Issue 14: Over-Engineered Changes will Result in Ambiguity

I have taken the liberty of reviewing the content of the Greenhills Charter, jointly with the regulations for open meetings as addressed in the Ohio Sunshine Law review published by the Ohio Secretary of State

While I see a modest benefit in revising some portion of the current Charter language in sections 2.03.B, (specific to the discretionary flexibility of meetings of committees of council) and 2.03.C (specific to the activities of the Community Investment Corporations), I believe the language in the proposed Charter Amendment as indicated in Issue 14 goes too far, resulting in some unneeded and likely problematic ambiguity given the distinction between the language in the Ohio Revised and the current Greenhills Charter language, which is more specific as to the scenarios where Executive Sessions are applicable.

The language of the Greenhills Charter clearly defines the relevant scenarios for our community for an executive session. While it is time for a modest update to this language, taken as a whole, the current language aligns sufficiently well to the current decision-making processes and priorities within our community. In order to address these needed revisions, I will support the Mayor and his call for a new Charter Commission, and will suggest that that body take up the proposed refinements to the language to address my concerns at that time. In the mean time, I will not support Issue 14.

In addition, if elected, I intend to continue to act in a manner that meets and exceeds the expectations of the electorate to assure that we follow both the letter and spirit of the law, much in the same way that the Greenhills Recreation Commission has behaved since my assuming leadership of that volunteer organization. We post our annual meeting schedule, meeting agendas and meeting minutes, and any other publicly available documents discussed in the meeting on our website. We offer opportunities for input into the process both online and in a public setting. We announce the time and place of our meetings well in advance of the time they are held both through traditional means as well as social media. We've posted budgetary detail of our decisions, and have provided sufficient detail in our minutes to provide context and rationale for the decisions we make. And finally, we provide answers to questions, if those questions are asked in a civil manner, on our website. This broad-based approach, in my judgment sets the example for open and honest government Greenhills residents expect.

Weseli for Council Community Survey

Please take a few minutes to fill out an online survey and let me know what your key issues of concern are for Greenhills. I will not be successful if I do not take the time to listen to your perspectives on the most important in our community. Thanks very much for taking the time to respond.

Spoils Field Property - Simple Step to Revitalization

In conversations with community residents, most everyone is familiar with the Spoils Field Complex and its long time use as a facility for adult softball and youth baseball, especially the annual Greenhills - Finneytown Knothole All-Star Game that takes place typically over the July 4th holiday weekend and broadcast a multitude of times on Waycross.

Not many are aware though that the facility also has a soccer field that has sat largely unused for many years, despite being maintained to somewhat a playable level during that time. When I explored the use of the facility for soccer games and practices in my role as President of Greenhills SAY Soccer, the feedback I received from those who managed it was that there was concern for the safety of those playing soccer on the complex due to foul balls being struck into the soccer field. Another challenge for its use was a modest fee, required for any use of the facility. I believe both of these concerns can be addressed with my proposal, and as well, we could look to a much more compelling revenue stream from facility in fairly short order.

The field itself is a natural amphitheater, with the hill on the northeast side (see diagram above, click to expand) serving as a natural place for fans to sit. The field size falls within a fairly standard range for older adolescent (SAY Strikers and Kickers, or U12-U14) sized fields. There continues to be a pressing demand for this size soccer field in our area, both from the recreational program as well as the select program in the area.

More compelling though is the need for a reliable adult soccer facility in the area. Soccer is one of the fastest growing recreational options for adults. And as our community ages, we will continue to see an opportunity to create a facility that meets the demand for those who wish to continue to stay active by playing soccer.

The model includes three components. First, I am proposing the installation of a net as indicated in the diagram above to minimize the risk of softballs entering the soccer complex during game/practice play. This frankly is only an issue when activities are being played at both facilities. However, it will also serve as an effective backstop for soccer balls struck toward the goal from the soccer field, keeping them from entering the baseball complex.

Second, the establishment of an organized league will be critical to the success of the program. I had met earlier this year with a representative of the United States Adult Soccer Association at a regional conference earlier this year, and discussed with her the possibility of initiating a program in our area. The process is very simple, and has at its core the alignment with a modest group of interested players, an available facility, insurance coverage, and identification and recruitment of referees. There are local representatives of this group who will gladly work with us to get things started.

The third component will be to establish interest and recruit within the community. Now granted, there are adult programs already up and running in the immediate region, e.g. at the Kolping Society just down the road. However, the opportunity is more focused on the regional recreational component rather than highly developed adult soccer that you'll find at Kolping. In much the same way that there are tiered levels of softball associated with skills and level of commitment, the league we would recruit for is intended to support a less competitive level of soccer.

The breakdown from a benefits standpoint I believe is fairly straight forward:

Direct Benefits

• Enhanced revenue through usage and registration fees of teams / leagues
  
• Enhanced revenue associated with concessions at the facility
• Additional funding from soccer fees to facilitate upkeep of baseball / softball complex
• Expanded use of the facility, given soccer is a 8 months-a year activity, and soccer can be played even when whether is somewhat inclement, within reason.
  
• Secondary revenue to local/regional restaurant / entertainment facilities as a result attendees at soccer games making other purchases (see bottom page 4)

Indirect Benefits

• Improved image of the community as a destination for fun, recreational activities.
• Expansion of choices for recreational participation for our adults with interests other than softball.

Ideas such as this require further analysis and feedback from the community at large. As a councilman, I would also go about the task of spearheading the building of an economic model that defines the costs and benefits before making a recommendation to the Council and the Village Manager. But I hope that this gives you some perspective as to the thought process I would apply in weighing options for our community. I would take this same approach to the considerations we are making for the much more comprehensive plans the Village is planning in the months to come.

Pioneer Days in Greenhills

I've always enjoyed the Pioneer Day weekend in Greenhills. It typifies summer and is truly a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate its heritage.

I often think we sell short the hard work of those individuals who make these volunteer-run events so successful. This event takes hours and hours of prep time, over many months for it to run smoothly, which, from all reports, seemed to be the case this year, as well.

I was a hanger-on with my wife, Liz who was walking with the Greenhills Gators floats in the parade. She was the registrar for the Gators this past season. I saw her and our neighbors, the Suffoleta's work very hard to make sure things ran smoothly prior to and during the season. My two youngest sons were on the team this summer with 100+ other young athletes this summer. Again, yet another great local institution in the community, with a host of great volunteers and a modestly paid staff of young trainers who work to teach the kids the proper technique, and at the same time help make the sport fun for every child.

One of my brushes with greatness during the parade was the opportunity to get my photo with "Binny," the official Rumpke mascot. I was genuinely suprised that Binny actually talked in costume. I was Yogi Bear for a summer at Kings Island, and we were sworn to silence while on International Street, on within earshot of any guest.

The continued development and facilitation of strong recreational programs, such as baseball, swimming and soccer, along a full calendar of community events throughout the year, is an important focus for me in maintaining a quality of life we've come to appreciate in Greenhills. I look forward to hearing your ideas on how we can best do that in the coming weeks as I get out in the community and hear your thoughts on what we need to do.