Keeping you informed about our neighborhood! The Ward 8 Citizen Michael D. Polensek • Councilman, Ward 8 | Spring 2017 | www.ClevelandCityCouncil.org Like most of you, I am happy spring has These two schools need to be repositioned for the This fund was set up in 2000-2001 when I was arrived. Our community looks to be very busy again benefit of our students. We are also still awaiting a council president to address the growing concerns with a whole host of events, projects and initiatives date from CMSD for the environmental remediation about the lack of capital improvement projects, ready to get started or under way. The rebuilding of East 152 Street has begun I want to make it clear we are “open for business” in earnest from Waterloo Road south to the Cleveland- East Cleveland border. Watch for detours during this in Collinwood and East Glenville. road construction project that will last the entire year. This project is critical for the redevelopment of the If you know a business looking to expand or “put down roots”, East 152 Street commercial corridor. Ward 8 is the place to do that. The Eastside Market, at East 105th Street and St. Clair Avenue, is now under construction. of the former Longfellow Elementary School recreational programs and improving the “quality of My appreciation to NEON (Northeast Ohio on East 140th Street as well as final plans and a life” in our neighborhoods. I urged Council Leadership Neighborhood) Health Services for spearheading groundbreaking date for the new Oliver Hazard Perry to fund the NEF accounts this year. this development in partnership with Councilman Elementary School on Schenely Avenue. The Mayor’s budget calls for the hiring of 93 Kevin Conwell, Councilman Jeff Johnson, Mayor Frank Cleveland City Council just wrapped up the employees in the Division of Police, 65 of these Jackson, along with myself. The market is set to open General Fund Budget hearings. I take the budget being basic patrol officers. This increase is not nearly late summer. process very seriously. Voters’ who supported Issue enough based on attrition and projected retirements The Cleveland Metropolitan School 32, the increase in the city’s income tax, are expecting this year. This is a critical area that needs to be District’s (CMSD) Renewal Issue 108 passed last a major ramp-up and restoration of city services this highlighted and expanded to bring the Cleveland November, and we are waiting to hear what the year and going into 2018. Police Department up to 1,700 personnel that Chief future game plan is going to be for Collinwood There was some positive movement with Williams believes it should be. I will continue to press and Glenville High Schools. additional funds targeted for demolition of the need for additional police officers and other These two historic institutions have played an abandoned and condemned structures, housing critical service issues in our city. important role in the history of our great communities rehabilitation programs, and the restoration of Another proposal that is before us now is whether and we are looking to CMSD to address the lack of street sweeping and leaf pickup. However, there the City should contribute $88 million of admission technical and vocational curriculums as well as a were no funds allocated for the Neighborhood Equity tax to the renovation of the Quicken Loans Arena, the career path to higher education at both buildings. Fund (NEF) initiatives and programs. Continued on page 3 Keys to Housing Resource Fair Brings Various Resources Together in Ward 8 By Kristian Hunter, Americorps VISTA, Collinwood & Corporation in partnership with Nottingham Villages Development Corp. St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. • Are you a Ward 8 homeowner The fair will be on Saturday, who’s ever faced a sudden home May 6th, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm repair? at St. Mary’s Church Gymnasium, 15519 Holmes Avenue. • Are you looking to purchase a The Keys to Housing Resource Fair home but feel lost in the world of will feature information for first-time mortgages, interest rates, credit home buyers, existing homeowners, reports, appraised values/market tenants and landlords, and will cover values, and more? topics including homeownership, home repair, weatherization, financial • Are you renting your home and literacy, foreclosure prevention have concerns about your rights and more. Invited organizations as a tenant? include local housing counseling agencies, financial institutions, • Do you just feel that there’s no realtors, fair housing agencies, and help for housing issues like these? representatives from Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland. If any of these questions apply to To register for this free event you, then you cannot miss the 1st please call 216-383-9772 ext.101 or Annual Keys to Housing Resource go online: https://www.eventbrite. Fair, organized by the Collinwood & com/e/keys-to-housing-resource-fair- Nottingham Villages Development tickets-32359728820 Cleveland Division of Fire is Now Accepting Message Continued Home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. UPCOMING Applications I have concerns about utilizing city funds for the Q that is not even owned by the City. Constituents and Leaders of Ever dreamed of a being Community Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC), a collaborative of a fire fighter? The Cleveland local religious and other institutions, have contacted me Meetings Division of Fire is accepting 28th Annual applications starting about public funds being used for this renovation, with • Collinwood Homeowners and Wednesday, March 15, 2017 other pressing needs throughout the City and County. I plan on asking serious questions during the hearings and Tenants Association thru Saturday, April 15, 2017. Senior Day will cast my vote based on information provided as well Meets first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm All applicants must also take SAVE THE DATE: a civil service test. Those tests as how I believe you, my constituents, would cast your St. Mary’s School, 15519 Holmes Ave. start on Saturday April 1, 2017 Wednesday, May 24 vote given the opportunity. • E. 185th Street Neighborhood and end on Sunday, April 30, Cleveland Public Hall, 500 Lakeside Avenue Of special note, Sunday, March 19, the Salvation Association 2017. ALL seniors invited to attend this FREE event Army, at 17625 Grovewood Ave., celebrated with the Candidates must file an community the grand opening of their new multi-million Second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm 10:00 am: Information Fair 12:00 pm: Lunch application and take the test dollar community center and House of Worship. Lithuanian Village Hall, 1st Floor rear entrance, 11:00 am: Program 12:30 pm: Entertainment on-line. Visit clevelandohio. On behalf of Ward 8 we thank the Salvation Army for 877 East 185th St. gov/careers today to apply. For details call 664-2833 • www.cleveland-oh.gov/aging having faith in our community. I know the surrounding Anyone in need of help (Room 119) personnel are available to assist. suburbs would have loved to have had this facility built • Ward 8/Bratenahl Village with the application process or access to a More information is available from the in their area. However, Major Lurlene-Kay Johnson, the Democratic Club computer may come to Cleveland City Hall Cleveland Fire Recruitment Unit via email Divisional Secretary of Greater Cleveland Salvation Army, Second Wednesday of the month, located at 601 Lakeside Avenue. Human ([email protected]) or by calling told me that our community has been so supportive of September through June, 6:30 pm Resources (Room 121) and Civil Service 216-664-6388. Ward 8 Teens and Young Adults the SA that they never considered building anywhere Collinwood Slovenian Home, 15810 Holmes Ave. ages 14-24 sign up now! else. We should be very proud of the work our local SA • Fifth District Community Location Change for Fifth District Community Temple Corps does. I urge all to support the Salvation Relations Meeting Registration has begun for Youth Opportunities be matched to a job before being hired into the program. Army and other organizations working for the good of our Unlimited (Y.O.U.) 2017 Summer Youth Employment Depending on the number of available jobs and funding, Ward 8 community. Third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm Relations Meeting Program. The program matches Cuyahoga County young some eligible youth may be placed upon a waiting list. For We welcome SunBelt Rentals to 18200 SEE NEXT COLUMN FOR LOCATION DETAILS In an effort to increase 5th District Community Relations Meetings 2017 people, ages 14-24, to meaningful work experiences in non- more information about this program, interested S. Waterloo Rd., their first eastside location. They Third Wednesday of the month, 6:30 pm, except where noted: profit organizations, cities, schools, and retail businesses in youth can: • E. 156th Street Neighborhood Assoc. community involvement lease large and small construction equipment and will throughout the district, the Fifth WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 Cleveland. Third Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm employ eight staff members. They are open now. In District Community Relations LOCATION: Five Pointe Community Center, 813 E. 152nd St. To participate in the 2017 Y.O.U Summer Youth • Visit www.youthopportunities.org for updates. Employment Program, must register online at addition, Ghent Machine, located in South Euclid, will Collinwood Rec Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd. monthly meeting location will WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 www.youthopportunities.org • Email [email protected] relocate to the former Coyne Textile building on Kirby rotate in 2017. LOCATION: Murtis Taylor Center, 900 E. 105th St. REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 5:00 PM with questions Road in the East Glenville area of our ward. They are • E. 140th Street Neighborhood Assoc.