Etheostoma Caeruleum

If they're getting this high, why not simply live in an airplane! Going a step further....That Ultima Tower--basically a man made mountain--renders Burj Dubai insignificant. (yes, I know it is a visionary project)

^^ Any new photos?

KJP, You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but it is not Gospel. (nor is mine) But I think two philosophies here can work hand in hand...go together. I believe in learning to crawl before learning to walk...and I disagree that taking care of the big from the top will take care of the small stuff at the bottom. However I do believe that carelessness or inefficiency at the top will breed it at the bottom. I don't think that is always the case of just as long as the funding is at the top...all will turn out right. I sense it is the other way around in some of these issues, but yeah...a 'chicken or egg' thing, either way... true--but as long as the problems are remedied, why not take a different approach at fixing things from the lower end and attacking smaller issues and becoming a success on one issue at a time, before focusing on the grandiose. Efficiency finds ways to do things in tough times. I am just a strong subscriber to the broken window theory and that left unabated, the small things are party to setting the stage for the bigger issues we now have, that quite possibly contribute to loss of ridership and ultimately a loss of funding---or to the pervasive attitudes that cannot justify the funding in the first place--hence the little grass roots need for stating the case for more funding! I will point out once more that no amount of funding will fix the basics that have been ignored for years. By the way, I have crafted many letters in support of public transport and sent them to appropriate parties. A side note: I have a top ten list of reasons why I have cut back on riding RTA. And, the issues were issues for a long time despite funding. Funding cannot fix basics like instilling a better customer service ethic in reps and drivers....getting existing employees to start consistently enforcing existing rules on the buses and at stops on issues many mentioned above---because those who break the rules become the kinds of riders that make other law abiding rule respecting riders not want to ride the bus/train etc. I could mention a few more examples but the point is made.

I concur, big time!

KJP, You're missing the underlying point..... These are NOT petty issues...they are trickle down symptoms of larger problems...the end result of complacency in one way to put it. Follow the dots and make the connections. You think a bunch of security and police personnel standing around inside TC b.s.ing while I had to go inside and inform them that they might want to go outside and break up fighting near a bus stop is petty? Instead of standing around waiting for something to happen...walk around, establish a presence and prevent it from happening in the first place. On another note, I agree with the regionalism aspects of this issue as being discussed. 327 said it well. Maybe it could result in better security on the public transportation, because I do believe transit needs security. (Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Police...hmmmm..sounds interesting as a concept) If the above ideas can help save money without compromising services....or convey reasons why some may abstain from riding public transport....then they are every bit related to the topic of the thread, especially if RTA reps share on the forum. Last quick note... On the response from Jerry about some people simply not liking the responses they got from RTA.... I would have to say that at least it was nice to get a response. I did not get one...and I' say reporting a careless driver is pretty important among some other issues.

I hope RTA reads all of the comments here because there are many good observations. cleveland1979....Has many valid concerns. This is a time when those in uniformed positions should be placing the absolute best foot forward. Show pride in the job and don't act as though you couldn't give a bleep. Example:You know there is a problem with leadership when you witness even a Deputy Sheriff standing around IN UNIFORM smoking on the job, then littering by tossing the butt to the ground. Classy! One, this shows no pride in the job...two, he breaks a law that we expect him otherwise either enforce...or to set a better example, by littering. I witnessed this sort of thing and it truly is a reflection of leadership and a symptom of a larger problem from the top. While that might seem petty, (and if it is..it just shows how standards and expectations have continued to spiral downward to accepting mediocrity and seeing not a thing wrong with it) collectively, such example becomes a larger issue. And geez!....if they cannot even get the small things right...How on earth can we expect the bigger to be remedied.

^ Agreed. Maybe its time to re-evaluate the existing pie and divide it differently until alternative funding sources can be identified and tapped into somehow. This is not helping RTA's case or the case for public transport. A lot of innocent people are being punished for this--and it making us a second rate city in terms of PT.

I wonder how this would look in Cleveland! Looks like a giant bayonet.

It will be interesting to see the fusion of Mexican decor with a more Tudor-like structure. That is a small Tudor style structure, isn't it?

Hello all Edgewater Park/Beach Improvement enthusiasts..... Important note I received from the new manager art the park, when I asked if he received my sign-up information officially dedicating an "URBAN OHIO EDGEWATER VOLUNTEER CLEAN-UP GROUP." All this does is allow park management identify who is cleaning up the park at any given time should we also need a helping hand. It would be good if other concerned individuals keep in touch with park management on these issues. Thank You... Here is their response...and their contact details. Now it is so easy to write or call right from your keyboard. Your involvement is appreciated. Yes, we received the Group Agreement and a copy has been filed so that the volunteers will be partially covered by Workers’ Compensation as long as they have signed up on the “Group Sign Up Form” prior to participating. That form needs to be returned to our office at the conclusion of each activity/clean-up. I will be adding the 4th Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. to the park schedule in case a member of our staff has the ability to check up or participate in the clean-up. Please keep us informed of any changes to that schedule. We have discussed the litter issues within the park and hope to make an immediate impact by strategically placing trash receptacles and butt cans throughout the beach. We will make an attempt to educate the park visitor on the proper disposal of “trash”. As the weather warms, we hope to have the opportunity to remove or paint over the graffiti within the park. Once we get into a new budget year and I have a summer to experience the issues within the park, I am hoping we will have the resources to consider additional programs within the park. These include the possibility of additional equipment and grant money to assist with educating the visitor. In addition, we are in communication with the Solid Waste District in an attempt to reduce “legal” dumping when the overflows are redesigned near the beaches. Thank you for your continued support and coordination of this group. I anticipate continued improvements within the park and hope that those will be evident to all park visitors. Jim Seikel Regional Park Manager Cleveland Lakefront/Headlands Beach 8701 Lakeshore Blvd. N.E. Cleveland, Ohio 44108-1069 Phone: 216-881-8141 x3003 Fax: 216-881-9256

Love this area! I like the fact that the plaza actually boasts many independently/locally owned businesses, in contrast to the typical Westlake thing; even a small pet shop. The parking lot is not overly humongous and there is still a very walkable appeal to the area. Nice trees...great views overlooking the metro park. Lots of nice "Three Little Pigs" style brick homes! It is kind of a combination of urban/suburban if I had to describe it. And, to have that feature of a natural less altered river and meadow cutting though the area is the real treat!

^ They're in cocoons as long as they do not 'walk the beat' sop to speak....or if they remain in cars. One becomes very disconnected this way...complacent...the result? Let's collect the pay check and get home. Maybe we need a Buford Pusser of Joe Clark type to crack the whip on things like this.

^ "It would help curb the near-constant smoking, spitting, and littering that I see at my neighborhood station (W. 25,) ESPECIALLY if the transit police issued citations to offenders." Gross! Such even evolves into a public health issue; especially the spitting. The question I have is this... If RTA suddenly had all the funding it needed...would all these problems that have been discussed above be reduced? I am in doubt, because before such changes come and the funding to do so, it takes leadership that truly grasps/recognizes the importance of making the many issues above a real concern. By the lack of simple customer feedback, however, I am left with that reason to doubt. I hope I am wrong in drawing such conclusions. But, money cannot always fix the problems. There first needs to be a strong desire to want to deliver a superior product....and that needs to be in the hearts of every RTA employee. If it is, I see not a whole lot of evidence of it.

Another aspect that is important and hinted to a bit in the article is the relation between public transport lifestyles and better health.... An emphasis on reducing obesity which is a drain on health care/society in itself.....and how it can help encourage healthier lifestyles that are not entirely spent in the car....bla..bla...bla... If the numbers can be found to somehow illustrate that investing more in P.T. could help be one contributing element that can help reduce obesity...and how much that could save Ohio in having a more productive work staff...less sick days, less need for insurance claims, and so on. The health component is compelling in itself. Reminds me when A large write up in an Aussie newspaper illustrated how companies were more productive and profitable..... by hiring more non-smokers. (something to this nature) That is another story, but the point is that perhaps a similar idea can be conveyed in how investing more in our network of p.t. can create an overall healthier Ohio...that will ultimately "make better widgets." Just trying to think of other angles that can argue for justifying more investment.

How about passing this petition along to Sierra Club? I sent it to an Ohio contact of theirs...

Overlook is a decent street... Lived there.

^HA! True... It actually looks much better now with nothing there, than in the ghost town looking photos. I wish some signage would be placed around the property to at least exude some intent of the project. Any latest renderings for the scaled down re-vision? The current Flats East website is almost as ghostly as the post Flats East photos.

No plans for this? Also, isn't the warehouse in the thread listed above the one on Carnegie? Says Euclid.

I cannot claim a monopoly on the definition, but being a former smaller retailer myself and a one time shopper and visitor frequently to Higbee's...I would have to say something that could be similar to a Higbee's standard. Higher quality products, interesting unique stock, knowledgeable sales staff, excellent customer services thereafter point of sale if needed... delightful classier atmosphere; basically the opposite of the typical overdone big box/clone zone "sprawl-mart" scene.

OK, you're being overly sensitive. There are pigs among us. When they foul the right of way used by Jerry's employer, Jerry has every right to call them pigs. I would have called them human garbage, but Jerry is a nicer person than I am. Now, back to our topic!!!! ^ I agree. However there is a footnote involved here.... unless the topic of trash/litter etc. what was mentioned here is addressed by RTA and they can implement some suggestions for improving the conditions (which many were offered to at least attempt or say whether they have done or not done so), I will refrain from riding and many others will too--and loss of ridership is important when PT becomes less appealing for many contributing reasons including this one.

^ "If trash is cleaned up on a regular basis, then you're going to be a little less likely to toss your potato chip bag on the floor--especially if RTA personnel were making reminders about not littering." Absolutely valid. Litter attracts more litter. While some do not care and will be dirt bags regardless... Overall, the better a given place is kept up the less it will attract. When you have an area full of crap...the mindset is careless and one of "Oh well..everyone does it..what is one more piece?" They don't care that they are a piece of the puzzle that creates the larger problem. They need to be made to care or reminded. The leadership at Ohio State Parks acknowledges the "litter attracts more Litter" philosophy...and so should RTA---and for certain there needs to be better enforcement of either existing rules or new ones made since many lack the common sense to know better. Time to grow a spine on such issues.

I think most rational people would agree the trash is unacceptable. Most people admit that it is and understand it. But, if this is the case, why do we not see much evidence of it? Reminding again, by law this is illegal dumping in Ohio...and the cities, townships and counties have the right to enforce the laws--and even place pressure on the railroads to clean up their properties the way the rest of us are expected to do. Whether the cities/.counties, etc. do enforce this or not (solid waste districts) is another story. RTA could work with Cuyahoga County Solid Waste district on this issues. Is this happening? If not, why not...and is the district being made aware of the problem? The cost of doing nothing about this could prove to be even greater...as trash is party to the broken window theory that former Mayor Rudy in New York understood so very well. The more you allow to accumulate throughout this right of way....I see it leading to a loss in ridership. Also, this is another reason, that IF there are any vending machines at stations, they need to be removed---And...no open containers should be permitted on these buses/trains...and the operators need to be advised that this rule must be strictly enforced, if there already is one...and if not, one needs to be made---if for no other reason---that RTA lacks the money to clean up the likely mess that will be the result. If, by chance, there is some petty revenue coming in from the machines if any are placed near stations....it is not worth it when our stations, and vehicles get trashed and we have to pay someone to clean it up...or worse yet, the job does not get done. Again, loss of potential ridership. Maybe? I can speak for a moment for myself and say that among many other reasons, this is one reason I refrain from riding the transit......and as in congress when letters are written and the figure is that there are about 10 other people who feel the same way for each letter they get--whether they hear from them or not--the same logic can apply in this situation with people not wanting to take the public transport. I would suggest getting scouts involved at least once a year. Saying that this stuff gets cleaned up and will look the same way later on is no excuse to give up and not do it. My question now becomes not so much why can't this be done... But is RTA is looking at ways it CAN be done. I already made two simple suggestions that would at least curb some litter around stations and on vehicles. If I had guests coming to Cleveland for the first time, this is not the first impression I want given about the city, and sadly, the issue of litter/dumping is a major one here and one that is not given priority at a time when it needs it the most. I have tried contacting the paper to address this issue and obviously they see it not a problem either. maybe its time we start looking at this from the outside in to see how serious it is and the bigger problems it can be party to setting the stage for.

^ And the more they let this get out of control, the more trash it will attract as it is used for an illegal dumping ground. These right of ways need to be kept up by the transit authority--And the city needs to crack down on this illegal dumping via exercising their ability to enforce the state litter/dumping laws. Cleveland or wherever is not exempt. What kind of impression does this give of Cleveland? Disgraceful and inexcusable--and again, such maintenance should be part of the basic agenda and routine. Lastly, there should be NO open containers allowed on transit--or vending machines at stations because sadly, in this day and age, it simply encourages more trashing from those who have not learned what the hell a garbage can is for.....let along a recycling bin.

Love this area, cool homes made of the clay/brick products!...very fun!.... Some really scenic backroads too. On clear nights, especially in the Autumn, the sky is dazzling with stars.

Does anyone know about the latest regs. on bringing BEER/Alcohol aboard the airlines these days? A few years ago, I was able to bring some G.L. beer on board the plane en-route all the way to Sydney, Australia. That was in '06...Then, later that year, I was able to wrap it up well and send it on luggage I was not going to carry on plane...all went well...Then, my friend could not bring it back on the plane as carry on, or as check-in luggage in '07.... I was there again in '08 and it was a no no... How about now? It is so hard to get a hold of anyone at the airport who is is on the same page. I have no luck. Anyone know anything about this? Good information is appreciated... or is there a number to call to get instant information for things like this these days? Anyone who helps gets a free 6 pack of some great Aussie beer when I return! :drunk: