If any swamp needs to be drained...

 

Law director calls Tuesday's East Cleveland council meeting illegal, walks out before start

 

Four members of East Cleveland's city council sat stunned after the city's law director, Willa Hemmons, came into the room where Tuesday's meeting was being held before it started, announced it was unlawful, and then left.

 

This was the latest in a conflict between the city's law director and members of council, after council President Nathaniel Martin and Vice President Barbara Thomas appointed two new members of council without Ward 4 Councilwoman Joie Graham. Hemmons says the appointments were illegal because council lacked a quorum.

 

Branch and Earby were appointed to fill vacancies left open by the recall of Mayor Gary Norton and Council President Thomas Wheeler in December. Former council vice president Brandon King is now acting mayor.

If any swamp needs to be drained...

 

Law director calls Tuesday's East Cleveland council meeting illegal, walks out before start

 

Four members of East Cleveland's city council sat stunned after the city's law director, Willa Hemmons, came into the room where Tuesday's meeting was being held before it started, announced it was unlawful, and then left.

 

This was the latest in a conflict between the city's law director and members of council, after council President Nathaniel Martin and Vice President Barbara Thomas appointed two new members of council without Ward 4 Councilwoman Joie Graham. Hemmons says the appointments were illegal because council lacked a quorum.

 

Branch and Earby were appointed to fill vacancies left open by the recall of Mayor Gary Norton and Council President Thomas Wheeler in December. Former council vice president Brandon King is now acting mayor.

They’d rather drain the much cleaner swimming pool and leave the sewage be.  Norton was probably the best mayor they have had in a long time, certainly better than Onunwor the felon or Brewer the ISIS supporter (really).

 

Who would even consider opening a business there?

 

^Payday lenders, cell phone providers, fast food chains (the types you would find in a mall food court), drive through liquor stores, salons and barber shops, and Dollar General.  Basically, the types of businesses which thrive in the ghetto. 

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rogue-east-cleveland-cops-framed-dozens-drug-suspects-n736671

 

"Three cops who worked for the city of East Cleveland are in prison. Cases against 22 alleged drug dealers have been dismissed. Authorities are searching for another 21 people who are eligible to have their convictions tossed. On top of those injustices, there is a slim chance that any of them will be fully reimbursed, because the disgraced officers and their former employer don't have the money."

^With all the other crap EC is experiencing, this is like piling on... How bad can things get there? 

 

btw, where's the annexation proposal these days?

East Cleveland's main role these days seems to be object lesson for Cleveland:  as bad as your city government is, it could be worse.

 

Ironic that Brewer is now running for Cleveland mayor.

GE could be getting out of the lighting business; Nela Park's future not clear

By Marcia Pledger, The Plain Dealer

on April 06, 2017 at 8:06 AM, updated April 06, 2017 at 6:21 PM

 

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio - GE may be pursuing a deal to sell its consumer lighting business, a product that has defined the company since it was founded 125 years ago, according to The Wall Street Journal.

 

The story cites unnamed sources "familiar with the matter" and goes on to say that the commercial lighting business rolled into GE's newer company Current is not part of the sale discussion. Two spokespersons for GE, however, said they do not comment on "rumors or speculation."

 

Speculation of a sale brings questions about what will happen to Nela Park, which is the headquarters for GE's Lighting Division. GE's Nela Park turned 100 in 2013, and is widely known in Cleveland for its holiday lights display.

 

Today, however, the company employs about 300 people for the lighting division in Northeast Ohio. A company spokeswoman said the Nela Park campus houses employees from several GE businesses, as well. Just four years ago, the company employed about 700 people.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2017/04/ge_could_be_getting_out_of_the.html

That's all we need in EC, potentially more abandoned property, this time GE's beautiful, classic and historic campus... A Cleveland-E. Cleveland merger is the only hope for this town.

Reuters shines some light on potential buyers of remaining portion of GE Lighting

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180305/blogs03/153916/reuters-shines-some-light-potential-buyers-remaining-portion-ge

Speaking of E Cleveland, I thought bankruptcy was imminent, but its still alive and kicking?

 

People doing good work every day...without notice.

 

The Salvation Army Bringing Hope To East Cleveland (Video)

 

http://www.ideastream.org/news/the-salvation-army-bringing-hope-to-east-cleveland

If GE closes NELA Park, which looks increasingly likely, that loss of income tax will probably force EC to act.

If GE closes NELA Park, which looks increasingly likely, that loss of income tax will probably force EC to act.

 

It does, between them opening up the park for the first time in 60 years during the Holiday Lights, to the new banners that look back from the 1920s to present, it looks like they are trying to prepare the community for closure.

 

My questions is what does E.C. do? It has been on Fiscal Emergency with the State since the early 1990s, which other than being a stigma, doesn't seem to have helped much. On top of that it is run by a group of individuals that created a list of totally unrealistic demands to give to the city of Cleveland, if the city wanted to annex them. Businesses keep leaving, there are so many vacant properties in an embarrassing state of disrepair. The area really needs to be torn down and rebuilt, and maybe a bankruptcy is the start to that end.

I had heard that some Chinese companies were looking at buying GE Lighting's remaining assets. If this is the case, would they keep the place open as their US HQ? Assuming they'd do the manufacturing in China. 

 

"It has been on Fiscal Emergency with the State" -- is this just a warning list?  It doesn't sound like it means much. What is it called when the state actually takes over? What was the role of the State in Cleveland after default occurred?

I had heard that some Chinese companies were looking at buying GE Lighting's remaining assets. If this is the case, would they keep the place open as their US HQ? Assuming they'd do the manufacturing in China. 

 

"It has been on Fiscal Emergency with the State" -- is this just a warning list?  It doesn't sound like it means much. What is it called when the state actually takes over? What was the role of the State in Cleveland after default occurred?

 

That's what I want to know... so your city is on the Fiscal Emergency List, what does that mean? Does the state step in with ideas to fix the issue, or creative ways to turn what assets the city as into revenue generators, or is it just a warning? You would think that if it is just a warning, being on that list for so long would trigger some other State intervention, prior to a bankruptcy. Otherwise what good was the warning?

The state offered Cleveland $10 million to take East Cleveland. Whoever came up with that offer needs to personally tour East Cleveland. And not just the one-hour, drive-by tour. Take the tour in which you talk with front-line public works employees about the state of that city's sewers, streets, building conditions, etc. And that's when they'll realize that upping the offer to $100 million is probably still short-changing the coming rebuild process.

There's nothing that EC would be able to do if GE picks up and leaves Nela Park.  Something I remember from Gary Norton maybe two years ago was a statistic he mentioned during a neighborhood meeting... that out of the 16,000 people who live in EC, 4,000 actually have jobs.  I don't know if there's any chance EC will survive if GE moves. 

 

Time for me to do a photo thread of EC... though the city has been struggling for a long time, there are folks who have been there for years and are still prideful of their town.  Same as many other east-side neighborhoods in Cleveland. 

I had heard that some Chinese companies were looking at buying GE Lighting's remaining assets. If this is the case, would they keep the place open as their US HQ? Assuming they'd do the manufacturing in China. 

 

"It has been on Fiscal Emergency with the State" -- is this just a warning list?  It doesn't sound like it means much. What is it called when the state actually takes over? What was the role of the State in Cleveland after default occurred?

 

That's what I want to know... so your city is on the Fiscal Emergency List, what does that mean? Does the state step in with ideas to fix the issue, or creative ways to turn what assets the city as into revenue generators, or is it just a warning? You would think that if it is just a warning, being on that list for so long would trigger some other State intervention, prior to a bankruptcy. Otherwise what good was the warning?

 

The auditor of state has three escalating "levels" - fiscal caution, fiscal watch, and fiscal emergency. If you get to fiscal emergency they place you under a special state appointed commission that is supposed to help you make a plan to get out of it. Sometimes the state makes solvency loans to help local gov's get out of their hole if they think it could help. But that's pretty much the extent of their powers.

 

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/118

There is precedent for the state simply dissolving a municipality, even when voters there opposed it.  A new legislative act may be required but that's not insurmountable. 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Rome,_Ohio

It could be an issue with the state constitution though - the "home rule" provisions... as was part of the challenge that New Rome filed against their dissolution, but the judge denied on the grounds of New Rome's leaders' misconduct. Any of our resident attorneys have an opinion on this?

 

https://www.coollaw.com/blog/2015/03/home-rule-authority-in-ohio-municipalities.shtml

 

https://www.ohiobar.org/ForPublic/Resources/LawYouCanUse/Pages/Ohio's-Constitution-Gives-Municipalities-Home-Rule-Self-Government-Authority.aspx

It could be an issue with the state constitution though - the "home rule" provisions... as was part of the challenge that New Rome filed against their dissolution, but the judge denied on the grounds of New Rome's leaders' misconduct. Any of our resident attorneys have an opinion on this?

 

Yes.  Home rule could be overcome here on similar grounds, and because East Cleveland's problems have extraterritorial effects.

Chapman Ave. East Cleveland. A small clip of the condition of the city.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1663442280408971&id=982933835126489

An article in today's WSJ says GE may try a new approach to selling its unwanted businesses, namely spin-off or merger with smaller companies with GE stockholders ending up with shares in several companies.  The author noted that GE Lighting has been for sale for a year with no takers.  The new approach makes it seem more possible that Nela Park could survive intact, perhaps as the headquarters for a new entity.

 

I wish somebody (the County? a new governor in Columbus?) would take an interest in saving East Cleveland from itself.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-explores-hybrid-deals-spinoffs-in-strategic-review-1523525400?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=5

 

 

Ohio doesn't think East Cleveland is worth more than $10 million or else the state would have offered Cleveland more (realistically 10x more) to merge with it.

I drove through "Terrace" St on my way to Cleveland Heights court yesterday. Honestly, the worst potholes I've ever seen. Some were 5 feet wide by 12-18 inches deep. I had to rock my car out of one in front of an abandoned high rise.

I drove through "Terrace" St on my way to Cleveland Heights court yesterday. Honestly, the worst potholes I've ever seen. Some were 5 feet wide by 12-18 inches deep. I had to rock my car out of one in front of an abandoned high rise.

 

Now you know what Ukrainian roads are like.

I drove out Carnegie Ave from town almost to East Cleveland Monday. Jeez, there are so many vacant commercial buildings. It looked just like Spring Grove Ave. in Cincinnati did years ago. There is a lot to work with out there. Very cool old industrial buildings. Probably some brownfields though. Only went as far as the Clinic.

 

 

I drove out Carnegie Ave from town almost to East Cleveland Monday. Jeez, there are so many vacant commercial buildings. It looked just like Spring Grove Ave. in Cincinnati did years ago. There is a lot to work with out there. Very cool old industrial buildings. Probably some brownfields though. Only went as far as the Clinic.

 

 

 

So you never made it to "East Cleveland" proper, which is a separate incorporated municipality from Cleveland.  It is east of University Circle.

Yes 1400 Sycamore[/member] you were more properly driving through Midtown. The building at 55th and Carnegie has been the subject of some discussion lately if you want to know more!

 

http://www.cleveland.com/expo/erry-2018/03/04bbf6163a/inside_clevelands_vacant_warne.html#incart_m-rpt-2 

 

https://www.urbanohio.com/forum/index.php/topic,3435.msg903615.html#msg903615

I didn't make it to East Cleveland. Next time. June.

 

But, a lot of cool old buildings ready for development if they aren't too dirty. We have some in Cincinnati that just are too much to clean up. the old Lunkenheimer complex is said to be too dirty to make into anything useful.

 

It didn't occur to me, is the "Carnegie" in Carnegie Ave. one and the same? I was stunned to see a steel beam in one of most trendy distillery/pubs in Cincinnati stamped "Carnegie Steel 1898" next to my table.

If Carnegie Avenue through Midtown shocked you, East Cleveland might shake your faith in humanity. See my April 1 posting, which is no April fool's joke.

If Carnegie Avenue through Midtown shocked you, East Cleveland might shake your faith in humanity. See my April 1 posting, which is no April fool's joke.

 

I think Woodand Ave from E55th to 116th is the most depressing stretch in Cuyahoga County.

If Carnegie Avenue through Midtown shocked you, East Cleveland might shake your faith in humanity. See my April 1 posting, which is no April fool's joke.

What a shame those buildings were been abandoned like that. With no hope of being repurposed either. The only reason they are standing because there is no money for demolition.

If Carnegie Avenue through Midtown shocked you, East Cleveland might shake your faith in humanity. See my April 1 posting, which is no April fool's joke.

 

Jeezus, glad I didn't end up there by accident!

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5248661,-81.5824522,3a,75y,214.78h,73.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCcNXKm5dYBXyZ_LpTZRqqQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5248661,-81.5824522,3a,75y,214.78h,73.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCcNXKm5dYBXyZ_LpTZRqqQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

How did they get the street view vehicle onto the surface of the moon?

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5248661,-81.5824522,3a,75y,214.78h,73.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCcNXKm5dYBXyZ_LpTZRqqQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

How did they get the street view vehicle onto the surface of the moon?

 

That was in the summer, you should see it after this winter...

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5248661,-81.5824522,3a,75y,214.78h,73.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCcNXKm5dYBXyZ_LpTZRqqQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Wow. Turning that streetview back to 2007 it looks like such a normal, stable, even nice area - https://goo.gl/maps/8WAjtjZtQdo

 

And then 10 years later it looks like Berlin after the war...

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5248661,-81.5824522,3a,75y,214.78h,73.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCcNXKm5dYBXyZ_LpTZRqqQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Wow. Turning that streetview back to 2007 it looks like such a normal, stable, even nice area - https://goo.gl/maps/8WAjtjZtQdo

 

And then 10 years later it looks like Berlin after the war...

 

So much damage in so short a time.  And the longer this goes on, the bigger the problem Cleveland eventually has to absorb.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5248661,-81.5824522,3a,75y,214.78h,73.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCcNXKm5dYBXyZ_LpTZRqqQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Wow. Turning that streetview back to 2007 it looks like such a normal, stable, even nice area - https://goo.gl/maps/8WAjtjZtQdo

 

And then 10 years later it looks like Berlin after the war...

 

Not that it really makes any difference to today's reality, but on the one side there was a building (Huron Hospital) that was demolished when the hospital closed in 2011. The other side is an apartment building where the owners sold all the aluminum windows for scrap. So this area looks way worse than it would otherwise (Still horrible). There are so many streets that look terrible it is embarrassing. I feel bad for all the property owners who take care of their properties, but being the only ones to do so on an entire street of decay.

And the city officials there preside over it like they're due some respect or tribute, like some sort of landlords. The city is approaching the point where large sections of it simply need to be demolished and start over. Some urban farming is about all that can be justified now. Perhaps in 100 or 200 years from now they will find subterranean remnants of the old city upon which the new city is being built.

And the city officials there preside over it like they're due some respect or tribute, like some sort of landlords. The city is approaching the point where large sections of it simply need to be demolished and start over. Some urban farming is about all that can be justified now. Perhaps in 100 or 200 years from now they will find subterranean remnants of the old city upon which the new city is being built.

 

It's not going to get better  any time soon

Are you telling me that Brandon King is not on the up and up?

One morning I went to East Cleveland to get a building permit.  I got to City Hall around 10:30 and found the building locked.  Several people were standing around out front because they had court dates and didn't know what to do.  I called office numbers until I got someone, told them there was a small crowd waiting all morning to get in.  They basically said "oops" and sent a janitor to unlock the door.

WOOPS

From:

 

Great read by @WEWS

 

Despite looking like a war zone, buildings on an East Cleveland street won't be demolished soon https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/video-of-abandoned-east-cleveland-street-raises-questions-about-demolition-program …

 

My drone footage from this weekend

 

 

 

Despite looking like a war zone, buildings on an East Cleveland street won't be demolished soon

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/video-of-abandoned-east-cleveland-street-raises-questions-about-demolition-program

@NickCastele

Ohio auditor's office is out with an audit of East Cleveland's 2014 finances. Confirms what was already known—a big cut in spending over the prior year. General fund spending fell 20 percent from '13 to '14. https://ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/Reports/2018/City_of_East_Cleveland_14-Cuyahoga.pdf

 

 

I had a conversation with a long time Cleveland business man a month ago.  He said it's being deliberately run down, planned neglect...  in the next 5 years or so, some developer will come along and pick it up for nothing, with large incentives to clean up, redevelop areas with subsidy for new infrastructure....

 

Didn't seem too far fetched.

I used to do these audits for a living, and I just looked at the full audit report referenced above.  You can't really tell from this report because it's on an accrual basis and you'd need cash basis reports, but I'm not even sure where they are getting the cash to pay for the expenses the report says they paid. If they are pulling this off it must be by the narrowest of shoestrings, with all the other city funds contributing every last dime to make up the general fund deficit.

 

Usually what ends up happening when a city has a negative balance in their general fund, is that another fund (illegally) makes up the difference. Typically this can be the utility funds or street funds, often flush with cash but that is only allowed to be spent for specific purposes. On paper the city records an expense to the general fund, deep into the red, but since the utility and general fund money is all in the same bank account, the check clears. While the expense is recorded from the general fund, what's really happening is the other fund is loaning money to the general fund.

 

In East Cleveland's case, the net total of all funds together appear to be negative so it's hard to discern where the cash is coming from. The state did not offer them a solvency loan.

I just gotta know how they managed to collect $2100 in hotel tax revenue.  What hotel is there?  And is it hourly?

I WAS JUST WONDERING THAT!