The Ward 8 Citizen ~ Spring 2020, Council Member Michael D. Polensek
Keeping you informed about our neighborhood! The Ward 8 Citizen Michael D. Polensek • Councilman, Ward 8 | Spring 2020 | www.ClevelandCityCouncil.org
Tuesday, March 17, 2020, St. Patrick’s Day, is a special day in our community “I cannot begin to tell you how critical and in my own life. But in Ohio it is also Election Day and I urge everyone to the census is, not only for our community, but seek and vote, if you can, early or by ABSENTEE BALLOT. You can vote early for the entire City and the State of Ohio.” by going to the Cuyahoga County Board to a busy year of projects and ward-wide The Marcella Road/East 185th Street of Elections at 2925 Euclid Ave. initiatives. Storm Sewer Project is well under way You can vote by absentee by calling the I am sure you are aware of the many the contractor is working on 24-hour Cuyahoga County Board of Elections storm water related projects going on shifts. This much needed improvement is at 216-443-8683 or by going on line in the Ward 8 community whether it be affecting traffic and commerce along the to https://boe.cuyahogacounty.us and connected to the Northeast Ohio Regional East 185th Street corridor. I cannot stress request a VOTE-BY-MAIL Absentee Ballot Sewer District (NEORSD) or the City of enough the importance of patronizing application. This way you can still enjoy Cleveland’s Division of Water Pollution and supporting the local businesses along St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family Control (WPC). Restoration of the green the main streets being impacted by these and know that you have done your space around the “Big Dig” site on East projects. civic duty. 140th Street is almost complete. The You may have also noticed the This is the first Ward 8 Citizen of the Pump House for the Euclid Creek Tunnel structures around the historic LaSalle new decade. I want to continue to thank Project is operational and additional Theatre have been torn down to expand all the neighborhood groups, businesses, tie-ins for other underground projects the parking lot. I wish to thank NEORSD, institutions and residents for your are presently underway such as the Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, the continued concern and support of the London Road/ Holmes Avenue project CDC and Cuyahoga County LandBank for Ward 8 community. We have a lot on our and areas adjacent to St. Clair Avenue plate for 2020 and I am looking forward into the East Glenville neighborhood. Continued on page 2
It’s All About the Census! PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY Do Your Part in Shaping the Future for Your PERLEESCIDTENIOTIANL PDRAIMYA RIYS Family and Community MARCH 17, 2020 ELECSTT.I POATRNIC K'DS DAAYY IS MARCH 17, 2020 Register to vote by Feb. 18 ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Choose how you will vote: Choose how you will vote: Register to vote by Feb. 18
April 1, 2020 is officially Census as the basis of the Census, they made Choose how you will vote: Day in America. This marks the a tool of government into a tool of Early In-Person Vote-by-Mail Election Day twenty-fourth decennial Census. empowerment for the governed. What does this really mean, though? Thus, ensuring a representational Visit www.443vote.us to: Visit www.443vote.us to: Our Founding Fathers believed government. This was a turning point, • Register to voteRegi sorte rupdate to vote or up•d aRequestte your aad Vote-by-Maildress ballot a Census was such a critical tool in historically, for world government. your addressView a sample ballot• Track your Vote-by-Mail ballot understanding our fledgling country The Census counts the population • View a sample ballot that they included it in the U.S. but also has the ability to enumerate View the Early In-Per•so Verifyn Voti nyourg ho Electionurs Day Earl•y View theIn-Perso EarlynReq In-Personuest Va oVtoe te--bbyy--Maiilpollingl ballot locationElection Day Constitution (Article I, Section 2). So, our assets and record our potentials Voting hoursTrack your Vote-by-Mail ballot every ten years, since 1790, we have as well as help to access the country’s Verify your Election Day polling location undertaken this monumental task. industrial and military potential. An PrepareVisi fort w Electionww.4 Day:43vote.us to: Because it is in the Constitution, it is the individual’s data is held secret, while Prepare for Election Day Law. the statistics give us a picture of The PresidentialRegister to v Primaryote or up dElectionate your afallsddre sons If you choose to vote at the polls on Election Our Founding Fathers mapped population and trends along with the Tuesday,Vie wMarch a sam 17,ple bSt.all oPatrick’st Day. Day, be mindful of how St. Patrick's Day If you choose out for the future generations a way growth and/or decline of our cities. to vote Vatice ethewle bt rhpollsaeti oEnas r onmlya yIElectionn c-aPuseer stroa nfDay,f iVc ort ibednegt o mindfulhurosu nresar of how to count every person living in the It is imperative, then, when you celebrationsReyqoure maypsotl lain Vgcause olotcea-tbi otrafficyn-.Mail bora ldetourslot near your United States and its territories. By pollingT location.rack your Vote-by-Mail ballot using population, not wealth or land, Continued on page 3 Verify your Election Day pWoWllWin.4g4 3loVcOaTtEi.oUnS 216-443-VOTE (8683) Prepare for Election Day If you choose to vote at the polls on Election Day, be mindful of how St. Patrick's Day celebrations may cause traffic or detours near your polling location.
WWW.443VOTE.US 216-443-VOTE (8683) Message Continued Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will UPCOMING find more information regarding the 2020 their help and efforts with this much needed Census and its importance. I cannot begin endeavor. There are also several storefront to tell you how critical the census is, not only Community renovation projects in the pipeline which will for our community, but for the entire City help to improve the face of our businesses in and the State of Ohio. I would hope that you Meetings the community. We hope these development would comply with the Census. Stand up and projects and others in process will act as a Collinwood Homeowners be counted! catalyst to future commercial development. and Tenants Association As always, please feel free to contact me. I cannot stress enough the importance I always try to answer your concerns to the Meets first Wednesday of the month at of participating in neighborhood events best of my ability. I may always be reached 7:00 pm St. Mary’s School, 15519 Holmes Ave. and meetings in the Ward 8 community at my office at 216-664-4236, or via email at: (see listing on this page and page 3). [email protected]. E. 185th Street Neighborhood We are fortunate to have the 5th District Association Police along with other guest speakers Sincerly Yours, Second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm in attendance at these meetings. I have Lithuanian Village Hall, 1st Floor rear entrance, mentioned many times before, that the community is only as good as the citizens 877 East 185th St. in it; we need more participation and Ward 8/Bratenahl Village more activists who have a broad vision for our community and beyond. Become a Democratic Club stakeholder! Michael D. Polensek Second Wednesday of the month, Sept. through June, 6:30 pm Collinwood Slovenian Home, 15810 Holmes Ave. YOU’RE INVITED: Fifth District Community Community Listening Sessions with Greater Relations Meeting For day and time contact: Rick Reynolds, Collinwood Development Corporation Community Relations Board, 216-664-3291 The Greater Collinwood Development Corporation wants to hear from YOU! E. 156th Street Neighborhood Assoc. Please join the Greater Collinwood Third Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm Development Corporation (GCDC) at one of Collinwood Rec Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd. our community listening sessions. The GCDC serves the Collinwood, E. 140th Street Neighborhood Assoc. Nottingham Village, Glenville East, and Euclid-Green neighborhoods. As we prepare Fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm to embark on a strategic planning process –
Five Pointe Community Center, 813 E. 152nd St. developing a roadmap for the future of the Please become a stakeholder: organization and our work for our community – we want to hear from you. Please come to GET INVOLVED! one of our facilitated sessions to share your thoughts on community opportunities and needs. These sessions will take place on: Community Resources • Thursday, March 12 | 5:30 to 7:00 pm Collinwood Nottingham Everlasting Baptist Church 579 Eddy Road Historical Society • Saturday, March 14 | 9:30 to 11:00 am Email: [email protected] Greater Cleveland Food Bank that you PLEASE RSVP to Carly Lovely at Ph: 216-738–0626 15500 South Waterloo Road 216-383-9772 x209 or email clovely@ On-going efforts to discover and explore greatercollinwood.org by March 10 with your our neighborhood heritage. Participants are welcome to attend one or name and the session(s) you plan to attend. Greater Cleveland Food Bank more of these sessions. Light refreshments will We look forward to seeing you at the be provided. While attendance is free, we ask sessions and hearing what YOU have to say! 15500 South Waterloo Rd. | Ph: 216-738-2067 Connects you to food assistance including local food pantries and hot meals. Free fresh produce distribution every third Thursday of the month, Report any of these 4-6 pm. Call and apply for SNAP/Food Stamps nuisance issues over the phone or walk in to apply without an to the Cleveland Police Department’s appointment, weekdays 9 am - 5 pm. non-emergency number: 216-621-1234 NEON Collinwood Health Center • Loud noises coming from a property 15322 St. Clair Ave. | Ph: 216-851-1500 or a vehicle resulting in disturbing the Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. peace and quiet of a neighborhood. Services include family and adult medicine, • Large gatherings of people pediatrics, OB/GYN, behavioral health and congregating on public streets. street and reporting disturbances to police. dental care. Ancillary and pharmacy services For example, people responsible for barking • Violations of youth curfews, both are also available. dogs, loud boom boxes, noisy automobiles, public daytime and nighttime. disturbances, general harassments of others or J. Glen Smith Health Center • Animal nuisances, including barking causing neighborhood blight could face criminal 11100 St. Clair Ave. | Ph: 216-249-4100 out-of-control dogs. charges, punishable by fines, jail or both. Minor Open Mon.,Wed., Thurs. and Fri., 8:30 am disruptions can lead to major problems, so Cleveland’s municipal laws clearly address a we can’t let our guards down. Everyone is to 4:30 pm; Tuesday, 12-8:00 pm. number of quality-of-life issues, ranging from entitled to live in safe, secure and welcoming Services include reproductive health clinics, barking dogs to kids congregating after curfew. neighborhoods. free immunizations (children up to age 18), Disturbing peace in our neighborhoods is The Cleveland Police Department urges citizens TB testing, counseling and pregnancy testing. against our laws and these laws work best when to report nuisances by calling the department’s non- citizens are involved, keeping vigils street-to- emergency phone 216-621-1234. 18TH ANNUAL MINORITY Census 2020 Continued receive your invitation from the U.S. Census Bureau that you complete the simple MEN'S questionnaire. For this Census, for the first time, you are able to fill out the forms online. HEALTH FAIR Those who may feel a little more comfortable, @ Cleveland Clinic Main Campus may do so by phone or by mail. Remember, the personal information you share is DATE: Thursday, April 23, 2020 confidential by law. TIME: The overall statistics provided, though, are 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm invaluable and will make a difference in our LOCATION: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus FREE SCREENINGS and health information state, in our city and in our own community. for all members of the public! M Building - 9500 Euclid Avenue This census data impacts our legislative representation on a Federal, State and Local Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol • Eye Screenings • Hearing Screenings level by how districts are redrawn. It also Hernia Screenings • HIV Screenings • Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) – Prostate determines how more than $675 billion is Financial Health • Alzheimer’s Screenings • Gambling & Chemical Dependency Assessments spent which supports programs and initiatives AND MUCH MORE! for housing, childcare, seniors, education, For more information and to register: www.clevelandclinic.org/mmhf transportation, Veterans, safety and security and so much more. Your response to the Census will make a difference. Come April 1st, can we count CENSUS 101: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW on you? The 2020 Census is closer than you think! – Councilman Mike Polensek Here’s a quick refresher of what it is and why it’s essential that everyone is counted. The Department Everyone counts. of Aging is in Your The census Neighborhood! counts every person living in It’s about fair the U.S. once, only once, and in representation. the right place. Every 10 years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats each state gets. It’s in the constitution. The U.S. Constitution mandates that everyone in the country be The City of Cleveland Department of counted every 10 years. The first Aging is partnering with Cleveland census was in 1790. Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers to provide Geriatric Outreach It’s about workers on a monthly basis at $675 billion. It’s about Collinwood Recreation Center, redistricting. 16300 Lakeshore Blvd. The next Outreach date is After each decade’s census, state ocials redraw the boundaries of the Monday, April 6, 2020. congressional and state legislative districts in their states to account for population shifts. The Department of Aging can help The distribution of connect you to programs and services, more than $675 billion in federal funds, answer questions, provide information grants and support to and outreach, help complete forms and states, counties and Taking part is communities are applications and more. based on census data. your civic duty.
That money is spent on Completing the census schools, hospitals, is mandatory: it’s a way If you have any questions please roads, public works and to participate in our contact Alisha Memaran, Aging Services other vital programs. democracy and say “I COUNT!” Administrator, at 216-664-2425.
FREE Seasonal Programs at Collinwood Recreation Center - 16300 Lakeshore Blvd. FOR FULL, UP-TO-DATE SCHEDULE & DETAILS CALL 216-420-8323 EDUCATION PROGRAMS ART PROGRAMS After-School All-Stars Bucket Drumming (Ages 12-18) ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS (Tutoring, Sports/Rec, STEM Activities) Ballet (grades K-12) Senior Exercise & Fitness Life on Earth CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMS Youth Fitness • Jewelry Making (Trip to Cleveland Museum Adult Ceramics Expressive Writing (Ages 13-18) of Natural History) Kids Mixed Media (Youth) Computer Skills (Ages 50+) PRESORT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CLEVELAND, OH PERMIT NO. 2893
The Ward 8 Citizen COUNCILMAN What to Expect in
T March 12-20 In partnership with Cleveland’s first of an emergency, In the event magnets are of Life File The MICHAEL D. POLENSEK the Mail An invitation to respond online to Emergency Medical Service, the city’s older adults Department urges of Aging refrigerator of Life” get a “File to medical details a person’s magnet that history. be home would a senior’s to responders medical for check the magnet able to and emergency medications histories, readily critical information, This contacts. on the outside of a refrigerator available in an matter is vital when seconds door, emergency. in English, Spanish and available of Life File a free receive To Mandarin. call 216- 664-2833. magnet, City Council Office: the 2020 Census. (Some households Refrigerator of Life File Lives Magnets Save 601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 220 will also receive paper questionnaires.) Cleveland, OH 44114 T Phone: 216-664-4236 March 16-24 A reminder letter. Fax: 216-664-3837 Email: T March 26-April 3 [email protected] A reminder postcard. Visit www.ClevelandCityCouncil.org T April 8-16 A reminder letter and paper questionnaire. T April 20-27 DIAL-A-NUMBER For more information, visit:
Emergency (Police, Fire, EMS) ………………………… 911 A final reminder postcard before Annual 2020Census.gov st a U.S. Census taker follows up in Police (non-emergency) ………………………… 621-1234 event. 5th District Police (881 E. 152nd St.) ……………… 623-5500 person.
Fire (non-emergency) …………………………… 621-1212 FREE
EMS (non-emergency) …………………………… 623-4545 Noon – Lunch this City Hall (all departments) ………………………… 664-2000 GET YOUR 11 a.m. – Program The Cleveland Cleveland The
Mayor’s Action Center …………………………… 664-2900 Fair 10 a.m. – Information 12:30 p.m. – Entertainment 12:30 p.m. Presents the 31 Presents TAXES PREPARED www.cleveland-oh.gov/aging Cleveland Public Hall Public Cleveland 500 Lakeside Avenue
Animal Control (dogs, etc) ………………………… 664-3069 attend to ALL seniors invited Department of Aging Building/Housing Complaints …………………… 664-2007 * For more information call (216) 664-2833 information more For FOR FREE 27, 2020 May Wednesday, Cleveland Public Power …………………………… 664-3156 SENIOR DAY Collinwood Recreation Center …………………… 420-8323 Department of Aging …………………………… 664-2833
Dominion East Ohio Gas ………………………… 361-2345 20 Health Department Complaints ………………… 664-2300 TV Illuminating Company …………………… 1-800-589-3101 We Are Cleveland! Potholes/Snow Removal ………………………… 664-2510 Sewers/Catch Basins (clogged) …………………… 664-2513 *FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY AND MAKE LESS THAN $56,000 Street Light Outages (CPP) ……………………… 621-5483 Traffic Signs Down & Missing …………………… 420-8282 3 IRS-Certified Volunteers Tree Trimming/Removal ………………………… 664-3104 3 Waste Collection Issues ………………………… 664-2397 E-File Your Return for Free Water Department (leaks, hydrants) ……………… 664-3060 FOR COMPLAINTS OR PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Schedule your appointment CALL 3-1-1 at RefundOhio.org or dial 2-1-1