Cleveland is in an Urban Slump
Citizens
Echo the Reasons – Politicians Excuse Them Away
Elections Bring Both Sides Together
Democracy Peaks In the Struggle To Be Heard
Part
four - A Landscape of Blight – to a Politicians Delight
17,
Matthew Zone, citizen's from both sides of town, would have heard the dissension
by now. The lie is causing the public to wonder, where is the openness? The
promise of federal funds, $400,000 distributed yearly to all wards is a lie.
Citizens in Ward 14 have only received a fraction of the total. Are there other
wards that are getting less than promised? The promise will remain a lie until
Jackson and all members of Council decide that honesty is the best policy.
Dispense the funds in a way that removes the lie. The policy needs a rewrite by
Santiago, Jackson, Cimperman and Zone with approval of the final draft from all
council members. Citizens may not like the outcome, but most would welcome the
truthfulness.
Since
becoming councilman, Santiago watched as tens of thousands of federal grant
dollars shift from the community he is suppose to represent, into other wards.
Many citizens have asked why, why the shift of funds from a community where the
poverty level is much higher, to where the money was placed. Santiago claimed at
times, he had no authority over where the finances go. True, in more ways than
one, but the one most heard, is the
City’s Department of Community Development. They have the authority and
responsibility for dispersing the wealth to where it’s needed the most. And it
is that answer that led to the question, what did Santiago do to stop the flow
into areas where the need was less noted? What did Santiago do in defending the
concerns of Ward 14 citizens inside City Hall? Where are the citizens who
witnessed Santiago’s passionate plea in Council chambers to keep the federal
grant money, promised to Ward 14 citizens from slipping away? Santiago remained
silent to the question I (citizen echoes) asked. Not surprising. He answers to a
higher power.
Frank
Jackson is the higher power. Officials at The City’s Department of Community
Development answer to him. If Jackson does not like where the federal funds go,
he can change directions without much dissension from members of Council. Their
loyalty to Jackson is something citizens never want to see happen among
legislators in Columbus, toward governors, nor in D.C. with the presidents. In
caparison to the diverse robust opinions (voice of the people) heard from the
legislative bodies in Columbus and D.C., citizens in Cleveland can only imagine
hearing their own concerns echo off the walls Council chambers. The stealing of
federal funds from Ward 14 citizens is hardly mentioned during Council meetings
in City Hall.
Yes,
stealing. If it is not so, remove the BIG LIE that most politicians like to talk
about at election time. The lie is $400,000. in federal tax funds, every ward is
supposed to receive yearly. This is the BIG LIE. Are their citizens in other
wards beside those in 14 that robbed of funds? Remove the BIG LIE! Tell
citizens the truth. The truth is federal funds are dispersed to the wards at the
discretion of the City’s Department of Community Development…with
Jackson’s blessing and most of Council’s steadfast allegiance…at least
until thoughts center on forthcoming elections, which cause some leaders to turn
on the dramatics against the mayor. I’m sure the words, stealing and robbed,
will or should offend some leaders, so I’m including a traditional remark
familiar to most politicians, which sounds less incriminating. Promises made and
promise broken. Now, if there are politicians who feel, I’m leading reader’s
into believing something that is not, email the truth, which will be placed at
the bottom of this article.
And
perhaps there are Council members who take offence to the insertion of the word
“allegiance” in support of Jackson’s brilliant ideas. A recent idea of
Jackson’s which received Council’s stamp-of-approval, needs a critical
review…by the candidates who may be in the early stages of campaigning for
Council seats. I could be wrong, but I feel all candidates should monitor
Jackson and Council’s excitement over a new business venture. If it turns out
to be a fluke, candidates have a hot (truthful) issue to talk about when the
November election nears.
Ever
since a few Hollywood production companies came to town to makes films, the
buzzword was, give them the key to the city for future filmmaking. Good idea,
filmmakers drop a lot of money, by hiring local citizens, renting spaces to
live, work and spend greens on sports and entertainment. Hay, when the
“Spiderman” production company hit town, money was spread all over town. Now
the “good idea” from Jackson/Council was to bait-the-hook with a lure that
would have more film crews coming back to town.
But
I wonder who caught whom in the business of making money. My money is on the
other guy. Not the twenty-two politicians who sealed the deal. The lure was free
rent at the old convention center, which went to the production company, Nehst
Creations. Nehst at this point in time does not seem to have a good business
track record…at least from the research I did. Under the Nehst banner, the
firm had not released any films to date. One, a documentary, “Running
America” is scheduled for release in March of this year. When making deals,
doesn’t it make sense to revue the financial strength of the company before
hand? The film could become a winner or looser but for now, predictability is
not a wise choice in business deals. Another film, a horror flick “Ratred”
is in the making and scheduled for release sometime in 2010. It seems to me that
a better deal for Clevelanders (not City Hall), would have been opening the free
space at the old convention center, to the homeless during the bitter cold
months and wait to see if, “Running America” is a money-maker before talking
business with Nehst.
I
repeat, all candidates for Council seats should monitor the above business
transaction with the PD taking the lead. And if it goes belly up, telling the
truth in campaigns and in PD print is what citizens want to hear and read.
Citizens
in Ward 14 who are considering running against Santiago, don’t if the passion
to do so is not for the “people”. Cleveland has too many politicians who
claim they are for the causes of “people” but their actions have proven
differently. Santiago had proven by his complacency in just one major area,
which is his lack of passion to keep $400,000. in federal grant funds from
moving out of the ward, that he is not what citizens consider, a “peoples”
councilman. In defending his reasons, are reasons without documentation of
accusations of “foul-play” against a few citizens, which had been attacked
several times, would not pass muster among legalists in a court of law. Voters
need to back candidates who can impress upon citizens, their zeal in finding
ways to keep the funds from going into other wards. There is no reason to
believe, if elected again, that Santiago will stop “giving the gift that keeps
on giving”. And by so doing, he joins Jackson (if elected again) in his
“allegiance” to the mayor in efforts to discriminate against all citizens in
Ward 14 because of what both feel a few had done…or not done, based on
personal goals, instead of ethically motivated, agendas that reflects upon the
depth of public thinking.
A
reminder. About a Web site that candidates for Council can use in connecting
with citizens in their wards. It’s a neat site for all citizens in linking up
with neighbors in sharing thoughts about what’s happening or should happen in
the community. And using the Web sites assigned email address avoids using
personal ones. For further info please click on the i-neighbors site
The
following will be placed in an email addressed to Brent Larkin, senior editor
for the Plain Dealer.
Here
is one for the Plain Dealer. Whatever Happened to…
Invitations
to read my articles (all) have been sent to the newspaper. Some have been
rejected (most of the memos are sent to a favorite writer). However, I have
imagined the uninvited, piercing sound of doors being shut, too often, when
sending them to writers whose E addresses appear at the bottom of articles. My
favorite writer does reply with courteous notes whenever emails become
overwhelming by sending form memos back. Of course this does not always appease
PD readers who may have spent careful time in addressing concerns. Perhaps,
Larkin, can find a better way to address incoming commutation that at least
provides reader/writers with clear thoughts of understanding to the reasons,
instead of guessing what the silence may mean. On behalf of WebSite readers, I
am requesting a response from Larkin to the concern below.
On
March, thirtieth 03, the PD released an article, “Feds want Cleveland to pay
back millions from neighborhood plan”
Millions,
11.6 to be exact earmarked for projects meant to help people in Cleveland’s
poorest neighborhoods was not documented. Auditors could not find accountability
for the amount in question. City officials had 120 days to respond to the U. S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development’ audit. This was not the first
audit to have been scrutinized.
So!
Did the PD follow up with an article after the 120 days was up? Or as officials
insisted, tracking accountability of the money, would take at least a year.
Either way, I found no clues in the PD that, doing the right thing was done. So!
Whatever happened to…
Recently,
Santiago addressed citizens by saying in part, that federal funding was reduced
from one million to $400,000. to each ward. It seems Cleveland citizens are now
getting short changed on needed federal funds because of some greedy politicians
within City Hall.
“A
Landscape of Blight – to a Politicians Delight”
Recently,
Councilwoman Dona Brady stated, "I'm just very frustrated". She was
expressing her feelings in a City Hall meeting, where other leaders were also
venting the same to Jackson about the spread of blight into good neighborhoods
by failing to put into effect housing codes. Was this just an exercise in
dramatics, in getting a head start to next year’s election or the real thing?
When Joe Zone appointed Brady to Council in 1999, was she motivated by her
frustrations to carry them into City Hall, by joining other members in raising
hell with Mike White about the growing problem of blight in Cleveland and how
housing code neglects were adding to the problem? Or did she promise citizens in
her first election campaign, out of earshot of the media, to do something about
the blight? Did she live next to an abandon house? If she did, I suspect,
citizens must have witnessed a demolition. Did it really take the current
foreclosure crises to wake up Brady and other Council members? It seems that is
the way this government operates. If the concerns have anything to do with the
common folk, put the brakes on. Provide citizens with the excuse that sometimes
works when City Hall goes begging for state and federal help when the budget has
a money crunch. The problem citizens have with this excuse, is the city’s
budget in not open. Some of it is, but like the school budget, it’s none of
your (the citizens) business.
So
what is Brady going to do about her “frustrated” outlook? Did it really take
nine years of looking upon a landscape of blight before uttering the word
“frustrated”? No, I surmise the word she would never utter in public, is
complacency. She failed to connect her emotions with those of citizens around
her. Nine years of frustrations really belong to citizens who complained
directly or indirectly to Brady about neighborhood blight. If Brady was a
“peoples” councilwoman, she would have asked for volunteers, citizens who
were disgusted with all the blight, to peacefully join her in a Council chamber
meeting with other leaders, and the media, and if needed to meet again and
again, until something was done to have removed a good bit of the “blight”
and “frustrations” from the minds of V.I.P’s (the volunteers)…long
before Jackson became mayor.
My
comments above are not exclusively directed to Brady. Citizens in all the wards
have felt the same frustrations toward their own Council leaders. If leaders
feels offended by the words “…to a Politicians Delight” in the title of
this article, start demonstrating to citizens the opposite. And welcome the
THINKING of citizens (the V.I P.’s), to Council chambers. Without them, the
major issue of blight in Cleveland, well hardly become a minor issue any time
soon.
A
few years back, I lifted a Web page (please click here
)that centered attention on political abuse in the area of blight (a vacant
house) in Cleveland. Although the political figure here centers on Santiago’s
back turning, citizens from most of the wards can relate. The time period of the
log started soon after Santiago was elected to Council, and includes several
photos of the house. Someone took a campaign sign of his and placed it in front
of the door. I emailed the pictures to him, so he had no reason to refute a
citizens plea (many) to do something about a property that’s been standing
vacant for at least eight years. The log explains the rest and includes…
Jackson’s
negligence in monitoring a project he created called Clean Cleveland. A rule he
put in place was that properties would be cleaned at least once a month. No so.
The log explains the rest.
Several
emails were sent to Santiago concerning the property. All of them went ignored.
All are included in the log. And all Council members received invites to read
the log. And all remained silent about the log.
But
all members in a unified Council voice encouraged Word 14 citizens to vote
against Santiago’s recall. Silence revealed. The act revealed the dark side of
local politics. Which is interference in a private affair between a
Councilperson and citizens of Ward 14. Democracy was not demonstrated in the
act.
It’s
January 2009. Time to announce the symbolic Rotten Tomato Award. Setting members
in Council deserve it for their participation in Councilman Joe Santiago’s
recall election. But the spotlight is cast upon Santiago alone. The reasons have
been clearly echoed by citizens and documented throughout this WebSite. If there
is anyone who feels the selection is unjust, email the reasons. I will place
them at the bottom of this article.
When
certain government leaders become unapproachable when civic issue need
attention, the search for resolutions should only become a future challenge.
Giving up is a victory of sorts for some politicians who feel, citizens should
be seen but not heard. After giving Santiago enough time to do the right thing
about the house of blight. Or at least explain to nearby residents of the grungy
sight, the reasons for his none involvement, I addressed a letter to Judge
Raymond Pianka, for Cleveland’s Housing Court. One letter, that’s all it
took to gain courteous attention. Close to three years, Santiago proved to
citizens, he is not a “peoples” councilman. But close to three months later,
Judge Pianka had copies of legal documents attached to the house, which
basically condemned the property and gave City Hall a deadline to bring it down.
Adding
onto the tradition of poor services to the community, the deadline came and
went. The “tradition” can be found in how politicians neglected their own
rules in beautify the landscape. City Hall sent a clear message to residents
waiting to see the house come down. Court orders can be tested to a certain
point. So wait and than watch as the house comes down and if THINKING gets in
the way, the demolition should not be compared with suburban standards.
Cleveland is in a money crunch. But THINKING also raises the question, when is
City Hall not in a money crunch?
The
demolition contract did not include leveling the land for the seeding of grass,
a basic rule contractors charge for if done. Instead, residents are now looking
upon debris in the winter and weeds in the summer. Why, because Clean Cleveland
(Jackson) is not living up the projects mandate, of at least one cleanup per
month. City Hall cut the cost for demolition, but when politicians find ways to
make money by putting out money, there seems to be plenty of greens.
The
log will continue to provide information. Jackson needs to spruce up his
thoughts in getting Clean Cleveland to live up to the promise of at least, once
a month clean ups. But at least the open lot is no longer open to crime scenes.
But
for every house that goes down, citizens are pleading for another to do the
same. People on a daily bases call police, and council offices, to report
illegal activity going on in vacant houses. And depending on how busy officers
become, many show up hours after the fact, or as one retired police officer
claimed in the email below, not at all. Many criminals with the minds of two
year olds invade vacant houses to do whatever…without fright of being caught
by the police.
E
mail, dated October 24, 2008
Many
houses on the East side have been left vacant from foreclosures. These houses
are being ravaged at an epidemic rate, by thieves that enter them and strip the
places bare of anything that can be resold or sold for recycle right down to the
wall sockets and the kitchen sink. This also includes aluminum siding. Neighbors
have called police only to be told they would not respond without an owner
present.
I
had purchased some houses with the intent to rehab. These houses were entered
nightly and have been damaged by theft to the point of total loss.
After
the damage was done, the building inspector comes by and condemns the houses,
usurps the property, demolishes them, thus accumulating property for
redevelopment. This also eliminates low cost housing for poor minority people,
causing them to move on.
I
wonder if a neighbor reporting seeing a child grabbed off the street, and
dragged into a vacant house, the police would refuse to respond without an owner
present.
The
police have denied the “not respond” to me, but a local attorney checked and
confirmed its existence.
If
there are any questions about my qualifications to criticize, I am retired now,
but have 18 years experience with city law enforcement and an MS in
Administration of Justice.
James
Stumpf, Arizona. An outraged retied police officer.
PS
Don't go away on vacation. Who knows what will be left when you return.
To
be continued…
Previous
articles in series
Part One – Biographical Illusions
Part Two - Should Voters Prosecute the Prosecutor
Part Three - The Gift
That Keeps On Giving
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