Why a Tax Levy Fails to Win!



Photo courtesy of: Donkey Hotey.

When you compare and contrast  tax levy campaigns against personal election campaigns- it’s no wonder most levy’s fail. Yes, its true economic times are tough and our income has suffered dramatically over the last few years. The problem magnifies when a tax levy is often presented as “dire” and “urgent” necessities, yet the campaign methods are weak, impersonal and non-transparent.

Some of the money spent on levy campaigns could be better spent elsewhere!

The Drive

When running for office, candidates often travel door-to-door asking for your vote. This gives the voter the opportunity to ask questions, listen to views and meet the candidate. The marketing is personal, up-close and clearly shows the willingness of the candidate “to go the extra mile” for your vote.

I recall years ago, former Ohio State/Cleveland Brown’s player, Dick Schafrath, knocked on my Mother’s door. Mr. Schafrath’s driver had dropped him off in the neighborhood and the driver was late returning to pick-up the candidate.

After a short conversation asking for her vote, Dick asked her for a glass of water and wondered if she would mind, if he waited under a shade tree for his ride? My Mother gave him a cold glass of iced tea and a lawn chair to wait in the shade on a very hot day. Mr. Schafrath commented on how well the iced tea tasted.

Who do you think she voted for?

The Fumble

The difference in seeking levy approval is instead of a personal commitment towards the taxpayers, we get to read the overtures for money in newspapers, local TV, radio, signs and (everyone’s favorite) junk mail.

Not exactly an openly transparent marketing method to instill confidence. No chance to ask a question or feel the merits of voting. Threats are often used to seek the passage of a levy and have eroded our trust in elected officials.

The Shot

Sure candidates use some of the same media tactics when running for office. However, nothing sends a stronger message to a local community when given a personal invitation to interact closely.

If you can’t go door-to-door and/or reach out publicly with open neighborhood meetings the common voter views the request as a money grab.

Give the voters the opportunity with all the cards on the table.

Pulling a community together, bringing new ideas forth might be the best and cheapest levy marketing campaign in recent years.

Heck, a promise to not litter our mailboxes with junk mail might rally a few votes!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

The American Spirit!



Photo courtesy of: The U.S. Army.

“Those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them”   

    - Steven Pressfield

We have two main political parties in the USA.

One group believes the government should take care of the poor and provide prosperity. The other group of people wants less government involvement for assistance to run their lives and businesses.

Both groups are making the same mistake by believing someone else (the government) makes or breaks our existence.

There is a third choice.

The truth is- we as individuals do have power.

When you wait for a political choice to “fix” any situation you’re wasting valuable time.

 Many Americans have innovated our history, entire industries and sports  without waiting or relying on approval, new law's or a tax break.

Samuel Colt changed how the West was won with one simple patent. Paul Brown successfully improved player’s equipment and changed the way football was played by creating his own coaching methods. Roger Penske worked outside the rules to win races and incorporate new automobile innovations. Bethany Hamilton didn’t rely on government healthcare for assistance.

Better to forge ahead, make progress and find a way.

When given no other option- the American Spirit sets the new standard!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Today, You have a Choice!

Photo used courtesy of: "CAVE CANEM".

 

 

The only choice worse than making the wrong choice is to do nothing.

The crowd that could make a difference is the mass of people who fail to show.

The 80/20 rule applies to most everything including voting.

Today, we have the opportunity to let our voices be heard.

Don’t waste one of our most precious freedoms.

It’s your opportunity, privilege and duty to vote today.

We’re waiting to hear from you!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Whatever Happened to Transparency?

Organizations, businesses and politicians often communicate appearing to care or give you the inside scoop. The problem develops when those words serve to explain little, prompting confusion or mistrust.

There’s a fine line between passing information and communicating in a vacuum.

When addressing the masses don’t presume we are dumb enough to believe “warm fuzzy words” without substance or action.

Anger, frustration, blame and mistrust increases due to spin, half-truths or rhetoric. Eventually customers, employees and voters find it easier to discount anything written or spoken as truth.

Unions, Tea Parties, Occupy Wall Street, and other groups of people have been formed as a result of mistrust. Acts of Civil War have their roots inspired by this powerful cowardly deed.

When a lack of transparency becomes the focal point, secrecy only serves to breath disconnect of epic proportions to your audience.

It’s far better to be transparent, honest and live up to your written or spoken intentions.

Anything less, is hardly worth our time.

How do you feel about this issue? Do you give people, organizations and politicians the benefit of the doubt? Where do you draw the line? Who exemplifies transparency? I’d love to hear your comments.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Boom Town to Doomed Town?

A long time ago Mansfield, Ohio was a booming mega-factory city. Now it is represented with boarded-up, graffiti riddled houses and decay. While driving near the downtown area, you often discover houses hidden behind overgrown weeds, shrubbery and trees.  



The former:Westinghouse World Headquarters (see website header for current photo)

It’s been said during its heyday you could quit one good paying factory job and be hired at another- all in the same day. Not anymore.

Healthcare appears to be the best paying income in town with fast-food jobs being the most widely available. Consequently, it’s not unusual for folks to work two or three different jobs to stay afloat.

Mansfield has many people unemployed. Drugs have overtaken some neighborhoods to the point of no return. Welfare recipients and people on disability are the norm here. Arson is  nearly the front-page daily news. Not a pretty picture!

We didn’t reach this level of instability overnight; no it took several decades of erosion to get to where we are today.

Diversity and Leadership?

Some might say we lack diversity. Others say we failed to attract new business or lacked planning for the future. I would agree with all of those assumptions.

Our leaders failed to lead. Instead, the core players spent years locking-out other businesses from becoming competition. If the “good ole boys club” couldn’t control it or make money off it, the business wasn’t welcome.

It’s impossible to diversify without competition. The focus was never on where we we’re going. Greed was all that mattered. Consequently, when the existing businesses changed or dissolved; another hole was left in the void.

Help is On the Way?

 

Several years ago, a community of business people formed an organization to attract outside interest and bring new businesses into our area. I became suspicious when I noticed many of the members were from the same groups of people who for decades were related business owners and charter members of the “good ole boys club.”

I was hoping Mansfield was going to make a serious effort to plan and attract new businesses. Then it was announced the organization was going to focus on improving existing business, first. What a surprise, some things never change!

Our Only Plan?

The only new proposal that I am aware of is attracting warehousing business since we’re located halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio with an airport and railroad nearby. Empty buildings and warehouse facilities are numerous. Unfortunately, most of these buildings are owned by the club members. Great idea, if you’re looking for a fleece (I meant lease).

Photo by: THart2009

Mean Town

I’ve had members of city council tell me they wouldn’t open a business in downtown Mansfield. The fear of crime and lack of people downtown ensures this attitude. People don’t have money to spend and that does make it tough on entrepreneurs or possible small business start-ups. The existing business owners must have a courageous heart of steel and I respect their resolve.

What We Need!

Perhaps no city has a greater need to grow and prosper. We lack so many options, and choices. Mansfield, Ohio has so many needs to be filled, yet the opportunities are scarce. Why?

Without consumers we stagnate. We become hardened. Our dreams die. Our taxpayer base is shrinking. Decent paying jobs are part of the answer.

We need leaders that can lead.  We need young people who are passionate and have a vision about creating a future and the courage to follow through with a plan.

We must end the current gatekeepers of cronyism within politics and business.

We must create something sustainable or we will forever be nothing more than rust!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

The Passion of Politics!



Photo used courtesy of: Beverly&Pack.

If only people were as passionate about making a difference as we are in making political choices. How much control do you have after an election? Not as much as deciding on a choice. Economics plays out one way or another and the political system in place (depending on your choice) appears to be another race (sprint or crawl) to the bottom.

 

Lobbyist and special interest groups control the agenda of the election term.

We don’t.

Political blogs or rants receive more attention than a common blog, but I have to ask why? I generally abstain from political writing for a number of reasons.

The constant heated debates between political parties, bickering between one politician and another has shed some light on the possibilities of why we are so passionate concerning candidates.

·        It’s easy to have an opinion with a limited amount of choices.

·        The odds of winning or losing with your vote of candidates become slim.

·        Everyone believes they’re an expert.

·        If our political choice wins we believe everything is ok and if we lose, we spend four years blaming someone else.

·        We generally have no personal outcome, commitment or sacrifice involved.

The Meaningful Alternative

Far better to spend our time and energy doing something truly meaningful such as:

·        Feeding the hungry.

·        Helping the homeless.

·        Saving a  child from disease or prostitution.

What a true difference we could create in OUR society.

The world would be a better place today, tomorrow and four years from now!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.