Well I’ve read and read posts on this blog over the last few months and I can say with all honesty that the people in wards 13 and14 (including new and old residents effected by the boundary change) are some of passionate inspiring people I ever encountered in person or online.
The one thing that keeps coming up is what I think will be the deciding factor on the election.
Community development corporations
Primarily----Tremont West and Clark Metro
I think one of the deciding factors for the voters will be which candidate will actually stand up for the ward and keep the Community Block Grand Dollars in our ward.
It obviously that Ward 13’s Tremont West benefited and grew its impressive power base with funds that should have stayed in Ward 14.
It also obvious that now TWDC has seen the writing on the wall, so they are attempting drastic measures (changing bylaws) to insure that they can keep milking the cash cow.
It’s obvious that TWDC has had a silent benefactor with Katherine Bulava, Cleveland City Council's Communications Director who sits on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS of TWDC. Ms Bulava may have been able to influence current councilman Joe Santiago to fund TWDC because of their close relationship at city hall. (Bulava was very instrumental in helping Santiago beat the recall effort in 2007.)
But now that Santiago lost his re-election bid last month Ms. Bulava may not have that same kind of influence of Brian Cummunis whom seems keen on the idea of contacting Detroit shore way to operate a satellite office in ward 14. Or Rick Nagin who has promised he would fund a new CDC in Ward 14 if he is elected.
Rick seems to have the support of the people who have been disenfranchised over the last three and a half years. His promise of creating a new CDC with in the ward is a strong selling point for me.
Brian however was not afraid to pull monies away from OBCDC so that is a good indication he would not continue to fund TWDC at the same disproportionate percentage as Santiago.
Both Candidates need to be questioned about there plans to fund a questionability operated CDC’s that only serves 10 to 12 % of ward 14.
Especially now that many residential members of Tremont West are calling for an independent investigation into the possible unethical or illegal activities of TWDC and potential links to the county corruption probe.
It's our money ward 14 how do we want it spent??
Devil