I am now meeting Rocky River voters at their homes to sign my petition to place me on the ballot for mayor this coming November.  

I am also 'listening to voters’ concerns, answering their questions about Rocky River, seeing their excitement as I tell them of my new ideas that they know will make their lives better, and then letting them know ‘a new morning will dawn for Rocky River’ once I am elected Mayor of Rocky River in November and how I will make life better.  

·         If anyone would like to sign my petition to place me on the ballot please contact me at scrdhrt2@cox.net or call me at 440-521-5452 and I will meet you so you can sign my petition.  You are only required to be a registered voter in Rocky River.  As I am seeking to be an Independent Candidate for Rocky River mayor Rocky River Republicans, Democrats and Independents can sign my petition and they already have.

·        My ‘message and effort’ is all about what I will do for residents and businesses as mayor and how I will finally bring Democracy to Rocky River.  

·         I will file my petitions with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in July.  July 20^th, 2007 is the deadline.  I historically file in July. 

·         I am not having any trouble in getting signatures on my petitions.  Especially when I tell voters, “As Mayor of Rocky River I will bring ‘less tax, less city government so you keep more of your money for yourself not city hall.” 

·     For now, voters who sign my petition are also receiving my two sided flyer that you can access by clicking onto Fred Sokol For Mayor Campaign Flyer.   And see for yourself what I have to say.

·         That said this coming November 2007 you will decide your next mayor for Rocky River. 

Yet before you decide who you want as your next Rocky River Mayor, ask yourself, has the Rocky River Republican candidate made your life easier in Rocky River the last two years?

1.     In the last two (2) years is it now easier for you to buy groceries, buy gasoline for your car, make your house payment, pay your taxes, find work in Rocky River? 

2. In the last two (2) years have you seen Rocky River rise to number one (1) in Cleveland Magazine and become the pride of the Cleveland Metropolitan area?   In the last two (2) years did you see all city streets repaired and all city sewers working properly? 

3.     In the last two (2) years have you seen crime drop in Rocky River, seen police walk or ride bicycles on a ‘police beat’ through your neighborhood to bring you added safety and security? 

4.     In the last two (2) years have you seen your taxes cut?  In the last two (2) years has anyone from Rocky River city hall come to your door with pen and paper and ask you what you want done to make your life better in Rocky River?

5.     If you can honestly say to yourself, yes to the last four (4) sets of questions your choice for Rocky River mayor in November is obvious.

Yet, if you say no and if you want a different Mayor of Rocky River to follow a different course in the next two (2) years - and not the course the other one followed in the last two (2) years, you know what your choice is.  Please read the following and you decide.

1.     In the next two (2) years do you want to keep more of your tax money for yourself and for your family and not pay more tax money to Rocky River city government coffers, so you are able to buy more groceries, buy more gasoline for your car, make your house payment, pay less in taxes, and find work in Rocky River?   In the next two (2) years do you want as well to see less Rocky River city government, more accountable city government and a city government that will finally get off of your back?

2.     In the next two (2) years do you want Rocky River to rise to number one (1) in Cleveland Magazine to be the best suburb and to be the pride of the Cleveland Metropolitan area?   In the next two (2) years do you want money allocated to repair all city streets and to repair all city sewers rather than frivolous city spending on still another ‘city building’ that is going on now?

3.     In the next two (2) years do you want to see police walk or ride bicycles on a ‘police beat’ through your neighborhood and throughout Rocky River so you can feel safer and more secure? 

4.     In the next two (2) years do you want your taxes cut, and do you want someone from Rocky River city hall or your ward council person come to your door with pen and paper and ask you what you want done to make your life better in Rocky River?

5.     Then if you can honestly say to yourself yes to the last set of four (4) questions I described, and I promise will happen in Rocky River in the next two (2) years, the other choice of mayor is who you want in November 2007.

IN CLOSING

• The City of Rocky River does not need all the money it takes in from taxes.  City surplus tax money can be given back to taxpayers, nor should this city fall off the radar screen of Cleveland Magazine’s best suburbs watch, nor should police be kept in patrol cars and on just one motorcycle.

• What Rocky River needs is to have tax cuts and give residents a direct say in city matters giving residents a feeling of belonging by including them in the decision making process while putting more money back into their pockets, and creating a safer community.  It will only take that one good mayor of Rocky River to turn this city around.  It can be done and will be done!

·         Yet the power elite and status quo appear to fear a potential Rocky River brought on by Fred Sokol as Mayor of Rocky River.  Yet if they want what residents want and not special interests, they have nothing to fear.

• Furthermore, if the power elite and status quo want a mayor who has a backbone and who says what he means and means what he says, -and has not backed down and stood toe to toe with the power elite, status quo, Rocky River city hall, Federal Government, State of Ohio and Cuyahoga County on issues that directly affected and concerned residents and the Rocky River community ‘and won’ - I am their man for Mayor of Rocky River.   

• I also think about those misinformed people who think I am not qualified to be Mayor and who knowingly mislead people and refer to me as just ‘a resident’.  That is really getting old.  I will not put up with that anymore.  Yes I am a resident, isn’t everyone?  Yet that is not where it stops.  I have been involved in community issues in Rocky River since 1993 and in many other communities since 1984 and with 25 years at my ‘day job’ at Cuyahoga County Probate Court as a public servant while also publicly debating two (2) former Rocky River Mayors (one debate regarded ‘Voter Approval of Zoning Changes’) while I publicly debated the other now former Rocky River Mayor as I ran against him for mayor of Rocky River.  While three (3) other occasions three (3) separate Mayors of Rocky River declined my offer to debate (twice on the Rocky River Jail Issue) and (once on additional regionalism in Rocky River).  These past community actions of mine and more not mentioned here have given me a basis for strong leadership, strong conviction and always speak up and be there for my fellow residents and businesses as mayor of Rocky River.  What my point is, is that I have accepted to become something more in my life, to seek a job that not many people are called on to pursue.  Yet as a dedicated servant to residents in Rocky River I not have only stated that I want to serve on a higher level of public service - I have done it and I am seeking more public service responsibility!  So to you who misinform intentionally you will be called on it, for your misinformation as referring to me as just ‘a resident’ if it happens again!

·         Also, I am always available to anyone if you need me by reaching me, at 440-521-5452 or e-mail me at scrdhrt2@cox.net if you have a question or a concern.  As Mayor of Rocky River I will always be available to all.  

• Finally, I  know that my ‘contract with residents’ that I have proposed for this city will put Rocky River back to number one (1) and draw residents and businesses to come to and stay in Rocky River.   

• I know, because residents have already told me what they wanted done in Rocky River.

Lastly ‘Less Tax, Less City Government and More Freedom’ will be our beacon for success, prosperity and ‘a new morning in Rocky River’ once I am elected and become Mayor of Rocky River for the next two years. 

Thank You For Listening.