Eastlake Update: Investigations and Money Pits
There's been some news on Eastlake in the last week, but I've been slow to get to it. Time to catch-up. I mentioned that it had been
bubbling under the surface. The regional paper in the area, finally reported a little on the
ongoing investigation into former Mayor Dan DiLiberto.
Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles continues to press his investigation of events that led to Richmond Heights businessman John Chiappetta defaulting on a $3.015 million in Ohio Department of Transportation loans to develop Eastlake Industrial Park.
Charles confirmed Friday that he recently spent "somewhere between an hour and 90 minutes" in Eastlake being briefed by Eastlake Police Chief John Ruth and Lt. Tom Doyle on developments in the investigation.
As inspector general, Charles said he is primarily focused on how Chiappetta was able to obtain $2.4 million of the $3.015 million from ODOT's State Infrastructure Bank.
The $2.4 million was paid to Chiappetta in four installments in 1998 and 1999 without proper signatures on the Exhibit C forms that authorize payments by the State Infrastructure Bank, authorities said.
...
Since the investigation of the development of Eastlake Industrial Park began in earnest last year, Ruth said Eastlake police officers have been examining "a series of allegations" involving Chiappetta and former Eastlake Mayor Dan DiLiberto.
DiLiberto was mayor from January 1994 to April 2004, when he resigned for what he said were health reasons.
"Dan's leaving opened a floodgate of rumors and allegations," Ruth said. "The police department is looking into many of those rumors and allegations. We were doing that in the past and we're doing it now."
The examination extends to alleged links between DiLiberto and Chiappetta's obtaining a fifth and final payment of $615,000 from the State Infrastructure Bank.
DiLiberto claimed ignorance in helping to defraud the SIB. Either because they were embarrassed that the
Cleveland Plain Dealer broke a story 4 days earlier -- detailing how DiLiberto was pocketing money for performing weddings. Or because they felt they needed to show something else, they focus on a specific allegation of DiLiberto malfeasance: he bought and maintained his own golf cart for his campaign fund.
Yesterday, the
Plain Dealer Editorial Board proclaimed that
the Eastlake Police should not be the ones conducting so much of this investigation.
That said, we have problems with Eastlake police taking the lead role in any examination of DiLiberto's activities: The allegations against him are too serious to risk being undermined by questions about the legitimacy of the investigators. DiLiberto was mayor for 11 years. His impact on the Police Department was considerable. Thus, in the eyes of many, any police findings would be tainted.
If police discover there is credible evidence that DiLiberto pocketed wedding fees instead of putting them in the treasury, misused campaign contributions, helped his brother get lucrative contracts and received his own share of free city services, then some citizens are sure to assert that the police had it in for him.
If police discover no evidence of mischief, then some will say that it was a whitewash.
Eastlake should squelch those questions by following Medina's example. When Medina launched an investigation of former Mayor Jim Roberts, accused of having employees work on his home, the Medina County Sheriff's office investigated the case, and the Erie County prosecutor reviewed the results.
It's a fair point. Mind you, the latter is more likely since police are facing their own layoffs because of the budget problems that will only be exacerbated by DiLiberto's actions. Honestly, though, I'm not convinced of how thoroughly and effectively the Lake County Sheriff would investigate.
Now as for the Eastlake Ballpark. There are conflicting versions of whether there was a recent offer to buy naming rights for the park.
Officials with the Lake County Captains say Eastlake's mayor recently rejected a $1.5 million offer for naming rights for the city's stadium.
But Mayor Ted Andrzejewski disputes the claim.
Captains General Manager Casey Stump said Wednesday that one of the team's sponsors said it would pay $1.5 million for naming rights.
Stump would not disclose the name of the company. But he said he passed the company's offer and information on to the mayor.
"In a meeting with an existing sponsor of the Captains, a company inquired as to the status of naming rights," Stump said. "We told the sponsor the city was still looking for a buyer, and they said they would be willing to pay $1.5 million."
Andrzejewski said the company wanted to share naming rights if the city could find another company interested in doing the same.
"The Captains never told us the name of the company, and it wasn't a firm offer," Andrzejewski said. "What they were interested in was sharing. I took that to our consultant and he said, 'Don't do it.' "
Even if true, this is a significant comedown from the $5 million long predicted. Maybe even too far a drop. Right now, Eastlake is really, really screwed. The long-term costs for the ballpark are now at $48 million, and starting next year, the City will have to start hitting the general fund to help make the bond payments.
Since stadium-related revenue is not expected to cover expenses each year, $26 million of the $48 million must come from the tax-supported general fund.
General fund money will need to be used for debt payments beginning in 2006 and continuing through 2031.
"We are coming forward with this information to be truthful with the residents," Andrzejewski said. "For the first time, we really feel we have a handle on what the stadium will end up costing the taxpayers.
"The residents have been asking for truthful disclosure. Former Mayor Dan DiLiberto and (stadium consultant) Tom Chema put this project together, and the new administration is trying to find a way to deal with the situation."
DiLiberto could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Chema defended the original stadium financing plan.
"I believe the prior administration and I put together a very solid plan that should result with the stadium being built without general revenue funds. Obviously, it's been more difficult than I had anticipated to generate revenue from things such as naming rights."
Tom Chema's statements are so laughable and self-serving. The revenue streams are pretty much as predicted. It was the actual costs that they lied about were mistaken. This beast, not only was supposed to be paid for by the tax for the bonds, and other revenue streams; and it was also supposed to cost maybe $25 million. The News-Herald Editorial Board will be hard pressed, to continue to claim that the ballpark is not a major issue and problem for the city's budget.
I have a sinking feeling that there will be a few more than usual "for sale" signs this spring in people's yards. None of this can be helping property values.
Cleveland Traffic Cameras -- Not Likely
This is just my opinion. I think, for something as controversial and that (should) upset the local populace, you need a compliant, willing city council -- people willing to face the music together. Something Mayor Jane
Campbell does not have.
Cleveland City Council complained Wednesday that Mayor Jane Campbell's plan to raise millions of dollars by issuing more traffic tickets is as unrealistic as it is unpopular.
Council President Frank Jackson said the city would have to write 118,000 more tickets this year to collect the $6.5 million Campbell expects red-light cameras to generate.
"I can't assume we can keep that $6.5 million in this budget," Jackson said.
He and other council members argued that if they budget that money, and it doesn't materialize, other safety programs would be jeopardized, including Campbell's just-announced plan to rehire 45 laid-off police officers.
Wednesday's seven-hour hearing on the police portion of the mayor's proposed 2005 budget was marked by heated exchanges between council members and her staff. Several members said the $484 million budget is full of unrealistic revenue assumptions.
"At the end of the day, you've done us wrong," said Councilwoman Sabra Pierce Scott. "We can't [rehire police] with funds that might not come in."
Campbell wants to hire a company to install cameras at intersections. The cameras would take photos of cars going through red lights, and citations would be issued to the owners.
Jackson said the city gets only $55 of the average $124 ticket from running a red light. The remaining money goes to the state, court costs and other programs.
At $55 a pop, the city would have to issue 118,000 tickets to reach Campbell's goal, Jackson said. Cleveland issued 153,000 tickets last year for all moving violations, including speeding, going through stop signs and other violations.
Wonder how much and what some of those "other programs" are? Suggests that the traffic tickets suffer from mission bloat. Just another clear reminder that traffic tickets are even less about public safety as they are about making money for the municipalities.
Present Mayor: Desperate
About the only way I can foresee Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell winning reelection, is that her opponents will be so bad or of limited appeal that she wins by default (
Wasn't that her last election strategy?) This week, she has gone to
full pander mode:
Mayor Jane Campbell wants to recall 45 laid-off police officers this spring.
"We need police officers directly in the neighborhoods dealing with quality-of-life issues," Campbell said Tuesday after she officially introduced her $484 million budget to City Council.
The announcement caught some by surprise and seemed like the first volley in a battle between Campbell and Council President Frank Jackson, who is challenging the mayor in this fall's election.
Jackson says the city should wait to see how much money it collects before making a commitment to rehire police.
"The decision seems more political to me than fiscally prudent," Jackson said. "It's unfair to those officers, giving them hope that they may be brought back."
Campbell said the move is not about politics. It is about keeping people safe.
The city laid off hundreds of workers last year, including 250 police officers, to eliminate a $61 million deficit. Since then, the city has recalled more than 80 officers to replace others who left the force. That number does not include the 45 Campbell wants to bring back.
[Emphasis added.]
There is a cliche in sports when it comes to contracts, "When they say it's not about the money, it's about the money." I think that could be adapted pretty easily in this case, "When she says it's not about the election, it's about the election."
It's just such a blatant move to try and knock a little support from Jackson, and to see about reclaiming a little support from the police officers who are very against her at this point.
Last week Mayor Campbell made it very clear she is trying to find money and not cut anything from the budget with her sudden love for traffic cameras to generate income make downtown safer.
But the plan has already raised several questions:
Q:How much would the cameras cost? How much revenue would they generate?
A:Cleveland would contract with a private company to install and maintain the cameras in exchange for a share of the profits from tickets issued.
That share is negotiated, and it varies in cities that already have the cameras.
In Dayton, where the average ticket for running a red light is $85, only $30 goes to the city; the rest goes to Arizona-based Redflex Traffic Systems.
In Baltimore, where the average fine is $75, the city pays between $11 and $27 per violation to Dallas-based Affiliated Computer Services. San Francisco paid $48 from each fine collected to a private company for years before negotiating a flat fee.
All those cities have seen revenue increases from the cameras, even after splitting the profits. Baltimore netted $8.5 million last year from 47 cameras. Washington installed 39 cameras beginning in 1999 and has collected $24.5 million since then.
Campbell said she expects to net $6.5 million this year from red-light cameras. The mayor does not yet know how many cameras would be installed, or where.
Her goal, though, would mean a dramatic boost in tickets. Red-light violations in Cleveland typically result in a $150 fine. Meeting Campbell's target this year would require an extra 86,000 red-light tickets. That assumes the city would split the profits evenly with a private company - and that all drivers cited actually pay their fines.
...
Q:Does the ticket go to the driver or the car owner?
A:Tickets are sent to the car owner, regardless of who is driving. The cameras photograph only the license plate and the car driving through the intersection.
Cleveland officials say they would have no remedy for a car owner who receives a ticket even though someone else was driving their car. But they offer one concession: No points would be assessed on the owner's driving record.
...
Q:Is this plan about safety or money?
A:Campbell unveiled the red- light camera plan as part of her 2005 budget, saying it would help plug a deficit. At first, she made scant reference to safety.
Then after realizing how much hostility it created, a day later, she and her staff suddenly became very focused on the safety aspect. One more reason not to want to deal with downtown Cleveland.
I once thought this lady was politically astute. In the last 2 years, though, she has shown to have a tin ear for one thing after another.
If there was anyone competent running against her capable of running a citywide campaign (a dubious proposition at this point), she'd be toast. As it stands right now, I'd put it at even money.
Former Mayor Twists In the Wind
He may be retired and raising alpacas in Newcomerstown, Ohio, but former Mayor Michael White has to be
seeing the circle closing.
FBI agents assigned to a public corruption investigation involving consultant Nate Gray have begun interviewing members of former Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White's staff.
One former employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said agents wanted to know about Gray's relationship with White and contracts that Gray's companies received from the city.
The questions are getting well beyond whispered wonderings.
I do love this reasoning, though.
Many of his supporters have said that if the FBI had any evidence of illegal activity against White, they would have charged him by now.
This week, assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Dettelbach and Benita Pearson told a federal judge that they will consider charging more people after the case against Gray is completed.
A judge set Gray's trial for March 21. If defense attorneys need more time, the trial will be pushed to April 25. Defense lawyers said they will need more time to put together their defense, especially since the FBI secretly recorded more than 58,000 calls involving Gray and his associates.
Right. They wouldn't, say, be using this trial and a possible conviction against Gray to get him to cooperate against the former Mayor. What a preposterous notion.
It will be an interesting spectacle if White goes down. By the time he left, there weren't many friends left in the area media. He still has much support and backing, though, from a lot of powerful interests. It may create an interesting crisis at the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Super Bowl Ads, Year 3
For the first time in ages, I had a dog in this game. My Eagles were playing. My heart was with them, but the brain said Patriots. I don't bet as a rule, since I can't afford the losses. Glad I didn't here, because I was surprised the Eagles covered. Despite an actual interest in the game I still covered the ads. Maybe because I cared about the game I was distracted, but this was one of the worst years for ads in recent memory. There were a lot of previously debuted ads that were shown -- taking away from the newness and sense of ad premieres. Just a very lame year compared to
the last two years.
Cars
6:19
Ford F150 Trucks. The menacing looking motorcycle gang afraid to go into a bar because a bunch of shiny new trucks parked out front. Ford is now trying to sell the perception of a tough attitude for their trucks as the reason to buy? Never a good sign when you have to claim that your vehicle makes you tough. Why not just co-brand with some erectile dysfunction drug and be done with it.
6:35
Ford Mustang Convertible. Coming soon ad. Guy frozen stiff in Fargo, ND in the winter. Okay, but ended up seeing it at least 3 times. Not that wild about the retro design from the late 60s/early 70s Mustang. While not as hideous as the 80s Mustang styling, just not that great either.
7:00
New Volvo. Can't even remember the particular model. Likened to a space launch and the contest to win a trip on a commercial space flight. Memo: "The Rebel Billionare" didn't exactly capture the public's imagination, so showing Richard Branson isn't a selling point.
7:24
Honda Ridgeline Trucks. Nothing particularly interesting about the ads. Just a straight, typical car ad.
7:42
Cadillac. Show most of the new line-up while backing up into tunnel. The fact that they are still using a Zepplin snippet tells me that their market is about 20 years older than me.
9:25
Toyota Prius. Spinning wheels with no one actually moving. Nice effect, but they wait too long to get to the name brand.
Movies
6:30
XXX 2. What happened to Vin Diesel? Now it's with Ice Cube? I'll see this one right after I get around to seeing his shark flick.
6:43
Constantine. They've already been showing plenty of ads for this. Sets my teeth to grinding. Keanu Reeves in general does that, but as John Constantine? Great comic book, and they do this to it? My geekness is showing.
6:54
The Pacifier. Someone get Vin Diesel a copy of that Hulk Hogan movie,
Mr. Nanny. This is what he was doing instead of XXX 2?
7:11
The Longest Yard. Exactly why did this movie need to be remade? Starring Adam Sandler? Could be worse. Rob Schneider could be in it. Oh.
7:37
Be Cool. Be ware.
7:56
Batman Begins. More stuff for the comic book geek in me. Elicited an involuntary, "oooohhh."
8:50
Robots. Skimpy previews. Saw more of it before seeing
The Incredibles. No strong feelings. Gut says, just another
Antz or
Bugs Life.
9:02
War of the Worlds. Spielberg actually came before they even told you the title. Stars Tom Cruise. Great book, but I just don't see the film getting it, especially as our technology has increased. Besides between
Independence Day and
Mars Attacks! I think the well is dry on this for a while longer. Looks like standard disaster movie fare.
10:00
Sahara. Looks like a version of
National Treasure. That isn't a compliment.
Food and Soda
Not a particularly good year for this.
6:20
McDonalds. The Abe Lincoln French Fry. One of those, "It seemed like a good idea at the time," ads. Aired a few times, and didn't improve.
6:49
Diet Pepsi. Sean "P-Diddy/Puff Daddy" Combs starts a trend when his ride dies and he gets a lift to some generic awards show in a Diet Pepsi truck. Everyone is riding in a Diet Pepsi truck. Actually a good ad, but they didn't waste anytime in trying to run it into the ground.
6:50 Bubblicious. LeBron James is their pitch man. Is that it?
7:01
Diet Pepsi. Tom Brady walking down the street drinking his Diet Pepsi with Cindy Crawford, Carson whatshisname from "Queer Eye." and others eyeballing the can.
7:34
Lays Potato Chips. Throw back. Ball hit into scary neighbor's yard. Toss a bag of Lays chips as an offering to get it back. Get plenty including MC Hammer. Eh.
7:36
Pepsi and iTunes. Singing bottles. Okay.
8:49
McIlhenny Tabasco. Bikini with the logo all over. Babe with reverse tan lines. Nails their target audience.
9:37
Emerald Nuts. Dad doesn't want to share and is visited by various holiday icons who he said could be harmed if he shared in past excuses. Warped, like the other ads from Emerald Nuts. Effective? I have allergies to said nuts, so how would I know.
Credit Cards, Financial Services and Related
7:13
Visa Check Card. Scream for help after being robbed brings horde of Marvel Comics super-heroes in live action, who wander away when all that was taken was the Visa Check Card -- no liability to owner. Ends with Underdog showing up late. Okay, but not great.
7:14
Ameriquest. Cell phone conversation in convenience store leads to a beating when believed to be engaged in a robbery. "Don't Judge Too Quickly" campaign.
7:23
MBNA Credit Cards. Rugby scrum and Gladys Knight scores. Touting MBNA's long list of co-branded cards. Effectiveness? Head scratcher.
8:58
Ameriquest. Cat Sacrifice. Part of the "Don't judge too quickly" campaign. This one amused me. But then I like the idea of killing cats.
9:21
Nationwide Insurance. MC Hammer's 15 minutes of fame. Part of their "Life comes at you pretty fast," ad campaign. Funny. Effective.
9:32
Debit Mastercard. Dinner party with lots of commercial food and cleaning products cartoon icons (Count Chocula, Charlie Tuna, Mister Clean, Vlasic Pickle Stork, etc.). PPushing using it to shop at the grocery store with it. Okay, but mainly, it made me feel old.
Budweiser Product Line
Generally doesn't produce the best overall, but the best set of commercials. It does so again, but mainly because the rest of the field is so weak.
6:42
Bud Light, Skydiving. Sky diving instructor tries to convince reluctant jumper to go by tossing a 6-pack of Bud Light out. Pilot leaves cockpit to jump after it. Predictable, but okay.
6:56
Bud Light, Cedric the Entertainer Fantasizes. What 3 things he would want on a desert island. He calls it, then imagines it, but it goes wrong even in his mind. Okay.
7:10
Bud Light, Tickets and Cell Phone Camera. Buddy gives up tickets to game to friends. They take a picture at game via phone and send to him. Friend responds with pictures at one buddy's apartment with buddy's girlfriend... Cheap laugh, but still amusing.
7:33
Budweiser. Noah's ark shows up to audition to be a Bud Clydesdale. The carraige driver looks at the donkey from last year's campaign and says, "See what you started." Cute. Self-referential and acknowledging what worked last year.
7:51
Bud Light, babe in the bar. Hot girl in the bar has honor protected by a trash talking cocteau bird.
8:52
Anheuser-Busch. Public service for troops. People waiting in airport, begin applauding US troops as they walk through terminal, presumably after a tour of duty, or on their way to such. Very nice.
9:31
Bud Select. I think this is the new low carb beer they have coming. They push, though, that it has no aftertaste. Wasn't that also Bud Dry?
9:38
Bud Light, Cedric the Designated Driver. While trying to turn down a beer, at a club, Cedric begins to mime that he is the designated driver. Everyone thinks its a dance move and begins to copy.
Services and Products
6:21
California Cheese. Didn't understand spending the money last year. Still don't get it this year.
6:43
O2 Contacts. Or something like that. It's for contact lenses, and it was a rather traditional contact lens commercial. A waste of money to advertise it during the superbowl.
6:51
M:Robe. A digital camera, video and music player from Olympus. Not exactly capturing the imagination.
7:02
GoDaddy.com. Domain name registration company. Kind of retro to the late 90s Internet ad buying insanity. Spoofs hearings regarding censorship and decency on the air with a well proportioned babe in a tight tank-shirt who seemed to be having trouble with the straps -- wardrobe malfunction. Not the most tasteful, but scores big points for willing to tweek.
7:38
Degree Anti-perspirent. In-Action figures. More disturbing than funny. Probably seemed funnier in the meeting, then in practice. No smooth relation to the product.
7:50
CareerBuilder.com. Working with monkeys. Pretty good.
7:57
Silestone Surfaces. Celebrities without good context. Just having Mike Ditka, the Fridge, Jim McMahon and Dennis Rodman say "I am Diana Pearl," doesn't really work. So what?
8:18
NFL Network. Tomorrow, Part 2. New version of last year's surprise best ad. Begins and ends with Joe Montana and Ben Roethlisberger.
8:53
Napster. Challenge/comparison to iPod and iTunes. Dumb. Wrong approach to the cult of iPod. People looking for MP3 players and services tend to be more aware and savy. Going after the general public on this is a loser.
9:12
V-Cast from Verizon Wireless. Their new entertainment video feed for cell phones. Miniaturizing Kid Rock, Shaq and Christina Aguielera. Decent.
Local Ad Time
Mostly a lot of commercials that have been aired before. Especially for fast food.
8:13
5/3 Bank. Wayne Brady endorses. May have killed his endorsement ability after his sketch on Chappelle's Show. Can't see him doing it now without thinking, "I'm Wayne Brady, Bitch!"
8:34
Akron University. They have an open house this month. Can't believe they blew boku bucks to run an ad during the Superbowl.
Best In Show
6:55
FedEx Kinkos. 10 Elements to a great Superbowl Commercial. Great deconstruction/spoof of the hype and the commercials. Uses Burt Reynolds as the celebrity. Just a well executed spot. Can't tell you a damn thing about how it relates to the advertiser, but a damn funny commercial.
