VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN (ISSUE 8) ON NOV. 3, 2015, -- OUTSIDE PROGRESSIVE FIELD (HOME OF THE CLEVELAND INDIANS) IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, CHANTING: VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, GO TRIBE!  VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, GO TRIBE!  VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, GO TRIBE! ---------------

 

 

 

 

The campaign was outside Progressive Field and the immediate neighborhood during four occasions in August 2015.

 

On each occasion, our team, the Cleveland Indians, won.

 

Note: At this rate, I should root every time to guarantee our team the much coveted championship.

 

Playing the New York Yankees, the Indians won: 5-4.

GO TRIBE, VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playing the New York Yankees, the Indians won again: 2-1.

GO TRIBE, VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playing the Milwaukee Brewers, the Indians won again: 11-6.

GO TRIBE, VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playing the Los Angeles Angels, the Indians won again: 3-1.

GO TRIBE, VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The campaign is opposing the Sin Tax levy to support Arts and Culture (a.k.a. Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County) that will be on the November 3, 2015 ballot in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

 

The campaign officially kicked off on June 24, 2015.  As of September 4, 2015 – there have been 52-demonstrations for a total of nearly 200-hours. 

 

The ten-year levy (2017-2026) on cigarettes at the rate of 30 cents per pack will be a continuation of the existing (2007-2016) levy. The Sin Tax levy, promoted by Jimmy Dimora was first approved in 2006 by a vote of 56 to 44%.

 

WHY THE OPPOSITION: While I don’t smoke, I love the Arts and the role they play in enriching our lives on a daily basis. As a volunteer teacher, for the past 10-years, at a CMSD(Cleveland Metropolitan School District) school -- I have integrated the Arts in the teaching of Science, Math, and Engineering. The practice, in Cuyahoga County, to tax cigarette smokers to support the Arts is unfair, totally repugnant, and aesthetically insensitive. Sin Taxes are regressive taxes that take a higher percentage of income from our poorest and most vulnerable citizens. We need fair funding for the Arts where we all pay, not just cigarette smokers, for an activity we all enjoy. This is a social justice issue.

 

CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION: I am a senior citizen -- an army of one -- CEO, President, Secretary, and Treasurer – all rolled in one – based on the belief that it takes only one finger to stir the pot. I have a dedicated Facebook group and my own blog at REALNEO. I have literally no expenses. The $5 signs are left over from last year’s campaign. The flyers are printed at home. 

 

STATUS OF CAMPAIGN: As of September 4, 2015, there have been 52-demonstrations for a total of nearly 200-hours in county districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11 from South Euclid to the county border with Lorain and from the shores of Lake Erie to Middleburg Heights. 

 

I plan to demonstrate in all 11 county districts with my $5 VOTE NO ON SIN TAX signs challenging the estimated $1.6 million that the proponents propose to spend. 

 

The $1.6 million campaign that is being supported by Cuyahoga County’s political machine, the rich arts establishment, the powerful business community, corporate welfare recipients, and the Plain Dealer’s reporters is being challenged by a senior citizen using $5 VOTE NO ON SIN TAX signs. Like the saying goes, it takes only one finger to stir the pot. I plan to give the opposition a run for their money. 

 

I demonstrate along streets and at busy traffic intersections using my VOTE NO ON SIN TAX signs. I walk for miles on end and use public transportation to cover long distances. So far, I have walked the equivalent of nearly 600 miles. I have distributed over 900 flyers (only to those who request a copy), and thousands have seen the campaign signs.

 

Music, Painting, Drama, Drawing, Dance, Sculpture, Opera, etc.

We should all pay taxes to fund the Arts, not just tax citizens who smoke. VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

 

VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

have provided, since 2006, $125 million, for Cuyahoga Arts & Culture including Parade the Circle event. 

THIS IS NOT FAIR! FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE!

VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

TAX ALL OR TAX NONE.

VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid for by:

The Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County.

 

Cleveland Museum of Art with nearly $1 billion in assets ($896 million to be exact) has received, since 2006, $11.8 million from taxes on cigarettes. (Ref. Roldo Bartimole: “OLD CLEVELAND WEALTH CAN FUND THE ARTS”, May 28, 2015)

THIS IS NOT FAIR!

On November 3, 2015, fight for Social Justice and VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8!

 

 

 

Paid for by:

The Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County.

 

The Cleveland Orchestra, with over $250 million in assets,

has received, since 2006, $15.3 million from taxes on cigarettes. (Ref. Roldo Bartimole: “OLD CLEVELAND WEALTH CAN FUND THE ARTS”, May 28, 2015)

THIS IS NOT FAIR!

On November 3, 2015, fight for Social Justice and VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8!

 

 

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture a.k.a. Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County. FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARLY VOTING STARTS OCTOBER 6, 2015.

VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

07-11-15: BREAKING NEWS: IS THE PLAIN DEALER IN BED WITH THE RICH AND POWERFUL IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!

 

08-07-15: LATE NEWS: 26TH ANNUAL PARADE THE CIRCLE EVENT WELCOMED VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN!

 

08-23-15: VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE THE “Q” DURING THE FIRST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!