COUNCILMAN ZACK REED | WINTER 2015-2016 | WWW.CLEVELANDCITYCOUNCIL.ORG Councilman Reed Honors Long-Time Resident and Business Owner A ceremony to rename a city street in honor of long-time business owner Saleh “Sam” Hammad was held on November 17 at the corner of New York Avenue and Warner Road. Councilman Zack Reed honored the long- time Ward 2 resident by having New York Avenue renamed Saleh “Sam” Hammad Way. Hammad immigrated to Cleveland from Palestine in 1972. He worked and saved money for two years and in 1974 bought D&T Market, a small convenience store at New York and Warner. Residents simply call it “Sam’s.” Hammad and his wife worked in the store and lived in the attached home where they raised six children. Hammad died this past June at age 61. The store is now run by two of his children. “Sam’s story is another example of a hard- working immigrant who lived the American dream,” said Councilman Reed. “He came here with nothing, saved his money, built a business and raised a wonderful family. Sam is a credit to our city and to our nation.” Dear neighbors and friends of Ward 2: As we head into a new year, we’re “We are making great seeing some good things happening in our community, including the building of a new fire strides and I urge station on East 131st Street at Benham Avenue. all of us to keep the Construction is underway and by spring the Engage with Councilman station, which will house both EMS and fire momentum going.” emergency vehicles, will be completed. city, drawing people from all over to enjoy live ZACK REED: It is no secret that urban neighborhoods like music, food and family fun. PHONE ours are struggling with many challenges, but 216-664-4945 This year’s event set a record for attendance from my perspective I am seeing some changes and we have to build on that success. I’m EMAIL for the good. [email protected] confident that, together, we can bring vibrancy For example, our annual festival in Luke TWItter and a sense of pride to our southeast side Easter Park this summer attracted 30,000 @zachreed12 neighborhoods. people. The festival, Family Unity in the Park, WEB www.clevelandcitycouncil.org/ward-2 is one of the most successful events in the Continued on page 3 Change Your Life Through Education Advice from Seeds of Literacy Like Councilman Zack Reed, Seeds of Literacy knows that having an education is important. It can change your life in many ways. Getting an education can help you: 9 Find higher-paying jobs 9 Go to college or trade school education and GED preparation. We want you to walk out of each class knowing more than Parking in Vacant Lots 9 Understand your health when you came in! 9 Keep a budget At Seeds, each student works at his or her We are seeing problems of illegal own level and pace. We have tutors to help, 9 dumping on vacant lots throughout our Express your opinions too. Seeds has helped thousands of students city, but we are also seeing cars and trucks 9 Participate in democracy since 1997. parked on these lots, presenting eyesores Classes are Monday – Thursday, 9 am -11 am 9 Help your children or grandchildren and possible dangers. and 1 pm – 3 pm. Seeds is located at 13815 in school Cleveland City Council has determined Kinsman Rd. (corner of E 139th and Kinsman). that a vehicle parked on a vacant lot We take education very seriously. Seeds Registration is every Wednesday and Thursday. constitutes a nuisance that must be abated. of Literacy has free classes for adults in basic Call 216-661-7950 for more information. Council has, therefore, adopted legislation prohibiting parking on a vacant lot unless the lot is a licensed parking lot or is an Murtis Taylor Human Services System approved off-street parking facility. Programs & Community Resource Center Councilman Reed encourages residents young and old to tap into these great resources: After School Program Senior Activities LOCATION: 13411 Union Avenue LOCATION: 13422 Kinsman Road Phone: 216-283-4400, ext. 2355 Phone: 216-283-4400 This program is for teens ages 12-18. Lunch - Monday through Friday @12:00 pm Any vehicle parked or left on a vacant lot Activities include: Senior Activities @ 10:00 am: is subject to impoundment. • Tutoring When that happens, the owner of • Bingo and Exercise the vehicle will be charged with a minor • Homework Assistance • Ballroom Dancing; Line Dancing; Tap Dancing misdemeanor for the first offense and • Parent/Child Activities • Computer Classes a third-degree misdemeanor for any • Culinary Arts • Sewing; Quilting; Knitting; Crotcheting subsequent offenses. • Arts & Crafts • Karaoke We must all be vigilant about the conditions of vacant lots in our • Leadership Development • Movie Day neighborhoods. Councilman Reed and I • Field trips TransportatION ProvIDED! Call for details: urge all residents living near vacant lots To register call Tara Lett at 216-283-4400, ext. 2351 216-283-4400, ext. 2362 (Lee Phillips, Program Coordinator) to keep an eye out for illegally parked OR 216-283-4400, ext. 2359 (Barbara Moore) vehicles and report them to me or the Centers are open Monday -Friday, 7 am - 6 pm.: police. Call my office at 216-664-4945. The Child Enrichment Centers non-emergency phone number for the For details or to schedule an appointment, • Full-Day & Half-Day Childcare for 18 months to 5 Cleveland Police is 216-621-1234. stop by or call one of these locations: years The ordinance number addressing 13422 Kinsman Road • Before and After School Care for 5-12 years-olds parked vehicles on vacant lots is Phone: 216-283-4400, ext. 2222 • Nutritious Catered meals and snacks 451.241. To read it, visit Cleveland City 900 E. 105th Street Council’s: www.clevelandcitycouncil.org • Licensed by ODJFS Phone: 216-283-4400, ext. 2174 • Vouchers Accepted Magic Johnson Bridgescape schools offer a more flexible way for high school eligible students to earn their diplomas: • Classroom and online classes • One-on-one attention • A.M. and P.M. sessions Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academies CLeveLAND LocatIONS: George V. Voinovich Frederick Douglass Reclamation Academy Reclamation Academy 11801 Buckeye Road 3167 Fulton Road Phone: 216-295-1493 Phone: 216- 961-5466 Visit MagicJohnsonBridgescape.com for more information. Councilman Reed encourages young adults who need to earn their high school diploma to explore this opportunity. Councilman REED IN THE COMMUNIty st Senior Resources 1 Annual Mt. Pleasant/Union Miles Home Expo Councilman Reed wants Ward 2 seniors to know about these services: HEAP Application Assistance The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a program designed to help eligible residents meet the cost of home heating (natural gas, electric, and oil, kerosene, or wood heating services) during the winter months. Eligibility is based on family size and household income. The Cleveland Department of Aging can assist with providing information and assistance in completing applications for the HEAP program to individuals who are 60 years of age and older or have disabilities. To find out if you qualify, please contact the Cleveland Department of Aging HEAP Coordinator (Larry Edwards) at 216-664-2425 or call our main telephone line On Saturday, August 22, Fifth Third Bank hosted the 1st Annual Mt. Pleasant/Union at 216-664-2833. Miles Home Expo which took place at Murtis Taylor Human Services System. We partnered with NID housing counseling agency, Union Miles CDC, Mt. Pleasant NOW, and Councilman Reed. The “Investing In You” theme addressed topics such as neighborhood stabilization, homeownership vs. renting, preventative maintenance, and foreclosure prevention. A representative from the Bank’s Homeowners Assistance team was on hand to provide one-on-one counseling. There were 25-30 people in attendance. Are you 65 years of age and older? Flu is a serious disease, especially for older adults. The Cleveland Department of Public Health provides flu vaccines at no cost to residents. Please bring your card if you have insurance. If you don’t have insurance, no problem – NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY! We understand that sometimes you may For more information call 216-664-4621 or need to cancel your scheduled trip with visit www.clevelandhealth.org. Senior Transportation Connection. If so, GET YOUR FLU VaccINE HERE: DO Not Forget to cancel by 7:00 am on the day of Miles/Broadway Health Center your trip. Call 1-800-983-4782, 24 hours a day. 9127 Miles Avenue • 216-664-3609 Every Wednesday, 8:30 - 11:30 am Message Continued more markers honoring high-achieving We might be going through some not-so- people who made significant impacts good times, but it wasn’t always like this and I do understand that all of us have seen in our neighborhoods, including former I have confidence, given the character and too much crime in our community, but Cleveland Council President George L. pride of so many good people, it won’t be much of that is due to reckless punks and I Forbes and the first Cleveland Public Schools like this in the future. am determined not to let them define who superintendent A.J. Rickoff who was a 19th We are making great strides and I urge we are as a people and what we are as a century progressive educator. all of us to keep the momentum going. This community. Besides historical markers, you will soon part of the city has played a significant role The southeast neighborhoods here in be seeing utility boxes throughout the in the history of Cleveland and I am trying Ward 2, comprised of Mt.