WARD 14: 2010 Funding Practices Challenged

What follows include Ward 14 Councilman (Brian Cummins) outlining his funding choices and an exchange of citizen reactions to challenge his actions and requesting a recall due to {unethical} "politics as usual activities".

Cleveland Ward 14 community development services and funding update

Submitted by briancummins [1] on July 22, 2010 - 6:46pm.

I'm pleased to report that our Ward 14 Ward Office is now up and running. We are located at 3167 Fulton Road, Suite 305, located in the Lin Omni Building close to St. Rocco's Parish. Our primary phone number utilized for City Hall, 216-664-4238 will be utilized at the Ward office.

The following are the Cleveland Ward 14 funding allocations to-date for 2010/2011. There will be additional authorizations as indicated in the notes below, but the major funding allocations for community development services have been made.

Currently, community development services are being provided by the following organizations – see below. Note that residents of Ward 14 living from W. 25th Street going east to Tremont are serviced by the Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC). All other areas as of July 1st, are now serviced by a New Community Development Services Office administered by the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO).

Ohio City Near West Development Corporation (OCNW) and the Brooklyn Centre Community Association (BCCA) are also providing services. All of these organizations are currently in the process of working with our Council office and Neighborhood Progress Inc., [2]in developing better collaboration and comprehensive services for Ward 14 and the Stockyards neighborhood.

Councilmen Matt Zone and Jay Westbrook, of Wards 15 & 16 respectively, are also assisting and supporting the development the new service model.

Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization [3], 216-961-4242 Service Area: Stockyards, Clark-Fulton and Ward 14 portions of Brooklyn Centre and Ohio City.
New Community Development Services Office - Megan Meister, Program Director, 3167 Fulton Road, Suite 303, Lin Omni Building (a/o 8/1/2010).
Tremont West Development Corporation [4], 216-575-0920, Service Area: Ward 14 portion of Tremont; Code Enforcement for parts of Clark Metro and Ward 14 portion of Ohio City
Brooklyn Centre Community Association [5], 216-644-0471, Services/Area: Code enforcement for Ward 14 portions of Brooklyn Centre, Stockyards and portions of Clark-Fulton

Note the most recent developments for community development services -- Gail Long (formerly of Merrick House) and Jim Pelikan are being contracted through Neighborhood Progress Inc. to assist in developing our new community development service model. Cleveland City Council and NPI will share the cost of the consultancy.

In addition, Megan Meister, formerly of Stockyard's Redevelopment Organization (SRO) has been named Program Director for the new service model organization. NPI is anticipated to authorize $40,000 to assist in the funding of the new service model. Adam Gifford (also formerly of SRO) has also been hired. There are plans for a total of 5 to 6 staff members; three to work primarily on outreach/organizing and general housing rehab program services and three to work on vacant lot, code enforcement and neighborhood services. Generally these services are viewed as stabilization services and commercial development and future housing project development services are anticipated to be covered by TWDC and DSCDO.

Gail Long and Jim Pelikan are in the process of planning to contacting neighborhood leaders for preliminary meetings to begin the development of a neighborhood participation strategy, i.e., Advisory Committee for the new service model. Public meetings will follow. A draft neighborhood leadership list is being worked on that will include active block club and civic associations, social service and other non-profits and faith-based organizations leaders. Anyone residing in the new service area that would like to be added to the list can contact our office or Megan Meister at 216-961-4242.

In addition to working on increasing community participation with resident groups, we are also working with Lucy Torres, Hispanic Liason for the Mayor's Community Relations Board, WIRE-Net and the NEOhio Chamber of Commerce in meeting with and collaborting with area churches, clubs, and businesses. Social service agencies will also play a major role in identifying community needs, mapping their service areas and ultimately collaborating to ensure all members of the community can take full advantage of service being provided.

REF:

New program being created to work on community development of Ward 14 and the Stockyard neighborhood by Chuck Hoven; http://www.plainpress.org/html/stories/2010-07/newprogstockyards.htm [6]
City Council meets to discuss future of Community Development Corporations; by Joe Narkin; http://www.plainpress.org/html/stories/2010-05/citycouncilfuturecdcs.htm [7]

===============================

$471,000 Balance of Funds (Ward 14)

    3,000         *OBCDC/Brookside/SCR Food Program (Nov/Dec 2009)
    15,000         *Esperanza
     1,000         *Greater Cleveland Volunteers RSVP - (tutoring)
         500          Cleveland/Walk&Roll
  100,000          Tremont West Development Corp
300,000          Detroit Shoreway Comm Development Org
      2,000          Neighborhood Progress Inc. (NPI),
                         Community Participation/Advisory Committee contract
      5,000          Ohio City - Assistance in Community Organzing/Saftey for
                         Barber-Vega area of Ohio City/Ward 14.
   10,000         *Merrick House

Other organizations being considered for funding as programs and funding balances are confirmed ($2,000 - $10,000):

                        *Julio DeBurgos
                        *Art House
                          Cleveland Restoration Society
                          Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for NEOhio
                        *Hispanic UMADAOP
                        *Brookside Center
                          Hispanic Alliance
                          Cleveland Tenants Organization
                        *Ohio City Bike-coop
                        *Senior Citizens Resources
                        *City Music

$436,500 TOTAL 2010/2011 Authorizations

$34,500 Current un-spent/authorized balance

NOTES:

* Indicates Social Service programs, note that there is $61,500 available for year 2010/2011 social services programs. Depending on de-certification of funds from previous contracts this amount may be able to be increased.
There is currently a review of contracts that will be closed-out from previous years and un-spent balances will revert back to the Ward 14 allocation. There will be a report issued once that process is complete and the balances re-confirmed along with new authorized amounts for services.
There are $0 dollars allocated to Council/Wards for street resurfacing. The Street's Dept. is overseeing a City budget that will repair/patch streets throughout the City based on a pavement management system initiated 2-years ago.

Please contact me for any questions or inquiries and interest to participate in the re-development of the community.

Sincerely,

Brian J. Cummins
Cleveland City Council, Ward 14
216-664-4238
bcummins[at]clevelandcitycouncil.org

briancummins's blog [8]
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Stockyards Redevelopment Organization [10]

Submitted by dwebb [11] on July 23, 2010 - 12:19am.

just would not drink the kool-aid and will be gone soon, while ward 14 undergoes a year of review, study, etc. Rather than cooperate with a group like SRO with years of experience in one of the poorest sectors of the city, with staff that worked their butts off, they have been killed off because they decided to not be co-opted. Rather than respect the Board in place, they were mandated to have Sandy Smith and Kate Duapis added to their board and that was declined.

I am very happy that Megan and Adam will work in Ward 14, but let us not fool ourselves with any pretense that at a time that CDC's are consolidating and merging service areas, that their will be a new service organization.

In 2009, Cummins told people that, if elected, he would give money to DSCDC to cover 14. Then we all went through the pretense of a series of meetings at the beginning of this year to explore the best way for SRO to cover most of 14. Zone told me that SRO was the best to get the job done, and Westbrook said that he supported SRO serving the area. The wild-card here is Cummins. He lied. I am sure that you can handle being told this, Brian, as you have heard it before. As a public official, people have a responsibility to tell you when you do it. Nothing personal, just business.

Unfortunately, after a year of study and input, he may decide that things best continue under DSCDC and TWDC. The wild-card for Cummins is Gail Long and Jim Pelikan. I know Gail Long, and she will truly try to assess what the neighborhood wants and needs. Then it is up to Cummins to drink the new kool-aid. Will he?

For a man that wanted this job so bad, and said that he had the experience, touting the Peace Corp work, and touting his knowledge of the neighborhood, he sure is going down some mighty wrong paths with this rejection of SRO, saying a year of research, and the endorsement of a historical area on Scranton that includes a fraudulent letter to the Planning Commission while across the street low income and people of color living in the Scranton Castle fight for extermination of bedbugs with any assistance from you.

I have no doubt what so ever, that the next year will be full of surprises and a real learning experience for Brian Cummins. Ward 14 is kind of fun in that way.

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Mr. Cummins - [13]

Submitted by dbra [14] on July 23, 2010 - 9:14am.

I'd love to hear your response.

That was very well stated, Debbie. Stockyards was one of the few CDcs left to respect, if not THE only one.

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and for the $100,000 for TWDC [16]

Submitted by dwebb [11] on July 23, 2010 - 12:24am.

I am hearing that this is to maintain staff that is already there, not to actually deliver services. So what are the residents in Ward 14, serviced by TWDC, going to get out of this deal, specifically? What must TWDC offer to these residents that will improve the qaulity of their lives and their neighborhood?

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RECALL BRIAN CUMMINS [18]

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 [19] on July 23, 2010 - 1:46am.

I do not see any responses to tons of questions that requested transparency in your planning phases of these operations.

I do not see any invitations to your REALNEO readers to participate in those Ward 14 concerns, particularly when so many of them are regular readers on this website and came here because you offered open communications in this forum.

Once again, you-just like SANTIAGO-are driving our funding into outside CDC's.

Whatever the objectives of their alledged development is, should be presented to us for options to react-BEFORE you make such decisions on our behalf. Thanks for that kind of transparent leadership that results in abusive practices.

$300,000.00 to DETROIT SHOREWAY????

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

TIME FOR A RECALL!!! DO WE NEED ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF THIS GAME WARD 14???

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Santiago cum Cummins--RECALL [22]

Submitted by lmcshane [23] on July 23, 2010 - 9:26am.

RECALL is a serious option--we are seven months into the four year council term.

The lag time, lack of communication and intentional stonewalling over NDA allocations and, now, word that there will be no street repaving and that Detroit Shoreway--already grossly over funded--will now receive the lion's share of OUR money. Folks are tired of waiting.

BCCA met yesterday with Meagan Meister. She seems like a nice person, but what can she guarantee us in the way of services? Do any of the employees at Detroit Shoreway live any where near us in Ward 14? Your office and the satellite office for Detroit Shoreway is STILL not up and running in the Linn Omni building. The neighborhood meeting with consultants Gail Long and Jim Pelikan to facilitate the process is sometime/somewhere in August...your preoccupation with the LED contract is an admirable focus, but not at the expense of residents. Your rollover on the ODOT walls was another miserable experience for local residents.

Are you asking us to BELIEVE in Cleveland and believe in you, Brian? We're tired of the lies, Brian--we're tired of the carpetbaggers. [24] You need to make this right. I shouldn't have to beg--but you need to direct some serious NDA dough to the civic groups with 501c3 status.

Fund Brooklyn Centre Community Association and ask your colleague Joe Cimperman to cough it up for Southwest Citizens. You both see the meltdown at Tremont West [25]--another CDC beneficiary of your NDA jackpot to the tune of $100,000 of Ward 14 tax dollars.

At the very least, support your civic groups. We will just continue to take care of ourselves despite this latest hemorrhage of our tax dollars--we obviously can not count on our political representatives.

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Stop this, Cummins [27]

Submitted by dwebb [11] on July 23, 2010 - 10:46am.

from Cummins above posting:

"There are plans for a total of 5 to 6 staff members; three to work primarily on outreach/organizing and general housing rehab program services and three to work on vacant lot, code enforcement and neighborhood services. Generally these services are viewed as stabilization services and commercial development and future housing project development services are anticipated to be covered by TWDC and DSCDO."

Why bother assessing if the many vacant lots are targeted for new development? The back assed way of Cleveland development pushes forward.

The Clark Fulton neighborhood and surrounding areas need a real plan. Cummins said that he would work with people. This sounds like the same old top down approach.

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And the people of Ward 14 [29]

Submitted by jerleen1 [30] on July 23, 2010 - 11:00am.

And the people of Ward 14 Tremont are - s-h-i-t o-u-t -o-f l-u-c-k

Poor people in ward 3 and in the same bucket except - they're S-H-I-T O-N

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RECALL BRIAN CUMMINS...Let's get the petition started... [32]

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 [19] on July 23, 2010 - 8:52pm.

Enough is enough....but Wared 14 can be certain that those funds that went to Tremont and Detroit Shoreway will pay for tons of hours of them fighting a recall....Now that their behinds are padded-you can rest assured they are going to fight hard to preserve their new Corrupt loyalist, Mr. Brian Cummins.

Brian Cummins, you are playing "politics as usual" in Ward 14 and there is a zero tolerance for this absolutely unbelievable game that you and the City Council are portraying on our community. If these representatives were "ineffective before" and now you just switch them around...then how can you begin to think that they will be effective now at another location? You have deliberately violated the citizens of Ward 14 in unethical and unscrupuous ways.

ATTENTION Citizens of WARD 14: Name the list of block club and social gatherings so that we may reveal the truth to the public at large and get our petition for a recall completed by the next election. I will devoutly make it part of my life to eradicate these corrupt, disingenuous, and absolutely defiant and inconsistent leaders who abuse our citizens and demographics as they climb their way to the top through political favors and redirection of our development funding.

Below are the results of the election from the BOE and the Ohio Revised Code about the Recall Requirements. Let's not sit on our hands as it

Cleveland Council Ward 14 CLEVELAND WARD 14
          Vote For Not More Than 1
              (WITH 17 OF 17 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
           BRIAN CUMMINS . . . . . . . . .     1,522   55.45 [33]

            RICK NAGIN . . . . . . . . . .     1,223   44.55
               Over Votes . . . . . . . . .         2
             Under Votes . . . . . . . . .       215

705.92 Procedure for removal of elective officer by recall. [34]

Any elective officer of a municipal corporation may be removed from office by the qualified voters of such municipal corporation. The procedure to effect such removal shall be: [34]

(A) A petition signed by qualified electors equal in number to at least fifteen per cent of the total votes cast at the most recent regular municipal election, and demanding the election of a successor to the person sought to be removed, shall be filed with the board of elections. Such petition shall contain a general statement in not more than two hundred words of the grounds upon which the removal of such person is sought. The form, sufficiency, and regularity of any such petition shall be determined as provided in the general election laws. [34]

(B) If the petition is sufficient, and if the person whose removal is sought does not resign within five days after the sufficiency of the petition has been determined, the legislative authority shall thereupon order and fix a day for holding an election to determine the question of the removal of the elective officer, and for the selection of a successor to each officer named in said petition. Such election shall be held not less than thirty nor more than forty days from the time of the finding of the sufficiency of such petition. The election authorities shall publish notice and make all arrangements for holding such election, which shall be conducted and the result thereof returned and declared in all respects as are the results of regular municipal elections. [34]

(C) The nomination of candidates to succeed each officer sought to be removed shall be made, without the intervention of a primary election, by filing with the election authorities, at least twenty days prior to such special election, a petition proposing a person for each such office, signed by electors equal in number to ten per cent of the total votes cast at the most recent regular municipal election for the head of the ticket. [34]

(D) The ballots at such recall election shall, with respect to each person whose removal is sought, submit the question: “Shall (name of person) be removed from the office of (name of office) by recall?” [34]

Immediately following each such question, there shall be printed on the ballots, the two propositions in the order set forth: [34]

“For the recall of (name of person).” [34]

“Against the recall of (name of person).” [34]

Immediately to the left of the proposition shall be placed a square in which the electors may vote for either of such propositions. [34]

Under each of such questions shall be placed the names of candidates to fill the vacancy. The name of the officer whose removal is sought shall not appear on the ballot as a candidate to succeed the officer’s self. [34]

In any such election, if a majority of the votes cast on the question of removal are affirmative, the person whose removal is sought shall be removed from office upon the announcement of the official canvass of that election, and the candidate receiving the plurality of the votes cast for candidates for that office shall be declared elected. The successor of any person so removed shall hold office during the unexpired term of the successor’s predecessor. The question of the removal of any officer shall not be submitted to the electors until such officer has served for at least one year of the term during which he is sought to be recalled. The method of removal provided in this section, is in addition to such other methods as are provided by law. If, at any such recall election, the incumbent whose removal is sought is not recalled, the incumbent shall be repaid the incumbent’s actual and legitimate expenses for such election from the treasury of the municipal corporation, but such sum shall not exceed fifty per cent of the sum that the incumbent is by law permitted to expend as a candidate at any regular municipal election. [34]

Effective Date: 08-22-1995 [34]

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Vitriolic Scuttlebutt [37]

Submitted by briancummins [1] on July 24, 2010 - 4:44pm.

Kool-aid, killed-off, co-opted, lying, abusive practices, back assed, shit-(on) out of luck, corrupt loyalist, unethical, unscrupulous, eradicate, defiant…

I offer to have a conversation face-to-face and discuss the complexities and seriousness of the matters at hand. I’m available to meet over coffee on an early morning, evening or weekend convenient to those who’d like to discuss the issues of community development with the interests of the entire community in mind. I’m also available by phone.

I referenced the Plain Press articles in the post because Chuck Hoven and Joe Narkin do a pretty good job of distilling the complexities of the issues regarding community development.

There is a lot of interest by residents, businesses and non-profit organizations to re-engage and participate to help each other in the community. We are not creating a new organization, but trying to leverage the strengths of existing organizations and create new opportunities for community participation.

What is new is that we will have an office located within the neighborhoods being served, and some form of advisory/oversight opportunity for the distinct communities within the service areas and those who can actively participate in neighborhood development. Community members will take part in forming that component.

The accusations of lying and of SRO being killed off are insulting to the difficult realities of where, as a community we are and the process we’re undergoing. SRO articulated themselves that they spent the last 3-years discussing there own future and organizational viability. There have been very passionate and deliberate discussions with the SRO board president and board members. Disagreements between the City’s Department of Community Development and Council members, tough decisions that have affected individuals and organizations - but, there has also been a concerted attempt by most involved to build consensus whenever possible to what new model has the best chance at delivering the best and most needed services.

The needs have been well defined by community members and readily apparent as being outreach and community organizing, dealing with the physical conditions of the neighborhood and more equitable and comprehensive services for the entire area – addressing the needs of the Clark Fulton area in particular, but also addressing the specific needs of the other four communities and getting citizen participation through some form of advisory committee for the new service model.

Outside of this blog there are civil conversations occurring with former opponents…Rick Nagin, Moises Torres, Nelson Cintron and James D’Amico as well as discussions with Gordon Fine (Clark-Metro) and others that used to be very active and involved in the community - all agree that we need to put aside differences and work collaboratively on building the neighborhood up.

Gail Long and Jim Pelikan’s primary focus is to seek community participation and develop the tools and processes that can create better oversight and sustained leadership in all of the neighborhoods being served.

Others that have been critical of the process or have had differences of opinions in terms of what has taken place thus far have contacted me and we’ve taken time to discuss our differences, respect our positions and move forward. My hope would be for less vitriol and an opportunity for real dialogue in person or by phone.

Brian J. Cummins
Cleveland City Council, Ward 14
216-664-4238 bcummins[at]clevelandcitycouncil.org

reply [38]

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I probably used half those terms today discussing MCCO [39]

Submitted by Norm Roulet [40] on July 24, 2010 - 6:34pm.

I probably used half those terms today discussing MCCO with a fascinating group of the most senior community leaders I've met, who largely built University Circle and Cleveland over the last half century. Some in their late 80s, they didn't disagree with my concerns about their community or my forms and forums of expression, and I am speaking of the institutions to which they have dedicated their lives... to which my family dedicated lives... as we are looking for common ground for building solutions.

The only reason I am allowed at the table to discuss these solutions is having the civil forum of realNEO to build common ground.

realNEO is this community's only neutral common ground for building solutions that I know of.

I believe citizens here raise valid concerns that are neglected if not hidden by the commercial media and our leadership - I know I have.

Brian, you are to be commended for your use of realNEO and your openness here, and I encourage everyone to take Brian up on his offer to get together and discuss concerns - I don't even live in Cleveland but I contact him often to raise my concerns about matters there, like your polluting my city of EC.

He hasn't fixed Cleveland yet but at least I know someone in Cleveland will hear my concerns.

Disrupt

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SRO? [42]

Submitted by DSH [43] on July 24, 2010 - 5:24pm.

Great read, what's SRO stand for?

Old EX

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Ward 14 Collaborative Efforts [45]

Submitted by lmcshane [23] on July 24, 2010 - 6:34pm.

This is good, Brian--but what can we look forward to in the way of redevelopment and investment?

Look at some of your colleagues--at least they understand bread and circuses. [46] Joe Cimperman delivers up signature events and makes sure everyone sees him at events that he funds--in Lincoln Park. Kevin Kelley recently sunk real money into improving Loew Park Pool and he is there almost every weekend with his kids.

I know you work hard and that you care, but you seriously need to improve your ability to deliver projects that deliver hope to your residents. Writing a check to Detroit Shoreway and Tremont West for some vague code enforcement and continued mystery demolitions for developers doesn't cut it.

Your predecessor is now long gone--where is Joe Santiago? Will we be saying that about you, too?

Thank you for at least addressing these resident concerns here, but do better--please.

(SRO=Stockyard Redevelopment Organization--now defunct

http://www.stockyardredevelopment.org/contact.html [47])

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Vitreous kool-aid [49]

Submitted by dwebb [11] on July 24, 2010 - 7:19pm.

Cummins, you veered so off course that it is hard to respond, but I will try.

The people that you mention "Rick Nagin, Moises Torres, Nelson Cintron and James D’Amico" are civil people and I would expect civil discourse. I am happy that you have spoken to them and that you feel good about this.

On SRO, you posting reflects the tired specter of disinformation. SRO has been an incredibly effective organization, producing a lot of work with minimal staff. Every good board has discussion about where they are and where they are going. It is disingenuous to post these collection of words with the implication that SRO is to blame for your lack of ability to work nicely and fairly with others, including fellow councilmen. You are being dishonest, again.

You are inviting problems for yourself. If you want to play the blame game.........

What is one to make of the fact that your ward office is in suite 305 and the new staff for the organizing is in suite 303? I do not envy them their job. BTW, this office is a few blocks from where the TWDC service area begins, but these organizers will have to get in a car and drive (or use the bus) to the other part of the ward to do their jobs.

I can understand Cimperman allocating funds for TWDC as they are in his ward. But you have allocated $100,000 to TWDC for a small area of residents without any public explanation of what Ward 14 residents will receive in return.

Yes, a public explanation is in order for that $100,000 to TWDC and the $300,000 to DSCDC. The people of ward 14 and beyond are entitled to an explanation.

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CALLING FOR A CEASE & DESIST ORDER IN CLEVELAND [51]

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 [19] on July 24, 2010 - 7:22pm.

Smiles, thanks for your response.

Let's just call for a cease and desist order to all unethical, unscrupulous, and criminal behavior in Cleveland Government and the world for that matter....then you and I can have a civilized, one on one discussion about these issues. Meanwhile, let's just keep it in this forum.....(and since this is an impossible, unrealistic dream, and I would be crazy to believe it possible....let's just at least keep it real here!)

With all due respect, 76% of the voters are disengaged for apathetic reasons regarding backhanded political games. While we know that you didn't create those dynamics, we now are aware that you will continue to portray them upon us as the historical leadership did throughout the last several generations.

We at REALNEO collectively asked for answers throughout the past 7 months and you ignored us as you played backhanded (backroom) politics to get your plans implemented with the least amount of resistance or collaboration from the public. While you distracted many to believe you'd provide transparency through the REALNEO forum, you went about your plans indirectly so that those of us who care wouldn't be there to participate-good, bad, or indifferent. You simply wanted as little resistance to the already in place plans of City Hall, NPI, and yourself. You have violated all of our trust, respect, and consideration...and as for the name dropping...well, like other board members of those same organizations have personally stated; you aligning yourself with them is like humorous.

We are all well aware about the political hands scratching each other's backs to get what they want and where they want in this matter. There are no "Open" and "transparent" opportunities for offering OTHER opportunities to ascertain those preplanned HUD CDBG FUNDS....Particularly while the CDC's are fighting to stay alive and you are forced to make your decisions...at least be real about that with the public. Our destinies are dictated by those folks and you because of your own agendas to undermine the demographically disadvantaged who provide the quotas to fund those organizations.

Perhaps your "CIVIL" converstations with others is because you are not violating their lives with your actions. Moreover, because you are funding things they valiantly support.

For God's sake, as the FBI has already revealed, the City of Cleveland's Department of Community Development has violated the principles and practices of distributing these funds unscrupulously. Who are you kidding with using them as credible cohorts in this scheme of unethical practices?

D'Amico doesn't live in Ward 14... but he benefits from your funding all the same. "$5,000 Ohio City - Assistance in Community Organzing/Saftey for Barber-Vega area of Ohio City/Ward 14."

Moises Torres & Nelson Cintron are happy because you funded: $15,000 *Esperanza, Plus all of these other organizations are being considered for funding as programs and funding balances are confirmed ($2,000 - $10,000): *Julio DeBurgos,*Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for NEOhio, *Hispanic UMADAOP, Hispanic Alliance

I had put aside my differences, offered to be civilized, and tried to work with your offices back in January...but what a joke that turned out to be....My family ended up with political retaliation by your cohorts....amazing work! I am absolutely not going to sit in any room while you attempt to undermine my freedom of speech to educate the public about the deviant processes and systematic abuses that violate their rights, keep them down, and do not inspire them to be proactive in the process. That is not leadership, that is dictatorship...certainly not a good quality for a "GREEN" representative.

I spent my time serving our great nation and never before have I been met with so much corruption, collusion, and criminal behavior from government officials as in these last few years in Northeast Ohio. You promised change, but only came in sheep's clothing to promote yourself and then turned into a wolf. You all put on a great dog & pony to impress the world around us-but you fail to promote change that is empowering to our citizens and inspires them to be proactive. I had a couple families come to me and point blankly share their stories about living in FEAR under your regime. They are afraid to speak up because you all sick your code enforcement officers on them when they do...resulting in citations, criminal housing court, and fines. Are you proud of that? You just keep stepping on the folks while they are down.

You are an eloquent man, why couldn't you bring those civilized conversations to REALNEO for review? People here are not always conforming with everything, but they are highly educated, experienced, and realistic people in many cases. We speak the truth, straight up, and without playing politics. We are civilized and peaceful... But the truth is, we do speak up and you apparently have a problem with FOLKS YOU CANNOT CONTROL WITH YOUR POWERFUL POSITION or you wouldn't be trying to distract them with all that code enforcement retaliation... Yes, the list for the class action is in place....We are amused by your underground political regime and all of their disenfranchising tactics. You flat out lied to us, misled us, and deviated from the questions that have historically been presented to you...WHY WOULD ANY OF US TRY TO HAVE A CIVILIZED BACKROOM CONVERSATION WITH YOU OTHER THAN TO CONCEDE TO SCRATCHING BACKS?

Sorry, I know that if I want to get anywhere in this world of yours---I must be corrupt...and I guess I am not getting to go anywhere but to heaven for standing up for what's ethically righteous on behalf of the citizens who are powerless under you. Too bad I won't see you in heaven....I had actually given you a little more respect than you deserved...

By the way, we get the complexities of corruption. We understand that it's not about what's right, but who's got their hands in the pot. We understand that we don't deserve honesty, integrity, or ethical communications. We understand that we are simply pawns in the system that needs us as quotas...Believe it or not; the people are aware of this, Brian... and that is the reason that most of them are NOT COOPERATING, PARTICIPATING, and BEING PROACTIVE! Hello, they are sick of the lies by politicians like yourself.

There are uncountable millionaire business investors in our Ward and you ignore their fervor to invest more in order to rebuild our community. You denegrate the residents with your conscious choices to ignore those who expect you to be respectful of the actual folks who live here... By the way, which person on that list of names above actually lives in Ward 14, besides Nelson Cintron? (Just curious?)

If we were to sit down at a table to talk civilized, what would you tell us? I am at the table here...in front of God and Country...open, transparent, and deliberately challenging you on this to promote accountability. However, it's apparent that you don't have the ability to do that because you are in a pinch with the bandwagon of corruption and you simply cannot be the honorable guy you want to be because of POLITICS AS USUAL.... which is absolutely sad and I feel bad for you. However, I'd rather die for what's right than to continue watching this hanous activity violate our citizens. You get paid well to play politics. May God Bless You.

I cannot respect a dictator. I cannot respect someone who finds it acceptable to prey on the vulnerable.

Yes, I could have appreciated transparency that offered us the opportunity to partake, but you just weren't prepared to communicate with anyone that wasn't going to tolerate social injustice, unethical behavior, or politics as usual... We had losts of postiive things to offer this community and you are well aware of those things. We have lots of positive connections as well...but they are not about corruption. They are about doing the right things in life. City Hall cannot begin to hold a candle to those kind of ethics at this stage. And most significantly...it's tremendously amazing to see how fast you respond to us when we challenge you...because when we were patiently trying to be civilized-you ignored us and disengaged us....funny how this forum works for you... And now I will print this entire page and repost it to my own blog before you "delete" the truth of these matters at hand...

I sustain my position- AND ASK FOR A RECALL OF BRIAN CUMMINS. WE THE CITIZENS OF WARD 14 HAVE RIGHTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY BRIAN CUMMINS. HIS INTIMIDATION THROUGH POLITICAL RETALIATION IS NO LONGER A VIABLE AVENUE OF REPROACH TO THOSE OF US WHO SPEAK OUT AGAINST HIS PRACTICES. HE IS AN ELECTED PUBLIC SERVANT. WE, THE CITIZENS OF WARD 14, KEEP FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS TO BE PROTECTED AND TO BE EMPOWERED. UNITED WE STAND TO DISRUPT CORRUPTION. WHITE COLLAR CRIME IS ALSO A CRIME. STEERING OVER $440,000.00 A YEAR OUT OF OUR WARD IS UNACCEPTABLE. BY PREMEDITATIVELY STEERING THOSE FUNDS OUT AND INTO OTHER AREAS, YOU DELIBERATELY DEPRIVE US OF OPTIONS TOWARDS INVESTING WITHIN OUR OWN WARD. IT IS A PUBLIC DISSERVICE TO CONTINUE EXPECTING US TO BELIEVE IT'S SO COMPLICATED.....IT'S JUST PREPLANNED AND WE ARE NOT GIVEN THE BASIC OUTLINE OF WHAT THOSE OBJECTIVES, PLANS, AND FUTURE FUNDING DESTINIES ARE IN THE WORKS BECAUSE YOU REFUSE TO BE HONEST WITH US. YOU RUN US AROUND CHASING PUBLIC REPORTS INSTEAD OF SIMPLIFYING THE OPTIONS AND MAKING THEM OPEN AND TRANSPARENT-WHEN YOU ARE QUITE CAPABLE OF DOING SO THROUGH SUCH FORUMS AS REALNEO.

PERHAPS A PUBLIC APOLOGY AND ACKOWLEDGEMENT OF THE POWERS THAT BE WOULD BE A BEGINNING TO ANY CONVERSATION THAT IS IGNITED BETWEEN US IN ANY FORUM. I APOLOGIZE THAT THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS DRIVES YOUR ACTIONS, CHOICES, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. I AM SAD FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO BELIEVE THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE SPEAK UP-THAT THOSE FOLKS DOWN THERE AT CITY HALL APPEAR TO THINK THAT THEY ARE INVINCIBLE.

IT'S A TRAGEDY THAT THE POWERS THAT BE MANIPULATE YOU, DICTATE OUR PUBLIC WELFARE, AND PROMOTE THEIR OWN OBJECTIVES AT THE COST OF OUR CITIZENS. IT'S ALL A SHAME.... I APOLOGIZE THAT I CANNOT SUPPORT THAT TYPE OF GOVERNMENT, LEADERSHIP, OR PUBLIC ACTION.... IT'S A DISHONOR THAT WE ARE SUBJECTED TO THESE KIND OF PRACTICES AS OUR US ARMED FORCES, OUR VETERANS, & SERVICE MEMBERS SERVE OUR COUNTRY & MANY DIE EVERY DAY UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY AROUND OUR GLOBE.

CHANGE STARTS WITH THE LEADERSHIP...AND TRICKLES DOWN...APPARENTLY CITY HALL IS NOT READY TO REFORM ITS YEARS OF BAD HABITS....IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, NOT WHAT YOU KNOW.... COMICAL...

Thanks for measuring up to this challenge of providing the most integral leadership available to Ward 14...

Thanks, for responding so quickly. It's nice to know you have it in you.

Thanks for trying your best to do the right thing against all odds. We get it, they defeated you.

Thanks...Thanks for everything you do on behalf of our citizens.... Thanks to all of City Hall for all of their ongoing corruption....that disintegrates the American Spirit.... We appreciate your efforts to make a difference! Thanks for inspiring us to stand up and fight for our rights as American Citizens! Thanks...Thanks for energizing those citizens who don't pay attention to politics as usual to become proactive... I apologize for being brutally honest about my observations in Cleveland...but I believe the citizens deserve the respect of truth for once in their existence.

Always Appreciative,

AngelnWard14

UNITED WE STAND TO DISRUPT CORRUPTION.

P.S. Hugs! : )

P.S.S. Brian, you have had my contact info for over a year....all the same, you have avoided calling me, returning calls, or considering me for anything- specifically the alleged "public" forums when you all forgot to mail out invitations to the voters/residents of our Ward (but I don't guess you all had to do that!) You sure did go out of your way when they redistricted your ward with mailing out city hall letterhead to rally the people... I guess Ward 14 folks didn't deserve the same courtesy in the planning process?....I understand that this is how it goes when you speak out against the big politicians....It's okay. I tried to valiantly uphold positive communications, to support your position, and to be proactive with you all since the Fall...I will take the heat round for speaking the truth though... I apologize that I am just an ignorant hillbilly who cannot tolerate these kind of corrupt, politics as usual, unethical and crucially disenfranchising activities by an elected official in our Ward.