Jeff Buster's poll on REALNEO asking "If Peter Lawson Jones immediately withdrew his support for the Medical Mart Convention Center would his public career benefit?" motivated me to spend the time to explore the probability the MedCon is already dead, and our leaders will let us know that when they return from their vacations... and get the nerve. What do you think?

While on the subject of cities, some analysts look to the nation's economic woes, it's impact on tax receipts for cities and foresee municipal bankruptcies growing at alarming rates.  Cities may need to look to municipal bankruptcy, chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code, to protect themselves and taxpayers. We haven't seen this since the Orange County bankruptcy in 1994, which lost over $1.5 billion.

I never thought Councilman Mike Polensek was a bad guy, maybe a frustrated, burned out, partially-jaded reformer facing difficult tasks in Cleveland, but not a bad guy. However, in my mind, you can't justify the latest problem involving his asking a local development nonprofit organization to buy a house for him while he secured financing.  He can say he gave the nonprofit a modest profit for helping he can say it was only a short-term thing and he can say he only did it for his mom, but....

This is a re-post from my blog: Ohio City's Bodnar Funeral Home applied for a zoning variance on December 22nd to build a crematory at 3929 Lorain Avenue. Ward 14 Councilman Joe Santiago is in support of the building addition and expansion of the funeral home’s on-site services.

WOMENCONNECT MEETING REMINDER

Dear WomenConnect Friends: We are writing to remind you of the gathering being held on Wednesday, January 21st 2009, the very first day after the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.

We urge you to join us for brainstorming and jubilation: THE FIRST DAY GATHERING Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 7-9pm , Cleveland Heights 13001 Cedar Road (near Cottage Grove)

Free Parking

Refreshments Bring friends and family

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The Maltz Museum asks students to be guided by the words of Edmond Burke and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and describe an act of discrimination, reflect upon their response and put forth a plan of action to affect change in one's self, school and/or community.

Entries will be judged on content, originality, the potential for the plan of action to be implemented and presentation. Discrimination is defined as any act of prejudice or intolerance perpetrated upon one individual by another; a group against an individual; or one group against another group.

What better way to see Cleveland--10 a.m. -12:00 p.m. for all upcoming dates listed here. 

January 3rd The West Side Market 1979 W. 25th Street Bring in the new year by sketching the Saturday activity at the market. With the enclosed produce section and the impressive indoor market space...it is the perfect winter locale!

Cleveland is New Orleans, where the foreclosure crisis, like Katrina, is just a perfect storm for corporate greed and local corruption run amok. 

This memory makes me smile and appreciate the struggles with my home.  I was working at Edison's and one of my regulars came in and found out which house I was renovating and he proceeded to tell me stories about the old candy store.  I love the stories of the Tremont old-timers and when I went home from work that night, I posted a blog about the conversation which was much more than a story about my home.  So, in the spirit of the holidays, sharing may make someone else smile as well...

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Sponsored by Blue Technologies and Boundless Flight

Join us the first Friday of every month for networking at Bier-Markt. FREE appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages.

Parking available in City of Cleveland lot on West 26th Street for $5.00. Parking may also be available in the West Side Market lot on Lorain Avenue. Please do not park on West 25th Street before 6:00 p.m.

Hosted by Young Professionals Division.

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Life is just one long road and the trip can be painful and it can be beautiful. Yes--deep, deep (possibly creepy) thoughts, but the experience at La Strada, the new restaurant, is not sad, or painful--just beautiful.

BREAKING NEWS!!! WHO NUKED TREMONTER?

WHICH ONE OF THE USUAL SUSPECTS WILL GET THE BLAME?

HENRY, DEBRA, JERLEEN OR DID CAPTAIN CODE ENFORCER PULL ONE LAST PLUG?

BETTER YET, DID ANYBODY GET A GLIMPSE OF SANTA AND THE BAG OF LOOT OR WAS SAMUEL AND HIS JOHN DEERE  LURKING ABOUT?

Folks, the much enjoyed Tremonter closed it's blog site for good this evening.  Some say the truth hurts and others say the truth sets you free.

Ward 13 Councilman Cimperman was attacked in his Tremont home by vicious forces, which caused him personal harm and made him homeless. His trauma was relatively brief, as Councilman Cimperman is a powerful man with powerful friends and considerable resources at his disposal - it is safe to say he had insurance against his losses and could borrow money at a reasonable interest rate to rebuild.

Site of Frank Giglio's demolished house, with art installations, in the headlights and spotlights

If all this focus on REALNEO about Tremont has surfaced any really unique insight, it is how cool Tremont and its core people are, and how critical appreciation for that is to the future of NEO. I'm pleased to feel our dialog here has opened channels toward better understanding in this neighborhood, which is better for all who love Cleveland. Now I'd like to see how we, as a virtual community, may do more, better... be more engaged and better for the Real Tremont.

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When do we shut it down?

The latest tax figure for collection of that quarter percent sales tax for the Medical Mart & Convention Center cost Cuyahoga County taxpayers totaled $3,479,373.20 in November.

Despite the recessionary impact on consumption, the tax continues to be higher than predicted. The November figure is a bit higher than the $3,427,717.90 in September.

The total collected since January when the tax started is $38,712,692.71. That’s $38 million extra in sales taxes paid by Cuyahoga consumers this year thus far.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority – better known as RTA – apparently has trouble knowing the purpose of its business.

Hint. It’s transportation. Not parking. Not tourism. Not beautification.

Ed Hauser’s death was a tragedy that didn’t have to happen. It was a death that should not have happened. In many other countries, it would not have happened. The circumstances of his death may be the reason many more will die today and tomorrow. Ed died because America doesn’t have the decency to protect its own citizens with the health care that’s basic in all other industrial societies. The American aversion to universal health care is killing people by neglect. It must be corrected. Ed didn’t have health insurance.

A booty call from my friend Colleen

Greetings fellow movers and shakers,

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Below is a message that has been sent to Steve Esrati, a former Plain Dealer copy editor. Esrati distributes comments, gripes and memories of former Plain Dealer editorial people to others.

The following is an honest appraisal, in my opinion, of the demotion of Rosenberg from his position of music critic at the PD, with the help of PD editor Susan Goldberg and the management of the Cleveland orchestra.

The writer, Bob Finn, is retired and the highly respected former music critic of the Plain Dealer.

Here’s a report from an organization in Brooklyn, N. Y., about Cleveland’s Forest City Enterprises and the real estate company’s activities in New York.

Why is it that Cleveland and Cuyahoga County citizens are NOT as active in protecting its citizens, for example, on the debacle being pushed by Forest City around the Medical Mart and Convention Center, a project made at Tower City’s executive offices.

The Probate Judge who appointed Tana Carney to the Cleveland Foundation is John J Donnelly, who also appointed the Cleveland Metroparks Commissioners. The longest serving is Fred Rzepka, a developer (who was reportedly on the site committee for the Browns stadium).

No one can argue that Cleveland City Council needs better public grooming. Anything that can make the city’s legislative body look a bit better these days should top the legislative body’s Christmas list.

So that’s likely why PR-troubled Council President Marty Sweeney – who might be the most needy Council member – has hired political consultant and former Plain Dealer political editor Mary Anne Sharkey for some helpful advice.

I told Sharkey that she should use as her corporate name “Mission Impossible.” She laughed.