal. If you knew where I lived and the problems to get out on the main road you would understand.

I, like a lot of others ,sit back way too long and usually do not voice our opinions until things like the economy turn bad. When you are out of work and finding it very hard to find employment in the area you start to think differently when trying to pinch pennies to hold on to what you have gained over the years. I admit the Mayor has made Massillon a lot better over the years, but has also, with the help of council, made some very bad choices that it seems we will all have to pay for in the end. I believe the administration has to work more diligently to get the city out of this mess and I for one will be watching what each and every one of the elected officials are doing in the future and voicing my opinion when I believe they are going down the wrong path. It is time to quit the political posturing to get a paper headline and do what is right for the taxpayers of our community.