PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON Non Profi t Organization Saturday, July 8, 2017, Literary Cleveland Free All U.S. POSTAGE PAID Day Workshop, Cleveland Public Library Jefferson CLEVELAND, OHIO Branch, 850 Jefferson Avenue: Laura Grace Weldon, PERMIT 1354 from Literary Cleveland, leads a writers’ workshop FREE called, “Turn Up the Creative Energy.” Vol. 44, No. 8 August 2017 PPlainlain PPressress CCleveland’sleveland’s NearNear WestsideWestside NNewspaperewspaper Cleveland Lead Safe Network works to make Cleveland’s homes lead safe by Chuck Hoven survivors and their families to share hosted by Organize Ohio at 3500 The Cleveland Lead Safe Net- their stories.” Lorain Avenue, also provided an work, a group of dedicated volun- To that end, the Cleveland Lead opportunity to learn more about teers, wants “to change the way Safe Network held a meeting July efforts in Cleveland to pass a lead the City of Cleveland treats its 27th to learn more about the effort safe ordinance. youngest citizens.” The group’s in Toledo, Ohio that resulted in the Guest Speaker, Toledo Council- goals include “enacting a lead safe passage of a Lead Safe Ordinance man at Large Larry Sykes, talked housing ordinance; holding elected in that city. The ordinance requires about experiences he had while offi cials accountable for reducing landlords to provide proof that their serving as a board member of the and eliminating lead poisoning in rental units are lead free before Toledo public school system and our community; and empowering they can be rented. The meeting, public housing authority. He said those experiences helped him to see the impact of lead poisoning on children and to convince him of the importance of making housing lead safe for children. He noted the large number of special needs students in the Toledo Public Schools and said that some of those students are special needs because of lead poisoning. He said each child in a special needs class cost the school system an extra $6,000 beyond its normal per pupil costs. Working with the schools, he said, he learned of the importance of tracking student movements to see where the lead poisoning originated. He said often students in the system had moved multiple times, so the cooperation of the school system in tracking and testing students for lead was important in fi nding the source of the lead poisoning. PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN On the Board of the Toledo Hous- Saturday, July 8, 2017, Talespinner Children’s Theatre, Reinberger ing Authority, Sykes says he learned Auditorium, 5209 Detroit Avenue: In a reading of the new play, The about the impact of lead while work- Garden of the In-Between by Meredith L. King and directed by Tim Keo, ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 4 actor Mark Swinerton plays the character of Kwano Paka. Primary Election set for Sept. 12 – early voting begins August 15th The City of Cleveland will have a County Board of Elections at: www. 2017), are eligible to register to vote. primary election on September 12th. 443vote.com or by calling 216-443- If you are not yet registered to vote, Early voting begins on August 15th. 3298. registration forms are available at To get an absentee ballot applica- Citizens, age 18 and older by the local libraries and at the Cuyahoga tion you can contact the Cuyahoga general election date (November 7, ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 6 PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON Saturday, July 8, 2017, Bethany Presbyterian Church, 6415 West Clin- ton Avenue: Pastor Sharon Grace Budin cuts the shortcake for the Strawberry Festival. The church was a hospitality stop for GardenWalk Cleveland – a self-guided tour of gardens in Cleveland that included gardens in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislative Equality urges citizen action in a State of Ohio Budget alert In late July, Northern Ohioans for Ohio Budget and its impact on low Budget Legislative Equality (NO- income Ohioans. The group took a BLE) sent out an alert concerning bus trip to Columbus in early July to Ohio Governor John Kasich’s veto a “Save Medicaid, Save Lives Rally” of items in the two year 2018-2019 in Columbus in support of Governor State of Ohio Budget passed by the Kasich’s veto of a Medicaid Freeze State legislature. provision the state legislature put In a statement released to mem- in the budget. While the legislature bers, NOBLE explained the unusual did not override the veto, NOBLE number of times that Governor continues to monitor the issue in Kasich used his veto on items in case the legislature attempts to hold the 2018-2019 State Budget. “This a vote to override the veto at another has been a budget cycle like no time. other in recent memory. In a typical NOBLE explained Governor budget year, the budget passes the Kasich had vetoed the provision in Legislature and the Governor may the State Budget that would have or may not use his veto power. In prevented any new Medicaid Ex- FY 2016/2017, the Governor used pansion recipients from enrolling in his veto pen on very small budget the program after July 1, 2018. They items. In the current budget FY said “The Ohio House did not have PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON 2018/2019, the Governor set off the votes to override the Governor’s Saturday, July 8, 2017, Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail, Mulberry and River Road: Plain a fi restorm with his pen where he veto of this provision. However, this Press Managing Editor Chuck Hoven checks out the new trail with Plain Press Editor Debbie Sadlon’s vetoed 47 items,” said the statement will bear monitoring in the future.” dog, Mattie. The trail, which opened in early June, is near where W. 25th Street meets Mulberry Road. The by NOBLE. NOBLE urged members to con- trail, which will be maintained by the Cleveland Metroparks, is built on an old rail right of way which runs NOBLE has been heavily in- tinue to press the state legislature up to the area below the Detroit Superior bridge. It is part of the trail network that will eventually link up volved in monitoring the State of ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 5 to the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail. 2 Plain Press • August 2017
The Plain Press Community Board is a listing of a variety of free activities and re- sources for neighborhoods served by the Plain Press. The printing of the Community Board is sponsored by Organize! Ohio through donations from readers and supporters. need to submit a completed application Tuesday, August 1 from 1 – 2 pm at the form by August 6, 2017 at 12 noon. Send Cleveland Public Library Walz Branch questions to [email protected]. (7910 Detroit Ave.); Wednesday, Au- AN ARTIST REGISTRY is being de- gust 2 from 10 – 11 am at Metro West veloped by Gordon Square Arts District Community Development (3167 Fulton (GSAD) in partnership with the Artist’s Rd.); or Thursday, August 3 from 10 – Trust. They will create a searchable 11 am at the Cleveland Public Library database of artists who live or work in Lorain Branch (8216 Lorain Ave.). Call Gordon Square can have input on neigh- 216/696-5750 to register for an infor- borhood initiatives, events and design mation session. Call today and mention concepts. The Artist’s Trust collaboration MetroHealth. will include Cleveland neighborhoods EVENTS PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON and cities throughout the region. GSAD TREMONT’S ARTS IN AUGUST in- needs your help to collect artist informa- Saturday, July 8, 2017, Bethany Presbyterian Church, 6415 West Clinton Avenue: Mike and Rosemary cludes free theatre, dance and music tion. Information provided will be utilized performances in Tremont’s Lincoln Park Bibler are two of the gardeners that help to nurture “A Plot Against Hunger.” The garden is a site on the in the searchable artist registry they are at W. 14th and Starkweather. Bring GardenWalk Cleveland self-guided tour of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. Rosemary Bibler says building. Easy to complete postcards a blanket or chair and a picnic. Verb members of the church and children from the neighborhood help tend the garden which will provide food can be dropped off at your location(s) or Ballets is scheduled for August 12 at to help with the weekly Friday free meal at the church. you can help by sharing this https://docs. 8:30pm. For other performances, visit google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVH- http://www.tremontwest.org/index/ ADULT EDUCATION “CPL and your Device” on August 24. at your own pace, and a friendly and re- 7dClnxmSuXc00EaNcA-T2X8-lAU- arts-in-august COMPUTER CLASSES offered at To register call or stop in at your local laxed place to learn at 3104 West 25th St., wQNoDES2nDv7E_KDQg/viewform. CiCLEvia (see-CLE-vee-uh) is an open Cleveland Public Library branches branch. 3rd Floor near Clark Ave. Call 216/661- streets movement. Segments of Cleve- include “Computer Basics: Organizing MERRICK HOUSE ADULT EDUCA- 7950 or visit www.seedsofl iteracy.org. CHILDREN CUYAHOGAKIDS.ORG provides infor- land streets are temporarily closed to Files” at Brooklyn Branch (216/623- TION. Prepare for the GED test and ARTS AND CULTURE mation for families with young children cars and opened for people-powered 6920) at 3706 Pearl Rd. on Monday, post-secondary education, become THE NEW ARTIST-IN-RESIDENSE on high quality preschool and child care, movement such as biking, walking, danc- August 21 at 11:15 am. Classes at workforce ready, learn new technology PROGRAM is one of Gordon Square’s fun activities, places to go, learning on ing, and so much more. ciCLEvia West: South Branch (216/623-7060) at 2704 skills, and enroll in distance learning. strategies to support artists and arts the go, resources for your family. Visit August 20 on Detroit Ave. from W. 29th to Clark Ave., are all on Thursdays at 5 pm: Attend for free. To register, you must initiatives within the Gordon Square the website or text “KIDS” to 898-211 W. 67th Streets. For more information, “Search the Web” on August 10, “Buying attend a two-morning orientation the fi rst neighborhood. Gordon Square Arts for the link. visit: http://ciclevia.com/ and Selling Online” on August 17, and two Fridays of every month from 9 am District is now accepting applications SOCCER: Near West Recreation Fall EDGEWATER LIVE includes a full to 12 noon. Please arrive promptly at 9 for its fi rst Artist-in-Residence. The or- Soccer Registration is now open! Dead- summer lineup of music, food am. Class schedule after orientation is ganization plans to select a new artist line to sign up is August 8. Near West trucks, yoga and entertainment at Monday through Thursday from 9 am to each quarter over the next year. The fi rst Recreation offers four coed divisions: Edgewater Beach in Cleveland Met- 12 noon and 12:30 to 3 pm, and Tues- artist selected will focus on the visual arts U6 (ages 4-6), U8 (ages 7-8), U10 roparks Lakefront Reservation on day and Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. For and submit a program proposal that will (ages 9-10) and U13 (ages 11-13). Thursdays at 5:00 PM on August 3 more information, visit Merrick House’s further connect the local community with The season takes place from mid-Au- (Collage // Rock) and August 10 (The Facebook page at Merrick House Adult the arts. GSAD will support the residen- gust to the end of October. Teams Spazmatics // 80’s & 90’s). Education. cy through an artist stipend of $5,000, practice once a week and play games LA PLACITA, hosted by La Villa Hispana, SEEDS OF LITERACY conduct free project costs, and access to the Gordon on Saturdays. Cost is $30 per child is scheduled for Saturday, August 19, Adult Basic Education and GED Classes Square Art Space micro-gallery at 1386 – fi nancial assistance is available. To from 1 pm to 5 pm. Enjoy food, music, including one-to-one tutoring, learning West 65th Street. Interested artists register call 216-781-3222 x 108 or fi ll dance and artisan goods. For more out an online form at: https://docs.goo- information, visit the Facebook page at gle.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhMX0e LaPlacita Cleveland. ZYMNwJum495q5dDQCtqfH2MkgVHp- jWTsbQrU6ZSew/viewform. ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 7 SUMMER PLAYGROUND CRAWLS: Correction Every Friday at 11 am: August 4th at In the print edition of the July 2017 Herman Park (W. 58th and Herman) and August 11 Nature Hike at Harmody Plain Press in an article entitled Park (South Hills and Plymoth in Old Father’s Day Historic Walking Tour Brooklyn) honors the late Housing Court Judge CLEVELAND METRO Raymond Pianka, the fi rst name of SCHOOL DISTRICT. Ray Pianka’s daughter is wrong. Before the Cleveland Board of Education The correct name is Kirsten Pianka. votes on tax increment fi nancing, or TIF, for a development project, CMSD will in- form the public and collect feedback that Plain Press will guide the decision. The board will 2012 W. 25th STE vote Tuesday, Aug. 22 to accept or reject 500 tax increment fi nancing for nuCLEus, a proposed downtown development that Cleveland, OH 44113 would include retail shops, restaurants, Phone: (216) 621-3060 offices, a hotel, condominiums and e-mail: apartments. The TIF would allow use [email protected] of additional property taxes from the project over 30 years to pay for project Advertising e-mail: costs. Public meetings will be held on [email protected] Thursday, August 3 at 6 pm at New West Website: Tech at 11801 Worthington Ave. and on www.plainpress.org Saturday, August 12 noon at Patrick Henry School at 11901 Durant Ave. For more information and to complete an Plain Press © online survey, visit http://www.cleveland- Es tab lished in 1971 metroschools.org/nuCLEus. Circulation: 21,000 copies. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Published monthly. CROWD FUNDING YOUR COMMUNI- TY PROJECT. LAUNCH AND LEARN with ioby leaders @ Moncho’s Bar & Grill Distribution area: (2317 Denison Ave) and build your cam- Cuyahoga Riv er west to W. 140, paign page so you can start collecting Lake Erie south to the tax deductible donations this month (and Lower Big Creek Valley. start your project this fall)! Ioby brings Avail able free at over 500 lo ca tions. neighborhood projects to life, block by block. For more information, visit https:// Managing Editor: Charles E. Hoven; www.ioby.org/. Editor: Deborah Rose Sadlon; EMPLOYMENT Photo Editor: Coriana Close; TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT and com- Community Board & munity partners are recruiting for em- Website Editor: Margie Bray Hoven; Ad ver tis ing Sales: Tom Sheehan ployment at Metro Health located Graphic Art ist: Dav id Myers on Cleveland’s west side to fi ll open Dis tri bution: Ahmed Morad positions starting with wages at $12+/ Mailing: Teresa Calvo hour. To be eligible you must attend an information session and complete a Board of Trustees: 2-week, free career readiness training. Keith Brown,Peggy Davenport, Chose one of the following information David Gam ble, Dr. Leo Jeffres, sessions: Tuesday, August 1 from 10 – Joe Narkin, Helen K. Smith 11 am at the Cleveland Public Library and Julia Van Wagenen. Jefferson Branch (850 Jefferson Ave.); August 2017 • Plain Press 3 Cleveland City Council should reject give- away of $121 million in future school taxes by Chuck Hoven State of Ohio and make $54 million For at least a decade, the City of available for building new schools. Cleveland has had a policy of not Gordon says this would pay for one giving away the Cleveland Metro- new high school (about $45 million) politan School District’s portion of and one new K-8 school ($9 million), the property tax when giving a com- or multiple K-8 schools. However, mercial tax abatement or providing there are risks that the State will Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for a not approve the additional buildings development project. Cleveland City based on population projections, or Council should stick with that policy funding for the state program would and reject the NuCLEus Project be discontinued. request for a 30-year Tax Incre- While developers threaten not to ment Financing deal that includes build if they do not receive the TIF, the school district’s portion of the Cleveland City Council should call property tax. their bluff, especially when it con- The Cleveland School Board cerns the tax dollars that would ac- should also reject this attempt to get crue to the Cleveland Metropolitan them to provide cover to Cleveland School District. The school district City Council for this dramatic change needs operating funds if there is to in city policy by refusing to accept be any hope of improving the quality $18 million up front from the devel- of schools. Gordon said when the oper offered if they approve of this last levy, issue 108 was passed, deal. While the Cleveland Metropol- projections were that it would bring PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON itan School District risks not getting in $80 million in property tax revenue Saturday, July 8, 2017, Literary Cleveland Free All Day Workshop - Turn Up the Creative Energy with Laura anything from the project if Cleve- Grace Weldon, Cleveland Public Library Jefferson Branch, 850 Jefferson Avenue: Writers Marie and Cynthia ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 8 land City Council goes ahead and work as a team to sharpen their writing skills under the guidance of Laura Grace Weldon. approves the entire TIF requested by developer Stark Enterprises, to Lying by ignoring: Why is it so hard to tell the truth about costs of major league sports? do anything but reject this proposal would set a bad precedent, possibly by Roldo Bartimole to Bill Dorsey, the chairman of the $10.5 billion in revenue last season, marily subsidizing the Browns place resulting in other developers coming Why is it so hard for the Plain Association of Luxury Suite Direc- fi gures likely to increase this year. of business? to the City with their eyes on the Dealer (and TV news and Ideas- tors. A single suite can cost as much Those massive profi ts are made How crazy are we? How corrupt school district’s tax dollars. tream) to tell the truth about major as $750,000 a season. Almost all possible in part by the billions of are our offi cials? NEWS ANALYSIS league sports and the costs to this suites and club tickets are bought taxpayer dollars that local govern- Why do the Browns get charged At the fi rst of several public meet- community? by corporate clients, (who) write the ments spend on teams, coupled $250,000 a year to use the stadium ings to discuss the NuCLEus Project Why can’t they take hard looks at cost off as a business entertainment with tax breaks worth hundreds of we built for them, on land we (Cleve- held at Max Hayes High School on the dollar/revenues of the three ma- expense, reports CNN. millions for the teams, the league, landers) own? Further, we pay the July 29th, Cleveland Metropolitan jor league sports teams? It reveals their sponsors and fans. property taxes on stadium’s city land School District Chief Executive how obscene treating the teams as “Why can’t they take Did you know that in 2014, latest and charge the Browns NO property Officer Eric Gordon, explained welfare clients. available, the Browns got $226.4 taxes—not a penny—on the stadium that the School Board is asking for Why can’t they tell the public the hard looks at the dol- million just from the national TV or the land? public input on the proposal from true costs of supporting these prof- revenue share? We know this only WHY? Stark Enterprises and will vote on itable sports businesses? They are lar/revenues of the because one team, The Green Mayor Frank Jackson (with Coun- the proposal in August. Cleveland not non-profi ts. three major league Bay Packers team is a communi- cil help) even worked a sweet deal City Council will take up the issue They do have enough space or air ty-owned team. So, the Packers on parking for Jimmy Haslam, in September. Regardless of what time for this information. After all, the sports teams? It re- release data no other team does. Browns billionaire owner. Jackson the Cleveland Metropolitan School sports pages seem to get the largest veals how obscene However, it reveals what they re- worked a deal to give the Browns Board decides, Cleveland City amount of pages in a continuously ceived and since the divide is equal 1,700 parking spaces (if they have Council could decide to offer the TIF reduced news hole. treating the teams as each team gets the same amount. everything else, why not this?) for to the Stark Enterprises, including Is it simply community spirit that welfare clients. The Browns revenue, according $70,000. Now you might say, well the school district’s portion of the limits their coverage? to a Statista, a statistical portal, had he got $70,000 for the city. Right? taxes. COMMENTARY Why can’t they tell revenue since 2001 a bit more than Yes, but you break it down and Gordon says Stark Enterprises You’ll remember how crazy the PD the public the true $3.3 billion. And it’s been going up it’s about $4 a space. Where do you says the new building they want to and TV went when we temporarily annually from $158 million in 2001 park downtown for $4? The Browns build at E. 9th and Huron would cost “lost” the Cleveland Browns. costs of support- to $347 million in 2015. ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 8 $542 million to build, but would only The thrust of the news media in Pray, why then is Cleveland pri- have a likely market value of $250 town affects the entire tone of civic ing these profitable million when completed. Gordon life. That’s why it is so important. It sports businesses? estimates the school district’s por- helps decide what is vital and what’s tion of the property tax for a $250 rather meaningless. They are not non-prof- million building over a 30-year pe- So much just slips by notice. Hard its.” riod proposed for the TIF would be to see what’s not there. $121 million (about $4 million per Tax breaks for the NFL’s biggest ----- Roldo Bartimole year). Given that the school district’s customer—Corporate America— portion of the property tax is around NFL teams sell between $1.5 billion The NFL is the most profi table pro 63% of the total TIF, it would mean to $2 billion worth of luxury and high- sports league in the U.S., raking in that the entire TIF would amount to, end club seats a year, according an estimated $1 billion in profi ts on Proudly serving the Ohio City community roughly, $192 million which would go featuring: to the developer. Stark Enterprises would then use the total TIF toward • Private Rehabilitation Suites paying their mortgage on the devel- opment. The TIF would cover over • Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies 35% of the total project cost. • In exchange for the school dis- Short-Term Rehabilitation Services trict’s portion of the property tax • Complex Wound Care -- $121 million over 30 years -- the developer has offered $18 million, • Hospice Care up front, to the Cleveland Metropol- itan School District. Gordon says the • Respite Stays only way the school district could get suffi cient value from that deal would be if the $18 million were 3600 Franklin Boulevard placed in its capital improvement fund and the district successfully Cleveland, OH 44113 applied to the state to match 66% 216-651-1600 of the cost of construction funded by the dollars. If successful, this would mean acquiring an addition- al match of $36 million from the www.lhshealth.com 4 Plain Press • August 2017 ADAMHS Board announces new CEO The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Men- Operations for the ADAMHS Board and tal Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of has been employed by the Board for Cuyahoga County formally announces its nearly 30 years. unanimous decision to select Valeria A. “Valeria has the grounded under- Harper, MA, CDCA, as the organization’s standing of where we’ve been, where Chief Executive Offi cer effective August we need to go in the future, and I have 1, 2017. Ms. Harper follows William every confi dence in her,” said retiring M. Denihan, current CEO who will be Chief Executive Offi cer William Denihan. retiring on July 31, 2017, to lead the “She is a fi rst-class professional and organization. individual who has dedicated her career Harper, a veteran in the behavioral to the people of Cuyahoga County. I am health system for over 35 years, most thrilled to pass the baton to her.” recently served as Vice President of Sykes said there were an estimated rent to children and spoke of the diffi culty 55,000 rental units in Toledo that were in addressing lead in huge mansion with built prior to 1978 when lead paint was lead stained glass windows protected by banned for use in residential housing. the rules of a historic district. The goal is to have all the rental prop- Sykes said when Toledo passed the erties inspected within fi ve years. Sykes legislation, he promised to do what he said the number of inspections needed can to help defray the cost for landlords was less than that because many of that couldn’t afford the cost. So far, the homes were vacant or boarded up. Toledo has $3 million dollars to help He said the city would use property tax homeowners and rental properties to records to help determine houses that renovate homes contaminated by lead. were not abandoned. The city is also He cited Rochester, New York as an ex- encouraging city workers, such as meter ample of a city that has a successful lead readers and fi rst responders, to report abatement program. Since the passage homes that have peeling paint so they of the ordinance in 2005, lead poisoning can be made a priority. rates in children have dropped by 80%. While there were only a small number He said Rochester has raised $30 million of lead risk assessment inspectors when to help defray the cost of home renova- the program began, Sykes says there are tions as part of its effort to reduce lead now about 200 assessors. He said the contamination in homes. Sykes says training involves a 2-or-3-day training Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur has been by the health department. He noted that an ally of the City of Toledo in its effort to those doing remediation and testing, secure funds. involved more extensive training and Sykes also talked about the impor- state certifi cation. tance of addressing other issues related The Toledo legislation, which passed to lead. He talked about the importance PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON in August of 2016, requires “all rental and diffi culty of getting children to eat July 8, 2017, Edgewater Park: Mark Adkison (rear) and Tim Paskert of the Westpark neighborhood pose properties (1-4 units) and in-home, properly to help lower the body’s absorp- with the Cleveland Metroparks’ new Centennial living billboard. Standing eight feet tall, the aluminum and daycares built prior to 1978, to register tion of lead. He stressed the importance steel structure is planted with nearly 800 sedum plants to take the shape of the outer ring of the Cleveland with the Toledo-Lucas County Health of education about nutrition and its im- Metropark District’s Centennial Seal. The Cleveland Metroparks’ staff designed, built and will maintain the Department.” To register, the properties pact on health. He also mentioned the billboard. When it is time to water the plants, Metroparks’ staff rotate the billboard so the plants are facing must pass a visual lead inspection that need to address lead exposure in the makes sure there is no chipping or water travelling through old water pipes. upward ready to be watered. peeling paint. The property must also Spenser Wells, Community Manager Sykes talked about how groups work- The battle to get the legislation passed pass a dust wipe testing (12 samples.) for Cleveland Lead Safe Network, says LLEADEAD SSAFEAFE ing to tackle lead poisoning of children in by Toledo City Council was fi erce, said Sykes said the cost of such testing is articles in the Plain Dealer’s Website Toledo such as the Toledo Lead Poison- Sykes. He noted the strong opposition by about $400-$500 per property. Once the cleveland.com helped to spur him to ccontinuedontinued ffromrom ppageage oonene ing Prevention Coalition, Advocates for landlords. He said his new car was keyed landlords have passed the test, they fi ll get involved in the effort to combat lead ing to transform the housing authority Basic Legal Equity (ABLE), Toledoans when he came out from one meeting. out an application and pay a $45 fee per poisoning. Wells, who had been involved from the worst in the nation to the best United for Social Action (TUSA), worked Sykes says, a number of his colleagues property. in the past in efforts to deal with lead over a two-year period. He said, “safe, to get religious groups, health care work- on Toledo City Council owned rental There was some discussion about poisoning in Cleveland and the State of sanitary, decent housing has always ers, hospitals and other institutions on properties. He talked about appealing some of the possible unintended con- Ohio, says it makes sense to “start with been my issue.” board. to fellow Council Representatives on sequences of the lead safe initiative. the poisoned house and make it safe a personal level to change their views One concern was the displacement before the child gets poisoned.” about the necessity of passing the leg- of tenants while lead abatement was Cleveland City Council Represen- islation. Sykes recalled using testimony taking place. Sykes says, while he has tative Jeff Johnson says he was ap- by residents whose children suffered not encountered that yet in Toledo, he proached by members of the Cleveland from lead poisoning to help persuade talked about efforts to secure funds to Lead Safe Network and has agreed to his colleagues. help families move. There was some work with them to introduce a Cleveland A study by the Kirwan Institute at discussion about the possibility of se- Lead Safe Ordinance. He says lawyers Ohio State University in March of 2016 curing immediate eligibility for vouchers from Cleveland Legal Aid are working to reported that an estimated 3,400 To- for families in Cleveland, if an ordinance refi ne the ordinance to get it ready to be ledo children under the age of six had could be passed here. introduced to Cleveland City Council. elevated levels of lead in their blood. An Sykes said Toledo is fi nding a need Johnson says the legislation will tar- explanation of the Toledo’s Lead Safe to have a uniform cost for lead testing. get three categories for mandatory lead Ordinance, passed by the Toledo City He says that currently, there are wide safe compliance: landlords with rental Council in 2016, notes the dangers of variations in the cost from one inspector properties, day cares, and schools with lead in a child’s body which, it says, can to another. children under the age of six. He says “slow down growth and development, Sykes said another issue in Toledo while initially he included homeowners damage hearing and speech, cause was resistance to the ordinance by own- as a category, he has backed off from behavior problems, and make it hard to ers of historic homes in Toledo’s West mandatory requirement for homeowners pay attention and learn.” End. He said owners said they did not after hearing feedback from Cleveland residents. He said homeowners will not be required to participate, but there will be an effort to get them to make their homes lead safe. Johnson said the plan is to “try to win them over with education and fi nancial incentives.” Johnson said Legal Aid plans to have the legislation to him by early August. He praised the quality of work that Legal Aid does and says the quality of what they produce means the proposed ordinance will be ready for introduction to Cleve- land City Council. He plans to share the document with his colleague, once he gets a copy back from Legal Aid, in hopes of gaining some co-sponsors for the proposed ordinance. Johnson says he then plans to introduce the legislation to Cleveland City Council at the August 16th Cleveland City Council meeting. Johnson says the legislation will include a requirement for the Commu- nity Development Department to seek federal, state and foundation funds to help with lead assessment, remediation and homeowner education. He said the goal is to provide funds for low income homeowners who wish to assure their homes are lead safe, and to provide a need-based fund to help landlords as well. Johnson, a candidate for Mayor of Cleveland, said he is excited about the ordinance being prepared with the help of the Cleveland Lead Safe Network and Legal Aid. He called it “focused and proactive.” Johnson believes the current City of Cleveland “approach does not suffi ciently address the causes of lead poisoning.” He noted that Cleveland’s child lead exposure rate was twice that of Flint, Michigan. August 2017 • Plain Press 5 MetroHealth System selects master architect and engineer for campus transformation MetroHealth System announced for a hospital tower, connector it has selected Hammel, Green and building to the existing Critical Care Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA) to lead the Pavilion and a new central utility design planning, architecture and plant. All proposals were reviewed engineering of The MetroHealth and ranked, with the top four fi rms System’s campus transformation, making in-person presentations to a which includes the construction of a selection committee. new hospital tower on its West 25th The new structures assigned to Street main campus. MetroHealth’s HGA are an integral part of the future Board of Trustees approved the of MetroHealth, and make up most selection of the national fi rm at its the campus transformation project, regularly scheduled board meeting estimated for completion in 2023. on June 28th. According to a report from Cleve- “HGA demonstrated clearly that land State University’s Maxine it has the motivation, imagination, Goodman Levin College of Urban experience and knowledge to un- Affairs, MetroHealth’s transfor- dertake a project as large -- and as mation plan may support up to important to Cuyahoga County -- as 5,618 new and existing jobs that the nearly $1 billion MetroHealth could result in $873.3 million in campus transformation,” said Walter total output of economic benefi t for Jones, senior vice president of cam- Cuyahoga County. The study says pus transformation at MetroHealth. the city of Cleveland would see most “This fi rm truly was the best qualifi ed of the impact, with more than 3,200 candidate for the job, and it best un- jobs supported and a total economic derstood our goals and aspirations.” benefi t of more than $513 million. 15 fi rms responded to a Request Next, MetroHealth will select a PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON for Qualifications (RFQ) for the construction manager for the new Saturday, July 8, 2017, GardenWalk Cleveland self-guided tour of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood: Master Architect and Engineer of 1200-1500 car parking garage, This house at 6212 West Clinton features a garden in both the front and rear yards. Record. The scope of work outlined which it plans to start building at the in the proposal included the design end of this summer. Three area developments receive Housing Tax Credit Awards Three local development projects YMCA just South of Denison at The Ohio Housing Finance Agen- CPL Lorain Branch Manager Shayna Muckerhelde were among the recipients of Hous- 3881Pearl Road. cy website explains the conditions accepts Adult Outreach Coordinator position ing Tax Credit Awards announced by The Cleveland Housing Network for recipients of the Housing Tax the Ohio Housing Finance Agency also received $505,000 toward a Credit: “Selected developers claim Shayna Muckerheide, manager accepted a temporary position as on July 19th. $5.8-million-dollar effort to build 22 tax credits over a ten-year period to of the Lorain Branch of the Cleve- Adult Outreach Coordinator in the The Cleveland Housing Network single family homes on vacant lots in help offset the costs associated with land Public Library at 8216 Lorain Cleveland Public Library’s Outreach received $1,049,500 in Housing Tax the International Village area within construction or rehabilitation of a Avenue for the past two and a half & Program Services Department. Credits and $300,000 in Housing walking distance of the International housing development. In exchange years, announced that she has Development Assistance Funds for Newcomers Academy at Thomas for the credits, owners must main- Jefferson School in the Stockyard tain rents that are affordable and NNOBLEOBLE AALERTLERT NOBLE also supports Governor the $12.8 million Emerald Alliance Kasich’s veto of an attempt by XI development which will create 71 neighborhood. limit occupancy to residents with The Snavely Property Company low-to-moderate incomes for up to ccontinuedontinued ffromrom ppageage oonene the State Legislature to allow a units of permanent supportive hous- Controlling Board to administer ing for formerly homeless individuals received $993,403 in Housing Tax 30 years.” and keep an eye on some items in Medicaid in the State of Ohio. They on the site of the former Brooklyn Credits toward a $10.8 million-dollar The Ohio Housing Finance Agen- the 2018-2019 State of Ohio Budget urged members to call and tell their Forest City Square Apartment proj- cy Website says, “Housing Tax vetoed by Governor Kasich. State Senator to “Leave the admin- ect. Plans call for the creation of 38 Credit recipients are selected based three Senators below: Override Veto istration of the Medicaid program units of housing in the Forest City on the policies and goals of the pro- Senate President Larry th NOBLE would like citizens to in the hands of the Department Bank Building at W. 25 and Detroit gram, including affordability, location Obhof, 1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor, petition the State Legislature to of Medicaid. Do not override the Avenue. and experience of the development Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: 614- override Governor Kasich’s veto of a Governor’s veto eliminating the team.” 466-7504. Email: erich.bittner@ Managed Care Organization tax that Controlling Board’s administration PPlainlain PPress:ress: FForor AAdvertisingdvertising iinformationnformation ssendend aann eemailmail tto:o: ohiosenate.gov. supports Counties and Public Tran- of the Medicaid program” [email protected]@yahoo.com sit agencies in the state in making Senator Sandra Williams, 1 Cap- Take action up for loss of revenue from another itol Square, Room 052, Colum- NOBLE urged citizens to contact tax that has been eliminated. They bus, OH 43215. Phone: 614-466- the Ohio State Senate President urged members to call and ask their 4857. Email: whitney.kennard@ Larry Obhof and their own State State Senator to vote to “override ohiosenate.gov Senator, to express their concern the Governor’s veto and keep public Senator Michael Skindell, 1 Capi- about each of the above issues and transit and counties whole.” tol Square, Ground Floor, Columbus, to voice their support, or opposition, Support Vetoes OH 43215. Phone 614-466-5123. to an override vote as explained in Email: [email protected]. NOBLE supports the Governor’s their alert to members. State Sen- veto of the Healthy Ohio Plan pro- ators serving the area covered by posed by the State Legislature. Un- the Plain Press include: District 21 der the proposed Healthy Ohio Plan, State Senator Sandra Williams and NOBLE said, “The legislature has District 23 State Senator Michael requested that the Governor, once Skindell. again, ask the federal government See contact information for the for a waiver that would allow them to impose premiums and co -pays to Medicaid participants. Under this plan, if a participant is unable to pay the monthly premium, they can be kicked off the system and locked out until they pay the debt.” NOBLE urged members to call their State Senator and tell them, “Do not override the Governor’s veto on the Healthy Ohio Plan”.
HHearear somesome nneighborhoodeighborhood nnews?ews? SSendend aann eemailmail ttoo tthehe PPlainlain PPressress aat:t: [email protected]@gmail.com 6 Plain Press • August 2017 Gigi’s Playhouse offers a place to learn and grow for individuals with Down Syndrome by M. Yesenia Summers purposeful programming. While we younger groups too. That stage (play) kitchen and toys. We swap out They’re very literal when they’re I walked into Gigi’s Playhouse and are Gigi’s Playhouse, we are an has built so much confi dence over toys and what comes next is they’re learning, we take that approach in was greeted by friendly faces. Gigi’s achievement center. Kids come the past year. We had a teen who here in the real kitchen. They’re learning in our literacy program. Playhouse is nestled in a strip of here and play, we are very purpose- decided to go to homecoming; her cooking and cleaning and helping us It’s great because Gigi’s Playhouse stores on Detroit Road in Lakewood, ful about that. They don’t realize fi rst dance because of this stage. clean up. They’re learning what they Inc, our corporate offi ce, does a lot Ohio. I was given a tour by the site they’re learning and growing while They feel confi dent here, to get up in can help mom and dad with at home. of research. They are always “in coordinator, Elizabeth Maxwell, and they’re having fun. We have 32 loca- front of their friends and their peers. Our teens and adults are doing their the know” on what works best. We we discussed the success of the tions nationwide and one in Mexico”. Then, they go to school and feel own thing. The nutrition and fi tness have a student who focuses so well achievement center. Q: What are the different areas of “I got this, I can do this!” It’s been program they have, they’re cooking during snack time, so he’s tutored Q: “Can you tell me how Gigi’s the achievement center?” neat to see what that little stage their own meals and preparing the in the café. He is so productive, it’s Playhouse began?” A: “We have an education station has done, the big impact it has had. food. amazing to see his effort. The tutors A: “Nancy Gianni, started the fi rst where it looks like fun and they’re Nancy wanted music and a couch “We have a café. At each pro- do what works…” Gigi’s Playhouse in Illinois after her drawn to it. For example, a dad who in every playhouse. She wanted gram, we always incorporate meal “This is our get fi t gym. Individuals daughter, Gigi was born. She was brings his triplets in, one of them has that homey feel, a home away from and snack time. It’s so important with Down Syndrome need physical so passionate about a place where Downs. Last year she was having home. That’s how our families feel for transition, I think transition is so fi tness. We are all about being ac- her daughter could not only learn but problems with number recognition, about it. important for all kids. We work on, tive, staying active; learning what also be empowered. A place to let like 12 and 21. We made it fun and “Next, we have our therapeutic this is where we eat and drink. We that looks like and the importance parents connect and get resources. enjoyable for her, it wasn’t work. playground. We are all about fi ne are sitting together, using good table of that…Individuals with Down A place where individuals with Down Anytime we can get them to look at and gross motor skills. Using a pig- manners; what does that look like? Syndrome have low muscle tone, Syndrome can and should be cele- letters and numbers, they’re retain- gy bank and being able to put those We are working on social skills, chat- so we want them to work on getting brated. A place to learn and grow in ing that information. coins in, they’re playing but it’s very ting; talking at the table, cleaning up physical, staying active”. ways they learn best. “We have a stage here for obvious purposeful. We want them to feel after we’re done. We have families “Over here, it says future home of “We have therapeutic programs, reasons. We do karaoke, dance safe and comfortable; to explore, that come in any time and meet for Gigi U. We have over 2,000 square educational programs and many nights and not only for our teens learn and grow. We are all about playdates. They’ll meet for lunch and feet of space that’s not ours yet. We different components that offers and adults. We’ll bring it out for our imaginative play here. We have a bring a snack, this is their place. It’s have no doubt there will come a their kitchen to use, it’s their café to time, we can put in classrooms. Gigi use. Moms will chat over a cup of University is a 12 to 14 -week pro- coffee while the kids play. gram. They come every day, there’s “This is a place they know their an application process, just as you kids can play. It’s clean and safe would have in any college type but also where they’re encouraging atmosphere. They apply and if they their best of all. They’re learning get accepted, there’s this program and growing in some capacity…We they go through. There’s self-ad- want families to see that there are vocacy, productive skills, resume people in the community who have writing and mock interviews, healthy their back. life style choices; they’re learning all “Best of All is a program that is a these. Then, we collaborate with a continuous, measurable, celebrated business and they do an internship program that never ends. It’s a daily there. After, the internship, they’re challenge to do a little better than ready with a resume and go and you did the day before. apply. They interview at a place “We have a resource library. I’ve and knock it out the park! There are had youth pastors and people from many components…” the medical fi eld, come in and take “We have Club Gigi where they out a book. Parents and volunteers can hang out (older kids and adults) want to learn more and educate There’s board games and movie themselves. We are so thankful they nights. They like it. We are so thank- can come over and do that”. ful for the donations we receive, “We have a learning lab. We have because it makes it a cool place for literacy tutoring that we offer and will them to hangout. We have a service start Math tutoring in September. center. Besides my position as site This is a place where they can have coordinator, everything else, all our peaceful time with mom and dad, leads, assistants and literacy and or whoever. We have a different math tutors are all volunteers. We PHOTO COURTESY OF GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE approach, learners with Down Syn- would not to be able to be where Fantastic Friends: Gigi’s Playhouse teen and adult programs offer opportunities for social skills and lan- drome are multi-sensory learners. guage development in a casual, fun setting. ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 8 Lou Tisler takes position in Washington D.C. Many Clevelanders now have a position as Director of the Housing direct connection in Washington Counseling Network for the National D.C. Lou Tisler, who served for 12 Community Reinvestment Coalition. years as the Executive Director of Michael Pires is now serving Neighborhood Housing Services of as Interim Executive Director at Greater Cleveland, announced via Neighborhood Housing Services of Linkedin that he has taken on a new Greater Cleveland.
Bill Patmon, Zack Reed, and Dyrone PPRIMARYRIMARY ELECTIONELECTION W. Smith. The two write-in candidates for mayor are: James Jerome Bell and ccontinuedontinued ffromrom ppageage oonene Camry S. Kincaid. In City Council wards where there are County Board of Elections at 2925 Euclid three or more candidates, primaries also Avenue. You can also download and will be held. In the area served by the print out a voter registration form at the Plain Press, Ward 14 will have a primary Cuyahoga County Board of Elections’ featuring fi ve candidates. City Council website at: boe.cuyahogacounty.us. You candidates in Ward 14 are: Kyle Cassi- must be registered to vote 30 days prior dy, Nelson Cintron Jr., Brian Cummins, to the election date (by August 14th) to be Omar Medina and Jasmin Santana. eligible to vote in the Primary Election. In Ward 14, Precinct F, voters will be If you have moved and need to change able to weigh in on a Local Liquor Option. your address, you can use the same form Dave’s Supermarket, 3565 Ridge Road, to do that as well. is asking voters to approve a D-6 liquor Primary voters will narrow the fi eld permit allowing the Sunday sale of beer, for the race for Mayor of the City of wine and mixed beverages. Cleveland from eleven candidates Ward 13, just to the south of the Plain down to two. There will be nine mayoral Press service area in the Old Brooklyn candidates on the ballot and two write in PHOTO BY ALLISON MCCLAIN neighborhood will have a primary fea- candidates. turing three candidates as will Ward 17, West Side Community House’s Summer of Sisterhood will perform on Friday, August 4, at 7 p.m. at Cleve- Mayoral candidates appearing on the just to the west of the Plain Press service land State University’s Main Classroom Auditorium, 1899 East 22nd Street. Admission is FREE. Funded ballot are: Eric J. Brewer, Brandon Edwin area. East Side Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9 and in part by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Summer of Sisterhood is an intensive eight-week summer arts camp Chrostowski, Frank G. Jackson, Jeff 10 will also feature primary City Council for girls ages 10 -18. The girls work with local professional artists in the areas of poetry, music, dance Johnson, Robert M. Kilo, Tony Madalone, races. and theatre to create fi ve original songs, which they will record, then perform, in August. August 2017 • Plain Press 7 CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY BBOARDOARD is scheduled for Thursday, August 24th MOTHERING at 6 pm at 3607 Pearl Rd (Riverside MOM’S FIRST helps with the stress of ccontinuedontinued ffromrom ppageage 2 Cemetery). pregnancy and parenting. Community PEOPLE’S ARCHIVE OF POLICE Health Workers provides support for TAKE A HIKE. Free 90 minute tours VIOLENCE IN CLEVELAND (PAPVC) moms. If you or someone you know feature actors and actresses portraying provides a way for Cleveland citizens is pregnant, call 216/664-4194 or visit important Clevelanders from the past. to share their experiences with, or www.momsfi rst.org. If you are interested Donations are encouraged to help match commentary on, police brutality. Police in sharing your voice with the community grants. Civic Center Tour meets every abuse is brought to the light of day as effort to reduce infant mortality, contact Tuesday at 6 pm at Old Stone Church one step on the path to justice. Share the Moms First Community Action Net- (91 Public Square) and Canal Basin a story about your experience of police work. Moms First participants and local Park Tour meets every Sunday at 10 violence in Cleveland, or share photo- providers meets regularly to tackle the am at the Flat Iron Café (1114 Center graphs, videos, or other material related causes of infant mortality and assist St.). Through September 17. For more to police violence. Your submission can with providing resources where they are information, call 216/771-1994 or visit be completely anonymous. Visit the site needed most. www.clevelandgatewaydistrict.com. and tell your story of police violence: WADE OVAL WEDNESDAYS (WOW SENIORS AND DISABLED http://www.archivingpoliceviolence.org/ SENIOR SUMMER WALK is scheduled 2017), free outdoor concerts in University or facebook.com/PeoplesArchiveOfPo- Circle, 6-9 pm. Through August 30. For for Thursday, August 10 from 9:30 to liceViolenceInCleveland, or papvcleve- 10:30 am at the Michael Zone Walking performers, visit universitycircle.org or [email protected] call 216/707-5033. Trail at 6301 Lorain. All fi tness levels LEGAL ASSISTANCE are welcome. To register contact Ange- FOOD EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC. If you or la at 216/664-3954 or aniemiec@city. FOOD ASSISTANCE (SNAP) BENE- someone you know were convicted, cleveland.oh.us FITS are available to individuals, families plead guilty, were found not guilty or STEADY U OHIO provides tips and and other groups living together who had a criminal case dismissed there resources to help #PreventFalls at www. are income eligible. To fi nd out if you are some opportunities to see if those steadyu.ohio.gov. are eligible or to apply, visit www.snap- records can be sealed. All you have to step1.usda.gov on a computer at home VETERANS do is show up at an Expungement Clinic THE VETERANS EXPERIENCE ACTION or your local library, or contact your local for FREE assistance. Scheduled for SNAP offi ce (get their number or more CENTER is scheduled for veterans and August 12 from 10 am – noon at Metro their families for Aug. 10-12 at the West- information from 800/221-5689). West, Lin Omni Centre at 3167 Fulton MOBILE PANTRY: FREE FRESH ern Campus of Cuyahoga Community Rd, Suite 303. College (Tri-C). The free PRODUCE will be distributed at Gordon FREE LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC will be Square Early Learning Center (5209 event brings together feder- held at the South Brooklyn Branch of the al, state and county organizations Detroit Ave. in Cleveland) on Thursday, Cleveland Public Library at 4304 Pearl August 10th from 3 pm - 4:30 pm. Rain or dedicated to serving veterans. Spe- Rd on Saturday, August 12. Intake is cialists will be available to assist shine. Bring your own bag. For details, from 10 – 11 am. All clinics are first visit thecentersohio.org with filing or expediting benefit come, fi rst served free advice events claims; health care enrollment and HEALTH for low-income individuals with civil le- exams; issuing veteran identification BLOOD DONATION. The American gal issues (not criminal). Please bring cards; and more. The Veterans Experi- Red Cross faces a critical blood short- all relevant paperwork with you. Or to ence Action Center will run 9 am to 2 pm age. Eligible donors of all types are apply for Legal Aid’s help, new clients on Thursday, August 10; 9 am to 2 pm on urged to give now. As a special thank PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN can call 216/687-1900 or 888/817- Friday, August 11; and 9 am to 12 noon you, those who come out to give blood July 8, 2017, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2600 Church Street in Ohio 3777. on Saturday, August 12. Tri-C Western or platelets with the Red Cross July 26 City neighborhood: St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Cleveland LINCOLN HIGH Campus is located at 11000 Pleasant through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Restoration Society will host an open house at the church on August SCHOOL REUNION Valley Road in Parma. Parking is free. Target eGiftCard™. Dates and locations The Lincoln High School (Cleveland) For additional information, dial 2-1-1, 19 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free. The open house is part of the annual are: 8/6/2017: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., classes of June-1949 and January-1950 call 216-436-2000 or visit www.211oh. Sparx City Hop. Visitors can learn about church’s history, architecture Mary Queen of Peace, 4423 Pearl Road; will celebrate its 68TH Class Reunion org
Attorney
Real Estate 8 Plain Press • August 2017 SSt.t. PPatrick'satrick's PPastorastor FFr.r. MMarkark DDiNardoiNardo retiresretires Father Mark DiNardo, pastor of St. Clark says Father DiNardo has been Patrick’s Parish on Bridge Avenue asked to rest, so he encouraged for the past 37 years, retired on July those wishing him well to send their 19th due to health reasons. He is notices via cards or letters. now living at Regina Health Center Clark says Fr. Richard Bono will in Richfi eld, Ohio. be serving masses at St. Partick’s. Jim Clark, Chair of the St. Patrick A notice from St. Malachi Parish Parish Assembly, says that Fr. Di- announcing Fr. Mark’s retirement Nardo retains his sense of humor promises there will be a Near West and is looking to establish internet Side retirement celebration for Fr. access in his new environment. Mark at a future date. SSCHOOLCHOOL TTAXESAXES included the Cleveland Metropoli- tan School District’s portion of the ccontinuedontinued ffromrom ppageage 3 property tax. There should be no each year for the Cleveland Metro- tolerance for an Administration or politan School District. Instead, the City Council decision to reverse actual amount the school district is that policy. If Stark Enterprises can’t receiving is $65 million per year. pay taxes to the schools, there is In an era of continuing threats no reason to allow them to build in of funding cuts from the State of Cleveland. Ohio and the Federal Government, Editor’s Note: Clevelanders the Cleveland Metropolitan School wishing to offer input on the NuCLE- District cannot afford to start a us Project can do so in an online sur- trend of giveaways of future tax vey at: ClevelandMetroSchools.org/ revenue. Any City Council member nuCLEus,or by attending a public that agrees to such a give-away meeting. Additional public meetings should be run out of offi ce. It took are scheduled, including one at New PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN many years of battling with past city Tech West, 11801 Worthington Ave Saturday, July 8, 2017, Talespinner Children’s Theatre, Reinberger Auditorium, 5209 Detroit Avenue: A administrations and city councils to (a few blocks South of Halloran Park reading of a new play, The Garden of the In-Between by Meredith L. King and directed by Tim Keo. (L-R) th stop the practice of tax abatement – off W. 117 ) on Thursday, August Actors Gwendolyn Jenkins as Kana Anli and Samantha V. Richards as Blue Hawk, perform while reading rd or Tax Increment Financing that 3 at 6 p.m. their lines from the script. nary people. They hit almost every and now a fancy county hotel. million; 2016 -- $54.7 million. SSPORTS'PORTS' CCOSTSOSTS TTOO TTHEHE CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY purchase. Every day. And never The take from County residents Notice the climb up. And it contin- decrease. A rigged tax system by to date: $435,251,482. That’s $435 ues this year. ccontinuedontinued ffromrom ppageage 3 (Don’t you just love those ball- corporate interests and endorsed million in those penny extra taxes. In the first four months of this players making million spending an by the media, particularly the PD. And surprise: It keeps going up as year: January—$4,380,002, take that advantage, too. hour with children to get themselves It’s no secret. Not hard to fi gure taxable priced item prices rise. February—$4,524,725, It’s not only the Browns. on TV as caring humanitarians? I out. But the PD & TV are blinded So, let’s look at what Mr. Budish, March—$5,479,378, The Cleveland Cavaliers—the personally gag. But it’s part of the to the corruption. That makes them that’s County Executive Armond April—$3,908,850 and May— team that wants the County to bor- mass media sell-out). part and parcel of the crime. Budish, and the new County Council $4,096,647. row $140 million for a revenue-en- By the way, the sin tax take just (like the old County Commissioners) In each month of fi rst fi ve months hancing expansion of its Quicken $1 BILLION TAX THAT BUILT this year totals $6,789,890 through are enjoying. of 2017 the fi gures were higher than Arena—had revenues in 2015-16 COUNTY MONEY-LOSERS June. That suggests we’ll hit $13 In only one year, 2009 when the those of the same months in the season alone of $233 million. And while we’re talking regres- million by year’s end in a regres- deep recession likely had its impact, previous year. But Mr. Citizen Sucker can you sive taxes for special interests, the sive tax for Our Teams, or is it Their did tax revenue slip down. The only So, it appears we are headed for please dig a bit deeper in your pock- quarter percent increase in the sales Teams. But the Cavs want a new recent year it went down. Otherwise, another higher take this year than ets to help the billionaire owners and tax, courtesy of former County Com- stream of subsidies. it’s all up. More tax revenue for the last. multi-millionaire players? missioner Tim Hagan primarily, hits And, of course, you know that corporate downtown establishment, The total take in this one quar- The news media have been totally taxpayers hard. Let’s look at how these taxes (and those below) are led by Mayor Jackson. ter-percent sales tax increase has delinquent on this give-away with it’s doing. Something left out of the not aimed at, and do not hit the Every other year since 2008, the cost Cuyahoga County taxpayers to the PD especially supportive with PD and the even worse Cleveland. wealthy class. quarter-percent sales tax increase the end of May 2017 $435,251,482. little critical reporting. They are strictly aimed at ordi- com. The dot com is busy telling you about pizza parlors, beer joints and has risen: 2008 -- $42.1 million; We thought when this tax increase what to do this weekend. 2009 -- $38.5 million; 2010 -- $40.6 was enacted that the total take over This pick pocket robbery was for million; 2011 -- $43.1 million; 2012 -- its 20-year duration might hit $800 that wonderful Medical Mart, which $45.3 million; 2013 -- $47.4 million; million. Average about $40 million a included a new convention center 2014 -- $49.3 million; 2015 -- $51.3 year. No! Now, it appears clear that it will surpass $1 billion in this one GGIGI'SIGI'S PPLAYHOUSELAYHOUSE Ms. Maxwell, also spoke of Gen- added sales tax for Cuyahoga Coun- eration G. The premise is a change ccontinuedontinued ffromrom ppageage 6 ty residents alone. in mind set, one should be more And that’s not the worst of it. we’re at and operate as we do, generous, kind and humble. The What the billion dollars bought will without them. We have a service center opened in January of 2016 cost more as the convention center center for them so we have supplies and serves 170 families. There is loses money and the medical mart, for them…” no cost to attend Gigi’s Playhouse now Global Center whatever, also Elizabeth Maxwell’s dedication and the center welcomes children leaks defi cits and the hotel gushes and passion for Gigi’s Playhouse is and adults with Down Syndrome. losses. inspirational. As she spoke with me, Families are welcome to participate Indeed, all three of these ventures tears formed in her eyes, “We focus also. Kids and adults without Down will be money drains for Cuyahoga on more than just the disability. They Syndrome are also welcome. If County taxpayers. wear their diagnosis and are always you are interested in learning more But we’re doing fi ne say the PD, having to break stereo types. We about Gigi’s Playhouse, visit their the TV and our listless Mayor Jack- need to soften our hearts and see website at www.gigishouse.org/ son. how amazing and determined they cleveland or call 216-529-3333. Editor’s Note: This article was fi rst are”. published online on July 18th, 2017 by Have Coffee Will Write. To view more articles by Roldo Bartimole visit h ttp://havecoffeewillwrite.com. SSupportupport OOurur AAdvertisers!dvertisers! TTheyhey SSupportupport tthehe PPlainlain PPress!ress!
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