8/3/2019 FactCheck.org News Release

1/2

www.VoteYes96.com

Rocco DiLillo, Treasurer 1153 Dorsh South Euclid OH 44121

November 1, 2011

Contact: Alan Melamed, Melamed Communications, (216) 752-4900

Opponents to Oakwood Rezoning Use Deceptive Campaign Practices

Front Group Funds Campaign, Distributes Misleading Materials

SOUTH EUCLID, OHIO (October 31, 2011) South Euclid voters have received mailers from a

group that claims to be affiliated with the prestigious FactCheck.org, a non-profit, non-partisan

consumer advocacy organization affiliated with the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of

Pennsylvania.

In fact, there is no connection between this sneaky front group and FactCheck.org, according

to a statement posted on FactCheck.org by Director Brooks Jackson. But the fact is we have nothing to

do with SouthEuclidFactCheck.org and dont endorse the statements that group is making in mailers

and on a website What we find most objectionable, however, is for any group to use a name that

implies it is associated with us when its not, especially when its true identity and sources of funding are

deliberately hidden. Thats the very definition of a front group. We hope the voters of South Euclid,

Ohio, are not deceived.

No on 96 opposes Issue 96, which is on the ballot in South Euclid to uphold rezoning the

former Oakwood Country Club property to allow for commercial development. The Ohio Campaign

Finance Report filed by the No on 96 committee lists a $25,000 donation from Ohio Fact Check with

the address of attorney Donald McTigue in Columbus. Jackson said his organization was able to track

down and contact an Ohio election-law attorney, Donald McTigue, who told us that he had recently

incorporated Ohio Fact Check as a tax-exempt advocacy group. But he told us by telephone that he

could not tell us who his client is or give any information without first obtaining permission. We also

could find no corporate registration with the Ohio Secretary of State for any group calling itself Ohio

Fact Check or FactCheck.

-- more --

8/3/2019 FactCheck.org News Release

2/2

www.VoteYes96.com

Rocco DiLillo, Treasurer 1153 Dorsh South Euclid OH 44121

YES 96! Page 2

The Fact Check campaign materials claim that Issue 96 will cost South Euclid nearly $500,000

per year. In fact, an independent study conducted by Team NEO for the Greater Cleveland Partnership

found that the proposed development would create more than 700 new jobs and generate nearly

$750,000 in new income and property tax revenues for the City of South Euclid, in addition to more than

$1 million in property tax revenues for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights public schools where

some South Euclid children attend.

A subsidiary of First Interstate Properties acquired nearly 63 acres of the former Oakwood

County Club property last December and has been working with South Euclid to create a 21-acre park

alongside 325,000 square feet of LEED-certified and sustainably designed retail space. The park, which

nearly doubles the amount of dedicated green space in South Euclid, will include nearly one mile of

walking and biking trails and other amenities for local residents.

South Euclid City Council unanimously approved rezoning the parcel for the development, but a

referendum placed the zoning change on the November 8 ballot as Issue 96. Voters must vote yes on

Issue 96 to support the development in South Euclid.

###