Recent Email Correspondence.

Subject: Dave Garee Issues Response

What do you see as important issues facing the community and how would you address them?

  

 The most important issues facing our community, specifically in Ward 2 are drilling, storm water/sewer, communication and the accountability of council and city administration.

On behalf of the residents of Ward 2, I will fight against the drilling of wells that plague our city, in highly populated residential areas. I will push for stricter regulations and support the movement that local cities have more control over this problem. I also promise that if anything similar to this situation comes up in the city, I will make it my priority to go door-to-door notifying affected residents immediately. This battle has to be fought on two fronts... the local and state level. We need the support of state representatives and senators to get this done. If elected, as your councilman, I will push the effort within city council to take a stand and join forces with other communities that have had enough. I will work for and report to the citizens of Ward 2. 

Residents need to be made aware of the actions taken by their elected officials during council sessions. This is especially true when dealing with important issues such as wells & storm water funds being appropriated. I will make sure issues like this do not get rushed through council meetings.  I will not support "suspending" council rules, which is what is done to avoid going to three readings. So many important issues are going to just one reading and being voted on in the same night, not giving residents the time necessary to offer their thoughts and concerns. My first responsibility will be to the citizens of Ward 2.  I will always support the notification of citizens when it comes to the above issues. Resident feedback will be my voting guide. 

Currently many Ward 2 residents feel that there is no communication between their Ward leader and themselves. To address this issue, I will develop a Ward 2 website and post council meeting updates. My goal would be to keep the lines of communication open between myself and the constituents of Ward 2 through this interactive website. I will also provide a quarterly newsletter or as necessary when sensitive issues arise that directly affect Ward 2 residents. I will keep the lines of communication open with the residents of Ward 2 keeping them fully apprised of any and all issues that affect them. As your councilman I will reach out and get the consensus of the residents within Ward 2, relaying that message to City Council and the Mayor's administration. I will be responsible to you... the residents of Ward 2.     

"I am ready to bring the voice of Ward 2 residents to City Hall."

 

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First Name : Karen
Last Name : S.
Address Street 1 :
City : Broadview Heights
Zip Code : 44147
Date: Thu, Aug 13, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Evening Phone : 440-XXX-XXXX

Comments : I would like to know where you stand regarding the oil and gas wells going up in our city and also where you stand on the over population of deer in our neighborhoods, and finally your opinion on the storm water issues we have, before the primary please.


Karen,

OIL & GAS WELLS:
Something needs to be done. The problem in a nutshell is that the State of Ohio is currently on the side of the Producers/Drillers. They've grown accustom to the millions of dollars generated from the fee and tax revenues from producers.

Broadview Heights needs Council members that will get involved and will actually listen to residents and respond. When city property is involved, Council should have the integrity it takes to vote NO. They need to stop thinking about the revenue that city will realize and start thinking about the impact on the residents, community and environment.   This will, at the very least, help delay further drilling if Council will "just say no."

State Laws are just too lenient. In fact... they are the most lenient in the nation. We need to have more stringent regulation. Currently municipalities cannot even reject applications for drilling. It's just not right. It also doesn't help that several oil and gas producers sit on the Technical Advisory Council that rule on all drilling applications and challenges submitted. 

Education is the key....
We need a grassroots effort to get people involved with groups like the (OGAP) Ohio Gas Accountability Project. Broadview Heights should take the position of educating the residents about the downside associated with the decision to pool property in order to reach the 20 acre requirement for drilling. There are too many regret stories resulting from the drilling... residents admitting they didn't know enough about the consequences of a long-term lease and the side-effects of drilling to their property and the environment.
 
As your Councilman, I will get involved with the OGA Project. This battle ultimately needs to be fought and won at the State level. Raising awareness through the OGAP (that has some state representative support) is the beginning. We need to take a stand and join forces with other communities that have had enough. It will be a long uphill battle, but I think it's one  worth fighting.

DEER OVERPOPULATION:
Currently, the city is doing absolutely nothing to address the problem and we are experiencing detrimental effects because of their inaction. Year after year we witness the continued growth of the deer population. The effects of the deer are also growing. Overpopulation not only effect wooded undergrowth and small animals, but it also effects humans through increased fatal car collisions involving deer... not to mention the increased spread of Lyme disease. But the fact is... they are hurting themselves in the process. Deer growth has become too large for the land to handle, Food supplies have dwindled which has led to ravenous eating habits leaving them poorly feed. To date, studies show that humane and alternative methods of population control have proven unsuccessful.  We need to stop avoiding the subject and start forming a plan of action. The first step is to address the problem starting with City Council and Residents. We need to investigate all options and work together to find the solution that's right for the City of Broadview Heights and residents. As your Councilman I will address the issue and not avoid it.    

STORM WATER : I'm for resolving all the outstanding issues.
We need to continue to address this problem. The current tax dollars set aside for the StormWater Fund should not be used for any purpose other than continued improvements and repair to our Storm & Water System. I was at the Financial Planning Committee Meeting on Monday. City engineer Gene Esser asked the finance committee to transfer funds from STORM Water to the general fund to make up for financial shortfalls. This is a violation of public trust and not an intended use of monies collected. As a result (of the many concerned citizens in attendance at the meeting) the financial committee tabled the motion until this week, I will be there again tonight to object again. No monies dedicated for the improvement and repair of Storm & Water system should be diverted to the general fund for other uses. We need to be more proactive and execute an aggressive plan of action. Council members should be part of that planning process, know that plan and communicate it to their constituents.

"True Change occurs only when there is participation, planning and accountability."

I hope this answers your questions. If you have any other questions, comments or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
I know the future of Broadview Heights is bright. I ask for your support and the opportunity to represent you in Ward 2.
"We Can Make a Difference."  


Sincerely,

Dave L. Garee
Candidate for Broadview Heights
City Council - Ward 2
440.463.8881

Email: davegaree@gmail.com
Web:   www.friendsofdavegaree.com

Dave L. Garee
Thank you for your support...
 
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