League of Women Voters holds Westlake candidates, issues forum

Mayor Dennis M. Clough

The Westlake/North Olmsted chapter of the League of Women Voters sponsored a Candidate Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Porter Library. The following article contains highlights of the issues and candidates presented that evening. A full video can be seen on youtube.com (search "westlake league of women voters").

Westlake Issue 71: Renewal of Infrastructure Tax

Westlake voters will be asked on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot whether to renew a 0.375% income tax specifically designated for infrastructure needs. This includes funds to repair roadways, storm sewers, water lines, and retention basins in the city. Mayor Dennis Clough explained that 68% of Westlake residents who work outside the city receive a 100% tax credit. The remaining 32% who live outside Westlake but work in the city pay a 1.5% income tax. The 0.375% is part of this 1.5% tax that brings in an estimated $8 million per year to fund infrastructure needs.

A special edition of the mayor's newsletter that was mailed to residents in September (and available on www.cityofwestlake.org) lists key street and waterline projects completed since 1993. These projects represent the majority of $200 million of infrastructure funds brought into the city with this tax. This includes the recently completed upgrade to the Dover Center and Center Ridge roads intersection well known to Westlake residents. In addition, the newsletter lists future planned projects for the city. This includes the resurfacing of Hilliard Boulevard and Dover Center Road, widening of Detroit Road, a substantial number of water main and waterline projects, as well as general road maintenance.

Mayor Clough emphasized to the crowd that nearly filled the large meeting room at Porter Library this is a tax renewal and does not increase taxes for any Westlake resident. The 1.5% income tax for those working in Westlake but who live outside the city is equal to the income tax rate for neighboring Bay Village, Avon Lake and Olmsted Falls but lower than the 2.0% rate for the cities of Sheffield Lake, Fairview Park, Rocky River and North Olmsted.

“We want to maintain the lowest income tax rates that we currently do,” the mayor said. “We want to maintain the 100% credit for anyone who works outside the city but who lives here enjoys.”  

Cuyahoga County Issue 3: Tri-C Renewal & Increase Levy

The Tri-C tax levy is a county-wide issue on the Nov. 5 ballot. Issue 3 is a 1.9 mill tax renewal and a 0.4 mill tax increase. The cost is said to be an increase of $1.17 per month for every $100,000 in home value.

While noting that Tri-C just celebrated its 56th birthday, Dr. Terri Pope, president of the Tri-C Westshore Campus in Westlake, commented: “While it was the Ohio state legislature that allowed Tri-C to exist as this region's community college, it was the voters of Cuyahoga County with their levy that actually brought Tri-C to life. Since that day our college, the community’s college, has been dependent on those levy funds for our operating expenses.”

Dr. Pope emphasized the need for the levy, that 23% of Tri-C’s funding comes from student tuition (which is the lowest tuition rate for any college in Ohio), 26% comes from state funds, and the remaining 50% is from operating levies such as this one.

Westlake Board of Education Candidates

There are three open positions to the Westlake School Board and four candidates on the Nov. 5 ballot. Board members serve 4-year terms and receive, by Ohio statute, no more than $5,000 per year in compensation. The contested race features two incumbents: Robert G. Stoll and Joe Kraft who are both completing their first terms, and two newcomers: Liz Pirnat and Anne Barrett.

Three of the candidates appeared at the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum at Porter Library on Oct. 1. Joe Kraft was not present at the forum but a submitted statement was read by the moderator, Joyce Schroth, on his behalf.

The three candidates present – Liz Pirnat, Robert Stoll and Anne Barrett – responded to a wide range of audience questions and topics:

  • Vision of Westlake Schools for the next four years
  • Gun violence and school security
  • Attendance at Westlake School Board meetings
  • Westlake Chinese School and Chinese language offerings
  • Salaries of Westlake teachers
  • Use of empty school buildings
  • Familiarity with district operations
  • High school curriculum
  • Strategic plan for Westlake Schools
  • Most admired characteristics of a school superintendent
  • Relationship of schools to non-profit community groups
  • Inclusiveness and diversity in our schools
  • Needed skills for graduating high school students

The candidates also delivered opening and closing remarks to the attentive and appreciative forum audience.

Bruce Robinson

League of Women Voters, Westlake / North Olmsted Chapter, Voter Services Co-Chair; Retired 31 year Nurse and Nurse Manager at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus; wife Rita of 40 years;

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Volume 11, Issue 20, Posted 9:24 AM, 10.15.2019