Keeping you informed about our neighborhood! The Ward 8 Citizen Michael D. Polensek • Councilman, Ward 8 | Summer 2014 | www.ClevelandCityCouncil.org This summer so far has been both we are not seeing that level of attention district with new venues, buildings, challenging and rewarding at the that we as tax payers need to see city-wide. facilities, increased police patrols and an same time. In addition, there is no doubt in my intense focus on quality of life issues; the First the challenges. We continue mind that the Jackson Administration other is made up of struggling core and to have a problem in the Collinwood working with our citizens and City Council outlying neighborhoods that have to and Glenville neighborhoods with MUST come up with a better police compete for basic city services. regard to basic city services. Street and chuckhole repair is still a major problem. Street sweeping is virtually “[In Cleveland we are starting to see non-existent. The cutting of grass at one located in the downtown business vacant lots and abandoned homes has ‘a tale of two cities’– been troublesome; however, I attribute district with new venues, increased police patrols and a focus on quality this to the sheer number of abandoned homes and vacant lots between East 55th of life issues; the other is made up of struggling core and outlying Street and East 200th Street that our City neighborhoods that have to compete for basic city services.]” crews are now responsible for. The City has become the biggest grass cutter in deployment plan, thereby putting more All of us who care about Cleveland want Cuyahoga County due to the foreclosure officers on the streets. I learned a long to see the best and bustling Downtown crises and I don’t see any relief in that area. time ago that the most effective crime that we can provide and a Downtown I wish to thank those neighbors who fighting tool is an engaged citizenry commercial district we can all point have taken the initiative to cut the grass where neighbors look out for one to with pride. However, we cannot do at the vacant lot/house next door to another and are engaged on their own this at the expense of Cleveland’s other their own home. That is real civic pride street. neighborhoods. There must be a balance in action and on behalf of our community However, at the end of the day there of priorities and services and I intend I say, “Thank You.” There is no doubt that is no substitute for sworn police officers to continue to advocate and work for the City’s Public Works Department has patrolling our neighborhoods and our share in Ward 8 and the greater to come up with improved procedures responding to citizens’ concerns. WE NEED Collinwood/Glenville communities. and processes to deal with the ongoing MORE POLICE ON OUR STREETS AND This summer has been a real eye- quality of life issues whether it be street MORE COMMUNITY POLICING. That opener for many community activists and repair, street sweeping, waste collection, message needs to be sent loud and clear. myself and that is why we plan on taking or maintenance or demolition abandoned Today in 2014, in the City of Cleveland, a much more aggressive approach to properties. It is up to the City to be we are really starting to see “a tale of two Continued on page 3 aggressive and proactive; unfortunately cities” – one in the downtown business At the May 14 Senior Day celebration Mayor Jackson and Councilman Polensek recognized Ms. Charlotte Iafeliece as the 2014 Ward 8 Senior of the Year. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ms. Iafeliece currently resides in a home that has been a part of her family for nearly 100 years. She is a graduate of Collinwood High School, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University and a Master’s Degree from Cleveland State University. Charlotte has one brother and three nieces. Ms. Iafeliece worked for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for 30 years. She taught first, second, fourth and fifth grades at Paul Revere Elementary School. For seven years she served as Peer Liaison of the Peer Review Program and taught sixth grade at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School until her retirement. Charlotte also served as a Trustee of the Cleveland Teacher’s Union. Ms. Iafeliece currently volunteers helping the students at Memorial School. Ms. Iafeliece is an active member of the Collinwood community. She serves as Chair of the East 185th Street Association Neighborhood Watch and encourages citizens to get involved in the community. Ms. Iafeliece has been an advocate for voters’ rights for many years. Charlotte has been an active member of the Cleveland Ward 8/Bratenahl Village Democratic Club. PHOTO: Councilman Mike Polensek with Ms. Iafeliece and Mayor Frank Jackson at the 2014 City of Cleveland Senior Day Celebration. Photo CREDIT: City of Cleveland Photographic Bureau A Message from ANTHONY T. Cleveland Temple Corps HaIRSTON Cuyahoga County Councilman, District 10 Community Center 17625 Grovewood Avenue Phone: 216-692-1388 Dear Constituents: Summer Youth Employment program to www.SalvationArmyCleveland.org/Temple My name is Anthony T. Hairston and I am the enhance employment skills of eligible youth in EVENts & PROGRams District 10 Cuyahoga County Councilman. The Cuyahoga County. areas in which I serve include the cities of Cleveland’s Block Party! Ward 8, Ward 10, East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, 3. Voting for the Cuyahoga County Voting Rights Saturday, August 16 • Noon - 4:00 pm University Heights and the village of Bratenahl. As a Law to protect our citizens’ right to vote. The Computer Center lifelong Clevelander, I am aware of the challenges faced legislation promotes voter registration at all levels Monday - Friday, 4:00 - 8:00 pm by Cleveland and its suburban neighbors. However, I of citizen interaction with County Government; Saturday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm believe there is a brighter, prosperous day for the region Promotes early voting programs, including as long as we continue to band together and work for the voting by mail program; and seeking court Game Room the common good of our communities. intervention to protect access to the ballot by the Monday - Friday, 4:00 - 8:00 pm Since my appointment in March 2014, I have County’s citizens. Saturday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm worked diligently for the residents of Council I have collaborated with Cleveland Ward 8 Hot Meal Feeding District 10 by sponsoring and voting for Councilman Mike Polensek on many occasions as part of the Collinwood Area legislation that will help create jobs, provide Church Council necessary benefits to the community and protect and I look forward to working with him in the future to Wednesday, 5:30 pm; Saturday, Noon voter rights. Those resolutions include: bring jobs, better education and more opportunities to 1. Authorizing an agreement with the Educational our community. By working together with Councilman Food Pantry Service Center of Cuyahoga County for the Help Polensek and the community at large, we can transform Monday - Thursday, 9:00 - 11:30 am Me Grow Bright Beginnings Home Visiting Cleveland’s Ward 8 into a prosperous place to live and Program in order to implement and maintain the best location in Cuyahoga County. Emergency Assistance coordinated, community-based family services for Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm expectant parents, newborns, infants, toddlers and Sincerely yours, Utility help; clothing; benefit bank; assistance at their families. Anthony T. Hairston Christmas time; information and referrals; job search help; resumé assistance and case management. Cuyahoga County Councilman, District 10 Please call 216-692-1388 for appointment. 2. Sponsoring a resolution to award $4,497,220 Office: 216-698-2022 to Youth Opportunities Unlimited for the Email: [email protected] Collinwood Recreation Center Collinwood and Cleveland Museum of Art team up! 16300 Lakeshore Ave. | Ph: 216-420-8323 Cleveland Public Library Collinwood and Memorial-Nottingham Branches, along with North Shores Development Corporation, COLLINWOOD BRANCH 856 East 152nd St., Waterloo Arts and Collinwood High School have teamed up with Contact: 216-623-6934 the Cleveland Museum of Art to collaborate on activities that incorporate art literacy into the existing library summer reading MEMORIAl-NOTTINGHAM Rec Center Activities Include: program with the goal to increase reading skills and comprehension BRANCH AQUATICS by making a connection between works of art and books. 17109 Lake Shore Blvd., Adult Swim • Learn to Swim • Water Slide & Kiddie Pool Ms. Caroline Peak, Manager, Cleveland Public Library Contact: 216-623-6934 YOUTH ACTIVITIES Collinwood Branch is continuing to convene representatives from Ballet • Digital Media • Baseball • Karate • Tot Room neighborhood groups to explore additional opportunities to bring CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART art-related programs into our neighborhoods and also to welcome CULTURAL ARTS (FREE & Open to the Public) Family Clay • Arts & Crafts • Paper Crafts people to the museum. Ideas include art-related programming 11150 East Blvd., ADULT FITNESS ACTIVITIES with local artists, art murals with high school students and group Contact: 216-421-7350 Balance & Strength • Senior Fitness • Zumba • Line Dance tours and activities that bring families together. A “Collinwood www.clevelandart.org OTHER ACTIVITIES Day” at the museum is also being planned for late 2014. Open Gym • Open Track • Game Room AND MUCH MORE! Collinwood Health Center NEON is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) CLINicaL SERVICES INCLUDE: Primary organization that is both accredited by the Joint Commission Care for adults and children; Podiatry; and certified by The National Committee for Quality Gynecology; Ultrasound service; Dental care Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient Centered Medical Home SUPPORT PROGRAMS INCLUDE: (PCMH).