Communication w a citizen to share.
Cortney
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hi,
Thanks for the info. Free makes it a no brainer. I'll def support this and other avenues like it to open lines of communication. Although, it will make me look 10lbs heavier :)
Great idea - I'm on board!
------------
Hi Cortney,
Just reading your blog and love your ideas about improving communication between Council and citizenry. FYI...it has been suggested that Council take advantage of Public Access Television as a communication tool. They will film and broadcast Council meetings at no cost. I know ... Mayor Policastro and some members of Council are not interested in this and have declined/avoided this opportunity.
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
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
my bio + email with Council candidate
This blog is an attempt at honest, transparent communication with Mariemont's Citizens, with a goal of an educated, informed vote on 11/3.
Had a quick chat with a Council Candidate. Text of followup email below. Also, included is a bio doc I reapplied from Work. I'm encouraging all other candidates to fill out and share!
Cortney
---------------
Great meeting you this week. I look forward to getting to know you better, as well as figure out ways to work together now, and in January!!
Attached is a template I'm fwding to the other candidates as I obtain addresses. If you'd like to fill out, I'll share with the others (and if it's ok publish to my blog) scheeser.blogspot.com
I know we didn't get a chance to talk at great length but here are some of my beliefs/priorities:
-live within our means. i think the budget shortfall should be fixed from the demand side 1st, supply side 2nd
-open up the communication between Govt and Citizen. Perception (not sure if true or not) is that business is done behind closed doors. Technology is a great way to remedy this
-Zoning changes are overdue and support the concept, however current Zone Res D is out of balance and hope its defeated in Nov.
-protect our history and our environment. By this I mean carrot and stick behaviors to keep properties up. Plant trees in vastly greater numbers than we've historically done
(Lots more detail on the blog)
Cortney
text of Bio doc follows----------------
“Getting Personal” Tool
Name:
Cortney Scheeser
Time at Current Address
1 yr
Married/Spouse:
Y – Amy Scheeser
Time in Mariemont
1 yr
Kids (YN, #):
Y – 3
District/Address
4 – 6950 Nolen Circle
Section I – About You
1. How did you get here? Where did you grow up, go to school, where do you work?
I grew up in Sandusky, Ohio, went to School at U of Cincinnati, and started with P&G right out of College. We moved to the Village after a 3 year Business move to NW Arkansas (2005-2008)
2. Tell/Update me about you; general background, interests, outside passions, etc…
At Work: I work downtown for P&G. I’m an Engineer turned IT guy turned Business Analyst. Believe I’m a “lifer” in the BA space.
At Home: I enjoy woodworking, running, historic preservation, oil painting
Everywhere: Passionate about the environment; try to live an ever more sustainable lifestyle. Passionate about preserving our history.
3. Over the past 1-2 years what are your proudest accomplishments (professional and/or personal)?
At Work: 1 Rating (top), unveiling Kenny Shields memorial table to the entire Team. Moving direct reports on to exciting, fulfilling next assignments.
At Home: successfully moving my family back to Cincinnati, building a house for a family in Juarez Mexico (9/07, 9/08). Nearly finishing my Girls’ playhouse. Running for Council
Section II – About the Village
4. What does the Village/Council do well
Village is very welcoming. Council cares deeply for the Village.
5. What opportunities for improvement does Village/Council have
Village needs more Business in both squares, one for energy and excitement, two to meet Citizens’ & Visitors’ needs, and three to increase tax base. Council has an opportunity to enhance its communication, improving its connectedness with the Citizens
Section 3 – About Your Role on Council
6. What are your priorities on Council
Transparency – no secrets, easy Citizen access to ALL Village business
Budget – we need to do more with less, regardless of how the Levy goes in November
Zoning – want new Condo and Mixed use development to enhance tax base, but with limitations above / beyond currently set
7. What motivates you?
Personal satisfaction of a job well done, acknowledgement of good work. Shorter duration projects – make impact, move on to the next thing
8. What demotivates you?
Extremely long duration projects with no end in sight.
9. Identify your strongest talents and/or skills to be maximized on Council?
I’m a very good Analyst, I can manage large amounts of data, and I have decent database administration skills. I bring lots of energy to new work. I’m passionate about hearing the Citizen and committed to being humble/approachable
10. What are you most worried about on Council?
Time to spend on Village Business – with 3 young kids, a full time job, and other interests, I worry about doing each with excellence.
Leading change in a Village that likes continuity
Section IV – About You Career
11. What are your political career goals/aspirations?
Village Council, complete 1-2 terms
12. Is there anything else you would like to share/discuss?
Scheeser.blogspot.com
Had a quick chat with a Council Candidate. Text of followup email below. Also, included is a bio doc I reapplied from Work. I'm encouraging all other candidates to fill out and share!
Cortney
---------------
Great meeting you this week. I look forward to getting to know you better, as well as figure out ways to work together now, and in January!!
Attached is a template I'm fwding to the other candidates as I obtain addresses. If you'd like to fill out, I'll share with the others (and if it's ok publish to my blog) scheeser.blogspot.com
I know we didn't get a chance to talk at great length but here are some of my beliefs/priorities:
-live within our means. i think the budget shortfall should be fixed from the demand side 1st, supply side 2nd
-open up the communication between Govt and Citizen. Perception (not sure if true or not) is that business is done behind closed doors. Technology is a great way to remedy this
-Zoning changes are overdue and support the concept, however current Zone Res D is out of balance and hope its defeated in Nov.
-protect our history and our environment. By this I mean carrot and stick behaviors to keep properties up. Plant trees in vastly greater numbers than we've historically done
(Lots more detail on the blog)
Cortney
text of Bio doc follows----------------
“Getting Personal” Tool
Name:
Cortney Scheeser
Time at Current Address
1 yr
Married/Spouse:
Y – Amy Scheeser
Time in Mariemont
1 yr
Kids (YN, #):
Y – 3
District/Address
4 – 6950 Nolen Circle
Section I – About You
1. How did you get here? Where did you grow up, go to school, where do you work?
I grew up in Sandusky, Ohio, went to School at U of Cincinnati, and started with P&G right out of College. We moved to the Village after a 3 year Business move to NW Arkansas (2005-2008)
2. Tell/Update me about you; general background, interests, outside passions, etc…
At Work: I work downtown for P&G. I’m an Engineer turned IT guy turned Business Analyst. Believe I’m a “lifer” in the BA space.
At Home: I enjoy woodworking, running, historic preservation, oil painting
Everywhere: Passionate about the environment; try to live an ever more sustainable lifestyle. Passionate about preserving our history.
3. Over the past 1-2 years what are your proudest accomplishments (professional and/or personal)?
At Work: 1 Rating (top), unveiling Kenny Shields memorial table to the entire Team. Moving direct reports on to exciting, fulfilling next assignments.
At Home: successfully moving my family back to Cincinnati, building a house for a family in Juarez Mexico (9/07, 9/08). Nearly finishing my Girls’ playhouse. Running for Council
Section II – About the Village
4. What does the Village/Council do well
Village is very welcoming. Council cares deeply for the Village.
5. What opportunities for improvement does Village/Council have
Village needs more Business in both squares, one for energy and excitement, two to meet Citizens’ & Visitors’ needs, and three to increase tax base. Council has an opportunity to enhance its communication, improving its connectedness with the Citizens
Section 3 – About Your Role on Council
6. What are your priorities on Council
Transparency – no secrets, easy Citizen access to ALL Village business
Budget – we need to do more with less, regardless of how the Levy goes in November
Zoning – want new Condo and Mixed use development to enhance tax base, but with limitations above / beyond currently set
7. What motivates you?
Personal satisfaction of a job well done, acknowledgement of good work. Shorter duration projects – make impact, move on to the next thing
8. What demotivates you?
Extremely long duration projects with no end in sight.
9. Identify your strongest talents and/or skills to be maximized on Council?
I’m a very good Analyst, I can manage large amounts of data, and I have decent database administration skills. I bring lots of energy to new work. I’m passionate about hearing the Citizen and committed to being humble/approachable
10. What are you most worried about on Council?
Time to spend on Village Business – with 3 young kids, a full time job, and other interests, I worry about doing each with excellence.
Leading change in a Village that likes continuity
Section IV – About You Career
11. What are your political career goals/aspirations?
Village Council, complete 1-2 terms
12. Is there anything else you would like to share/discuss?
Scheeser.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Surveymonkey.com - a better idea than name suggests
I signed up for my free online survey account this past week. Don't like the name but love the transparent connection with the citizens! What better way to get the pulse of the community. The only trick will be 1)to earn the trust of folks to share email accts and 2)alternatives for non email people. Don't want to leave anyone out.
I can send out mass surveys to the email addresses I have (or more intimately district 4 folks) on what's important to them, how to vote on an issue, general feelings of the residents, etc.
The free account allows for 10/year. And I shouldn't bother folks more often than that. First survey: skyline or goldstar? :)
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
I can send out mass surveys to the email addresses I have (or more intimately district 4 folks) on what's important to them, how to vote on an issue, general feelings of the residents, etc.
The free account allows for 10/year. And I shouldn't bother folks more often than that. First survey: skyline or goldstar? :)
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
Monday, August 24, 2009
Council Meetings - how to change the vibe?
I'm trying to update by email. A grand experiment!
Why the discrepancy between council and the citizens?
Council's dress code is very formal. All are in suits today. Wouldn't a more casual dress be less intimidating for the citizens. I would like to dial it down a notch. Open collar equals more level playing field?
Why aren't the desks arranged in a way that give more space for the citizens. Steeper angle on the corner desks or swap 3 for 2 desk pattern. Sounds petty I know, but the citizen is boss!
Cortney
note: this is 2 postings I sent via Blackberry during Council last evening. I combined them into one afterwards....
Why the discrepancy between council and the citizens?
Council's dress code is very formal. All are in suits today. Wouldn't a more casual dress be less intimidating for the citizens. I would like to dial it down a notch. Open collar equals more level playing field?
Why aren't the desks arranged in a way that give more space for the citizens. Steeper angle on the corner desks or swap 3 for 2 desk pattern. Sounds petty I know, but the citizen is boss!
Cortney
note: this is 2 postings I sent via Blackberry during Council last evening. I combined them into one afterwards....
great conversation with Village FInance insider
This blog is an attempt at honest, transparent communication with Mariemont's Citizens, with a goal of an educated, informed vote on 11/3.
Had a great, informative conversation with someone in Village, very familiar with its Finances. He provided some great perspective on the Budget "really reallys", and the dire consequences of the Levy not passing. Drastically cutting of services, layoffs, etc. Not pretty. And a failure of the Levy will fall squarely on NEXT Council. This Council won't take it up this hot potato (which makes sense once you think about it).
The other thing he shared was the education he received in terms of working with the Citizens. He said to prepare for intermittent involvement, mostly at the end. This will be interesting to see how my vision of involvement lines up (or doesn't) with reality. I'm going to really try and encourage full involvement while being patient of Citizens' who jump in towards the end. I must look quite naive to the veterans :)
Cortney
Had a great, informative conversation with someone in Village, very familiar with its Finances. He provided some great perspective on the Budget "really reallys", and the dire consequences of the Levy not passing. Drastically cutting of services, layoffs, etc. Not pretty. And a failure of the Levy will fall squarely on NEXT Council. This Council won't take it up this hot potato (which makes sense once you think about it).
The other thing he shared was the education he received in terms of working with the Citizens. He said to prepare for intermittent involvement, mostly at the end. This will be interesting to see how my vision of involvement lines up (or doesn't) with reality. I'm going to really try and encourage full involvement while being patient of Citizens' who jump in towards the end. I must look quite naive to the veterans :)
Cortney
Editorial from Feb2009, published Cincinnati.com, Town Crier
This blog is an attempt at honest, transparent communication with Mariemont's Citizens, with a goal of an educated, informed vote on 11/3.
In the spirit of laying it all out there, here's the Zoning editorial I published last Winter. Some of the details aren't relevant (heights measured to midpoint of the roof), but I still stand by what I said.
Cortney
http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100132&sid=143532
text follows:
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Mariemont Zoning Code Changes: A Good Idea Executed Badly
You may have heard of the proposed changes to Mariemont’s Zoning Code to accommodate a “Mixed-Use A District.” It involves allowing higher density, taller buildings to be developed on many streets in the Village. Proponents describe it as fixing 60 year old zoning problems and an attempt at “New Urbanism”. I believe the proposed changes are a good idea but with 3 significant, show-stopper issues: 1) allowing building heights up to 10 feet taller than the Mariemont Inn, 2) designating quiet, narrow streets like Oak for redevelopment, and 3) allowing surface parking to spread in these areas.
Building Height. I live on Nolen Circle just behind the Theater in one of 22 houses in a triangle bordered by Thorndike, West and East. Of the 22 single family homes, 16 are 1-1/2 storey. Today, we live in the shadow (literally) of the new 3-1/2 storey condos on Miami. Their height happens to be the recommended Zoning height of 45 feet to the roof’s midpoint (The Inn is 38 feet). The condos are attractive however too tall to fit the character of our neighborhood. If the Zoning Code is changed, our small, quaint neighborhood is at risk of development on all sides of the triangle, effectively walling us in. Yours may be at risk too. Possible solution: cap all buildings to not exceed 35 or 38 feet to the midpoint of the roof.
Eligible Streets. Development on Madisonville Road and Wooster Pike is a no-brainer. I get excited about the possibility of creating another “Mariemont Strand” (Dilly Deli, Starbucks) on one of these streets. However, the recommendaton is to expand this list of Streets to include Murray east of Plainville, Oak through the Old Square, and Miami Road south of Wooster Pike, among others. These are heavily residential, quiet streets that will permanently change the feel of Mariemont if allowed to be rezoned for redevelopment. Possible solution: redevelopment along Madisonville, Wooster, and possibly Plainville only.
Surface Parking. Parking lots are ugly and not in keeping with Mary Emery’s vision for our Village. Further, the “New Urbanism” concept, of which I’m a fan, is all about Pedestrianism and increased density. These ideals clash with surface parking. Any Zoning changes need to reign in the ability to raze buildings for parking. We need smarter parking, not more blacktop. Possible solutions: surface parking may not take up more than some small percentage of lot area; build a low, well designed parking garage behind the Inn.
I welcome redevelopment along appropriate streets, however it needs to be ultra-sensitive to its surroundings. Big buildings on quiet streets with surface parking do not fit the style or the history of our Village. Proper Zoning guidelines need to strengthen our Village, not put it at risk. I would encourage everyone to contact their Council Members and let their views be known.
Cortney Scheeser
Mariemont
In the spirit of laying it all out there, here's the Zoning editorial I published last Winter. Some of the details aren't relevant (heights measured to midpoint of the roof), but I still stand by what I said.
Cortney
http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100132&sid=143532
text follows:
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Mariemont Zoning Code Changes: A Good Idea Executed Badly
You may have heard of the proposed changes to Mariemont’s Zoning Code to accommodate a “Mixed-Use A District.” It involves allowing higher density, taller buildings to be developed on many streets in the Village. Proponents describe it as fixing 60 year old zoning problems and an attempt at “New Urbanism”. I believe the proposed changes are a good idea but with 3 significant, show-stopper issues: 1) allowing building heights up to 10 feet taller than the Mariemont Inn, 2) designating quiet, narrow streets like Oak for redevelopment, and 3) allowing surface parking to spread in these areas.
Building Height. I live on Nolen Circle just behind the Theater in one of 22 houses in a triangle bordered by Thorndike, West and East. Of the 22 single family homes, 16 are 1-1/2 storey. Today, we live in the shadow (literally) of the new 3-1/2 storey condos on Miami. Their height happens to be the recommended Zoning height of 45 feet to the roof’s midpoint (The Inn is 38 feet). The condos are attractive however too tall to fit the character of our neighborhood. If the Zoning Code is changed, our small, quaint neighborhood is at risk of development on all sides of the triangle, effectively walling us in. Yours may be at risk too. Possible solution: cap all buildings to not exceed 35 or 38 feet to the midpoint of the roof.
Eligible Streets. Development on Madisonville Road and Wooster Pike is a no-brainer. I get excited about the possibility of creating another “Mariemont Strand” (Dilly Deli, Starbucks) on one of these streets. However, the recommendaton is to expand this list of Streets to include Murray east of Plainville, Oak through the Old Square, and Miami Road south of Wooster Pike, among others. These are heavily residential, quiet streets that will permanently change the feel of Mariemont if allowed to be rezoned for redevelopment. Possible solution: redevelopment along Madisonville, Wooster, and possibly Plainville only.
Surface Parking. Parking lots are ugly and not in keeping with Mary Emery’s vision for our Village. Further, the “New Urbanism” concept, of which I’m a fan, is all about Pedestrianism and increased density. These ideals clash with surface parking. Any Zoning changes need to reign in the ability to raze buildings for parking. We need smarter parking, not more blacktop. Possible solutions: surface parking may not take up more than some small percentage of lot area; build a low, well designed parking garage behind the Inn.
I welcome redevelopment along appropriate streets, however it needs to be ultra-sensitive to its surroundings. Big buildings on quiet streets with surface parking do not fit the style or the history of our Village. Proper Zoning guidelines need to strengthen our Village, not put it at risk. I would encourage everyone to contact their Council Members and let their views be known.
Cortney Scheeser
Mariemont
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Correspondence with Citizen
This blog is an attempt at honest, transparent communication with Mariemont's Citizens, with a goal of an educated, informed vote on 11/3.
You asked about a 1/4 point reduction in earning tax exemption. No one likes tax increases, but I would support it if that's what the Citizens decide is best. And I'd try hard to know their wishes by survey, committee participation, speaking at council, etc.
Cortney
=========================
Hope you get lots of good suggestions. My main one is that the village should reduce the earnings tax credit by 1/4 percent. I'd like your reaction to that, as obviously you would be affected.
You asked about a 1/4 point reduction in earning tax exemption. No one likes tax increases, but I would support it if that's what the Citizens decide is best. And I'd try hard to know their wishes by survey, committee participation, speaking at council, etc.
Cortney
=========================
Hope you get lots of good suggestions. My main one is that the village should reduce the earnings tax credit by 1/4 percent. I'd like your reaction to that, as obviously you would be affected.
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