OCCD is pleased to announce its selection of Senator George Voinovich for the 2015 Public Service Award. Senator Voinovich will be accepting the award at the 2015 Spring Quarterly Meeting. The OCCD Public Service Award recognizes individuals who have devoted much of their life to the benefit of society through careers in community development in the public and/or private sectors.

During his 48 years of public service, Senator Voinovich served as the Assistant Attorney General of Ohio, Ohio State Representative, Cuyahoga County Auditor, Cuyahoga County Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Mayor of Cleveland, Governor of Ohio, Chairman of the National Governors Association, and United States Senator. His passion for serving and representing Ohioans has spanned many cities, counties, the state, and the nation. He is the most prolific vote-getter in Ohio history – a fact that speaks for itself in describing the wide-reaching support, respect, and trust the Senator has earned from all corners of the state. Through all his political and professional roles, Senator Voinovich has remained a champion of community development and a great friend to OCCD.

Beyond his successful career in service, Senator Voinovich is best known for his integrity and his commitment to giving back to Ohio. He is a proud graduate of Ohio University and continues to build a legacy of learning at his alma mater as new generations of students learn the values and tools of public service at the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.       

2015 marks the third year for the OCCD Annual Member Awards. The Member Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding public service and an ongoing commitment to the community development profession. The award categories include the Public Service Award, Legacy Award, Community Development Professional of the Year, Community Development Department of the Year, and Community Development Partner of the Year.

Congratulations, Senator Voinovich, and thank you for serving Ohio.

OCCD will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.  Plan to join the celebration at the Ohio Statehouse - Honoring Our Past and Transforming the Future -  on July 29, 2015. 

Registration is Open

for the Anniversary Gala Event

Jack Riordan, Development Specialist

What has happened to the vast majority of us, the middle class, the decedents of European emigrants? Division has become our norm. Our prejudices are being used to split us until we are feeding on ourselves. Our share of the wealth and income has stagnated since the 1970s. Up to that point each generation with more education moved up with hard work in dirty, dangerous jobs in private industry or little family businesses; some got public sector jobs, as cops, firemen, or in utility maintenance. A few entered politics and became leaders of local Government. Every new group including African Americans followed the same path to higher value adding Jobs with better salaries protected by unionization. Everyone with company paid health insurance, retirement, an 8-hour work day, and paid vacation owe these benefits to organized labor. Even with these added costs big profits were made by selling the stuff the middle class made to an expanding, prosperous middle class market.

Beginning in the 70s, those who control the industrial economy could see that they could not compete in an international economy unless they reduced costs, so they used their wealth to influence government to allow the transfer of production of their goods to foreign factories with lower waged workers with less safe working conditions; also this allowed Income to be excluded from taxation. Almost all protective tariffs were removed.

Closure of American plants drastically changed the social fabric of America. The power of unions to protect jobs and wages and its public support eroded. As middle class income stagnated the majority of us wanted cheap goods; we had fewer children to the point that in 2020 white children under 18 will be a minority. Brookings reported that between 2000 and 2010 the number of whites under 18 fell by 4.3 million and Blacks and Native Americans dropped by 290,000, while Hispanics under 18 increased by 4.8 million and mixed race and Asian kids younger than 18 went up by 1.6 million. A new group of emigrants is now following the same path as our ancestors, but they are not the problem. Just as our ancestors were not welcomed “Irish Need Not Apply”; the KKK not only attacked Blacks, but also Jews and Catholics, our Europeans ancestors.

Each day we are inundated with sometimes not so subtle messages about the worthlessness of other members of the middle class and poor, messages that attempt to transfer the cause of our unhappiness from those who control to others of us who are controlled. Our decisions are cleverly manipulated by those who only needed us and our children to sell, deliver, and buy their foreign-made stuff.

So here we are in 2015 – Fat, Dumb, no longer Young, and not so Happy with kids serving tables and tending bar while struggling to find meaningful work using the higher education we and they worked so hard to get just as our parents did for us.

         “The nation’s most valuable asset is the children; for the children are the nation of future…We cannot afford to let children grow up ignorant…”

                                                                                                          Theodore Roosevelt

Will education continue to be the way out of poverty and the way up for the middle class?

More kids from all income levels are entering college but graduation rates are skewed toward kids of the rich 99% of whom get degrees by age 24 whereas only 21% of children from poorer families graduate by 24.

Will fewer of our kids be able to fully use their hard earned knowledge?

The white middle class makes up over 80% of those over 65 and as we begin to collect Medicare and Social Security, we are encouraged by the manipulators to cry out about the flow of non-English speaking emigrants, the poor for receiving health care and other public benefits, and paying too much tax and to call for cuts in Income tax. We all know the majority of the income tax cuts benefit the rich.

The vast amounts of money needed to get elected and stay elected is the underlying problem that allows special interests to control the process and reap the imbalanced results. Decent, fair-minded law makers of all parties are force to deal with the special interest to be able to get elected and stay in office. What really is the difference between a bribe to get or prevent a legislative action or a political donation to keep someone in power that will get or prevent a law? Laws are so complicated that subtle wording can be added so only the lawyers of lobbyist can understand it.

What can we do?

First, we can recognize that those less fortunate than “US” are not the problem; they did not create the income gap nor do they control our national economy. Our political strength is to unite with these new comers; they are part of the future.

Second, we have to pressure legislators to change the tax structure to recognize the difference between income that flows from goods and services produced by workers with living wages and benefits and should be taxed differently from income resulting from financial capital manipulation. Wall Street makes money that only benefits “THEM” without creating real employment and should be taxed at a higher rate since it is not income made by expanding employment.

Third, we have to restore public sector employment and the value of public service. Our infrastructure is deteriorating to the point it is dangerous. How many bridges must collapse, water ways polluted or oil trains crash before our legislators realize the public sector must be strengthen to improve inspections and have the ability to order corrective action.

            “The government ought not to conduct the business of the country; but it ought to regulate it so it shall be conducted in the interest of the people.”

                                                                                                        Theodore Roosevelt

More public investments must be made to improved schools and the teacher skills.

Local governments of older communities should not be forced to carry the cost of providing services, repair and maintain streets and infrastructure with only its tax structure leaving those who help wear them out to move on to communities with new infrastructure.

            “The object of government is the welfare of the people. The material progress and prosperity of a nation are       desirable chiefly so far as they lead to the moral and material welfare of all citizens….not to represent any special class and promote merely that class’s selfish interests… ”

                                                                                                        Theodore Roosevelt.

The old lady with cats said, “Teddy did Bust the Trusts of Big Business monopolies and pave the way for organized labor, but if you think the hundred year old insight and wisdom of Theodore Roosevelt is going to work today you had better think a lot more. Selfish self-interests rule today and there is no one like TR to Bust Them.”  

Debra Mayes, Training Coordinator

Spring is in the air…. The earliest ever, I saw robins outside my window the day of the Ohio State vs Oregon game (January).  I shared a pic on Facebook and said the scarlet and gray robin was a good omen.  Love it when I am right!!  Haven’t seen a robin since.

We started off the New Year, with the OCD CHIP Application Training. During the training, OCD distributed the PY 2015 CHIP program application materials and provided detailed instructions regarding the documents.  If you were unable to attend, the application materials are available on the OCD website by visiting http://development.ohio.gov/cs/cs_chip.htm and selecting “PY 2015 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program Application and Instructions” or by calling OCD, at (614) 466-2285, and requesting a copy of the document.

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CRTC will provide a one-day training entitled, “Rehab Program Property Standards and HOME Compliance” on April 28, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North, 6500 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229.  The training will follow the outline of requirements for property standards for new construction, rehabilitation, tenant-based rental assistance, manufactured housing and ongoing rental as per the HOME Rule at 24 CFR 92.251, Property Standards. Many of the requirements that apply to new construction, rehabilitation, and manufactured housing will be discussed from a best practices point of view, in order to make the training valuable to attendees using funds other than HOME.  At the time of scheduling, HUD had not yet issued promised clarifications to the HOME Rule relative to Part 92.251, which took effect January 24, 2015. The training will consider any clarifications issued prior to its presentation.

Gerard Diaz will be the trainer for this workshop. He has over twenty-five years’ experience in providing community development program analysis, consultation, and training for housing and development programs and practitioners, and has participated in HUD’s national technical assistance contracts for both CDBG and HOME programs. Housing program design, program policy, procedures and information systems are areas in which he has assisted many localities. Mr. Diaz has provided consultation and program analysis services under the HUD College of Experts contract. He has more than thirty-five years’ experience in residential and light commercial construction in both government and private sector environments. He has provided training for thousands of housing and community development practitioners nationwide over the past twenty-five years. He has directed the Community Revitalization Training Center (CRTC) since 1987 and has served on the boards of non-profit housing providers. He is a certified HOME Program Specialist – Regulations and is the principal of Gerard Diaz Associates, Property Rehabilitation Consultants.

Ohio CDC Association and OCCD are co-sponsoring this training and registration ($40) and agenda can be accessed at occd.org. Questions may be directed to either Melissa Miller mmiller@ohiocdc.org or Debra Mayes tc-occd@occd.org.  

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This past November, Introduction to CDBG Basics Part 1 was offered at the OCD Development Conference at Sawmill Creek.  There has been interest expressed in taking the test that was also offered.  If you would be interested in taking the open book (using materials provided during CDBG Basics Part 1 or without) please contact me at tc-occd@occd.org.  The test will be offered on Thursday, April 30 at 1p.m. following the OCCD Spring Quarterly at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North.  There is no fee associated with the test.

In the near future, Mary Oakley, Lisa Patt McDaniel and I will be scheduling a date and location for CDBG Basics Part 2.

Taking both Introduction to CDBG Basics Part 1 and 2 along with the testing for both and passing with a 70% score is the first level of the Ohio Community Development Professional Certification.  Additional information on the certification can be found on the OCCD website - occd.org.

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July 30, 2015 (Thursday of the OCCD Summer Annual) Debra Diez, Regional Relations Specialist, HUD Chicago and Jackie Clark, Ohio Department of Commerce will speak on Federal Davis Bacon Labor Standards & State Prevailing Wage respectively.

Didn't get an invite to the Tony's or the Oscar's??  Never fear, the best is yet to come - THE OCCD 50th. Anniversary & Gala where YOU could be among the best and brightest in the community and economic development world!  So while we are creating the invite lists, dusting off the memorabilia and selecting the crystal, how about sharing with us OCCD stories of the past, favorite memories, names of folks you would love to see and hear about on the OCCD website – look for my blog – “We are golden! Let us know to expect YOU!” Don’t miss this opportunity to join in on the celebration of 50 years of OCCD and to catch up with folks from the past!! Oren, Carol, Carla, Jack Riordan from HUD, Jack Riordan from ODOD, Jack Riordan with OCCD…….

And give us a shout out to announce that YOU will be attending and what your connection to OCCD is!!

The committee is hard at work to make this THE social engagement of all of Ohio!

Save the date - July 29, 2015!!

And the winner is...........YOU the attendee!!

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With the new bylaw changes comes the restructuring of some of the committees.  We have a new name, and a bit of a tweaking, but remain committed to providing information and training on topics of interest to you our members.  If you would like to submit topics for consideration or names of potential speakers to the Sessions and Training Committee, please do so through tc-occd@occd.

There has been discussion on providing trainings on Thursday afternoon rather than the day before the OCCD Quarterly.  If you would like to weigh in on that….tc-occd@occd.org.

Change of address!!!!  Please replace my old e-mail trainingcoordinator@occd.org with tc-occd@occd.org!!!!!

Reminder

Power Point presentations from the OCCD Quarterly meetings are posted to the OCCD website under Learning Resources - Post Training Materials when permission is given by the speakers.  Occasionally, due to the size of the presentation because of pictures, this is not possible.  The members’ only password is required to access.  If you do not have this password, please contact Patricia Richards at office@occd.org.

Locations for 2015

The OCCD 2015 Spring Quarterly Meeting will be held April 29-30, 2015 at Crowne Plaza North, Columbus.

The OCCD 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held July 29-30, 2015 at Crowne Plaza North, Columbus.  50th Gala will take place at the Ohio Statehouse.  Transportation will be provided from the hotel and back.

The OCCD 2015 Fall Quarterly Meeting will held October 28-29, 2015 at Crowne Plaza North, Columbus.

Locations for 2016

The OCCD 2016 Winter Quarterly Meeting will be held January 20-21, 2016 (note a week earlier than usual) at the Embassy Suites, Dublin.

The OCCD 2016 Spring Quarterly Meeting will be held April 27-28, 2016 at Crowne Plaza North, Columbus.

The OCCD 2016 Summer Annual Meeting will be held July 27-28, 2016 at potentially Toledo.

The OCCD 2016 Fall Quarterly Meeting will held October 26-27, 2016 at TBD.

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David Goodman, Director

With record-cold temperatures this winter, the Development Services Agency (DSA) worked even harder to ensure Ohioans have the energy resources they need to stay warm. So far we’ve helped 110,000 households statewide through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.

Throughout the year, we will continue to:

• Work with communities to advance their economic development plans by:

o Providing a seed for ideas that become sustainable in a reasonable time frame
o Providing a catalyst for additional economic development
o Encouraging a unique, authentic and appealing lifestyle that attracts employers.

• Assist small businesses and entrepreneurs with business guidance and access to capital they need to grow.
• Support JobsOhio by providing and monitoring taxpayer-supported incentives to recruit employers to Ohio.

On the day of Governor John Kasich’s State of the State address in Wilmington, Ohio, I had an opportunity to visit the Clinton County Homeless Shelter, one of our Homeless Crisis Response Program grantees. I was really impressed. The dedicated staff is providing Ohioans with a place to call home when they need it with dignity and compassion and without judgment. Using state funds, private donations, and with community volunteers, the shelter is operating more like a home, with individual rooms for families. Former shelter residents are now volunteering to help current residents; proof the shelter’s making an impact. I know there are stories just like this across the state.

Governor Kasich wants to make sure all Ohioans benefit from the state’s economic growth. That is why he is proposing to cut taxes for all Ohioans and Ohio small businesses. Small businesses make up about 98 percent of all Ohio businesses – and employ about half the private-sector workforce. These businesses are the backbone of Ohio’s economy and why Governor Kasich’s plan eliminates the income tax for virtually all small businesses. Small businesses – those with gross receipts less than $2 million – will no longer pay income tax. And the minimum Commercial Activities Tax (or CAT) will go from $800 to $150. It is anticipated this will help hometown businesses grow and create jobs.

Governor Kasich also proposed a $500 million net tax cut. It is a 23 percent income tax cut on top of the income tax cut from last year. In addition, the personal income tax exemption will be increased. For Ohioans earning less than $40,000 a year, the exemption increases from $2,200 to $4,000 in 2015, and for those earning between $40,000 and $80,000 a year, the exemption increases from $1,950 to $2,850. These increased exemptions will result in more than 200,000 households no longer paying state income taxes.

Governor Kasich’s proposed budget also increases funding for early childhood education, and access to college-level courses for high schools students, and cuts unnecessary state regulations to increase local control. Initiatives to improve access to higher education include limiting tuition increases, and creating a new $120 million fund to address student loan debt. Governor Kasich believes that all Ohioans should benefit from the state’s economic turnaround. If you would like to learn more about Governor Kasich’s Blueprint for a New Ohio, visit http://blueprint.ohio.gov/.

I believe these initiatives, along with the work we are doing here in Ohio, will create long-term economic growth. It also will help us as we work together to build our communities, making them ready for job growth and a place people want to live. As a new program year starts for our community development, housing and supportive housing programs, we encourage you to let us know how we can improve our services. Our team in the Office of Community Development can be reached at (614) 466-2285 or ocd@development.ohio.gov.

Together we can make Ohio the state where people want to live and work.

Spring – YES!!! Spring is here!!!! Good riddens to winter!! By the time you read this article, we will be buried reviewing 5-Year Con Plans and not by the snow. Again this year, we will be processing the renewals for both the formula and competitive programs. Busy, busy, busy………

CPD COLUMBUS FIELD OFFICE / NATIONAL PROGRAM UPDATES:

Formula Funding - 2015: The median percentage change in allocation amounts from FY-14 to FY-15, among all grantees nationally, is -0.8%. Half of all grantees will see their FY-15 CDBG allocation go down by more than 0.8% compared to FY-14, while the other half will see a smaller decrease (or even an increase) in their allocation amounts compared to FY-14.

2 CFR 200 Transition Notice Released: On December 26, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published (at 78 Federal Register 78590; https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-30465) final guidance on the above subject, which is codified at 2 CFR part 200. OMB and the Federal award making agencies published a joint interim final rule implementing the final guidance as requirements for recipients of Federal financial assistance on December 19, 2014 (at 79 Federal Register 75871; https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/12/19/2014-28697/federal-awarding-agency-regulatory-implementation-of-office-of-management-andbudgets-uniform). OMB also made technical corrections to Part 200. The purpose of this omnicircular at 2 CFR Part 200 is to streamline the Federal government’s guidance on administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements to more effectively focus Federal resources on improving performance and outcomes, while ensuring the financial integrity of taxpayer dollars in partnership with non-Federal stakeholders. The uniform guidance supersedes, consolidates, and streamlines requirements from eight OMB Circulars.

On February 26, 2015, HUD issued Notice SD-2015-01 that provides guidance on transitioning to the use of the new rules once published. The Notice can be accessed at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=TransitionNotice22715.pdf

HUD Issues NSP-2 Waiver Concerning Program Income - HUD has issued a waiver for 42 NSP-2 grantees to allow them to draw Line of Credit funds before expending Program Income. This waiver applies only to 42 NSP-2 grants because they had funds remaining in their Lines of Credit.  These grantees face serious challenges in expending their remaining Line of Credit Funds before the deadline of September 30, 2015, when all remaining NSP-2 Line of Credit funds will be recaptured. Loss of the grant funds would reduce the ability of these grantees to invest in declining neighborhoods.  Over 1,000 homes could go untreated if the funds stay locked in the Line of Credit.  The waiver can be found here: https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/NSP2-Program-Income-Waiver.pdf.

Please continue to check your e-mails for updates from my office. If there are any changes in e-mail addresses, please let your CPD Rep or Myrna Cokes know as soon as possible. In addition, please provide updated staffing information to our office. This would include changes resulting from elections, office reorganizations, etc.

See you at the meeting.