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[JimV]

The Sharon Community/Economic Development Commission is seeking additional participants for its Strategic Vision Session to be held this Saturday, May 22 from 8:30 to noon at Sharon Hall, PSU-Shenango Campus.  This is an excellent opportunity to see what the commission has been doing, contribute ideas, and encourage some long-overdue "town and gown" collaboration.  They're looking for people from all walks of life, and you need not be a Sharon resident to participate.  If anyone is interested and can spare a Saturday morning on admittedly short notice, send me a private message or an email to jbvasconi@gmail.com, and I'll provide information.

[Lifetime]

Sounds interesting but can't be there. I find it interesting that non-residents are invited to be a part of this..... and I don't understand the Town and Gown concept.
 
But it is not that I am short on observations and have expressed my thoughts several times... If Sharon is the specific target of this program...
 
Here are but a few...
 
1) Sharon will continue to not see economic gains unless they rebuild a tax base that is,presently, centered on Retirees and low end employment and the few who do make a decent wage. Meaning.... if you keep beating the "dog", the "dog" may leave. Many have left already and from neighborhoods that cannot survive the migration out of it.
 
2) A city that is based on almost 30% rental seems to have an unstable base. As an example.... Section 8 housing whether Goverment Built or supplied by a lot of what I call scumlords. A population has to be based on one that also contributes to the tax base. Maybe set up percentages.
 
3) The need for changes in STATE laws to be able to absorb the abandoned properties to include the burn outs and empty lots. This can be done by Lien forgiveness on sheriff sale properties. As it stands.... if the property is not able to be sold to tax paying residents who have expressed an interest in buying the empty lot adjacent to theirs... no taxes will be paid on that land. Case in point.... empty lot 30'x60' with over $81k in back liens. And no...according to the Court House and our Legislators.... there is NO lien forgiveness at this time. Laws need changed.
 
4) I laughed when I read that Sharon is going to charge $15 every 2 years for rental permits that were $3....and someone on our board thought that was too much... ( coffee shot out of my nose). This, in a city that charges WHAT for a person just to work?? and what just to flush a toilet..... And a lot of these people who do own rentals...abandon their properties after a fire or building infraction and Sharon is expected to pay out their citizen's tax money to demolish them. Just something about that ....that doesn't digest well in my mind.
 
5) We had people coming into Sharon and commenting on the possibilities of those empty storefront.... Sounded nice but... what is nice about an empty storefront if the owners of some, have no intentions of selling/leasing/renting any of them at realistic prices?? They didn't become empty "yesterday". Oh and by the way... Sharon isn't the only community with this blight... I see a lot in the Communities that share our borders.
 
6) on the plus side... we seem to want to hitch our wagon onto the College campus.... Hmmm I wonder how many employees and students actually reside here. I am still waiting for the new building on the Former Elks Site....
 
7) Proposal to take on another community's Police duties. What has come of that? I would like to see that happen and Sharon gets the duty...
 
 I wish nothing but the best for Sharon.... lived here for going on 7 decades. I live 200 feet from where I was raised and if I can.... will pass while a resident here... my HOME TOWN. I have watched Sharon from the days it bustled and every neighbor knew each other to a migrant population with very little loyalty to the place they reside at this time. I know that the mills will never come back..a fact ...but I also know that a poverty level population is a hard one to help a city grow. So... what do we do... now we look for people outside with a higher paygrade than I to come in and make "suggestions". I hope they remember to bring their Checkbooks as well. Oops.... now we are talking money. Daaahhh. I do see small businesses come in... and then move out and then move in and then out again.... What makes the same business do that? The Silver "Cigar" on the west side of State Street Bridge, changes leasees constantly.... We need something stable and willing to stay. We need the neighborhoods cleaned up of abandoned properties and when money is available...maybe more police to target chronic crime areas. If the Hoods aren't safe.... good citizens move out and crime takes over. We also need residential involvement in their neighborhood. Homes have had their sheds broken into and plumbing and Electrical stripped while the resident was out or on vacation and I find it interesting that NOT ONE NEIGHBOR noticed. It has gooten to the point where a gun is fired and no one seems alarmed enough to call 911.
 
This is just the opinion of ME.... and everyone has one....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Sharon Community/Economic Development Commission is seeking additional participants for its Strategic Vision Session to be held this Saturday, May 22 from 8:30 to noon at Sharon Hall, PSU-Shenango Campus.  This is an excellent opportunity to see what the commission has been doing, contribute ideas, and encourage some long-overdue "town and gown" collaboration.  They're looking for people from all walks of life, and you need not be a Sharon resident to participate.  If anyone is interested and can spare a Saturday morning on admittedly short notice, send me a private message or an email to jbvasconi@gmail.com, and I'll provide information.

[Jayhawk]

3) The need for changes in STATE laws to be able to absorb the abandoned properties to include the burn outs and empty lots. This can be done by Lien forgiveness on sheriff sale properties.

There's a problem here and you have somewhat of a point, but there are flaws.

First, why should an abandoned property in the city of Sharon become a problem for the taxpayers of Pa. or the federal govt? We always seem to want less state and federal meddling -- unless there's free money involved.

Agreed that even a tiny lot with a $5,000 demolition lien on it is gonna sit in city hands forever even if neighbors would love to own it. Something needs to be done to solve this problem.

But think about it: If the power would exist to wipe out  liens so a property can change hands, what's the point of the sewer authority using that tool to attempt to recoup overdue sewer bills if the city, county or state could void the lien?

[Jayhawk]

Back to the strategic planning, as i've said before there are quite a few cosmetic and nearly cost-less things the city needs to do to make the downtown and entrances inviting, just as your neighborhood looks ratty if a neighbor fails to cut his yard, has broken windows in the garage and a winnebago up on blocks in the side yard.

[Lifetime]

Some of these properties have been there with NO taxes being paid for years if not a decade. As far as the Sewer authority...the bill isn't the property but the property owner.... Liens are in lace on property usually when they are used a collateral in an agreement. In most instances...there is nill of a hope that the damaged side of the agreement will ever get repaid from the one who used it as collateral and especially if the stucture no longer is on the parcel.... Who is the dreamer in that situation? A reset is needed and the property should, once again, become a taxable entity... If there is a building that is unusable on the property, some kind of mutual arrangement can be made with the city and the foreseen new owner.... maybe a system of payments but it would clear the land to also add to the tax base and clear an eyesore.
 
If no one will remove the unsafe structures.... who will, if anyone?
 
The Poop Tax is a separate issue and if they make collection on the back ones... I say go for it. I pay mine, so all others should as well. I still like my answer.... put a valve on the sewer line as well. If the bill isn't paid within reason... close and lock it shut. and then declare the stucture unimhabitable due to lack of sanitary facilities. Bingo.... no rent, no renters until it is caught up.... and if the property is abandoned... refer to my prior answer.... sheriff sale without the leins....This may even make Banks and lending institutions a bit more careful of the purpose of the property and the history of the one who wants a loan on collateral. My solutions may not be perfect but... I think they are better than what we are faced with at this time. Government is there to protect and preserve the "community" of citizens .... other wise...it is worthless.... I don't think it is a case for big government... it is a case of power of the people.
 
 

3) The need for changes in STATE laws to be able to absorb the abandoned properties to include the burn outs and empty lots. This can be done by Lien forgiveness on sheriff sale properties.

There's a problem here and you have somewhat of a point, but there are flaws.

First, why should an abandoned property in the city of Sharon become a problem for the taxpayers of Pa. or the federal govt? We always seem to want less state and federal meddling -- unless there's free money involved.

Agreed that even a tiny lot with a $5,000 demolition lien on it is gonna sit in city hands forever even if neighbors would love to own it. Something needs to be done to solve this problem.

But think about it: If the power would exist to wipe out  liens so a property can change hands, what's the point of the sewer authority using that tool to attempt to recoup overdue sewer bills if the city, county or state could void the lien?

[Lifetime]

I heard there were about 50 people there....

[Lifetime]

Well ....seems no one in this forum was there or they would have given us the scoop on what came out of the meeting???

[Lifetime]

Now it seems Sharon is looking for yet another City Manager. Reason cited... Mr. Lavorini's indecision to relocate to Sharon and reside in the city he will be "managing". I don't know where this is all going but.... I for one... am a firm believer that taxes taken from city residents that pay into the paychecks of city employees... should insure the employees are also residents of the city they draw the check from. I feel you need to have an ox at this roast in order to even care how it is cooked... Just my opinion... State Police are required to live within the borders of PA, as are the fire and police in Sharon. I see nothing wrong with this. What I do feel is this.... There is an indication of dual residence and it is hard to prove unless the Children attend public schools and there is a record.
 
If I had my way, and be thankful I don't.... I even think this should go to the teachers as well. There has to be some loyalties involved in that paycheck. Now the private sector..a whole other issue. .... but you take my tax money....you should live where the money comes from.
 
Again... my opinion

[Lifetime]

My understanding was that they were told, by him, that he had no immediate interests in moving, that he had a substancial mortgage in Butler County. They then gave him a year to make up his mind and hired him.
 
Here is my delema in this.... are we doomed to hire a new city manager every year because no one wants to relocate to Sharon? Are we going to continue to believe no qualified people live in Sharon? What is better...to hire someone from the outside every year/$70,000, or elect someone that we KNOW lives in Sharon, every 2 years at much less money?
 
I was NOT a proponent of the HOME RULE because their arguments.... based on the "good ol' Boys" didn't hold water to me. I am sure that by now, Mr. Lavorini has his "favs". It doesn't take long for our Senators and Representatives to change their course once in Washington by catching "Potomac Fever". How would this be any different.
 
At least, when we elected someone from our city, they had a personal "iron in the fire"..... just ask our past mayor, Dave Ryan.... burned out of his own home and now residing in..... HICKORY  .
 
I know this is Mr. Lavorini's first ( maybe last ) year here. But... it seems we had one item on the burner that shouldn't have been, day one.... Will he be here in a year? We need more permanence than a "Positively maybe." Well we got what we wanted and now we might need to drag the committee back to pick, yet another Dark Horse with question marks all over them.
 
My thing is still, you want our tax money to pay your wages..... have a horse in our race.... give up some skin for the people you will be "MANAGING". If not.... move on.
 
I hope next committee has the cajones to get the ASSurance of residence within the prescribed timeline.... be it 6 mo. or a year. This crap has to end.
 
 
 

I agree...but did not Sharon...express to Mr. Lavorini...that it is a requirement...to live with in Sharon...and to get an answer...as to if he was willing to comply...before they even thought to hire him... ...

[Lifetime]

Hopes and expectations can be very different for sure.
 
 

I hope next committee has the cajones to get the ASSurance of residence within the prescribed timeline.... be it 6 mo. or a year. This crap has to end.
 
 

 
You have very High Hopes... ...

[Jayhawk]

While one can argue about lower job classifications, i'm a firm believer that top city management needs to live within the borders -- to experience the same bad roads, barking dogs, taxes, etc. So i would be firmly against any kind of waiver for mr. L or anyone who is city manager.

it was pretty clear when he was hired that he had no intention of picking up and moving here for what would at best be a few last good years of work before retiring, thus it was a foregone conclusion that he would be working no more than 364 days.

I can only believe that the powers that be felt a year of his talents was worth that trade off.

[JimV]

City employees have one year to move within the city limits after being hired, a window that I think is perfectly reasonable (and that is shared by most communities with residency requirements, including Hermitage).  I knew from day one that Mr. Lavorini was destined to be an interim manager, and that's fine with me; at least he's being upfront and honest instead of playing the "hem-haw" game or trying to get the rules rewritten (like they were for city health officer-turned-"independent contractor" June Gulla).  I think it's pretty darn irrational to think that NO ONE would be willing to move into the city for a $70k/yr. job, though.  People have moved into the city for jobs that pay far less!

[Jayhawk]

I think it's pretty darn irrational to think that NO ONE would be willing to move into the city for a $70k/yr. job, though.  People have moved into the city for jobs that pay far less!

Going slightly off topic, did anyone else pick up on the remarks in the paper from the hermitage commissioners meeting regarding sewer fees? Hermitage's fees -- currently $20/40% less than sharon's, probably will go up at least half that amount in the next year and eventually to about the same price because, like sharon, hermitage has to pay for mandated upgrades.

And garbage fees went up a couple bucks a month recently, just as they will probably do in sharon when its contract is up. Property taxes still are lower than sharon's.

So this guy says if the city raises the sewer fees on top of the whopping garbage increase (about 30 bucks a year), hermitage will be approaching the point where it will be driving people out of the city.

Which prompts the question: To where?

[Jayhawk]

The sewage should be tied in with water consumption...

I genuinely agree, though the water in question is not going through any kind of treatment if i'm washing my car and it flows onto the lawn or into the storm sewer, or if i'm watering my lawn or powerwashing the house. (if such runoff IS getting into the sewers, there's a bigger problem here)

More importantly, in the case of sharon, just getting the water consumption data from the water company and matching it up with sewer bills was adding a buck or two to every bill, money that went to the water company for administrative costs, not to the sewer fund.

That doesn't help low-end users if everyone gets charged extra just for the extra cost of the bill itself.

[Lifetime]

When the price to flush poop came up, I told them they should have a POOP meter/valve. for the POOP "TAX". He is the way I see it... if the water bill is not paid, shut the water off so is the POOP TAX isn't paid, shut the POOP OFF> Then the family has to go to Flying J for a shower, shave and a ...errrr POOP. And then all the free POOP spots will either charge or offer nothing to the public.
 
Now in Sharon.... what I have seen. If you don't have garbage service...or don't want it.... gather up your garbage and dump it in one of the numerous burned hulks of houses that we have in town. One home here near me was filled with garbage and trash and the CITY had to clear it out before they tore it down. Sooooo.... let the city get rid of your garbage for you.... just be sure not to leave anything in it with an address and such. 
 
Always remember, your hygiene and the cost thereof is directly related to the number of Truck Stops and Gas Stations as well as burned out homes there are near you LOL. Or kill two birds with one stone.... poop in a garbage bag. TA DA