Tell Me What You Think…
April 27, 2008 – 11:12 pmIt’s been a while since I put out anything that took some real thought. The last post that had any purpose was the ‘3-fer-3′ post, which was more or less a plea with pictures. That was on the 16th, and then all the way back to the 11th for another installment on ‘Saving Downtown.’ With today being the 28th, I feel like I’ve slacked a little, even though I spent some time at the Old Stone Church.
But there’s been something that’s buggin’ me, and I guess I need some input. We’re at the end of April, and Tony Krasienko’s been in office since the beginning of January. A lot of folks are bent and pissed and complainin’ about the roads and the crime and the police and the State of the City, and the list goes on. It’s just shy of 4 full months. How much do you think he’s supposed to have accomplished by now?
He’s laid out a plan to deter crime by installing surveillance cameras at local businesses. He’s in the process of finalizing a plan for the use of city vehicles, limiting the take-home privilege and implementing a sign-out procedure, and installing GPS devices in them to make sure these things don’t go where they’re not supposed to go, as well as coordinate quick response times to problems throughout the City. All of that adds up to savings on car insurance, which we’ll need since the price of gas is through the roof. He’s pared the budget back to a point where Council approved it. Ok, he does lose points for backing Hillary, but he’s a Democrat, he had to pick her or Obama….
People are screaming in the paper that the potholes are atrocious. Folks, they’ve BEEN atrocious, even when Foltin was in office, and he was in for 8 years. Go back through some of my stuff at WoM, I’ve got pictures there. And the roads were bad (or getting bad) back when Koziura was Mayor, because he wanted to piggyback a tax on license plate fees, and the majority shot it down.
Tony’s splitting of the Safety/Service Director’s job has met with some flak, but considering the state of things, that may pan out to be a wise idea.
He’s putting in some long hours and he knows he’s got one heckuva haul in front of him and he’s trying, which brings me to my need for your input:
What were you looking for from him by now?
Is there something that you feel he should have addressed by now? Is there some project that you believe he should have been all over from the git-go?
There’s been a lot of grumbling and talk about what he’s done or hasn’t done so far. From my seat, he’s got 4 years of this, with almost 4 months under his belt so far. Simple math says he’s got 44 months to go.
I was way too patient with Foltin, which is another story entirely. But seriously, should Anthony Krasienko have more accomplished and under his belt by now? Is there a direction that you think he should be going? Is there some area that you think needs his dire attention?
Let’s hear it.
Tell me what you think….
Added note: There are a lot of folks reading this that are more than welcome…hell, I plead with you, tell me what you’re thinking. I’m not going to publicize any names or out any anonymous posters. If you want to enter ’anonymous’ rather than put your name, then do it. Your email address will not be visible to anyone but me. And I’m not going to share it with anyone. Afraid to post it yourself? Email it to me at heneryhawk1@yahoo.com and I’ll put it up for you. Just get in on this and share your thoughts.
10 Responses to “Tell Me What You Think…”
….oh, by all means Henery, I did expect more from our mayor in his first 4 months, like a plan before he took office. 4 months in, and he wants US to turn our lights on. 4 months in, and he wants US to let him know what light poles are leaning and need replaced. 4 months in, and he wants US to volunteer to clean up the city during Pride Week.
Now, 4 months in, and we still have no jail. 4 months in, and he wants to “group hug” the local small bussinessmen. 4 months in, and he has no comprhensive plan for fixing the roads. 4 months in, and no plan to trim the deficit, regardless of whether council passes his budget. We all know of the competence of some on council re: CRA comes to mind rather quickly.
By muley on Apr 28, 2008
Was it like this when Foltin was elected mayor? Could the media be influencing our opinions?
By Liz Tobias on Apr 28, 2008
Muley,
The ‘lights on’ is to deter crime, in conjunction with the neighborhood block watches. What would you like him to do regarding the light poles? Personally drive around? If you see some down, then he wants you to tell someone so they can be addressed. With crime the way it is, all the light you can get at night helps.
Pride week has ALWAYS been about people gettin’ down and dirty and cleaning up the neighborhood. Everyone. This year is no different.
The jail has been held up, through no fault of the city, as the wrong part was delivered and installed. It was supposed to be inspected weeks ago, but the inspector was out of state. I asked.
We’ve lost Willow Hardware, National Gypsum (as you very well know), and the list goes on. Wouldn’t you think he should reach out to the local businesses, the Mom-n-Pops, and find out where they are, how they’re doing, and see if they need help? You yourself said Tony missed the boat while wooing Hillary. Now he’s reaching out to who’s left and he’s wrong there, too. Maybe National Gypsum should’ve given Tony a call to say ‘Hey, we need some help’?
If we lose any more businesses, then the City goes even farther in the red.
The road plan is in the works, I’ve been told. And we’ve been in a deficit for how long now? Foltin didn’t do a damn thing with it except saddle the City with a ballpark that will need maintained, that he snuck funds to under everyone’s noses.
I understand your frustration, Muley, I do. We’re all frustrated, but direct it where it’s appropriate.
Give him a chance. Baby steps.
By Henery on Apr 28, 2008
Liz,
Yes.
Hell yes.
By Henery on Apr 28, 2008
….yes Henery. I am frustrated. Tired of waiting……..and more waiting, for things to get better. Each time someone gets elected, I seem to loose a little bit more patience. And a lot sooner too. I’m well aware that the more lights that are left on, the possibility is there for there to be less crime. Why do we, or for that matter, the city have to figure out what light poles need replaced? Who put them up?
Henery, these are ideas that you or I or anyone else can organize from our p.c.’s at home. And I believe that Don Killinger started the “leave the lights on” campaign, though I could be wrong. I do understand where your going with this, and I know your intentions are good, but I don’t think Tony has the nads’ to make a major move to help this city, but that’s just what “I” think. And I surely don’t expect people to agree with me all the time.
You keep visiting city hall and questioning these folks, maybe something good will come out of it. I know where your hearts at, the same place as mine, but mine’s seen it all before, too many times.
Just remember, none of this is new to Tony Krasienko, as you know, he’s been a councilman for what…..12 years? He should’ve known to have a plan. Thanks for listening to me. I’m done now.
By muley on Apr 29, 2008
http://thewomblog.com/?p=1423
By Brian on Apr 29, 2008
I don’t know how long it took for Lorain to get into the condition it’s in today, but I’m sure it took a lot longer than 4 months. We’re all frustrated, tired and anxious for a quick fix, but I don’t really know if 4 months could actually produce a REAL solution or whether it would just be another scoop of cold patch.
By Victoria on Apr 29, 2008
Here is an idea.
PORT FEST should be considered a COUNTY EVENT and promoted as more of a REGIONAL EVENT instead of a local one. This “event” if promoted as a regional one would entice more types of sponsors and create funding tools that could be used to MARKET THE EVENT TO ALL OF NORTHERN OHIO AND BEYOND.
The fireworks are OK, but other cities with a harbor or port bring in hundreds of thousand of folks to their events. Harborfest in Oswego, New York, a small town much smaller than even Lorain puts on a fireworks display that draws folks from all over New York and even Canada to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIzoarMlWic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GayPwhs5u5o&feature=related
http://www.oswegoharborfest.com/
The thing that makes Harborfest regional is that the event is CITY WIDE encompassing just about EVERY PARK and the ENTIRE DOWNTOWN. The fireworks in the video is shot from a considerable distance as the fireworks are twice as big and twice as high in the air filling most of what your eyes can see.
I see some folks out there saying that this couldn’t be done here, but little ol Oswego is as close to a sister city as Lorain will ever find. More than 60% rentals, most of the big businesses shut down many years ago, yet Oswego has created an IDENTY and promotes the hell out of it.
I try to go every year not just because my wife’s family is from there, but because there is something to do there for everyone in my family and it is really something that you have to attend to appreciate.
By Brian on May 1, 2008
I know he has a hard time keeping up with these Lorain blogs, but he is aware of them. I had a short chat with Krasienko last Saturday, and he wondered how we bloggers can post info so fast and furious. It’s a lot of material for him to respond to.
By Daniel Jack Williamson on May 1, 2008