Question of the day--how does ~$23,000+ from developers (see inset article) in 2008, go to $ -162.00, to $6,800--when all of this time Mr. Rokakis has not had to run for a political office???
Oh, and what happened to Tony Sinagra--political fundraiser for the Hellenic Society in NEO?? [1]
Here is a cached snapshot of the fundraiser that occurred in April 2009. Worth noting:
Please join us in Supporting Jim Rokakis
Wednesday, April 2nd | 5:30pm to 7:30pm
The Union Club of Cleveland | 1211 Euclid Avenue
(The parking garage is connected to the club on E. 12th)
Suggested minimum contribution is $250 per individual, $500 per couple
Event Chair: Lou Frangos
Co Hosts:
Michael Alex Gus Bitounis Angelo Coutris
Gus Frangos Michael Henry George Loucas
Bert Moyar Christopher Pasiadis John Powers
Tony Sinagra Angelo Stames Theodore Zampetis
Lee Zapis
More information is available by calling Dee at 216.621.9255
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Ideas abound on reform of campaign finance
Rokakis received at least $23,000 from developers during his 2008 election cycle. He said many of these contributors are simply longtime friends.
"When you lived in this town all your life, like I have, you get to know developers," he said.
Rokakis, who supports limiting the size of contributions, said he is less aggressive than his colleagues, holding fewer fund-raisers than they do.
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It would go a long way to provide the accountability we voted for with the Cuyahoga Reform transition.
[5] By Mark Naymik, The Plain Dealer
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/10/cuyahoga_county_government_ove.html [2]
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For the curious--must see reading:
http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/10/mayor_frank_jackson_seeks_citi.html [6]
http://media.cleveland.com/cityhall_impact/other/City%20Council%20block%20grant%20allocations.pdf [7]
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/about/budget/budget09/ [8]
What constitutes NDA allocations??? Your tax dollar!
See also:
http://www.vacantproperties.org/resources/documents/CityofClevelandCodeEnforcementPartnership.pdf [9]
From February 08, 2009 article by Linda Chojnacki in the Real Estate section Plain Dealer ...beginning in April, the Land Bank will begin revitalizing our neighborhoods by addressing the foreclosure crisis. Properties will be obtained, massive demolitions will begin, and land will be held for 15, 20 or even 30 years... See also:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/10/cuyahoga_county_government_ove.html [2]
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The Goombas...Dimora and Russo-jobs and contracts for friends and family--OBVIOUS!!!!!!
Mason, McFaul, O'Malley, McCafferty and the Irish "legal" clan--the fixers--so OBVIOUS!
Rokakis, Frangos--the Greek Town/Forest City Real Estate Investment/Medical Mart/Gambling/Casino operations with a protection plan (presidential candidate Kucinich)--NOT SO OBVIOUS to everyone??
The saddest part of the machine--The street level politicos groveling at the feet of these characters and the local media that covers for the old WASP establishment in town--defending their "Opportunity Corridor" investment greed as largesse and saving the children.
How long can someone live as a carpetbagger in the witness protection plan?
I suppose if you end up in Florida (Santiago/Kevin Kelley) or Hawaii (Eugene Sanders)...it looks pretty good.
Links:
[1] http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2009/08/anthony_sinagra_former_state_s/3113/comments-6.html
[2] http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/10/cuyahoga_county_government_ove.html
[3] http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/lame-duck_county_officials_hav.html#comments
[4] http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2010/12/22/the-next-step-for-treasurer-jim-rokakis
[5] http://connect.cleveland.com/user/mnaymik/index.html
[6] http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/10/mayor_frank_jackson_seeks_citi.html
[7] http://realneo.us/media.cleveland.com/cityhall_impact/other/City%20Council%20block%20grant%20allocations.pdf
[8] http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/about/budget/budget09/
[9] http://www.vacantproperties.org/resources/documents/CityofClevelandCodeEnforcementPartnership.pdf