Are you ‘better off’ than six (6) years ago?  Rocky River isn’t!  On the Present Mayor’s Watch Rocky River’s ‘estimated’ population dropped and that’s not all!  “As Mayor, I’m Rocky River’s only chance for survival.”  Why?  As Mayor I’ll stop our city from being pulled down by –

·    PRESENT FAILED LEADERSHIP: Current mayor was picked (by council) (not voters) and on ‘her watch’ as an elected official Rocky River tumbled as …

• ROCKY RIVER’S ‘ESTIMATED POPULATION’ DROPPED: by an estimated 1,358 residents from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006.  (U.S. Census Bureau Estimates of the Population for Rocky River, Ohio 2006).  If Rocky River ‘Population Loss’ is left unchecked, Rocky River will die. 

• PEOPLE/STORES MOVE OUT: homes foreclosed, vacant, for sale, a grocery store sits empty at Rockport Shopping Center in Ward 4 - Target, Max’s Deli left Rocky River for Fairview Park.

• ABORTION IN ROCKY RIVER?  Why are people demonstrating ‘against abortion’ in Rocky River on Center Ridge Road?  Is the answer what my two opponents voted (aye) on?  (see below)

• (According to city council ‘minute records’ on March 13, 2000) my two opponents voted (aye) to: “Amended Ordinance No. 94-99 An ordinance providing for the amendment of part seven (business regulation code) of the codified ordinances of the city of Rocky River by adding the new chapter 753, entitled “Ambulatory Surgical Facility (ASF) License”

• In Amended Ordinance No. 94-99 the first and second whereas states:   “WHEREAS, it is the position of Council that legislation is necessary to preserve and protect maternal health while not placing an undue burden on a woman’s right to an abortion; and”     “WHEREAS, it is the intent of Council to enact legislation to further the health and safety of a woman seeking an abortion but not to impose unnecessary health regulations that present a substantial obstacle to a woman seeking an abortion.  (underlines added by me for emphasis).

• WASTEFUL CITY GOVERNMENT SPENDING CONTINUES: (1.) ‘No Bid Contracts’ are OK’d by council. (2.) City ‘picks up garbage’ (for some businesses/private school’s) in Rocky River ‘AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE’ while taxpayers’ pick up the bill. (3.) City built a wasteful indoor swimming pool when Rocky River High School already has an indoor swimming pool. (4.) City Hall now considers wasting $Millions of Dollars on a ‘Total Makeover’ of Lake Road Corridor.

• A LACK OF ROCKY RIVER POLICE ‘FOOT PATROLS’ AND ‘BICYCLE PATROLS’ IN ROCKY RIVER’S NEIGHBORHOODS.  Present Mayor fails to make Rocky River safer.  I Will!

Next, I will have questions to ask my two (2) opponents for Mayor of Rocky River in 2007.   Where were you both when the following city issues happened in Rocky River and what did you both do publicly about them?   Perhaps hiding at home?   Perhaps trying to ‘take out’ another Park for Dogs?  What’s next, arresting dogs for barking in River?

·          (1993) Rocky River city hall attempted to build a ‘Regional Minimum Security Jail’ in a residential/business/commercial area of Rocky River.  I helped stop it, what did you both ‘do publicly’ to help stop it?

·          (1995) Rocky River city hall attempted to privatize the City Service Department.  I helped stop it, what did you both ‘do publicly’ to help stop it?

·          (1998) Rocky River city hall attempted to pass a ‘criminal trespass law’ for almost anyone that walked on a ‘private or public lawn’ (like a city park) without permission.  I helped stop it, what did you both ‘do publicly’ to help stop it?

·          (2002) Rocky River city hall attempted to restrict citizens from speaking at council meetings.  I helped stop it, what did you both ‘do publicly’ to help stop it?

·          (2004) Rocky River city hall attempted a 'power grab' to have the mayor appoint the Police Chief and Fire Chief so they would serve at the pleasure of the mayor and to put politics into our safety forces!  I helped stop it, and what did you both ‘do publicly’ to help stop it?

·          (2007) Rocky River attempted to reach a deal with Cleveland to handover Rocky River’s waterlines (which cost Rocky River taxpayers millions of dollars to be bought and placed in the ground) to Cleveland and ‘Tax Share’ with Cleveland!  I helped stop it, what did you both ‘do publicly’ to help stop it?

Next I will tell everyone ‘WHAT I WILL DO FOR RESIDENTS’ when I am elected Mayor of Rocky River Tuesday November 6, 2007.  During my campaign I will share with residents “MY CONTRACT WITH RESIDENTS.” 

·        (1.)  Someone may try to say to you, ‘Don’t trust Fred’s promises, do not let him try to fool you!  (2.)  My answer to that ‘possible garbage talk’ is (3.) why would I try to fool the people of Rocky River?  (4.)  In 1993, who was there for the people of Rocky River to stop the ‘Regional Minimum Security Jail’ from being built in Rocky River?  Me!  (5.)  In 2007, who was there at council and who spoke out for the people of Rocky River, when Rocky River council considered to go into a deal with Cleveland to handover River’s Waterlines to and Tax Share with Cleveland and who was it that challenged the City of Cleveland Officials that night, in River Council Chambers all the while it was never reported in the paper?  Me!  

·          I am the person who was and still is there for the people of Rocky River!

• (1.) I’LL PROTECT THE LIVES OF ROCKY RIVER’S UNBORN AND ALL CITIZENS FROM HARM.  (2.) I’ll do everything ‘legislatively possible’ to stop abortion in Rocky River.  (3.) I’ll add ‘police foot and bicycle patrols’ in Rocky River’s neighborhoods making River safer for all.

• I’LL CUT PROPERTY TAX with a potential financial savings of $490 annually for a $200,000 Rocky River home – the higher the value of your home the higher savings in property taxes.

• I’LL REFUND MONEY not spent by Rocky River city government back to taxpayers annually.

• GUARANTEE JOBS for Rocky River residents and bring back ‘light industry’ to Rocky River.

• NO NEPOTISM, NO FAVORITISM at city hall and NO MORE REGIONALISM in Rocky River and CITIZEN OVERSIGHT of Police Department and all City Government Departments.

• CUT SPENDING of Rocky River City Government by 25% taxpayers keep more of their money.

• WARD COUNCIL MEMBERS AND WARD RESIDENTS will be given money/power by city hall to ‘maintain’ their ‘local wards’ as council members and ward residents see fit, not city hall.

• I’LL BRING STRONG LEADERSHIP AND TOWN HALL MEETINGS to Rocky River neighborhoods. 

• (A.) HANDOVER Rocky River Waste Water Treatment Plant: to ‘Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’.  (B.)  LEASE Rocky River Community/Recreation Center: to a private ‘fitness /recreation’ business and make money for city.  Facilities can’t be subsidized by taxpayers.

·          LIMIT TAXES, SPENDING AND SURPLUS OF ROCKY RIVER CITY GOVERNMENT.  REFUND EXCESS 'SURPLUS MONEY' TO TAXPAYERS.  An approximate ‘.66 billion dollars’ or ($661,496,781.99) has showed in the City of Rocky River’s ‘proposed spending budgets’ from 1990 through 2007.   I want Rocky River City Government 'limited' so they will spend less, and taxpayers keep more.  (Information from Rocky River City Council and Rocky River Finance Office)

·          'INDEPENDENT AUDIT WITH CITIZEN OVERSIGHT' YEARLY  &  VOTER APPROVAL OF ZONING CHANGES IN ROCKY RIVER

·          HELP NEEDY ROCKY RIVER RESIDENTS - WITH NEW 'COMPASSIONATE PROGRAMS'.

Finally, as for me in my 2007 Rocky River Mayoral Campaign, I will point out how I was recognized for my ‘public service’ as a 2007 recipient of the Cuyahoga County Bar Foundation Franklin A. Polk Merit Award and nominated by Cuyahoga County Probate Court Judge John J. Donnelly where I have been employed for 25 years. 

• Also recognized ‘for said service’ by: U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Governor of Ohio Ted Strickland, Attorney General of Ohio Marc Dann, City of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Board of County Commissioners of Cuyahoga County, Ohio Tim Hagan, Jimmy Dimora, Peter Lawson Jones.

Closing thoughts:

·          It is my time!  I set my face like flint, I will not back down.   I am running for Mayor of Rocky River and I will pull out all stops to the most in my power to win on November 6, 2007.  Nothing will be put aside for another day and everything will be said now.  My opposition also knows what I say, is what I will do.

·          Once this campaign reaches its end - I will have done, said and showed everything I had - to tell Rocky River voters why they should vote for me for Mayor of Rocky River.  God is my pilot I will not be put to shame I will come out of this effort victorious.  It is God's Will what happens to me! 

·          As I was collecting signatures in June a young family man came to his front door after I approached his home.  He opened the door and welcomed me in.  I told him who I was and immediately he said, I know who you are my wife and I just moved into Rocky River just before the last mayor election and we remembered when you stopped by two years ago and left your 'campaign flyer' on our door and we have saved it.  (Many residents told me that as I was collecting signatures this year.)

I see the next Mayor of Rocky River coming from the ‘working class of Rocky River’.   It will be God’s Will what happens!

Fred I. Sokol - Resident – Rocky River, Ohio - 440-521-5452 + scrdhrt2@cox.net  + www.votesokol.com

CC: Rocky River City School District, Rocky River City Government, Rocky River Chamber of Commerce, WestLife , West Shore Sun, Plain Dealer Newspaper. Westlaker Times, Fred Sokol’s Weekly E-Mail Recipients +  www.votesokol.com     

Paid by: Vote Sokol Committee - Thomas J. Spagnoletti, Treasurer - 1459 Prospect Avenue, Rocky River, Ohio 44116