On July 20, 2011, user E.T. said:

I live within walking distance to Kriegers and feel they should not be jeopardized by the city.  I know there are people that come long distances to shop there and it would be sad if Kriegers had to close.

There is a saying "If it aint broke, don't fix it".  And that is the case here. Why?  I go for the common sense solution and save taxpayers money by repaving Graham Rd.,etc.

On July 13, 2011, user 1VoicedView said:

The City of Cuyahoga Falls is increasingly putting itself in harm's way by focusing on what its leaders think is progress rather than what strengthens the city, especially from a financial standpoint.

While renovation and innovation can be a good thing, spending taxpayer dollars on constant and costly new projects is unwarranted and is likely to put unnecessary pressure on exisitng businesses, such that those longstanding businesses might simply move out of the city or close, thereby depriving area consumers of often-desirable goods and services. The impetus for much of this appears to be the City administration--i.e., the Mayor's Office. It is suspicious that so many expensive projects are being undertaken even at times when the economy requires a far more conservative approach. And, when one considers that funds procured from higher (state and/or federal) government sources for such projects are ostensibly going to be passed along entirely to contractors who win bids to perform the contracted work, one has to wonder why this Mayor and involved staff push so hard for what ultimately will not even increase the City's coffers, let alone the very unpredictable question of  whether higher city government revenues (from corporate and sales taxes) will be an outcome of such projects. Could it be that somehow PERSONAL benefits of one kind or another are accruing to these government officials themselves? While such criminality cannot be firmly ascribed to these officials at this time, and perhaps does not or will not exist, their actions to date do raise the question and citizens must become very vigilant in order to try to ensure that this is not and/or doesn't become the case.

City governance, particularly from the Mayor's office,  also seems increasingly repressive. This mayor regularly holds supposed listening sessions, yet it seems that only those who aren't politcially or otherwise opposed to his party or viewpoints have any chance of a truly fair, impartial hearing and redress of grievances that they bring. And, should a party be involved in something considered unpopular, this Mayor's ears and eyes will close should that same person try to bring other, completely unrelated yet perhaps more legitimate concerns to his attention. Indeed, it is rare that this Mayor, his staff or even Council consult potentially affected citizens before taking steps that could adversely affect those citizens. The recklessness of such failures has led and can lead to extra, unnecessary expenses from lawsuits, as is likely to be the case in the Krieger eminent domain matter currently pending.

Council operation, too, is problematic, failing to insist on a stronger, more balanced City Charter that would permit their members to effectively counter distasteful proposals emanating from the administration. Mayor Robart is well known for what could be characterized as his tantrums and tirades when he is displeased with the direction that Council members tend from time to time. Also, imagined or more likely real fears of reprisals from the Mayor in the form of active member re-election opposition that it seems to many do not and would not surface unless such members displease this Mayor can have a chilling effect on Council members' voting decisions.

And, one has to wonder why THIS city, albeit in lock-step with surrounding ones (while simultaneously claiming to be very different from those cities), continues to tax from the first dollar earned rather than employing state and/or federal adjusted gross income as its basis. The effect is that even the City's poorest citizens, those earning just a mere 100s of dollars per year, are expected to kick in to bolster the City coffers--and to do so at the same tax rate as the wealthiest citizens of the City! While actual enforcement is virtually nonexistent, such tax laws open the door to selective enforcement that could allow this or any future administration to engage in reprisals on what it considers disagreeable citizens. While finding hard evidence to support such claims is difficult if not impossible for a number of logistical reasons, the result is that fewer people may be willing to openly voice their opinions and opposition to Mayoral or other administrative programs and proposals, effectively diminishing our democracy. 

This Mayor, as well as administrators and council members who have been in longstanding support of him and his policies, needs to be opposed and replaced. More than twenty years is far too long for one person to maintain politcal office in this or any other city. We need adult, mature leaders, not tantrum-throwing monarchs going forward.

On July 8, 2011, user D.K. said:

We strongly disaprove of using eminent domain to seize Kreigers property. Using the other side of the street and not having to relocate utility proposals makes more sense. I feel if they just regulate the flow of traffic with existing lights would greatly help any traffic jams. I feel Cuy. Falls has enough unfinished projects now, State Rd. for an exsample. How long is that going to remain unfinished? We do not need to incur more debts at this time. Leave well enough alone! Do not use this means of obtaining property from Kreigers!!

On July 3, 2011, user J.M. said:

As a business property owner in Cuyahoga Falls, we are concerned that the city is making decisions directly relating to our welfare without consulting the owners of said businesses involved and try to push unwanted projects that directly affect our livelihood...  In the case of Kriegers, [a store I have frequently shopped...including actually today] It would serve no purpose to take frontage [parking area] to widen a street that poses no traffic problem whatsoever....In the last 40 years of shopping there, I personally have never encountered a problem pulling in or out of the front parking lot, also eliminating the convenience of frontal parking would force all customers to the rear parking area which in turn would tend to discourage shopping, particularly the elderly.

All in all, I believe it to be an extremely poor choice to proceed with those plans, not to mention the savings of many $$$

                                                                                   J.M....Falls business property owner...

 P.S.. Maybe it would be better to repair and resurface streets..Many are in deplorable condition.

On May 26, 2011, user FREEENTERPRISE said:

I feel that the Cuyahoga Falls government is too concerned with forcing new commercial development (i.e. big, franchised businesses) in a city that has many established, family run businesses.  Support for existing small business is just not there as bureaucratic red tape and city regulations interfere with the natural growth of small business.   The city has gambled millions of taxpayer dollars on the remote possibility of big businesses locating to Portage Crossing.  This may prove the ultimate waste of taxpayer dollars as three years have passed with no construction started.  Police, fire, and city electric services seem to be run efficiently and adequately in my opinion.