The one-hour long Inauguration Ceremony was held in the atrium of the Global Center For Health Innovation located on St. Clair Avenue, on the west side of Mall B in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

 

Cleveland’s elected officials, including Mayor Jackson and councilpersons from both the city and the county were present. The 400 or so attendees appeared to include Cleveland’s rich and famous – even though I could not tell who was who?

 

The media were in full attendance with their battery of cameras and equipment.

 

 Mayor Jackson welcomed the audience.

 

A trio from the Cleveland Orchestra played a classical selection involving a trumpet, horn, and trombone.

 

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge swore in Mr. Budish.

 

In a 15-minute Inaugural Address, Mr. Budish thanked his family and supporters and spoke about his program for moving the county forward. The full address is available at the following link:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2015/01/here_is_the_full_text_of_cuyahoga_county_executive_armond_budishs_inaugural_address.html#incart_river

 

The day was mostly overcast and very windy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I demonstrated for 2-hours outside the Global Center – and was totally ignored by the media. I am used to this display of indifference. I had to leave my LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE sign in the lobby – I was not allowed to carry it inside. Even though there was hardly anyone on the sidewalks – the county’s officers from the Sheriff’s department insisted I stay away a considerable distance from the entrance to the Global Center – claiming the sidewalk was property of the Global Center.

 

Earlier, I had demonstrated for 3-hours – mostly outside the Q where our Cavs were playing the Dallas Mavericks and unfortunately lost: 109-90.

 

 

 

 

RADICAL MAKEOVER: The proposed $32 million (with a majority of the money being contributed by our money-laden Foundations) radical makeover of Public Square will require the permanent closing of Ontario Street and the narrowing of Superior Avenue from the existing 77 ft. to 48 ft. and limiting the avenue to bus traffic only. However, when there are major events, the narrowed Superior Avenue will also be closed to bus traffic. 

 

The plan is to complete the radical makeover of Public Square in time for the Republican National Convention in June 2016.

However, as of 01-02-15, the RTA, which has 4,000, buses visiting Public Square every day – has not signed off on the makeover. The construction has not yet started.

 

OPPOSITION: The radical makeover is being actively opposed by the LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE campaign. One has to stand at the main intersection of Public Square and quickly conclude that the traffic has nowhere to go – except create nightmares. So far, the campaign has demonstrated, since early August 2014, 66-times for a total of 192-hours – mostly in Public Square.

 

 

Scheduled to be ready in time for the Republican Convention in June 2016, the park will have Eight Bus Stops on Superior Avenue. At present there are only three bus stops on Superior and four along Ontario Street.

 

According to the Plain Dealer, between two key measures – public transit and walkability, Cleveland ranked first among the six finalists for the 2016 Republican Convention. Also, Cleveland had a low rating for possible traffic gridlocks. Unfortunately, because of traffic jams, some of the delegates to the 2012 Republican Convention in Tampa did not make it back to their hotel rooms until 3 a.m. the next morning. Joe Calabrese, CEO of the GCRTA (Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority – commonly known as the RTA), had nothing but praise for downtown Cleveland’s transportation system in selling it to the Republican organizers. 

 

Let us hope our Republican guests will not experience any traffic nightmares during their 2016 convention. Also, if they visit the renovated Public Square – let us hope, assuming it is ready, they will be able to sneak through the wall of buses on Superior Avenue – a virtual parking lot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12-26-14: A 3-HOUR DEMONSTRATION IN PUBLIC SQUARE ON A PLEASANT FRIDAY, 12-26-14, AFTERNOON!

 

12-21-14: CAVS vs. GRIZZLIES! FANS SUPPORT THE LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE CAMPAIGN IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!

 

12-14-14: BROWNS vs. BENGALS! FANS AGAIN SUPPORT THE LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE CAMPAIGN IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!

 

12-07-14: BROWNS’ FANS SUPPORT THE LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE CAMPAIGN IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!

 

12-04-14: PUBLIC SQUARE ROCKS WITH TWO DEMONSTRATIONS ON A COLD THURSDAY, 12-04-14, AFTERNOON!

 

11-27-14: CONFLUENCE OF TWO DEMONSTRATIONS IN PUBLIC SQUARE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!

 

10-31-14: BEATING THE RAIN IN PUBLIC SQUARE ON A DRIZZLY HALLOWEEN AFTERNOON!

 

10-30-14: PUBLIC SQUARE IN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ROCKS WITH CAVS’ FANS DURING A COOL BUT PLEASANT THURSDAY 10-30-14 AFTERNOON/EVENING!

 

10-26-14: TALK OF THE TOWN – I: The LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE Campaign Rocks Cleveland, Ohio!

 

09-06-14: TRANSIT POLICE QUESTION ACTIVIST WAVING “LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE” SIGN IN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND, OHIO

 

08-17-14: LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE: DON’T CLOSE ONTARIO STREET, DON’T NARROW SUPERIOR AVENUE, & DON’T MESS UP THE TRAFFIC