Etheostoma Caeruleum

Just because someone does not present themselves like a bold in-your-face loud selling used car salesmen, or obnoxious commercial.... does not mean that they don't aspire for greatness. Man we have seen enough of the loud hot air too! The fact that the guy travels to explore new opportunity and looks beyond his own backyard, says something. I wish more Americans would pursue a passport to see the world from beyond the confines of the suburbs. Frank is more a listener than talker. Something else we need more of as well.

Great news! On the negative but important side of the issue....We need to acknowledge that some of the problematic transient element/crime...excessive litter in areas.... needs to be cleaned up if this neighborhood will ever make it to the next level like seeing people walk through the neighborhoods in larger numbers after sunset, (other than on 25th street because Ohio City is more than just W. 25th) And, to attract businesses. There is no reason someone should own a business and have to deal with individuals outside their door asking for money, prostituting....dealing drugs, drinking or taking a leak in the entrance of a vacant store. That's just some of the reality that we'd like to curb in the neighborhood and cannot pretend it does not exist. Go ask Dean Rufus what he had to deal with at his shop on 29th... He has done a great job leading the charge in cleaning up that spot lately.

He hasn't done anything that anyone else hasn't done in D.C... He just got caught for stepping on the toes of some powerful people and exposing them. Albeit, he is a skewed character too... But no worse than rest. I would actually love to see a consumption tax on my Mom's neighbor who incessantly wastes energy for retarded reasons like excessive mowing and blowing his lawn morning, noon, and night for no reason. If you want to waste and be a glutton while others try not to, then it shouldn't be low cost or free. Just wasteful and annoying as hell... :-o Ryan rubber stamped a rotten energy bill....so that killed my support for him when I lived there full time. Love the Traficant hairdo, though! The thing that cracks me up is that people still think one party has all the answers...or has the answers that should suit everyone...and are too egotistical, proud, and self righteous to admit their flaws/mistakes and instead, blame it on the other, and would rather "be right" to satisfy themselves... than actually do what is right. Hence why I am sick of politics, period. :lol: Btw.. Happy Mother's Day to Mother Earth, who is the only Mother that never had a day off in her entire life and gets raped, used and abused, in the name of progress.

^ You can say that again! This is where we need to grow up as a team....mature....The focus and determination of this team is about equal to the attention span of my add dog. At least that is how it appears. Get the i-pods out of your ears guys and focus!

All of which taints the image of public trasnsport here...and certainly cannot help with attracting future funding...future ridership... Many things people see as little things are the genesis for the more familiar bigger things. The house may be old and worn, but it can at least be clean, functional and efficient. This is what we actually did have....but now it is getting to where that basic element is diminishing. I just don't see how not taking a pro-active stance toward all the above is conducive to a healthier RTA.

I had some visitors from overseas come here... They could not believe this area is not all linked by rail as closely geographically 'quilt stitched' that it is.

People are finally tired of rewarding failure. But, with the empty seats...the good old days of the 80's are back! I can finally go like I used to and sit by myself with a beer. :lol:

^ This is why I was surprised above. I thought they would have had this sort of thing in place already...its called "management" Such should be a part of everyday operations, but when standards become well below average....and once they're back to average...average seems like something over the top to be expecting. Its kind of analogous to how good some people would think the Browns are if they achieve an 8-8 (which is an achievement for them!) record only because we have stunk up the joint for so long with well below average. In that case, mediocrity seems like a pillar achievement. This is the thinking we need to change here...the kind that is the acceptance of mediocrity as the norm just because its "Cleveland" and that we should not expect anything else. Its chronically toxic thinking and must go. 327... I really think you would be a good candidate for overseeing such management.

Perfect example of what I was saying. By the way....Did anyone see this? Utterly disgusting. Never seen such a place that has this kind of sense of entitlement!

You mean there is nothing like this now? Seems like a real plan/idea.

^ Exactly my point...whomever this would be directed to will likely say its not their job or just something to that effect. We need a little bit of Joe Clarkism around here.

^ :laugh:

I remember being in Warren.....and having to deal with all the Steeler fans who were bandwagon fans... I knew more about their team than they did! The area is situated in such a spot where you get a mixture... But from my experiences over the years, the Browns fans were the truest. Also sounded a bit more evolved. The funny thing is...that eventhough a Cleveland team has not won the entire climax in a long time, all the teams have had more memorable games that entail all the drama and excitement of which the highlight films tell the greatest sports stories. More-so than many teams who seemingly slipped into the big one without so much as a whisper. In my opinion, we have had the teams to reach the big one and win it...but luck failed and we just didn't in a long time. I also think we have had better single season teams that did not win the big one...than some teams that did. (Ex: '85 Patriots..thought Browns had fielded equal of better teams during that era that just didn't get to the big one) So, from a historical context and to the general sports fans... although not winning the big in a while, plenty of Cleveland teams have yielded much excitement/drama/ups/downs to the audience of the sports world. Make sense?

^ I agree.... It would be annoying though to hear "unaware of" when it is so pervasive and easy to see. This suggests no one is paying attention. There are several hearty species that can withstand the urban elements as you have indicated....and roads are overkilled on salt/slag anyway. Cities like Minneapolis/Chicago face similar challenges so I hope the elements do not become an excuse to not plant/replace any. Again, this is what Alan does in his consulting. He is NOT a landscape guy. There is a difference between landscaping people and an urban forester professional who works with cities on choosing appropriate species...tries to select appropriate native ones when applicable, possible and appropriate. They're more into the science of it all...the soil, climate, etc... He has worked with Cleveland arbor situations before. I wonder if he did this time. The service is through the Ohio Division of Forestry. I am sure someone did some consulting in this way and I would still hope the supplier of the trees would have had some sort of warranty. But most definitely this should be looked into by the paper...But let's make RTA aware first so the paper won't print "they were not aware"

Frustration should not be confused with being fair weather....It does not mean deserting the team.

Woah! The REAL Cavs came tonight! Keep up the killer momentum...See what happens when you play while you're awake! :whip: GIDDY UP!

I hope this does not have the supposed crown jewel of the Cleveland transit system... be one of many things that could possibly have this line looking like crap in just a few years. You can renovate a home, building or street, etc.......that's just the first part.....the other 90% is about follow up...follow up...follow up...follow up. We really need to improve on this sort of thing in Cleveland. And, I hope we don't read something in the Plain Dealer that would say something like "RTA officials were not aware of the dead trees" :-o Jerry.. the trees are dead/dying. Call Alan Seiwert.

Have not been to this particular area/stream....so, I state the following only if his particular stretch of the stream is a relatively healthy and in its more natural state....But the following part of the project raised a concern... "Springfield development and realty company, Midland Properties, has teamed with a Colorado company to turn Buck Creek into a usable waterway, with an adjacent natural climbing wall. Buck Creek, between 20 to 50 feet wide in places, snakes through the heart of downtown." From an environmental perspective....and one who explores many Ohio waterways and all their bio-wonder that few know exist, I find the above idea to cause me to say with skepticism...."Hmmm"....such as described, and depending on the scope of this.... it may be to a creek's bio-diversity and health, what demolishing all the historic structures in a downtown setting to build a parking lot, is to the undermining of the historical and walkable integrity of a city. Just love it when engineers try to "improve" a waterway without consulting aquatic ecologist professionals who do not work for a state agency. Not all so called "improvements" are good in the long term. But their paycheck depends upon them not understanding this point of view and I am sure many here will not either. Anyway...Just ask the Mississippi and Colorado rivers how much "improvements" have helped. When will we ever learn to work with natural laws instead of against them.

I have a bleak feeling it will be Cavs down 2-1 by tonight... Jim Chones got it right in the interview after the game about this team basically sleepwalking. I don't care how "old" the Celtics are..it also takes brains and a plan to win this game and that is the department we have been falling short in lately. I hope I am wrong, but will not get hopes up.

I have noticed something along the Healthline that I am wondering if anyone is noticing. The section I witnessed approximately around where Mayfield Rd. meets 322 (Euclid) and going east.... a GREAT number of the trees that were planted in the medians and sides appear to be either dead or dying. Young trees like this usually sprout early and healthy and if dying or struggling...must be properly pruned to encourage the sap to the healthy parts of the tree and upward. Anyway, these trees have not been there very long.....and when such a large number is planted there is sure to be some that don't make it....However, there seemed to be far too many that were dead or dying. I am sure all these cost plenty. If newly planted young city-scape trees are not properly looked after, many will die. Such seems the case here. I used to serve on a municipal arbor commission and learned this sort of thing working with that. This is such a nice tree streetscape and when mature, will surely help to cut down on the noise and air pollution from vehicles, as well as add beauty/value. But this can only be possible if they're looked after and don't all end up dying. What another unnecessary stain on the Healthline project if that would happen. How about the "health" of the trees on the line? Its hard to miss when looking specifically for the situation. These trees may have some sort of warranty from the nursery on living for at least a certain amount of time. One section, most all were dead and I do know the difference between a dead tree and one that has not yet blossomed. The latter is very likely not the case here. At any rate, maybe the urban forester Alan Seiwert, who last I checked worked out of ODNR's Middlefield office, should be consulted? He is in the Division of Forestry and helps many municipalities, including Cleveland (has helped) draft tree legislation/planting plans, care, etc. I have his contact details if anyone needs them. (PM me) Does anyone know anything about this situation? Jerry, are you aware of this? By the way, on a side note.. "Cleveland1979" said: "I'm from Portland... I hope the city doesn't ruin its excellent, pleasant downtown areas with talking and beeping buses. And I hope The Oregonian corrects its error in the article about the RTA casualty rate." I am glad I am not the only one who recognizes the ridiculousness of that. Better drivers who look for pedestrians and get off their cell phones will erase the supposed need for a "talking bus." I have written about that one too.....many reasons why such is overkill and totally unnecessary.

This is a bit pricey, eventhough I am sure it is a quality exhibition..... On another note...Who was it that mentioned a wax museum on or near 4th? That would be something interesting too.... Something quirky to do like seeing Vincent Price's House of Wax!

This city will have no history. And this idea of not paying for anything but new...just reflects a culture that has a mindset that sprawl and new growth beyond the core should always be rewarded. In turn, that mentality reflects a culture that has never been taught that resources aren't limitless. This is a shame. Worse, it seems everywhere I have seen new school buildings...they're really bad pieces of work. Just go to Warren and see some examples.

Hello citizens, May is here and an active time of year for helping to clean our environment. I am calling upon anyone who would be most interested in possibly taking some time to help make our shoreline a bit more healthy by participating any amount of time you can...on Saturday, May 22nd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM meeting at the small parking lot in the upper portion of Edgewater Park. Some of you have regularly participated and some of you may be new. This is a good chance to develop lots of camaraderie and to establish a presence and good example of taking regular care of our natural shoreline. On behalf of the Edgewater environment, I hope you will attend. Again, I would like to at least have 6 people come forward. Although I will have some bags/gloves, it is requested that you volunteer to bring gloves and maybe a few bags. I hope you will help--OR, please forward this message to those you think may be interested. Please RSVP by either replying to me on PM....or contacting me at: 330-393-4448 "Do or do not--there is no try." -- Yoda

Just posting this message from Ohio City Near West Development.... A neighborhood wide litter clean-up is encouraged this Saturday, either with groups or what you can do on your own.... Franklin/Clinton Block Club Block Club Clean-Up Announcement Please be advised that there will be a block club clean-up this Saturday May 8th from 10:00 am until 12:00 Noon. In exchange for your clean-up efforts, a 40 cubic yard dumpster is being provided by Councilman Joe Cimperman for your use this weekend. This dumpster will serve the needs of three Ward 3 block clubs, and will be located in the rear parking lot of Lutheran Family Services, located at 4100 Franklin Boulevard. This location will also be the meeting point for the clean-up. Gloves and garbage bags can be picked up at this meeting point. If you cannot participate in the organized block club clean-up, please consider going out on your own to pick up trash and litter on your block. We just ask that you do this in exchange for the use of the dumpster. Remember that items prohibited in the dumpster include tires, paint and all hazardous chemicals. The Weekend in Ohio City event of May 15 & 16 will see a concentration of visitors in the block club area, and we are hoping that our area will sparkle. Trolleys will be traveling on the following streets in the block club area: * Franklin Blvd. from W.25th to W.44th * Clinton Avenue from W.28th to W.32nd * W.25th, W.28th & W.32nd from Franklin to Detroit * All of Detroit Avenue For information on this event, please visit ohiocity.com. Thank you in advance for your participation in keeping our neighborhood clean!

I didn't really agree with Jerry's framing of his response (I'm with you, the garbage certainly is RTA's problem no matter how it got there), but I believe he also pointed out the money problem. So yeah, it would be great if RTA cleaned up its corridors; just tell them which other bus routes to cut and maybe they can reallocate some of their shrinking revenue stream towards litter control. So the alternative is to just allow this problem to get worse? I can guarantee you that it will, left unabated.. Then see how much it hurts RTA. Why the need to always apologize for RTA..... How many times am I going to have to emphasize that this is NOT necessarily about lack of funding rather than a lack of priority...and a flaw in philosophy. And, it des not take loads of cash to make it a priority or to allow it to be a higher one. Willyboy gets the concept I am trying to get across here. So many seem to think that if RTA were magically bestowed with unlimited funding, that it will somehow fix all their problems. It won't. That's my point. Many of these problems existed in so called 'better times.' The same entity telling us about the lack of funding.....is the same one who had vending machines installed at a time at 25th street station...which isn't worth the chump change made on that because such only encourages more trash/litter right at the stations, no less! This kind of thinking demonstrates to me a lack of thinking or vision about the potential consequences in the environment often surrounding the stations, and a lack of thought toward illegal dumping, litter and trash issues. As I have mentioned in the past...... It would take moments for someone at RTA to---at the least---to inquire about how to utilize existing local and state laws in levying fines on those who are known continual dumpers, to their advantage. Change won't happen instantly and it won't make an immediate huge difference. But any difference for the better in this issue at the moment is a move in the right direction. Laws are in place. Its a matter of whether they are used or not. As long as their is little emphasis on this, however, enforcement of the law will be less a priority as well. I am tired of hearing the same excuses and the lack of expectation/demand for better around here that just leads to the lowering of the standards...and an acceptance of status-quo and stagnation. If they want to increase ridership...then some of the things people have mentioned on here that lack or are problems...need to be taken on board as possible contributors to the decline in ridership, and need to be dealt with. This idea that "let's just wait til we get the funding we need and all will then be right in the world" is not the answer. Somehow, someway when chips are down, we need to reach to the depths of creative thinking and get something done. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT saying that lack of funding does not hurt many things badly or make a given issue worse...NOR am I saying that we should not be demanding more funding for public transport (I write many times to elected officials demanding more) which is so badly needed in Ohio.. But some things that start as simple things, like a litter issue, only get worse if taken lightly..and this is not an issue that should have gotten to the point that it would take huge amounts of funding to fix. This is not really a 'funding' issue. All the funding in the world will not likely change the philosophies of business as usual.....status-quo and what someone values inside. Such needs to be taught from the top down. If it isn't, then find someone who does care about these issues to run the show. Then, maybe at least those who write, call, or email RTA about a given issue, will be more promptly answered or new clever ways will be sought to try and make a dent in this issue. To just let it all off the hook and continually blame lack of funding on this issue is utter B.S. and something one tells themselves to help them sleep better at night. I have shared with RTA some ideas how to attack this issue. They can either take the torch and run, or drop it and let the place burn. Will an increase in funding change the often clueless and rotten egg attitude of many of the employees (drivers) when someone has a question?