RR Health and Safety

To better 'identify, address and solve' Rocky River 'safety concerns in the future. I propose forming an Independent Rocky River - Citizen Safety Committee.

'SAFETY AND HEALTH

CITIZEN BOARD' - DUTIES

1.   They will be available to hear and then act on resident's concerns about 'safety and health hazards' in the city of Rocky River for residents, businesses and safety forces.

2.   They will look for and make public 'all potential' - safety and health hazards in the City of Rocky River - that pose a threat to residents.

3.   Members of the 'citizen safety committee' will serve on a 'volunteer basis' - to help secure the health, welfare and safety of Rocky River citizens. How?

4.   They will, (1) Identify safety concerns, (2) Independently gather facts and figures that support addressing said safety concern, (3) Prepare counter arguments that may be used against the committee's proposed safety concern, (4) Then make the argument in favor of alleviating the safety concern, (5) Then follow through with the remediation of the said stated 'safety concern' in Rocky River.

5.   They will consult and guide city government officials on health and safety hazard issues – and make sure they are eliminated.

6.   Why citizens? Safety should be a number one priority for all citizens. It is for me. Who would know better about our need for safety, than citizens?

FRED I. SOKOL 10/2006

Rocky River

Safety & Health

'Citizen Board'

Why do we need a Rocky River Safety & Health Citizen Board? (See below and know why.)

Fred I. Sokol SAYS YES:

To: 1 (back-up) Rocky River

'Pumper' Fire Truck

Rocky River City Council Meeting 3/8/2004

" ... Longtime Rocky River resident Fred Sokol vehemently disputed Knoble's figure as over-inflated while speaking to City Council. Sokol said such a vehicle actually only would set the city back $300,000. "

" ... Sokol, however, argued that council should make provisions to hire the requisite staff to man such a vehicle. He also reported seeing the sort of extensive fire damage done to a hotel in the wake of Rocky River's last significant fire. Sokol maintained that fire damage could dramatically have been reduced, had an additional pumper truck been available on-scene to help combat the blaze.

As it was, Rocky River's fire team had to rely on sister cities Westlake and North Olmsted for assistance battling the blaze. Because the firefighters had to wait for a backup team to mobilize, the damage wound up being more extensive than it might have been had the city had such a pumper immediately available, Sokol said.

Sokol said the city can't afford not to have the additional pumper. He added Rocky River residents would feel safer if such a vehicle were available, and that $300,000 would be a small price to pay to assure residents' safety."

(these excerpts taken from "Cost keeps city from buying truck Mayor nixes new pumper purchase, calling it a "budget-buster' " From The Sun Herald - 03/11/2004 - By Todd E. Van Dell

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

PREAMBLE

TO THE

U.S. CONSTITUTION

Ratification completed on

June 21, 1788.

FRED I. SOKOL'S

THOUGHTS ON !

" THE HEALTH

AND SAFETY OF

ROCKY RIVER RESIDENTS "

______________

"Especially Now ... The Health, Welfare and Safety of All Rocky River Citizens Should Be Our City Government's Number #1 Concern"

______________

WHY SHOULD ROCKY RIVER

CITIZENS & SAFETY FORCES

BE HEALTHIER & SAFER?



(1.)   Rocky River Citizens endured 2002’s West Nile Virus attack, two citizen cases reported.

(2.)   We need a "WEST NILE VIRUS-CITIZEN TASK FORCE" to study and publicly propose ways to deal with and combat this "sometimes fatal illness" that has broken out in Rocky River. Then share our proposals with any health organizations that are assisting us presently.

(3.) Rocky River Citizens are always at risk for their safety. Crime never sleeps. We need increased street lighting, fluorescent home numbers on curbs. Two-man car patrols in high volume crime areas and times. We need to make ‘Amber Alert’ a #1 priority for our children.

(4.)  I opposed Rocky River's "Regional Minimum Security Jail" in 1993 and "I OPPOSE NOW, ANY NEW MINIMUM SECURITY JAIL BUILT IN ROCKY RIVER."

In 2004 - I wanted a Rocky River Waste Site

on Lake Road

- across from Bradstreet's Landing removed.

This 'waste site' could 'potentially' be a health risk to residents living in the area.

Rocky River City Government Officials already knew about this waste site.

Monday, July 26, 2004 -

I read a letter (below) to City Council - about the potential danger of that 'waste site' in Rocky River. (below)

I submitted this letter (below) to the Rocky River City Council Meeting on 07-26-2004 ... it was placed into the City Record of the Rocky River City Council Legislative Meeting 07-26-2004.

July 26, 2004

Pamela E. Bobst

President of Council

Rocky River City Hall

21012 Hilliard Boulevard

Rocky River, Ohio 44116

'Sin of Rocky River's Fathers ... a Hazardous Waste Site?'

“They imposed … a potential ‘hazardous waste site’ upon our city and residents.” … “I will also account to residents how a ‘potential hazardous waste site’ got into our city.   Then get rid of it."   Fred I. Sokol … from “Take Back River” June 7, 2004

Ms. Pamela E. Bobst,

                Is a Rocky River Hazardous Waste Site in Rocky River resident’s midst … since 1948?

1.      Is there a potential for a Rocky River hazardous Waste Site on vacant land south of Lake Road?

2.      If so … how will it be cleaned up? Will it be The City of Rocky River or the New Owner of the Landfill Site that will clean it up?

3.      Did Rocky River fully comply with State & Federal Law with this potential waste site?

4.      If not … in what way is the City of Rocky River in non-compliance?

5.      Was there any check and any recording by the City of Rocky River or by any Health Agency of health problem outbreaks among the people of Rocky River who live … or had lived near … or in the general vicinity of this potential Waste Site?

6.      If so … what did the health problem findings reveal?

This RR waste site was covered by a mountain of ‘stockpiled soil’ until in 2002 … RR city council passed ordinance 90-02 and in 2003 RR city council passed ordinance 148-03 and (amended) ordinance 204-03 to remove ‘stockpiled soil’ to uncover ever closer to the “potential hazardous RR Waste Site.”

City records from “The (Rocky River City Council) Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee on May 10, 2004: give us a peek at an apparent potential Rocky River hazardous waste site and what it may mean to the City of Rocky River.



Lake Road development Site Phase I Environmental Study: May 10, 2004: ‘Discussion Excerpts’

1.      “… report was thorough and well-documented.”

2.      “… for some period during 1948 -1962, the site could have been used for dumping of common household waste.”

3.      “This would make it regulated by the Ohio Administrative Code 3745-27-13, or Rule 13, which governs the proper closure of landfills.”

4.      “…the consultant has said that there is a "recognized environmental condition" and until it is cleared up, no lender will risk development.”

5.      “…a closure report had been submitted last year on a leaking underground storage tank…”

6.      “Further, the environmental responsibility would still be with the City.”

My concern is that Rocky River's Landfill may be a potential "Health Hazard" to the People of Rocky River and especially the people living in the neighborhoods surrounding the RR Landfill.

Apparently neighborhoods such as 'Hidden Valley', Homes on Lake Road on the far west end of Rocky River, Avalon Drive, Arbor Cliff Lane, Pond Drive and The Seniors in the Normandy Apartments and the surrounding Apartment Complexes may have had their "Health Affected" by this landfill ... since 1948.

I ask you to place Ordinance101-04 “Sale of Municipal Real Property” on “Hold” until you can show to residents of Rocky River the questions and concerns above … are addressed. Thank You.

Fred I. Sokol, Resident

Rocky River, Ohio

www.rockyriverfred.com

What Has Happened Since July of 2004 about this

Rocky River Waste Site?

Presently - The City Council did not sell the 'Lake Road Waste Site' property. It is still under city control.

- and the 'Rocky River Lake Road Waste Site' is still not removed!

In closing, I would like to thank The Cleveland Plain Dealer and it's staff in their effort of trying to make Rocky River - Safer and Healthier.

SAFETY

IS NO ACCIDENT !

I submitted this letter (below) to the Rocky River City Council Meeting on 07-12-2004 ... and it was placed into the City Record of the Rocky River City Council Legislative Meeting 07-12-2004.

July 12, 2004

Pamela E. Bobst

President of Council

Rocky River City Hall

21012 Hilliard Boulevard

Rocky River, Ohio 44116

“KEEP RIVER SAFE” COMMITTEE

COMING VERY SOON !

Ms. Pamela E. Bobst,

     I will actively seek to oppose and defeat the proposed Rocky River Charter Amendment allowing the Mayor to hire/fire the Rocky River Police/Fire Chief … when it is sent to the November 2004 – Rocky River Ballot.



Fred I. Sokol’s Introduction

    ‘Fred I. Sokol attended and proposed charter amendments at the Rocky River Charter Review Meetings of 1996 and 2002. I proposed and placed charter amendments through a ‘citizen initiative petition’ for three Rocky River City-Wide Elections’ from 1993 through 2001. I am also preparing another charter amendment (Rocky River City Income Tax Cut) through a ‘citizen initiative petition’ for a Rocky River City-Wide Election for November 2005.

     I also previously and personally circulated my own petition to get on the Rocky River City Council At-Large Ballot and ran a Rocky River City Wide Campaign for that same position in 2003. I am now preparing to run for Mayor of Rocky River that culminates in November 2005.

What?

     Please note the charter amendment proposal I refer to is … of Article 5 Section 3 of the Rocky River City Charter. This amendment seeks to allow the Mayor of Rocky River, Ohio to hire and fire the Rocky River Fire Chief and also to hire and fire the Rocky River Police Chief.

When?

     Upon Rocky River City Council passage of Ordinance 90-04 “Authorizing submission to electors of a proposal to amend Art.V, Sec 3 of the (Rocky River) Charter … Fred I. Sokol a Rocky River Resident will immediately file the proper papers with The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to form the ‘citizen committee’ ‘KEEP RIVER SAFE’ and become it’s chairman. Rocky River citizens and I will then begin to actively oppose Rocky River city council’s passage of Ordinance 90-04 and actively seek its defeat on the November 2004’s Rocky River Ballot.

Why?

     I feel that this charter amendment if passed can compromise the ability of Rocky River’s Safety Forces to keep Rocky River safe.

     I also feel what this charter amendment seeks an unnecessary accumulation of power by the Mayor of Rocky River.

     As a concerned citizen for the safety of all residents of Rocky River I will actively seek to oppose and defeat this proposed Ordinance 90-04 and charter amendment at the 2004 November Election.

Fred I. Sokol, Resident

Rocky River, Ohio

www.rockyriverfred.com

I read and submitted this letter (below) to the Rocky River City Council Meeting on 07-12-2004 ... and it was placed into the City Record of the Rocky River City Council Legislative Meeting 07-12-2004.

July 12, 2004

Pamela E. Bobst

President of Council

Rocky River City Hall

21012 Hilliard Boulevard

Rocky River, Ohio 44116

ROCKY RIVER CITY GOVERNMENT GRABS FOR MORE POWER

FROM CHARTER !

Fred I. Sokol attended and proposed charter amendments at the Rocky River Charter Review Meetings of 1996 and 2002. I proposed and placed charter amendments through a ‘citizen initiative petition’ for three Rocky River City-Wide Elections from 1993 through 2001.

Ms. Pamela E. Bobst



          Rocky River city government wants more power so the Mayor can hire/fire the Police/Fire Chief and drop civil service protection of their jobs. All of this with a charter change. It’s time for citizens to lead.

City officials want River voters to approve this charter change in November. I say no.

I have full confidence in the Chiefs and the safety forces ability to protect residents. There is no room for ‘potential politics’ deciding River’s safety.

Our safety forces can decide their ‘own chief’ from qualified tested candidates … not city officials. River safety personnel know each others ability and know who could be a chief when needed.

Our Police/Fire Department personnel have background, training, experience and knowledge. They not only protect residents from crime and fire but know what it takes to lead a safety department.

Yet, city officials idea of leading is to dominate … even wanting to hire/fire the Police/Fire Chief. Rocky River needs a leader who ‘delegates power’ not ‘dominates with power’.

Yet it is citizens … not city officials … who will lead on this issue. It is also citizens where power rests and who city officials work for.

It is citizens … not city officials … that recorded 44 years ago into a city charter a list of ‘limited tasks’ for city government officials to follow … to benefit residents.

It is citizens … not city officials … that decide when to change the ‘city charter’ to increase a city official’s power.   Not from that same city official.

            Instead of the Mayor hiring/firing the Police/Fire Chief … the Mayor and council should meet with the Chiefs and safety personnel and settle any differences. Then let the Police and Fire do their job of protecting residents.

Fred I. Sokol, Resident

Rocky River, Ohio

www.rockyriverfred.com

GOD BLESS US AND PROTECT US!

" I believe, our government was created to protect the interests of the people!! "

Fred I. Sokol