Friday, May 17, 2013
Issues include changes in hiring employees
Strongsville voters will see five proposed changes to the city charter on the November general election ballot. The changes were recommended by a special committee put together to review the city's charter for updates. The changes would: • Allow the mayor to appoint a police chief from officers who rank sergeant or higher and a fire chief from firefighters who rank lieutenant or higher. Former Councilman Ray Haseley, who co-chaired the commission, said the change aims to increase the pool of candidates. • Clarify the status of council clerks at city employees. The clerks would still serve at the pleasure of council, but would also be subject to the policies and rules that govern other Strongsville employees. • Update the requirements to …
Thursday, March 7, 2013
According to budget projections, the Strongsville City Schools will be $2 million in the red by 2014.
Last March, Strongsville voters narrowly passed a 6-mill, 5-year renewal levy, which now generates $7.6 million per year for the district's operating budget. Prior to its approval, the levy failed in November and August of 2011. However, the seven-figure revenue boost isn't enough to keep the district's $75 million budget balanced. According to Strongsville City Schools Treasurer Bill Parkinson, projections indicate the budget will sink $2 million in the red by fiscal year 2014. If a new levy is passed in 2013, the money could go to personnel salaries, which account for about 85 percent of the district's annual budget. Vote in our poll and offer your opinions in the comments section below.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
All three incumbents file for re-election
Five candidates will vie for three open at-large seats on Strongsville City Council this year. All three incumbents are seeking re-election, with challenges from former School Board member Dave Gusman and current School Board member Ruth Brickley. Because fewer than seven people filed, there will be no primary election in May. Instead, the five will face off in November, with the top three vote-getters winning seats. Councilman Duke Southworth was the last to file, submitting his petitions on Monday. "I look forward to continuing my focus on providing superior municipal services and the lowest possible tax burden on our residents and businesses," Southworth said in a news release. "And to that goal, we need to continue our push for …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Ruth Brickley will run 'an unfunded campaign' for at-large seat
School Board member Ruth Brickley said she will seek election to Strongsville City Council this year. Brickley, who is in the second year of her third term on the school board, said she has been interested in running for council for some time and believes now is a good time to make the jump. "We've come to a point (in the school district) where we're in better shape than we've been," she said. "We have good leadership, and the bond issue passed." The three at-large City Council seats are up for election this year. Brickley will face her former colleague on the school board in the race. Dave Gusman, who did not seek re-election to the board in 2011, is also seeking a council seat this year. The three incumbents -- Joe DeMio, Ken Dooner …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Dave Gusman will seek an at-large seat in Strongsville
Dave Gusman, who did not seek re-election to the Strongsville School Board last year after serving two terms, said he will run for Strongsville City Council next year. Gusman will vie for one of the three at-large seats. "I feel I can add value to City Council," Gusman said. "I think I have a good understanding of the concerns of residents." The at-large seats are currently held by Joe DeMio, Ken Dooner and Duke Southworth. Candidates don't run for specific at-large seats in Strongsville. The top three vote-getters among all the candidates will ultimately win the posts. If more than six candidates file, there will be a primary election in May to narrow the field to six. Gusman said he brings 10 years of experience on the city's Board of …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Recount shows no change in vote tally
A recount did not change the vote total for Issue 116, the bond issue for the Strongsville Schools. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections says the total vote in this county remains 11,523 to 11,414. In Lorain County, the issue was defeated 33-7. Because the margin of victory in was less than one-half of 1 percent, there was an automatic recount in Cuyahoga County. The issue will generate about $81 million to build a new middle school, make technology and other upgrades at Strongsville High School and repairs at the elementary schools.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Board of Elections to re-tally votes for Issue 116, 7th House District
The recounts for Issue 116 and the Ohio House of Representatives District 7 race are both set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. As of now, the bond issue for the Strongsville schools has passed by 83 votes. Incumbent State Rep. Mike Dovilla has held off a challenge from Democrat Matt Patten by 119 votes. The numbers for the bond issue include the 40 ballots cast by the one precinct in Columbia Station that is in the Strongsville School District, according to the Lorain County Board of Elections. There, 33 people voted against the issue and 7 favored it. The fate of Issue 116 and the Dovilla-Patten race was uncertain until Tuesday, Nov. 27, when the Board of Elections released final figures…
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Republican incumbent retains 7th District seat, final election figures show
State Rep. Mike Dovilla's lead got slimmer, but the incumbent 7th District representative has held onto his post, according to official results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. The results, released Tuesday evening, show Dovilla bested Democratic challenger Matt Patten by 119 votes. Dovilla ended Election Night 340 votes ahead. The Board of Elections Tuesday certified results from the Nov. 6 general election, including late-arriving absentee ballots and up to 1,930 provisional votes cast in the 7th House District. Dovilla told Strongsville Patch after the Nov. 6 election he was "cautiously optimistic" he would retain the lead after the provisional votes were counted. "We think it will break our way," Dovilla said. Because the…
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Margin is close enough for a recount on Issue 116
Issue 116, the bond issue for the Strongsville schools, has passed by 83 votes, according to final numbers released by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections show. Official results from the elections board, released Tuesday afternoon, show the issue won 11,530 to 11,447. "We're happy -- we continue to move in a positive direction," Superintendent John Krupinski said. "I'd like to thank the community for their trust in us." The margin is within one-half of 1 percent, which means there will be a recount. The fate of the issue, which was ahead by 3 votes at the end of Election Day, has been up in the air until late absentee and up to 698 provisional ballots could be counted. "I think this is something everyone's going to embrace," said …
Board of Elections expected to certify final vote tally
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is scheduled to meet this afternoon to certify the results of the Nov. 6 general election -- which means the fate of the too-close-to-call bond issue for the Strongsville schools will finally be known. Issue 116 is ahead by 3 votes, but the final tally will include previously uncounted absentee votes and up to 698 provisional ballots. The final tally could also impact the race for 7th District House of Representatives. Incumbent Mike Dovilla goes into the day ahead by 340 votes, but there were 1,930 provisional ballots cast in that race, meaning Democratic challenger Matt Patten could come out ahead. Dennis Anderson, community outreach manager for the Board of Elections, said the results will be …
JIm
10:46 am on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Lyn... WE promised the teachers nothing. The board knows we are fed up and will not pass anymore levys for their salary increases and pensions. We are taking our district back. Plain and simple. more ›