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In case you haven’t seen it, the above billboard (installed on approximately November 20th) is located along southbound I-75 just south of Luna Pier Road. Even though the billboard is technically in Erie Township, its proximity to Luna Pier has caused some early news stories to claim it’s in the city. Because of this, City Hall has inadvertantly begun fielding phone calls and emails from around the country. This evening Mayor Liske sat down with 13abc’s Zack Ottenstein as part of a broader story that was broadcast during this evening’s 6 p.m. newscast. A transcript of this evening’s completed story, including comments from Doctor Fatima al-Hayani and comments from the group who paid for the sign, can be found on 13abc’s web site.

Rewriting blight ordiances for fairness; It is not the ordiances themselves that are unfair. We have for years had a system of “who you know” releases you from following the rules, to some degree. I think this has raised a great deal of confusion and sense of injustice, as it should. I have made my expectations clear to both the building inspector and Police that the situation be exaimed based on common sense not on the individual in violation. I certainly do not want to impose an incredible hardship on someone by setting unreasonable deadlines, but I won’t tolerate someone who is taking advantage of the City’s generousity. If a resident in violation is communicating with the City on delays and they are reasonable extensions can be considered. Too often residents just ignore citations thinking that it will be overlooked.

Remove paid parking; Early on I heard several complaints about the parking fees and understood the frustration, change is hard. After looking at the whole situation up close, I realized there are bills to be paid in order to offer the Pier and Beach experience. We pay for a cleaning person to keep the bathrooms in shape, supplies are needed, who is paying for the toilet paper anyway? Fifty cents for 2 hours is not an outrageous charge to help with support services and upkeep.

I expected that would happen, anticipating that once becoming Mayor I would gain information not available prior to that. I do believe that I have been able to grasp the priorities during my first year and with the help of the City Administrator and support staff made substantial progress in the right direction.

You are a farmer that needs to transfer one cow, one bail of hay, and one alligator across a river in a boat that can only carry yourself and one item. How can you move all of the items across the river without leaving any item alone that will eat another (alligator eats cow; cow eats hay). There is one solution to the problem. Give it a shot.

Answer in three days