City of Conneaut Ohio Revokes Cease and Desist Letter

9 months after Conneaut City Manager, Robert Schaumleffel's comments at a May 2009 Conneaut City Council Meeting made national headlines, the
City of Conneaut Ohio has changed their position - effectively revoking the Cease and Desist Letter sent to Katie Schwartz,owner of http://www.everythingconneautohio.com.

In addition, the City of Conneaut Ohio issued a public statement in which an apology was given to Mrs. Schwartz the statement also referenced the cities recognition of freedom of speech. Acting Law Director, Luke Gallagher read a public statement at Monday night's meeting and also made several comments alluding to a monetary settlement. We caught up with Schwartz who confirmed that she settled with the City of Conneaut for a small sum of $2,500 and the promise of a public statement. Here is a copy of the letter sent to Schwartz and her attorney from the City of Conneaut's attorney - Tomino and Latchney...

TOMINO & LATCHNEY, LLC
A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
803 E.
Washington St. Suite 200
Medina, Ohio 44256

Telephone: (330) 723-4656
Facsimile: (330) 723-5445
E-mail: jlatchney@brightdsl.net
January 21, 2010

VIA FAX and E-MAIL:
brett@josephlawservices.com
Brett R. Joseph, Esq.
Joseph Law Services Co.,
LPA
256 Main Street
Conneaut, Ohio 44030

RE: Kathryn M. Schwartz v. The City of Conneaut, Ohio, et al.
U.S. District Court Case No. 1:09 CV 1222

Dear Brett:

Thank you for your thoughtful effort to resolve this
matter before the Mediation. Your efforts have resulted in a change of
position. Indeed, your client’s agreement to conditionally
accept the $2,500 offered in settlement engendered a willingness to issue a public statement by the Defendants. I have forwarded a copy of same and hope it meets your
approval.

While Mr. Schaumleffel remains unwilling to read it, Defendants are
willing to issue apress release to both the Star Beacon and the Courier,
i.e. taking the affirmative action of sending them the public statement.
Please advise whether this action is sufficient to satisfy
your client.
Given the time-sensitive nature of this matter, I look forward to
hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely yours,
TOMINO
& LATCHNEY, LLC, LPA
John D. Latchney

The public apology/statement will be sent to both The Star Beacon and The
Courier as confirmed by acting law director, Luke Gallagher at Monday Night's
Meeting. Here is a copy of the proposed statment slated to be sent to the above
media outlets via certified mail on Tuesday:

The City of Conneaut, by and through its representatives, Robert A. Schaumleffel, Jr. and Lori B. Lamer, withdraw the letter sent to Kathryn Schwartz dated May 15, 2009 relative to her website, www.everythingconneautohio.com.

The City of Conneaut and its administration unequivocally support the concepts of free speech and freedom of assembly as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. We further support entrepreneurship and appreciate Mrs. Schwartz’ efforts to contribute to the community in a meaningful way.

If any statement made at any public meeting was construed by Mrs. Schwartz as abridging her rights to free speech, we regret it. Certain comments made at a Council meeting were not intended to be directed to her personally, and the City and its administration apologize for its lack of clarity in making those comments. The intention was not to embarrass her or single her out for public ridicule and we regret if anything said was interpreted as anything more than a general criticism of others.

Certainly one lesson to be learned from this experience is that open dialogue and
communication is a key component to open government and governmental-citizen relations.

Conneaut Law Director Resigns

At Monday night's work session, Conneaut City Manager Robert Schaumleffel confirmed during his report that Conneaut Law Director, Lori Lamer has resigned from her position with the city.

Schaumleffel refused to elaborate on the issue since it directly relates with personnel. It is unclear at this time who will fill the position, however, Assistant Law Director, Luke Gallagher was present at Monday's meeting.

2nd Town Hall Meeting A Success

Last night, Rev. Babcock hosted the 2nd Town Hall meeting at the UCC Church in Conneaut, Ohio. Approximately 40 guests attended the town meeting, and the camera's were on.

Babcock came up with the idea, with hopes of creating a positive environment for the community to grow - where residents could share their ideas and give feedback to city leadership.

The only leadership present at the meeting were Council Members - Dave Campbell and Charlie Lewis. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Campbell, answered all questions presented to them by the guests at the meeting in forum-style, question and answer session.

The hot topic: A proposed industrial park. The industrial park has been a sticky point for several residents, since Monday's council meeting when Conneaut's City Manager - Robert Schaumleffel, Jr. suggested a discussion - proposing that development of the business park be reconsidered.

Conneaut Ward 1 Councilman, Dave Campbell spelled out the details for guests at last night's meeting... Campbell is supportive of the project, he stated "I would like to move forward with the business park." Campbell went into further detail noting a $750,000 grant that was awarded to the City of Conneaut - for the purpose of developing a business park in Conneaut, Ohio. "The City wouldn't have to match funds for up to 5 years." As for matching funds, it is estimated that the City of Conneaut would only need to match up to $600,000.00.

The future of the Business Park is still undetermined. Rev. Babcock hopes to host a monthly Town Hall meeting. Future announcements of any town meetings can be found at http://www.everythingconneautohio.com/.