4 years comes to an end: I cared, I tried, I finished

As my 4 years come to an end, I want to thank so many of you who've supported, challenged, and (civilly) disagreed with me.  I have grown as a person and am better for this experience.

This blog.  In 2009, I committed to the idea of putting my thoughts, words, and deeds out there and am proud to say I've created a great time capsule of my experience.  373 entries later, I'm pleased with the result.

Some thoughts going fwd.  The Village is special.  We're lucky to live here.  While there are so many wonderful facets to Mariemont, we need to be ever mindful of a few significant issues that can unravel this great place:
1)Lack of Planning.  we react too often and turn our noses up at ideas that aren't self generated
2)Insufficient tree planting.  we are lulled into the tree canopy we currently have without appreciating that fact that our trees are overwhelmingly at the end of their useful lives and the next generation is woefully inadequate
3)Centralized power by the Mayor.  Decision making has been taken from the Council and usurped by the Mayor.  I wouldn't support 1 person making decisions even if those decision were thoughtful, moderate, strategic.
4)Tear downs.  We've seen multiple homes razed, and this is inappropriate for an historic village.  If unchecked, it will ultimately threaten our Historic designation by the Department of the Interior.
5)Eastern Corridor.  While it's encouraging to see the lull in State action, we must be vigilant to keep that highway out of the river valley, regardless of which municipalities it specifically runs through
6)Efficiency.  The Village can save many thousands of dollars annually:  electronic documents incl tax, standardized phone systems including mobile, LED conversion of street lamps, hybrid automobiles, reduced overtime, outsourced payroll, tax office moved to admin building.  An administrator could help manage these and other ideas.
7)Apathy.  I appreciate residents choosing to "lay low" and focus their energies on their own lives.  However, there's so much that can be done w the time, energy & experience of our residents.  Said another way, things don't change without people showing up.
8)Being good neighbors.  We are often disrespectful and insensitive to our surrounding communities.  We can do much together vs going it alone.

I wish Maggie P, the new Dist 4 Council person, success in the new year.

Thanks again.  Signing off.

Cortney Scheeser
Mariemont Council
2010-2013

Council meeting on 12/16

I attended Council on 12/16 and here's what I saw.

Trees for 2013. I'm glad we'll see additional trees but wish we were planting 2x or 3x the amount.  We continue to be at risk by planting so few trees every year, when our aging tree canopy disappears.

Overage on budget.  This vote was technically a procedural one, but it shows the risk we have going fwd.  Budget overruns will be all the more painful as the state subsidies come to an end (I think 2014 is the first time multiple state revenue funds go to 0)

Leash Law.  This is a mistake due to inconsistency and enforceability as I've stated in previous blog entries.

My last Council meeting.  It is bittersweet but right for me to step away.

I voted in the affirmative on all votes as all were procedural in nature.  Exceptions - leash law isn't appropriate.

Cortney
ICRCTV.COM