8ShadesofGray

I think the numbers actually tell another story. The number I shared was the MSA rate, not the county rate. As of June 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the Sacramento-Arden-Roseville MSA unemployment rate to be 11.6%, compared to 10.1% for Cincinnati-Middletown, 10.1% for Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor and 9.1% for Columbus. Among our second-tier metros (in terms of population), Akron stands at 10.2%, Youngstown-Warren-Boardman at 14.1% and Toledo at 14.2%. California metros are also well-represented among those nationwide with the highest levels of unemployment ... Stockton at 15.5, Modesto at 16.6, Merced at 17.6 and Yuba City at 18.0 (compare that with the perenially challenged Flint, which stands at 17.4%. El Centro, CA, has the highest unemployment rate of any metro in the country ... a whopping 27.5%. 9 of the 20 U.S. metros with the highest levels of unemployment are in California; none are in Ohio (although Toledo is number 25, Youngstown is 26 and Mansfield is 28). As for state budget cuts, I agree that Columbus has been relatively insulated from public sector losses, at least to date (although many of the agencies are only considering layoffs now that the biennial budget has been adopted). But the scale of the budget gap is considerably different in Ohio and California. OH was addressing a $3.3 billion gap, approximately 12.3% of the total 2010 budget. Compare that to CA needing to address a $45.5 billion gap, representing 49.3% of the 2010 budget (numbers from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities). That is an astounding shrinkage of state funding of virtually everything. The idea that the city could escape major public sector employment losses is unimaginable to me. Couple that with the fact that the California budget was balanced at least partially by borrowing from city financial resources, and you can expect to see another round of budget cuts at the municipal level in California (compared to Cleveland, for instance, where the state has not raided local revenue streams and where the mayor was able to balance the budget without any service reduction at all). That being said, I agree that the sunbelt communities are better equipped to rebound following the recession (if for no other reason than the fact that these communities have less of a "legacy of place" problem) and that we still have our own fair share of problems to address, including unemployment rates generally around or above the national average (e.g. Only 3 of Ohio's 16 metros - Huntington-Ashland, Columbus and Wheeling - have rates below the national average, and two of those are located primarily in other states and only have small areas within Ohio).

Just called re: hours today, and they're open to 9. So doesn't appear to be any kind of closure or anything.

^ No worries, I don't think it's all white ... in the same way that I don't think central cities are entirely composed of minority groups. Just was pointing out the often faulty logic of what I perceive to be racism :)

I agree that gentrification isn't a pressing concern for Ohio cities (although it is still a very valid concern). But we now have a phenomenon in cities like San Francisco and New York (and to a degree places like Boston and DC and Chicago) where we are talking about pushing large groups of people, including the middle class either far away from the city center or beyond city borders. That to me is really problematic, not only ethically, but just for the distribution of everyday services. The hardship of food and hospitality workers in the Bay Area, for instance, having to commute into the city from the outer reaches is pretty substantial. And in many of these cities, many members of the Creative Class are pushed out in this wave as well. I also wouldn't underestimate the interruption, expenses and hassles that arise from moving short distances, even a few blocks, particularly if that move lands you into a less desirable and less safe neighborhood.

A relatively narrow segment of their overall giving, but given the shrinking of their available funds to give over the next several years (they operate on a 3-year-delayed giving cycle, so gifts given in 2010, for instance, will be based on cash flow in 2007), I can't imagine that they will be taking on too many funding priorities. I would love to see us retain these trolleys and reinstate a trolley line, but given the priorities on the plate, I would hate to see them move the funding from other arts and culture grantees, which is what they would probably have to do.

Dominic LoGalbo ... nice try, Dick Feagler. I'm on to your fancy pseudonym ;) Ugh ... There are some good points, although to follow this line of logic, why advance any development plan in the entirety of the city, if the public trust is that badly scarred? What if Ari Maron had responded to this line of logic and said, "Nah ... No East 4th Street ... Can't trust the city"? It sounds like a "Disbelieve in Cleveland" campaign to me. And frankly, despite many, many hiccups, I think the ECP was a freaking miracle, psychiatric hospital and transitional housing or not.

AC briefs are filed in appellate courts, such as the Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. However, if you feel your individual rights are affected or could be affected by this lawsuit, you could request to intervene in the lawsuit as an additional defendant. Sorry to milk your legal knowledge :) But would that apply to groups of defendants as well? For instance, could Stonewall Democrats or, I don't know, Cleveland Taxpayers for No More Douchebag Bigots, make a request to appear collectively as a defendant?

I'm white. And I'm calling people who think removal of minority groups from cities a "good thing" racist. Particularly if 100% of said people's posts reference race or class. And I stand by my right to do so :) Saying that I hate the sterility and homogeneity and artificiality and big box nature of the suburbs is one thing. If someone says that they're glad that all the white people live out there and away from me in the city ... well, arguably, that could be a racist statement, although you could get into a very detailed debate about whether minority groups can actually be racist because of historic injustices, inbalances of power, etc., etc. But I believe that's probably meant for another thread.

An older article for some background and a different tactic. I have a feeling this group will not stop. If this legal challenge doesn't work, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this end up on a ballot in 2010. God willing, voters of Cleveland will vote smarter than Cuyahoga County voters did on Issue 1 (when roughly two-thirds of local voters voted in favor of the constitutional amendment). Cincinnati group may join foes of Cleveland registry by Eric Resnick, Gay People's Chronicle June 19, 2009 Sharonville, Ohio--Ohio’s leading anti-gay group says it will come to Cleveland to organize an effort to put the city’s new partner registry on a 2010 ballot--if local opponents invite them. Citizens for Community Values vice president David Miller said he has talked to the group circulating petitions to repeal the registry, and they are ready to “help the people of Cleveland appeal to their government to redress grievances” if asked ... ... For more information, visit http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories09/june/0619099.htm

Can other taxpayers or groups of taxpayers within the city of Cleveland file amici curiae on this kind of action? Or is it still too early in the proceeding? I would guess that people could make a compelling argument that it a) increases their ability to live out their personal faith (or that the absence or dismantling of the registry would reduce freedom of faith)and/or b) that it extends quality of service of taxpayers of Cleveland by generating additional revenue.

Recession knocks local nonprofits By Lauren Heaton, Yellow Springs News August 6, 2009 Almost a full year after the national economic seizure, nonprofit organizations in the village are feeling the squeeze in their budgets. The crash affected most markedly the heftily endowed, and it hurt most cruelly the service-oriented groups. While contraction to reduce expenditures is an option, many local nonprofits are choosing to maintain or expand their programs in hopes of riding out a temporary financial slump ... ... For more information, visit: http://www.ysnews.com/stories/2009/08/080609_recession.html

Arts groups assess budget fallout By Michael Grossberg, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Monday, August 17, 2009 Reeling from severe cuts in state funding, the Ohio Arts Council is sounding the alarm about how arts groups will be affected next year. "You could see reduced programs, reduced hours in arts activities and an overarching reduced access to arts programs," said Julie Henahan, executive director of the council. Yet central Ohio arts groups say many people might not readily notice changes -- at least in the short term ... ... For more information, visit http://dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2009/08/17/2_OAC_ARTS_CUTS.ART_ART_08-17-09_D3_LHEP9T5.html?sid=101

Culture Works plans arts pep rally for Wednesday By Terry Morris, Staff Writer, Dayton Daily News Wednesday, August 12, 2009 DAYTON — Seeking an 11th-hour infusion for its annual campaign, Culture Works has scheduled a Rally for the Arts on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Courthouse Square. “With so many needs, attention to the arts has been flagging. It’s time for a reminder about the role they play in our lives and in keeping Dayton vital,” said Denise Rehg, the united arts fund’s president and chief executive officer ... ... For more information, visit http://www.daytondailynews.com/entertainment/ohio-theater-arts/culture-works-plans-arts-pep-rally-for-wednesday-230667.html

In light of the "Circle Jerk" thread and concerns about us getting too exclusively focused on the 3 Cs, I thought it might be worthwhile to start a thread looking at state arts policy. This might include the work of the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission or the recently enacted film industries tax credit or arts education policies. Given the recent state budget cuts, it will almost undoubtedly include a lot of coverage of what the hollowing of the Ohio Arts Council is going to do to communities all over the state.

A press release from our friends out West ... ADF attorneys file suit against city of Cleveland over ‘domestic partner’ registry Law violates state constitution by creating a legal status similar to marriage Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 1:00 PM (MST) | ADF Media Relations | 480-444-0020 CLEVELAND — Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of taxpayers against the city of Cleveland to challenge its “domestic partner registry,” which violates the Ohio Constitution. The new law gives cohabitating partners a legal recognition that is similar to that of married couples. “Local governments should not enact laws in defiance of the state constitution,” said Ohio-based ADF-allied attorney David R. Langdon, who filed the lawsuit together with ADF attorneys. “Ohio voters amended their state’s constitution by an overwhelming margin in 2004, using the democratic process to affirm the long-held legal definition of marriage and eliminate any attempts at counterfeits. The city of Cleveland is attempting to skirt the clear intention of the voters.” Under the “domestic partner” registry, the city of Cleveland recognizes a legal status for a relationship between two adults who are cohabitating in a “committed” partnership resembling marriage, even though such recognition is expressly prohibited under Article XV, Section 11 of the Ohio Constitution. ... https://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=5031

Sacramento has been hit by the recession in a way that no Ohio city has (although, granted, we have our share of problems). MSA unemployment is nearing 12%, residential construction has plummeted year-on-year 50% and, last I saw, they had a tent city in their downtown with several hundred residents. Add to that the impact the MASSIVE California budget cuts will have on public sector employment and this state capitol is in some serious trouble. That being said, they may still be in a better position to rebound from the recession than Ohio cities because of the base of their employment. Furthermore, at least as of now, the economic crisis is having little impact on in-migration into "hot" cities. I read an article recently about how Portland has the highest unemployment rate in the country but is also one of the fastest growing cities in the country. The article cited some sentiments from twentysomethings along the lines of "Well if I'm going to be unemployed anyway, I might as well be unemployed somewhere I like".

Nice set! FWIW, the damaged and boarded-up house was a victim of an unexpected recent explosion next door. That house looked like a Looney Tunes fail and was demolished. Both the boarded-up house and the sandwich shop La Bodega (also pictured) were damaged in the blast, but tasty, tasty, sinfully tasty La Bodega has thankfully reopened. Just didn't want anyone to think that our little Tremont is full of falling apart houses ;)

Yes, perhaps minorities are a reason that people left the cities. I don't think it's racist to point that out. But to suggest that minorities and poor people getting pushed out of the city is a "good thing" ... um, that seems blatantly racist and classist. There's a difference between noting the underpinnings of sprawl and flight 40 years ago. It's another thing to advocate the displacement of whole groups of people as a strategy for addressing said sprawl and flight.

^ i.e. I Heart Ottawa. One of my personal faves.

I think what is interesting about Cleveland is that, for the first time in decades, the rate of population decline in the central city is slower than that of the inner ring suburbs and is nearing the County's rate of decline. Obviously, this is not exactly rosy news, but if Cleveland can move to a place where it is seen as the growth area of the county (or the slowest declining at the least), rather than a drain on the surrounding suburbs, it makes the case for regionalism or consolidation a little easier ... though still exhausting and uphill. The 2008 estimates suggest that every one of Cleveland's inner ring suburbs is shrinking faster than Cleveland, with the exception of Parma and Bratenahl.

Regardless of the lens, that rendering (at least to me) obviously appears to have a section of the western facade lipping out beyond the building's roofline. If it was simply a matter of skewing the dimensions based on an unusual camera angle, the rooftop would also be skewed by the same degree. So the building might look more interesting due to the angle, but it would not appear that the wall extended out from the roof. Or am I missing something?

^ As a comparison, I was really struck with the canals Duisburg built relatively recently off of their inner harbor. Duisburg is another industrial city, working to convert its traditionally industrial waterway into a mixed-use community. I believe these canals were intended to add a water element to new construction in the blocks south of the harbor, as well as to address run-off and contaminant issues.

Oh hehlllll no ... The latest of the inexplicable pro-Eton votes. I think this poster is Barbara Bush. Attitudes like these make me want to build a really tall wall along the outer borders of the inner-ring suburbs. Come on, Clevelanders! Vote with your keystrokes! Defeat the lifestyle center promoters! You can also share your suggestion at http://bit.ly/Q8Vs (where thankfully, there aren't yet any Eton fans). 17.jillc Posted August 14, 2009 at 11:26 am Eton would be great because Trader Joe’s draws people from Erie to Akron daily and all of the restaurants pull in tons of people. Plus people in the surrounding neighborhoods entertain frequently and are always looking for something trendy or unique, and for many cost is not a consideration. Some of the more urban areas suggested would be good for cones but not pints. http://clevelandfoodie.com/2009/08/qa-with-jeni-britton-bauer.html/comment-page-1#comment-5726

Snap.

This would be an amazing development ... a silver lining to the leadership of the Federation moving out of the city against the wishes of a majority of its membership. Sigh. I digress. Good news! Jewish Community Federation Cleveland headquarters could become home to international welcome center: Global Village with Robert Smith by Robert Smith, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer Wednesday August 12, 2009 As it loses one cultural institution, downtown Cleveland could gain another. Leaders of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, which plans to vacate its headquarters on PlayhouseSquare, are talking with people interested in opening an international welcome center. Discussions are at the early stages, but backers of both the federation and the welcome center see possibilities ... ... For more information, please visit http://www.cleveland.com/globalvillage/index.ssf/2009/08/jewish_community_federation_cl.html