Election 2012: A Guide For Strongsville
Voters will decide national and state races this November, as well as a local bond issue for the schools
Strongsville Patch is committed to bringing you all the information you'll need to make informed choices this Nov. 6.
Strongsville voters will decide several local issues and races in the general election.
Among them is Issue 116, the $81 million bond issue for the Strongsville schools to build a new middle school, make major renovations at Strongsville High School and other repairs to elementary buildings.
Voting Info
- Sample Ballot: To see your sample ballot, visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website or click here.
- Polling locations: To find polling locations, see list of candidates or find other information, click here.
- Early Voting: Here is the schedule for early voting.
Races
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 7:
• Mike Dovilla, Republican, incumbent
• Matt Patten, Democrat
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 24
• Tom Patton, Republican, incmbent
• Jennifer Brady, Democrat
CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROSECUTOR
• Timothy J. McGinty, Democrat
• Ed Wade, Independent
Ballot Issues
Issue 94: A renewal of a 1.5-mill levy for firefighter salaries.
Issue 95: A 0.4-mill replacement issue for sewer projects
Issue 96: A charter amendment changing the filing deadline for Strongsville candidates
Issue 97: A rezoning that would allow Kemper House to expand its Alzheimer's care facility on Prospect Road.
Issue 116: An $81 million bond issue for the Strongsville City Schools to build a new middle school and improve other school buildings.
Issue 108: A .67-mill replacement levy for the Cuyahoga County Port Authority.
Judy Jacobson
11:15 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
May I ask a question? I understand renewal levies, but if a replacement levy means replacing a current levy with a different levy, we should be told what the value changes will be. Do you have that information?
Judy
Debbie Palmer
11:37 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Judy, yes, absolutely. If you click the link to Issue 95, it's explained there, but here's a recap of the Strongsville issue:
The 0.4-mill levy for sewers would replace an existing 0.5-mill issue. Although the millage is less, because a replacement is collected at the current property valuations, it would actually mean a small increase for homeowners -- about $6 a year per $100,000 in home valuation.
The original half-mill levy was originally approved in 1976 and is now being collected at an effective rate of .0927 mills.
Currently, it generates $165,000 a year and costs a homeowner $2.84 a year for every $100,000 of home valuation, but when it is collected as a replacement -- at the most recent property valuations -- it will cost a homeowner $9.41 a year per $100,000 and would generate $578,000 a year.
Kim L
3:19 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Dear school board ....when you have a teachers contract in hand you can then expect your bond levy to pass (save it I already know they are not connected)
Faith
3:19 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
I would say YOU are the one who is not connected Kim. The money for the teachers salaries comes from a different place than the money that pays for buildings and operations.
lyn
3:51 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
Faith-
Maybe you should reread Kim's comment. It was a very short comment and she said " I already know they are not connected".
However, it would be better if the school board was providing the community with info about the contract as the last one expired June 30. There has been no news about negotiations, and why - over 3 months without a contract? Is this how they conduct business? We are wondering just what will be in the new contract and are they going to come to the community for a request to cover these costs? It is a valid point. If they want to cover $81mil in building costs now for Phase 1, and they ARE going to come back in a few years for another levy for the Phase 2 building costs, what will they, if any, be coming to us for covering in the teachers contract? Shouldn't we have a right to consider all these?
Faith
3:51 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Do you even realize how foolish that statement sounds? It is like saying, 'When you have a budget on my gas bill I will pay my electric bill'
Faith
3:47 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Lyn,
Absolutely, you have the right. But....our school system is in such dire need for these renovations they can only approach one situation at a time. While it is true the teachers are working without a contract, no one realizes that the support staff has been enduring a pay freeze for years (and voluntarily I might add).
As with the presidential election, we can only attempt to solve one problem at a time. If people are considering not voting for this levy for fear of future levies - they always have the right to vote against the future levies should such a situation occur.
We are in the position of putting the proverbial cart before the horse. We are fighting improving our buildings in need but at the same time we are putting money into repairs that could be put to use elsewhere (such as updated technology or replacing some of the groups that have been cancelled. i.e. elementary student council, chinese or latin classes, field trips for elementary levels or middle school).
I only hope that people will do their research on unbiased sites and make informed decisions instead of just believing everything they hear.