Thank god we have Roldo Bartimole in our region writing about the inequity and the corruption here. If not for Roldo, we might never know such tantalizing tidbits as we learn here in his CoolCleveland article this week: Should Hagan Have Recused Himself from Vote? [1] (I link it here because I know that unlike the PD articles that disappear after a couple of weeks, this CC article will remain online in perpetuity.)

For example, did you know, we pay sales taxes on the sin taxes? "

Many don’t know this but the county sales tax is charged on the “sin” taxes, adding another $16 million to the $238 million." When does that tax end?

I hope someone in Columbus or in the federal government is reading this -- oh, yeah, we have a corrupt judicial system, too.

Oh and there's this, "Among the gift-givers was Robert DiGeronimo of Independence Excavating. Precision Environmental Co., which won a contract last week to demolish the Breuer Building with a bid $915,000 above the low bid, is part of the DiGeronimo/Independence Excavating Co. family."

Does that mean that Madden's "eye on Carbone" saw that he may indeed be convicted in the Lorain trial and decided to let him go from the job? According to the docket in Lorain County Court, Carbone has relinquished his right to a speedy trial since one of his attorneys is in a federal murder trial, so the new court date is set for 8/20/07.

Government in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County is indeed a sucking swirling eddy of despair, corruption and backdoor dealing. Should Hagan have recused himself [2]? Absolutely! Does he have an ethical bone in his body? Apparently not. Will voters stand by and let this continue? Hopefully not. Here's another example of Hagan's doublespeak [3]: "

Such beliefs are widely held in the large Hagan family, says his brother, Chris. "Our dad always said, `Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted,'" he explains.

It's advice Mr. Hagan takes to heart. When he isn't talking about how to help the needy, he is railing against greedy corporations and politicians. He says he is driven to become governor in part by his anger toward a political system corrupted by money."

Uh, what happened Tim? Did you forget your family entrenched ethical, moral code? This imposed tax (corporate welfare) is just the sort of thing you purport to eschew...

Roldo links to an important stop gap measure in his opening: "Give Democracy in Cuyahoga County a boost. Go to http://www.putitontheballot.com [4] to volunteer to help put the sales tax increase on the ballot. August is a bad month for such an effort and it needs all the help it can get."

This is a big weekend to gather signatures. I urge you to volunteer, sign a petition and learn more about this issue. Roldo is a great place to begin.

Don't rely on the Plain Dealer -- their dealing is in plain view this morning in an editorial (advertisement) for the medconcenter (copied here since it will disappear):

A deal in New York City for a Medical Mart validates Cleveland's plan - an editorial

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Cleveland's plan for a Medical Mart received validation - in the form of threatened competition - last week from New York.

The Manhattan deal outlines a million- square-foot building that would display medical devices and products so doctors can see, test and buy them in one place.

If this sounds like what Chicago-based Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.'s Christopher Kennedy wants to do in Cleveland, that's because it is like it. And with good reason: It's a great idea.

The market for medical devices is $250 billion and climbing. And the market for medical-related trade shows is growing at twice the rate as the rest of the trade show industry, figures released last week reveal.

Some here doubt the New York deal's credibility.

Many more here are likely to wring their hands, convinced that New York will steal our shot at the next big thing. It'll be Rock Hall deja vu, they'll grumble; we'll get the building and New York will get the business.

Hardly.

A Medical Mart could open in Cleveland near a new convention center in 2010, which is two years before the New York building could be completed.

And Cleveland's partner is the pioneer of such marts, with 75 years in the trade show business. MMPI already runs a merchandise mart in New York City for kitchen and bath fixtures and another for gifts and home décor. After researching the best places to build one for medical devices and equipment, the company selected Cleveland.

What's more, because more than 550 medical trade shows rotate among cities from year to year, no one place - not even New York City - could handle all of the business. So, competitors will inevitably pop up, but being in on the ground floor would be an advantage for Cleveland. In addition, exhibitors probably would pay five times more for space in Manhattan than they would here.

A quarter-cent sales tax increase for a new convention center is to take effect Oct. 1, and a deal with MMPI could be sewn up by year's end.

Greater Clevelanders should greet news of a competitor with neither indifference nor resignation, but with resolve to support the plan in play based on the region's unique and vast medical assets.

 

The Plain Dealer -- mouthpiece for local politicos bought and paid for with our tax dollars!