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MyTwoSense
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I had a long-running spat with Councilman Johnson about all of this on Twitter. Johnson, Dow and others do not trust these businesses and other private investors to do the right thing. I tried to explain to him that if he wants jobs in his ward, he doesn't have any choice but to get out of their way. It's not their job as lawmakers to be law/code enforcers as well.

 

Way back when I knew Jeff, he was a much more reasonable and dare-I-say "conservative" guy if you could catch him one on one or in a small group.  I have heard the same about Zach Reed. 

 

Sometimes these guys feel the need to posture and grandstand.  It's a shame, really.

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I think this could be done: make 11 wards out of 17.  Create 4 at large council positions with 4 year terms. The benefit would save money on 2 council positions. Allow councilman to be in more powerful at large posts which is a step up from the straight wards.

Mark Naymik is going hard after TJ....

 

mark naymik ‏@marknaymik  7m7 minutes ago

CLE Councilman TJ Dow, who held up $100 million project, struggled to manage his campaign finances: Mark Naymik http://s.cleveland.com/CfHDjck

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

^ Damn, he might as well have dropped the mic at the end there. I'd love to see Mansfield Frazier replace TJ Dow as Ward 7 Councilman. Frazier is a smart and principled man and he actually seems to know what he's talking about too.

^ Damn, he might as well have dropped the mic at the end there. I'd love to see Mansfield Frazier replace TJ Dow as Ward 7 Councilman. Frazier is a smart and principled man and he actually seems to know what he's talking about too.

 

Is he eligible?  I understand he did some prison time, and while getting re-franchised is not insurmountable (Jeff Johnson did it) it takes some doing.

A Twitter spat between Zach Reed and Matt Zone...

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

A Twitter spat between Zach Reed and Matt Zone...

 

Unfortunately I can't view it. Zack Reed blocked me on Twitter a while back...

 

I'll give him credit though, Reed was pretty good at the RTA hearing today

A Twitter spat between Zach Reed and Matt Zone...

 

Unfortunately I can't view it. Zack Reed blocked me on Twitter a while back...

 

I'll give him credit though, Reed was pretty good at the RTA hearing today

 

He's inconsistent.  He's a really smart guy and shows it sometimes, but unfortunately he feels the need to grandstand other times.

Guess which councilmember hasn't paid taxes on his property in years? Tax abated property, even.

 

The same one who railed against developers for not bending to his every demand?

 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/04/cleveland_councilman_tj_dow_ha.html

 

Not to stick up for Dow, but does anyone else suspect Naymik goes on vendettas, possibly for personal reasons?

 

Naymik is exposing some very negative and unexcusable things about Dow, but I'm almost beginning to feel sympathetic towards Dow given Naymik's repeated targeting.  Not that I was impressed with Naymik to begin with, but it makes me take all of his articles now with an ever-growing grain of salt.

 

I thought his article on Metroparks $500 expenditure on a consulting firm to be ridiculous.

$500? I actually had to look this one up - it was for $560, but billed at $400/hour, to defend a major pay increase (which in itself is questionable but legal). The headline makes it to be a hit piece. Looking back at his other works, which seem to be under this tea-party "save the taxpayer" mantra:

 

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2015/09/cleveland_councilman_tj_dow_bi.html

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/03/100_million_project_near_cleve.html

Neely: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_city_councilman_tj_d.html

Nymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2015/10/hough_group_pays_taxes_on_prop.html

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/03/100_million_project_blocked_by.html

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_councilman_tj_dow_wh.html

 

Just looking around, it seems that he can't pay his taxes, bother to file campaign finance reports and show up to work (http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/investigations/investigation-shows-handful-cleveland-city-council-members-absent-from-dozens-of-committee-meetings)... there isn't much to defend the guy but most of Naymik's recent posts have been obsessed over one person.

$500? I actually had to look this one up - it was for $560, but billed at $400/hour, to defend a major pay increase (which in itself is questionable but legal). The headline makes it to be a hit piece. Looking back at his other works, which seem to be under this tea-party "save the taxpayer" mantra:

 

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2015/09/cleveland_councilman_tj_dow_bi.html

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/03/100_million_project_near_cleve.html

Neely: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_city_councilman_tj_d.html

Nymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2015/10/hough_group_pays_taxes_on_prop.html

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/03/100_million_project_blocked_by.html

Naymik: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_councilman_tj_dow_wh.html

 

Just looking around, it seems that he can't pay his taxes, bother to file campaign finance reports and show up to work (http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/investigations/investigation-shows-handful-cleveland-city-council-members-absent-from-dozens-of-committee-meetings)... there isn't much to defend the guy but most of Naymik's recent posts have been obsessed over one person.

 

He obsessed over Merle Gordon before that.

 

The case of the two bars near Chinatown was classic.  He basically accused the owner of the neighborhood bar of "racism" against the hip-hop club, despite the fact that the latter was breaking numerous laws and the former had the support of pretty much the entire neighborhood.  That was good for two columns.

Looks like Councilman Dow has paid his taxes. It won't let me give a link but the address is 7715 Decker Ave. (PPN: 106-05-078), just input that info into the auditor's website. He could have recently paid them though, he did have a delinquent balance and did not pay his taxes last year. I believe the Auditor updates pretty regularly.

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/04/19/councilman-zack-reed-continues-to-push-for-handheld-cell-phone-ban-for-drivers

 

Another feel good law, like banning cigarettes for anyone under 21. This proposed ban is also unenforceable. It's currently a secondary violation - where you can't be pulled over solely for using a mobile phone. And who is to say that using a mobile phone isn't useful in certain situations? Kentucky and West Virginia encourage the use of Waze to report traffic congestion, accidents, roadway issues and detours, for instance. My car links up with my mobile phone for emergency services using Starlink; it also is linked with my onboard computer for diagnostics and trip tracking. And my mobile phone is also linked up to the car for music and data. The broad "texting and driving" is pretty useless when it's distractions in general that cause a percentage of accidents. Better ban Snapchat!

 

And this is coming from a councilman who has THREE DUI's. Commendable. Drunk drivers cause 31% of roadway fatalities.

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/04/19/councilman-zack-reed-continues-to-push-for-handheld-cell-phone-ban-for-drivers

 

Another feel good law, like banning cigarettes for anyone under 21. This proposed ban is also unenforceable. It's currently a secondary violation - where you can't be pulled over solely for using a mobile phone. And who is to say that using a mobile phone isn't useful in certain situations? Kentucky and West Virginia encourage the use of Waze to report traffic congestion, accidents, roadway issues and detours, for instance.

 

And this is coming from a councilman who has THREE DUI's. Commendable. Drunk drivers cause 31% of roadway fatalities.

 

Posturing.  I suppose someone has to take over for Cimperman, who was constantly doing this (trans fats, outdoor smoking, etc....)

  • 2 weeks later...

Seriously? Don King? A piece of S**t human being who deserves to rot in prison - not have a street bear his name.

 

Cleveland renames stretch of Shaker Blvd. for boxing promoter Don King

A quarter-mile stretch of Shaker Boulevard soon will bear the honorary designation of "Don King Way," after the legendary and often controversial boxing promoter, who was born and raised in Cleveland and launched his career here. [...]

 

Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell, who sponsored the legislation ... Councilman Zack Reed said in an interview that he counts King among the most influential and heroic Clevelanders ever to make it big. Reed said King has never forgotten his roots, despite having become, arguably, the biggest fight promoter in the world. And King gives back to his hometown regularly, through charitable donations, Reed said.

 

"He is always uplifting people of color. Always..." Reed said of King.

 

--

 

How uplifting:

 

  • King MURDERED an employee in 1966, stomping hum to death over a gambling debt. (Later pardoned.)
  • King defrauded many boxers, often settling the cases for 6- and 7-figures.
  • King is/was accused of being involved organized crime.

 

There are better role models.

^ Zack Reed is a clown.

Just because one is given a pardon does not negate the fact one is a convicted murderer. King does not deserve a street named after him. The victim maybe, but not King.

 

Here are a few other suggested name changes for streets in the CLE for our councilman.

1. Torso Murders Lane.

2. Castro Street.

3. Anthony Sowell Ave.

Yeah, this is pretty bad. Don King might be good at what he does, interesting and colorful, and even generous with his philanthropy (I don't know), but the awful things he's done easily disqualify him from this honor in my eyes. Same reason why I'd have no problem removing Calhoun's name from Yale and am completely sympathetic with efforts for street/landmark renaming in southern cities.

Yeah, this is pretty bad. Don King might be good at what he does, interesting and colorful, and even generous with his philanthropy (I don't know), but the awful things he's done easily disqualify him from this honor in my eyes. Same reason why I'd have no problem removing Calhoun's name from Yale and am completely sympathetic with efforts for street/landmark renaming in southern cities.

 

Yeah this is pretty bad. There are plenty of other people more deserving. The fact that council voted unanimously to rename the street is yet another reason I think we need to Clean house at City Hall.

^Council-members are extremely deferential to one another when it comes to these hyper local issues. I'm not sure that's bad, to be honest, because it means Zach Reed doesn't really interfere in the issues that concern only Ohio City, University Circle, or Glenville.

Wow.  Its as if Cleveland has totally turned into Washington DC under the Marion Barry administration.  At least they had Federal oversight. 

^Or almost every southern city under every mayor between 1700 and [present?]

And a football stadium behind John Adams will bear his name - because, you know, historical importance. He was a boxer, so the two go hand-in-hand. (CTE, perhaps? I can't find a connection.)

 

--

 

On a somewhat related note, is there a site or a place where I can find:

 

1. Street paving listings (Cincinnati had listings for the following year - it would be nice to see what is improved).

2. A place to report potholes and areas for street sweeping.

[quote author=Sherman Cahal link=topic=16011.msg800873#msg800873 date=1461941401

--

 

On a somewhat related note, is there a site or a place where I can find:

 

1. Street paving listings (Cincinnati had listings for the following year - it would be nice to see what is improved).

2. A place to report potholes and areas for street sweeping.

 

Regarding #1, it's not publicly available but Brian Cummins had released lists of these last year. Tweet and him and ask.

 

Regarding #2, call the mayors action line. (don't know the number, alas, it's at city Hall)... I wish they would actually implement that 311 system that they piloted years ago...

 

Yeah, this is pretty bad. Don King might be good at what he does, interesting and colorful, and even generous with his philanthropy (I don't know), but the awful things he's done easily disqualify him from this honor in my eyes. Same reason why I'd have no problem removing Calhoun's name from Yale and am completely sympathetic with efforts for street/landmark renaming in southern cities.

 

Yeah this is pretty bad. There are plenty of other people more deserving. The fact that council voted unanimously to rename the street is yet another reason I think we need to Clean house at City Hall.

 

It's pandering.  This is the kind of thing that the supporters feel strongly about and the opponents do not.

Just because one is given a pardon does not negate the fact one is a convicted murderer. King does not deserve a street named after him. The victim maybe, but not King.

 

Here are a few other suggested name changes for streets in the CLE for our councilman.

1. Torso Murders Lane.

2. Castro Street.

3. Anthony Sowell Ave.

 

Where is Danny Greene Blvd.?  King was well known among 'doze guys.

Yeah, this is pretty bad. Don King might be good at what he does, interesting and colorful, and even generous with his philanthropy (I don't know), but the awful things he's done easily disqualify him from this honor in my eyes. Same reason why I'd have no problem removing Calhoun's name from Yale and am completely sympathetic with efforts for street/landmark renaming in southern cities.

 

Yeah this is pretty bad. There are plenty of other people more deserving. The fact that council voted unanimously to rename the street is yet another reason I think we need to Clean house at City Hall.

 

Certain elements in the city and at City Hall excuse criminal behavior so it's no surprise that these same folks would honor a criminal.

Yeah, this is pretty bad. Don King might be good at what he does, interesting and colorful, and even generous with his philanthropy (I don't know), but the awful things he's done easily disqualify him from this honor in my eyes. Same reason why I'd have no problem removing Calhoun's name from Yale and am completely sympathetic with efforts for street/landmark renaming in southern cities.

 

Yeah this is pretty bad. There are plenty of other people more deserving. The fact that council voted unanimously to rename the street is yet another reason I think we need to Clean house at City Hall.

 

It's pandering.  This is the kind of thing that the supporters feel strongly about and the opponents do not.

 

Pandering to whom?  The residents of Cleveland?  Or to Zack Reed?  Who as a councilman wants their name attached to something most reasonable people consider to be honoring a rather disgusting individual

 

Yeah, this is pretty bad. Don King might be good at what he does, interesting and colorful, and even generous with his philanthropy (I don't know), but the awful things he's done easily disqualify him from this honor in my eyes. Same reason why I'd have no problem removing Calhoun's name from Yale and am completely sympathetic with efforts for street/landmark renaming in southern cities.

 

Yeah this is pretty bad. There are plenty of other people more deserving. The fact that council voted unanimously to rename the street is yet another reason I think we need to Clean house at City Hall.

 

It's pandering.  This is the kind of thing that the supporters feel strongly about and the opponents do not.

 

Pandering to whom?  The residents of Cleveland?  Or to Zack Reed?  Who as a councilman wants their name attached to something most reasonable people consider to be honoring a rather disgusting individual

 

 

Not even one group in particular.  But as I said it's the kind of thing that has a small group of strong supporters and few if any opponents even remotely as motivated.

Cleveland City Council has a new website. Looks good:

 

http://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org/

 

Someone's nephew must have some actual skills.

 

That 21 for tobacco law is the height of ridiculous, do a couple members of council own tobacco stores just outside city limits?

The new site does look really nice. Now hopefully they can fix the disaster of a site the City has in general.

Cleveland City Council has a new website. Looks good:

 

http://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org/

 

Someone's nephew must have some actual skills.

 

That 21 for tobacco law is the height of ridiculous, do a couple members of council own tobacco stores just outside city limits?

 

My friend just bought a pack of cigarettes for a 19 year old lol. I should have made a citizens arrest.

 

It was done by ThunderTech, a local tech company; there was a RFP put out for it over a year ago.

 

This is an improvement of what was there.

It seems to be a trend that individual departments are getting their own websites, instead of the whole city website updating. I guess they're tired of waiting on the administration, and they want to look professional. The Dept of Economic Development has a pretty nice site too.

I haven't seen this discussion elsewhere, but if there would be a better thread for it, please feel free to movie it. Thought it would fit here since legislation will be going before city council.

 

Am I missing something here? Can someone explain to me how this would be a good idea for the City of Cleveland? I mean that genuinely. Cities that have adopted a $15 min wage are places like San Francisco and Seattle. I worry that this is way too high for Cleveland. Also, it's very easy for a business to relocate outside of city limits (or for a business to decide to not locate within city limits in the first place) than it would be if this were implemented at the state level. The tagline for Raise Up Cleveland (the group behind the effort) is "Make poverty history." I'd be willing to make a bet that poverty will still be very much a part of our lives in Cleveland even if this minimum wage increase is passed.

 

 

Cleveland Council to introduce legislation setting $15/hr minimum wage

By Leila Atassi, cleveland.com

on May 11, 2016 at 5:21 PM, updated May 11, 2016 at 5:35 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Compelled by a petition drive that caught fire last month, Cleveland City Council on Monday will introduce legislation boosting the minimum wage in the city to $15 an hour.

 

According to a news release Wednesday, Council Clerk Pat Britt has notified Raise Up Cleveland, a group that petitioned for the wage hike, that it collected enough signatures to compel the council to take up the issue.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2016/05/cleveland_council_to_introduce.html

^ I just wonder how many council people will have the guts to vote it down

I say we go further to benefit working folks.  Should be $30 an hour but I'll settle for $25 and no lower.  If you oppose that I can only infer its based on antipathy towards working people.  One may even say opposition is pro-poverty.

What is the logic behind 15/hr in Cleveland when places like San Francisco (12.25) and Seattle (15/hr) have much much higher cost of living?

Without getting into the merits of the proposal... I think Cleveland is too small, with regard to its metro, for any kind of unilateral action on this.  Also, Seattle and San Francisco are differently positioned in terms of demand.  I hope City Council would try to get the rest of the County on board before seriously considering this.

Yeah no way this is a good idea. I realize they are legally obligated to bring this up at Council though.

 

I totally agree with surfohio[/member]. Cleveland has one of, if not the lowest cost of livings in the country. How are people choosing $15? It just seems so arbitrary.

Wow, a lot of pro-poverty supporters in here.  Pretty disgusting.

^ I just wonder how many council people will have the guts to vote it down

 

I'm curious to see how the vote will end up breaking down. There's always an option of a mayoral veto though...

Wow, a lot of pro-poverty supporters in here.  Pretty disgusting.

 

What's more disgusting is your branding of others without reading their comments or even hearing out opposing arguments.

 

It's perfectly valid to question the motives behind the $15/hour minimum wage hike. For those that are seeking out living wages, it should be pegged to local inflation rates and the average pay rates for various classes of workers. Is $15/hour appropriate for fast-food workers in Cleveland when IT contractors are paid $21/hour to do skilled work that requires a college degree? How does the cost of living factor into the wage? Cleveland is dirt cheap to live in; other cities, like Seattle, is very expensive. Yet Seattle (and possibly Cleveland) will have the same minimum wage rate.

 

What about the effects it will have on surrounding communities? After all, Cleveland is fairly small in influence in comparison to its suburbs. As is seen with the ill-conceived cigarette ban on those under 21 years of age for those in Cleveland, people will just go elsewhere for their smokes. It's not a far drive to go to a suburb for smokes.

 

This is ill-conceived and panders to the lower class without taking into account the economic reality of the ordnance.

Wow, a lot of pro-poverty supporters in here.  Pretty disgusting.

 

What's more disgusting is your branding of others without reading their comments or even hearing out opposing arguments.

 

It's perfectly valid to question the motives behind the $15/hour minimum wage hike. For those that are seeking out living wages, it should be pegged to local inflation rates and the average pay rates for various classes of workers. Is $15/hour appropriate for fast-food workers in Cleveland when IT contractors are paid $21/hour to do skilled work that requires a college degree? How does the cost of living factor into the wage? Cleveland is dirt cheap to live in; other cities, like Seattle, is very expensive. Yet Seattle (and possibly Cleveland) will have the same minimum wage rate.

 

What about the effects it will have on surrounding communities? After all, Cleveland is fairly small in influence in comparison to its suburbs. As is seen with the ill-conceived cigarette ban on those under 21 years of age for those in Cleveland, people will just go elsewhere for their smokes. It's not a far drive to go to a suburb for smokes.

 

This is ill-conceived and panders to the lower class without taking into account the economic reality of the ordnance.

Because #ThisIsCleveland, whenever they pass or propose an economically ill advised measure like this, it's always a good idea to note who potentially benefits, and see if there's anything iffy taking place.  For example, might a councilman's brother own a store that stocks cigarettes in a suburb directly on the Cleveland border. 

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