Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents criticize Port Authority losses and meeting decorum during public comment
Summary
During public comment, Gerald Phillips questioned county leadership over a reported Port Authority loss and loan terms, and William Zimmerman criticized the commissioners' adherence to meeting procedure and public-comment decorum. Commissioners Moore and Gallagher responded briefly and the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
Two residents spoke during the Jan. 30 public-comment period, raising fiscal and procedural concerns.
Gerald Phillips of Avon Lake criticized county leadership over reporting that the Port Authority had lost roughly $750,000 on a mall and questioned how a $13.9 million loan could be interest-free, saying: "How can $13.9 million be an interest free loan, even at 1% you would collect $139,000.00." Commissioner Moore replied that Mr. Phillips could request records from the Port Authority and noted there is "3.8% interest to be paid at closing," per the meeting record. Phillips also compared the situation to LORCO owing Avon Lake Regional Water $16 million and framed the losses as evidence of ineffective county management.
William Zimmerman of Avon Lake raised a procedural objection, citing Robert's Rules and saying the newly elected president should assume office at the meeting when elected; he also criticized the commissioners' attention to speakers and described the public-comment experience as disrespectful, saying it "is a big joke when people come up and speak, they look at their phones, pass paperwork or whatever else, that is just wrong." The board did not take action on either comment during the meeting and adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
