Posts Tagged Jimmy Dimora
Medical Mart Money Piling Up at County
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Economic Development, Politicians on April 3, 2010
April 3, 2010… Cuyahoga County taxpayers in these depression-like times have paid $91 million into the fund for the Medical Mart deal. Does anyone notice?
The Plain Dealer, our news media of record, appears to have forgotten that we have a near – or more – $1 billion project. The Med Mart has slipped off its radar apparently. Coverage seems to be much more interested in who is running for county council in who knows where and who cares less.
How about telling us something about the biggest money project since Gateway, PD. Hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent. All public dough. Or is it going to be the same old story – we’ll tell you when the overrun is drowning us.
Also, where ARE those candidates for new County offices on this issue?
As of the end of March, the extra tax burden on county residents here has produced $91,310,921.10. It comes in dribbles. But that’s a lot of money.
Where is the Tea party? Where is our public money watchdog Kevin O’Brien?
So far this year the quarter-percent sales tax increase by our County Commissioners – Tim Hagan, Jimmy Dimora and Peter Lawson Jones – has produced $10.6 million.
That appears to be at a rate to produce some $42.4 million a year. The tax originally had a duration of 20 years. At this quarter’s rate of $42.4 million it would produce $848 million. One can expect prices and sales tax receipts to go up over 20 years. The tax commenced at the beginning of the year 2008.
So with the economy picking up slightly it appears the sales tax will be bringing in much more than first predicted.
Zanotti on Gambling Trips, Alternative Paper Says
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Media, Politicians on February 26, 2010
February 26, 2010… Cuyahoga County reform Issue 6 leader Marty Zanotti took gambling trips with convicted County corrupter J. Kevin Kelly.
The story was broken by James Renner of the Independent.
Here’s how the article begins:
Independent Exclusive: Zanotti Gambled with J. Kevin Kelley
By James Renner
Contrary to his public denials, The Independent has learned that Issue 6 architect, former Mayor of Parma Heights, and county-transition executive committee member Martin Zanotti took trips north to gamble with county corruption figure J. Kevin Kelley and several other local politicians.
Zanotti watched from the sidelines at a public meeting for the government transition process held at CSU February 17. After several audience members lobbed softball questions at the group of Democrats in control of the meeting, I stepped to the mic and addressed Zanotti directly. I asked him to go on record to confirm or deny that he accompanied J. Kevin Kelley on gambling junkets to the Detroit/Windsor area. Zanotti’s response? “Come over here and ask me that.”
So I did.
But the audience never heard his response, which was, “Zero.”
I guess that depends on your definition of “junket”.
Reached by phone early this morning, Joe Tal, Parma Heights service director and brother-in-law of Zanotti, said that he was on at least two trips to casinos with Zanotti and J. Kevin Kelley. The feds insist J. Kevin Kelley’s limos, trips and chips were paid for by people seeking favors from Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo and commissioner Jimmy Dimora.
You can read the entire piece here:
http://www.clevelandindependent.com/2010/02/26/independent-exclusive-zanottikelley-gambled/