"some of his patrons confessed that they had been advised by certain community leaders to not buy gas from him"...

That's how our fine "community leaders" work, in unreal NEO, and it is called intimidation and extortion, and is illegal. I'm going after some community leaders in my part of town for the same type of ILLEGAL activity.

You need to start an SOS campaign - Save Our Sam - and identify exactly who is fighting against him, by name, and out them. It sounds like Sam runs one of the last REAL NEO businesses in Tremont, and it sounds like he needs our help.

Great reporting, Jerleen... another story the PD wouldn't publish in a million years, because the journalists have "been advised by certain community leaders" not to care about the real people of Northeast Ohio.

Disrupt IT

  I am sure Sam's ethnicity plays into the plan.  It's the oldest game in town.
 

thats Sam.

I used to live next door to the station and the guys were always polite - watched my place too. they would tell me who came by when I wasn't home.

And when Sam had the market (now fancy shops) he would float neighbors credit when they didn't have the money to pay.

One of the things I tried not to do was keep pounding TWDC, but in actuality, last night not only was Sam present, but so was the owner of the property and Sam did say that the pressure was coming from TWDC.  The the information brought to him was that the idea behind going after his gas station was to get it closed down so that the space could be used as a parking lot. 

And at the long range planning committee, it was Sammy Catania that said if these guys did not go for the "Storefront Renovation Project Loan" they would issue a letter of non-support and I believe that the block club following suit is the North of Literary Block Club.

The key is that if Sam cannot get a variance to continue doing  (auto) mechanic work, selling gas alone will not support his business and the powers that be know this.  They also know that if the owners cannot get this variance, without the ability to do mechanic work, no one else would be interested in leasing this gas station - What!, making it another vacant property that is just sitting there and waiting for the wrecking ball.  Never mind that they took away a mans means of feeding his family, inconvenienced the residents that count on Sam for being in the neighborhood not to mention taking away emeployment for several neighborhood residents. 

One of his employees, Kevin, has worked for Sam for years and grew up right down here on West 7th Street, his mother is in a wheelchair (she, her son and disabled daughter were present last night)  and he most definitly needs the job.  Due to the fact that Sam is not able to pay really high wages, these men also appreciate tips for pumping your gas and filling your tires with air.  My family has been patrons of Sams business since he's been there because I can go up on the coldest, snowy day of the year and they have no problem braving the elements to put air in my tires or check my vehicle.   For older people, especially the ladies, this is a blessing.

Sam keeps his lot clean, no junk cars, no garbage, no pile up of car parts, and he always has pretty flowers growing in a flowerbed around the light pole. 

If I have anything to do with it, it will be a SOS for Sam and his crew.  Some of which are out of work  until this matter is resolved.  He cannot afford to keep the garage working in fear of getting cited by the inspectors before the hearing at the Board of Zoning Appeals.  I think this is rescheduled for September 21. 

 Jerleen-

Thank you for acknowledging the TWDC bashing.  Yes it is getting old even if it is all valid.  Seems that the problems as you have been documenting are over a year, and i guess i wonder if there is anything more than posting frustrations here as nothing seems to be changing.

Secondly - curious - how long does someone need to live in Tremont to have your respect or concern?

I know of many homeowners and elderly mistreated for the last couple decades and never saw you in the mix then.

I am to understand the Gospel Press bldg abuts your property and that was the impetus for the recent call to arms.  And i understand families, and illnesses and other obligations effect all of us and at times limit how much we can do, beyond our personal basic survival.

the question though - if you care to answer - i have no expectation nor will it effect me in your regard if you do not respond BUT:  What is your community?    (below i offer some subsets of groups as i recall you refering to them, just kinda what thoughts about your statements caused the question to come up in me)  

           - Is it TWDC too?  (you left their committee)  

            - Is it old timers (you raise longevity allot) - what timeline of living here is significant to you

            - What of anyone in a tax abated property?  Ever introduce yourself to the new person "Hi I'm Jerleen.  I raised my family                           right down the street from you.  Welcome to Tremont!"

What is your community?  I know you are passionate about that (your community) and i respect that and respect you within that.  Just asking for some parameters.

thanks for reading

peace

My only response is, I'm sorry I sat on my behind for so long in my own world and did not pay attention to the maganitude of suffering going on around me.

As far as committees go, there are numerous ones organized - and I do believe that the long-time, low income residents have the same right to representation as everybody else. 

Clearly, if you read and keep up with a lot of postings, you know that TWDC is under a lot of scrutiny and not just by me.  I just happen to be the one not afraid to open my mouth.  The ultimate authority being the membership is badly in need of some help in reclaiming control of their organization. 

There is no time like the present. 

that gas station. Sam keeps it well-painted and litter free. I think it has the charm of an old gas station. And sometimes Sam puts some artistic flair in the parking lot. Whenever I need gas in Tremont, I go there.  

I used to live on Fairfield across the street and the guys were always willing to help with minor car issues. 

 for responding

i am well aware that you are not the only one dissatisfied with TWDC.   

So far as scrutiny, i fear that short of the Feds getting as far as the CDC's, that nothing will change.

So far as the gas station, i've have used then countless times over the years.  They were the last station to sell gas for 99 cents!  

There are many businesses both old and new in Cleveland that are not in "compliance."  The selectivity in enforcement is palpable.

As I stated i respect you and where you are coming from, thanks again for taking the time to respond.

jb.

We all know that the Feds can be on board for years and nobody have a clue.  The Feds drop in after they know without a doubt they got your ass.  While I have the utmost faith in the Feds, there is no need to sit back closed mouth and allow the good people in  this neighborhood to be bullied and basically held hostage by this organization.

The gas station in one prime example of the kind of arm twisting that has gone on for years and citizens in this community are fed up.

There is no argument that many businesses are non-compliant - but as long as everybody is willing to go along and let it pass, it's going to continue.  What has come from these businesses (mostly new) being given a free pass is that many of them are running roughshod over the residents.

I believe that you are an attorney.  If so, then you should be aware of people's basic human rights and the fact that they have the right to defend those rights.  By allowing these establishments to go untethered, good long standing residents have been forced to live in unbearable condition: noise too loud into the morning hours on a nightly basis, clouds of wood burning smoke seeping into their homes, in the bedrooms where they should be allowed to fall asleep without having the smoke carried wood particles filling their lungs so that they spend the night couging and chocking not to mention eyes burning.  The travesty here is that after finding no relief - reaching out to the media brought threats and a gag by way of a Cease and Desist letter.

The city provides inspectors to sweep the neighborhood and ticket for high grass, they don't ask if the grass is high because somebody is unable to cut it, maybe too old, to disabled, etc., but they say nothing about the garbage put out on the sidewalk in the public right of way at Fahrenheit, nevermind Fahrenheit's fenced in patio that makes it nearly impossible for anyone in a wheelchair or pushing a baby carriage to safely pass by.  This iron fence has a gate at each end but if anyone attempts to walk through, they are stopped and told they are not allowed to pass. 

Most all of these new award winning high-end bars/restaurants/nightclubs have a file at at the Board of Zoning Appeals and inside everyone I found a letter in support written by Tremont West Development Corp.  I researched records going back to 1999, yet, they pat themselves on the back for sending out the Housing Code Gustapo  creating hardship and financial difficulty for poor people - nobody wrote any letters for them - and it seems to only affect the long-time residents.

Now, a man's business is threatened for the simple reason that TWDC wants to carve another notch by reporting that they have successfully assisted in gaining another signer of a Storefront Renovation Project Loan.  This makes them look good you know.  This loan is not required for this business owner to obtain a variance - just a blackmail tactic and pressured by TWDC. 

Here's a fact for you.  I am involved now, I am not a miracle worker, do not get paid, do not spend any Federal funds, HUD monies, grant dollars or people's tax money.  Am not looking for a pat on the back or favors of any kind but, I am here to stay.  I will manage to get myself to meetings at City Hall, Board of Zoning Appeal, meetings at TWDC and say what I think needs to be said.  My personal shit has already been thrown from here to Tim Buck Two - but I will not sit back and keep my mouth shut any longer and if TWDC does not want their "secrets" splatterd on the internet, stop keeping them.  They did promise transparancy.

I do not wish to offend anyone, but I am offended when clearly you are aware of TWDC's bullshit and you come on like all these other smooth talkers and want parameters. 

TWDC's slick and slide techniques have far reaching capabilities and have short changed residents in other neighborhoods by taking money that should have gone to help those people - and gave themselves raises in incriments of $5,000.  That sure as hell is not putting poor people first.

I want to make one other comment, at one time in the Tremont area, we had many local artists (you know the starving kind) who used to put their work out for public view and if I'm not mistaken weren't you one of those who came in and helped TWDC to organize and push out the poor local artist. 

about how things worked out for him. I never make it to that part of Tremont any more. Maybe Jerleen can give an update.