urbanactivist

Chris Evans fro the PD did an editorial in Sundays paper on the cost of votes in local elections. I'm glad the PD is touching on the topic, but, as usual, they failed in completing the most thorough research. I posted a comment to the editorial but have not received any responses. I'd like to know what others think. Check out the article at the Plain Dealer website by searching for "What did a Vote Cost? Candidates put their money where their mouth is" My thoughts: Dear Mr. Evans: Great article on “What did a vote cost” in yesterday’s paper. Sadly, you omitted one of the greatest local disparity’s in a win vs. lose: the Cuyahoga County Council race between UCI President Chris Ronayne vs. Dan Brady in District 3. Ronayne raised $98,053 compared to Brady’s $19,129, or five times as much money as Brady and still lost. Of even more interest is the fact that Ronayne’ s second largest contributors were the Wymer/Zapis family who contributed $3,000 collectively to the campaign. This is the same family/developer who was selected by UCI to build the controversial apartments on Hazel Drive. This is the same developer/family who your editorial department praised as being a qualified developer with a good track record. Obviously, the Plain Dealer did not research their last two residential projects, both of which are struggling. Circle 118 is a for sale townhome project in the heart of University Circle that is now advertising as rentals. The Hamlets of Rocky River is another for sale townhome community that has also been forced to go to a rental project due to lack of sales. Maybe your editorial board ought to do a little more research before knocking Councilman Johnson’s desire to make sure another one of Cleveland’s most valuable properties isn’t squandered again. Cleveland’s long history of doing so is finally being questioned by an astute politician and the Plain Dealer doesn’t even bother to check the facts before coming out with an inflammatory cheap shot at the councilman. Had other politicians shown equal courage perhaps the Stadium wouldn’t have been rebuilt on the Lake choking off all Lake access for 8 days a year; perhaps, Eaton wouldn’t be leaving the City for Chagrin Highlands; Perhaps there wouldn’t be parking lots on Public Square where the Ameritrust Tower never went and the existing buildings would still be intact. The list goes on and on.