Initiatives for the future

By Christian J. Schaefer

These are a few of the things I would like for Evendale to accomplish in the future.

One of these two facilities is close to every residential subdivision subdivision in Evendale. They must be preserved and developed for their intended purposes. In June,2003, The Gorman Farm Committee on which I served delivered to the Mayor and Council an outline of steps to be taken to make the Gorman Farm a success. I will see to it that the Plan is promptly executed. The Griffin Property was acquired in 1999. Nothing was done with it until this year. I will support the needed improvements to allow the property to be used by Evendale residents.

Council Meetings

Council should have regular committee meetings. Previously, Council had two committees and every issue went to one of them. Both committees should meet at the same time a few days before the monthly Council meeting. The committees will give residents and businesses in a small group setting a chance to explain their concerns to council members without the television or the intimidation factor of making a speech in a large room at a podium in front of the Mayor, Clerk, Solicitor, six Councilmembers and a large audience.

Immediately after the committee meetings end, the whole Council could assemble for a first reading of all legislation. Second readings could occur at a brief meeting the following day. The regular Council meeting will then consider third readings of most legislation. This would eliminate most emergency legislation and not delay effective dates of Council actions more than 30 days.

The television experiment should be altered or abolished. Too many people, and sometimes the Council, address the television and not each other. A television camera tends to promote confrontation, not a dialogue that can result in consensus. This reshaping of the Council process has the potential to allow the residents and businesses address council and encourage more civility in the political process.

Tax Rate

When I served on Council in the 1980's, the operating budget was funded by a tax rate of 1/4th of 1%. Now it is 9/10th of 1%. The year end balance in 2002 was 18 million dollars. Annual balances of 2 times the operating budget are enough. The tax rate should be lowered if that amount is exceeded.

Churchill Property

This property was acquired in January 2003 and the building is being demolished. Open space adjoining the Community Center is an asset that cannot be replaced. Evendale should not sell this land.

Economic Development

The Gem report showed that only destination retailers will succeed and office development will have to wait until nearby office parks are complete. Evendale cannot ignore these market forces. Working with property owners, an access road connecting Glendale-Milford and Reading Roads could be built. The area along the Millcreek floodway would be open. The Cunningham homestead should be preserved. This would open 60 or more acres to development and preserve a natural stream and a historic site. Patience is required for this to occur.