Missed Council tonight - 1st one in months!

I missed tonight's Council Meeting because I had to watch our kids, while Amy met up with a friend.

Who missed me? :)

Cortney

Harvard has gone organic, can the Village?

Interesting articles on a big organization, not unlike Mariemont, converting to green landscaping, and saving money in the process.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/garden/24garden.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

http://www.uos.harvard.edu/fmo/landscape/organiclandscaping/getting_started.shtml

2 passion areas of mine: reducing our environmental footprint, and saving cash!

Cortney

Purchased info from Hamilton County Board of Elections

I decided to spend the $15 to receive daily email updates from Ham County BOE on Absentee Ballot requests. Whenever a Village resident requests an Absentee Ballot (more and more popular option), I'll be notified. I think I'll followup with a flyer or a phone call.

Is it ethical? Sure. Is is appropriate? I think so. But didn't want to head down this path without sharing my plans 1st.

One final detail. I'm happy to share this info with the other interested candidates.

Cortney

Fall Campaign - join forces or go it alone?

I have been lucky enough to have been asked by more than 1 candidate if I was interested in working cooperatively during the Fall Campaign. I'm a fan of these guys, and I agree on a lot of the issues with each.

In the end though, I've decided, with great input from my wife, to do my own thing, and sink or swim on my own attributes. If all goes well, I look fwd to working with these guys come January.

Text of email below:
--------------------------------
I enjoyed very much the lively conversation at Starbucks on Sunday. I especially liked how overtly public it was. No Secrets - Transparency!! I committed to coming back to you with how I plan to campaign this Fall:
-run my own Marketing as an individual (flyers, conversations, and speaking engagements only - signs are a maybe)
-help you by highlighting where we agree on important issues, as well as build you up as a positive change agent for the Village (opptys in speeches, conversations, my blog)
-take all Marketing and Endorsements that come my way from Town Meeting. I worked hard for this and am excited about it.

I hope this doesn’t cause difficulty in your Fall Campaign. At the end of the day, I like our chances regardless of how Marketing gets done. Pls call me at 983-0463 or on my mobile if you’d like to chat further.

Related, I’ll buy the Absentee Ballot Service from the County. And I’ll commit to sharing w/ you on a daily basis the info I receive. Has it already been purchased? If not, I’ll do it today/tomorrow.

Terrace park replanting trees

Saw an article today where terrace park is authorizing tree replanting. Details:
-$7000 investment
-44 new trees at $46 each
-Little Miami Landscape doing work
-nearly 80 trees removed due to regular maintenance
-planting elm, maple, oak
-paid for outside of tree fund

Why this is noteworthy:
-is cost better than mm?
-plant 2x per year normally. Do we do this?
-do we have a dedicated tree fund?
-tp invested above and beyond their budget which is a choice
-small number of new vs removed is not sustainable (ie storms)

I'd like to reapply what works elsewhere vs inventing in mm. There are details here I bet we could learn from.

Cortney

Smart Voter League of Women's Voters Submission

I've complete my League of Women's voters profile. Link should work in the next day or so.
http://smartvoter.org/vote/scheeser

Alternate Link
http://smartvoter.org/2009/11/03/oh/hm/vote/scheeser_c/

Cortney

Town Crier Profile Completed

I completed my Town Crier Profile this evening. Please see below.

Cortney
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two sentences about your background (maybe how long you've lived in the Village, education, employment, family, whatever you want)

My background: I represent District 4 as the Town Meeting Candidate, and I’m proud to have the endorsement of my District neighbhors. My wife, 3 daughters, and I moved to Nolen Circle, the best street in the Village, in the Summer of 2008.

1. Why did you decide to run for Mariemont Village Council?

I am running to affect change and to serve the Village of Mariemont. I have been active in, and/or close to many issues now facing the Village: Budgets, Zoning, Outsourcing of basic services, Schools Facilities masterplanning, Urban Forestry, etc. In each, I believe I could bring a fresh viewpoint and endless energy, yielding different and enhanced outcomes. Our Village deserves the best we can give it.

2. What makes you a good candidate for this position?

I am a good candidate because: 1)14 years of Business experience can help Mariemont operate more efficiently. P&G forces us each year to do more with less. While a struggle, we find a way! 2)Fresh Perspective. Mariemont is facing difficulty – fresh ideas are needed! Healthy tension caused by differing viewpoints is an opportunity to hone and improve outcomes. 3)Plugged in, thanks to my kids. While at Swim practice, a PTO Meeting, a Piano Recital etc., I talk to people. And it allows me to sense what's going on. 4)I am passionate about Mariemont and will work tirelessly for its Citizens.

3. What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing Mariemont and how would you work to solve it?

The biggest issue facing the Village is the Budget Deficit. 1)Enroll Citizens to help make the right, tough choices. We've begun this work at Scheeser.blogspot.com 2)As Village Employee Salaries and Benefits account for over 80% of the General Fund, review $1000 Council Salaries and the 2% Village Employee raises in a year where cost of living/inflation will be at or below 0%. 2)Pass through Rumpke's rate hike (August 2009) to Citizens via Garbage Sticker program, paired with Recycling/Composting education.

Enquirer Voter Guide submitted

I completed my Enquirer Voter Guide this evening. I haven't seen the final final, but I believe it will be an asset.

Cortney

-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.thevoterguide.org/

Age: 37
Occupation: Senior Business Analyst, P&G
Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Community Involvement: CYC Mentor 2003-2009, Crossroads Community Church, Mariemont School Facilities Committee

Endorsements: Mariemont Town Meeting Candidate, District 4; Melissa Schmitt, sitting District 4 Council Woman
Campaign Message: Mariemont needs fresh ideas and perspective to set a vision for the future, address difficult budget concerns, and refocus council's role as a transparent servant of the people.

Why are you running: I am running to affect change and to serve the Village of Mariemont. I have been active in, and/or close to many issues now facing the Village: Budgets, Zoning, Outsourcing of basic services, Schools Facilities masterplanning, Urban Forestry, etc. In each, I believe I could bring a fresh viewpoint and endless energy, yielding different and enhanced outcomes. Our Village deserves the best we can give it.

What makes you the best candidate: I'm the best candidate for a number of reasons: 1)14 years of Business experience can help the Village operate more efficiently. For instance: P&G forces us each year to do more with less. It's always a struggle, but we always find a way! 2)Fresh Perspective.The Village is facing difficulty – fresh ideas are needed! I believe a healthy tension caused by differing viewpoints is an opportunity to hone and improve ideas and outcomes. 3)Plugged in, thanks to my kids. When I’m at Swim practice, a Soccer Game, a PTO Meeting, a School Facilities Meeting, at a Track Meet, at Y Guides/Indian Princesses etc. I talk to people. And it allows me to sense what's going on. 4)I am passionate about Mariemont and will work tirelessly for its Citizens.

-----------------------------

original invitation email

Dear Cortney Scheeser, The Cincinnati Enquirer would like to invite you to participate in our 2009 election voter guide. We would like your responses by Sept. 15. This year we are creating an online voter guide where voters can compare your positions with those of your fellow candidates. We are using a Web-based system to pose questions to you and other candidates and collect your responses. You can post your replies yourself, in your own words so that voters can gain a clearer impression of who you are and of the platform on which you stand. We would like your answers to the following questions: * Why are you running?* What makes you the best candidate?

Mariemont Schools: 5 down to 4

I attended Paul Imhoff's presentation to the MM School Board tonight. As I expected, he reco'd one fewer school.
-Fairfax+MM kids ==> K-6 in a renovated MM Elementary
-Fairfax+MM+TerracePark ==> 7-8 in a renovated Fairfax Jr High
-Terrace Park Elem renovated, population as is
-High School not renovated, population as is

Update: link attached
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090915/NEWS0102/909160362/Mariemont+plans+to+drop+school

I'm glad Paul did run a "District owned Dale Park green space" scenario. I would have run through walls for that if it would have helped. But per Paul's data, it doesn't help the site, so it's a non-issue. At least we know....

4 Schools is acceptable but it is not my first choice. As a parent I guess am ok with it. The reason I bring it up in this forum, however, is the need to plan for the Dale Park Site. In my experience, empty old buildings are in immediate danger. This is an area we'll need 1)creative ideas from Citizens 2)strong working relationship between Council and District. I'm in!

Cortney

Paul tontillo's budget docs are helpful

I attended council's meeting last night and got to see a series of "one pagers" regarding department finances. A VERY illuminating deck, to say the least. It was very easy to read and very crisp. Paul did a nice job both in the analysis and in the presentation.

Coming out of his presentation, I learned:
-big ideas will be needed along with little ideas. Double sided copies is good and I support any idea that saves $$, but the magnitude of the deficit is just too large
-people cuts are an example of a big cost saving idea, so is income tax credit reduction, so is trash fee increases
-i think closing the deficit should be a combination, a portfolio if you will, of his 3 big ideas. Small levy, small num of layoffs, small reduction in income tax credit, small garbage fee increase, bigger "misc small ideas" maybe as much as 100,000 vs his est of 50,000

Then everyone's equally annoyed :)

I'll try to find and publish a link to these great, helpful docs this week. Update: doc won't be avail until all Dept one pagers are complete. More to come on this.

Nice job, paul. We'll all benefit from your efforts here.


Cortney

budget scenarios

I heard today that the new official millage required to close our budget deficit may be less than originally requested. This is great news. I don't think it should change an individual's vote, whatever side you happen to fall on. This is found money, so what to do with it?

If the levy passes in November, I have energy to continue down the "scarcity mindset" path and draw down spending. And if we're successful, I'd like to see us end the levy ahead of schedule. Maybe it's a balance of return & invest the savings. Am I naive, yes. But I don't see why we couldn't return some money to the Taxpayers (in this case property owners).

Cortney

Jeff Andrews - wow, amazing marketing

I happened across Jeff Andrews web marketings. Man, he's set the bar high! I love the use of Social Media (Twitter) as a way to open up new ways of communication.

update: here's his address www.jeffandrews.net

And turns out we believe a lot of the same things:
-Ensure safety and education is a top priority. CHECK.
-Preserve our historic community. CHECK. CHECK.
-Ensure we're efficient and effective with village finances. CHECK CHECK.
-Encourage appropriate economic development to maintain premiere neighborhoods, support our local businesses and create new sources of revenue. CHECK
-Foster open, candid and respectful communication. CHECK CHECK

Great job Jeff. Looking fwd to a fun fall campaign.

Cortney

Andy Black on the web

I ran across Andy Black's campaign website this evening. Nice job, Andy! More open communication is a great thing. I especially like the calendar. Well done.

http://blackforcouncil.com/index.html

Cortney

Cortney Scheeser, TV Personality

I had my "closeup" this evening. I shot a 5 minute Public TV spot for the Fall election. Nerve wracking, but I think I did well. Good enough for 1 take! It'll show on the internet and on a Public TV rotation beginning end of the month. Here is the outline of my remarks:
------------------------
Intro
Background
-Town Meeting Candidate District 4
-Married and have 3 kids at MM Elem
-Business Analyst at P&G
Priorities
-Many difficult issues
-Focus on 3
-Budget
+most important issue
+live within our means
+example: reevaluate 2% raises (>80% of General Fund is Salary+Benefits). Unpopular but better than layoffs
-Zoning
+Support mixed use and condo development
+Need a way to improve run down properties
+However need to balance with preexisting Home owners
+40' height max is a better balance vs lower bungalows and cape cods
-Transparent Communication
+Council work for the Citizen
+Citizen is Boss
+We owe it to them to overcommunicate
+Need more avenues of communication both ways
+Trying to lead by example via my blog
Excited about the opportunity
Please vote for me in Nov

Income Tax base reduced if Dale Park Jr High leaves

I learned of an unitended side effect of a 4 School District Plan where Dale Park would be retired. I verified with Darlene Judd, Village Tax Administrator, that income tax is collected at the location where you work. So that means that Dale Park Teachers, Custodians, Staff, even the School District folks who leave the Village to work in Fairfax, for instance, = lower revenues for Mariemont. For each $1,000,000 in salary, we lose $12,500 in Income Tax.

This is a big deal for the Village, facing the $500,000 deficit in 2011. Another reason to keep all 5 open.

Cortney

John Altman's jumping in

I heard about John Altman's Facebook page this past week. John's one of 6 running for Village Council in November. I just checked it out - here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=john+altman&init=quick#/group.php?gid=124964336105

and link to his webpage per Facebook:
http://home.fuse.net/jma/

Way to go John! I love the transparency, and the reaching out to the Citizens. I'm a fan.

Almost as good as a blog :)

Cortney

Making the rounds

In the past couple days, I've been invited to submit election content to Public Access TV, the Enquirer, League of Women Voters and the Town Crier. Great opportunities to share with more and more folks what I'm about. My only dilemma is how to narrow it down. Lots to talk about!



Cortney

need a "broken" hotline

I walk to the bus nearly every morning, passing through the town square. Each monday (and possibly thursday), the streets are soaked due to unadjusted inground sprinkler spray runoff. Its a waste of water and money and the village should fix it.

I think we should have a "its broken pls fix" list on the website, monitored by the village. It could become a punch list each monday as departments decide on their priorities. Street light out? Stop sign blocked by overgrown tree branch? Tree uprooted a sidewalk? These non-emergency examples often go unaddressed for a long time. The citizens can and should be empowered to be the village's eyes/ears.

In the meantime, I'll send this on to the village as a one off request to adjust the sprinklers.

Cortney

Cortney Scheeser
Senior Analyst, Global Home Care & PGP
Phone: 513-983-0463
Mobile: 479-221-1752
Email, IM: scheeser.cm@pg.com

Please consider the Environment before printing this email