^THAT is a very ignorant claim. Now I do not agree with much of the things he says, he has been very vocal about admitting when he is wrong.

 

This next piece will not help my claim at all

 

*****************************************

 

pd:

 

Cleveland's mayor must try to think, and lead, bigger

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Dick Feagler

Plain Dealer Columnist

 

I don't think Frank Jackson is a bad man. I just think he's ineffective. Maybe it's not too late to jump-start him.

 

He's not a Cleveland ward councilman anymore. Maybe he doesn't understand what being the mayor of Cleveland means. It should mean speaking for a helluva lot more than Cleveland.

 

This is supposed to be a great city, and we need it to be a great county, too. That means the mayor can't just preach to a ward. He needs to be a presence beyond ward politics and a voice beyond the city -- even beyond the county.

 

........

 

 

To reach Dick Feagler

 

[email protected], 216-999-5757

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/dick_feagler/index.ssf?/base/opinion-0/118682189454370.xml&coll=2

has anyone written letters to dick feagler about how ignorant he sounds?

 

hahaha, I'm sure someone has.

has anyone written letters to dick feagler about how ignorant he sounds?

 

I'm in a bad and very cranky mood, I write my best stuff when I'm in a funk, so to answer your question, I'm preparing something.  Anyone else?

 

Please post if you do.  It might encourage others.

^Ask Dick Feagler if he is so big on reviving Cleveland and bringing it back to what it once used to be, why does he reside in Bay Village?  Point the fact out that Cleveland began to decay when people like him moved out of the city in the 60's and catered to suburban shopping malls and spraw-like ammenities.  Let him know that the city completely rebuilt his alma mater (John Adams H.S. on E116th and Corlett) and it therefore is quite un-classy, if you will, to have the nerve to bash the city.  He can be a real jerk, and sometimes to me, it seems as though he just digs things up to write about.  He is one of those people who will never be happy.  And ask him if he wants to be remembered as the writer that complained about the city he worked in on a weekly basis. 

I sent a letter to Feagler after one of his columns particularly irked me a couple of weeks ago. I did mention his lack of investment in the city proper and talked about how city vitality could only be achieved if people like him were willing to live, shop and invest in Cleveland. A very abridged version appeared in the letters to the editor (I was really surprised by how many people read those ... I had a number of people tell me that they saw it!). Feagler didn't reply.

I just wrote my first one to him - I let it all build up in side of me before letting him have it ;)

I just wrote my first one to him - I let it all build up in side of me before letting him have it ;)

 

care to share it?

I just wrote my first one to him - I let it all build up in side of me before letting him have it ;)

 

care to share it?

 

Mr. Feagler,

 

All my life I’ve read your editorials with both glee and disappointment.  At times you do show such a terrific love for this city that it can be uplifting to the average citizen.  And even in your negative opinions, your love is apparent – why else would you have such strong convictions.

 

 

 

But recently I’ve been bothered by what you write because I feel that although your heart is in the right place, you’re off the mark with the reality that is Cleveland today.  You write about the gems of the past (which are important, should be preserved, and should be remembered), without actually knowing about the present and the future.  I know so many people from the greater Cleveland area who take what you and the Plain Dealer write like it’s the Bible – and that frustrates me as someone on the ground actually trying to make a difference.  I cannot count the number of times that family and friends tell me that there’s nothing going on and that downtown Cleveland is dead.  I laugh at people who have that ignorant viewpoint and show them the reality.  New condos – more residents living downtown than we’ve had in thirty years and we’re just discovering the tip of the iceberg.  Exciting districts downtown and blossoming neighborhoods throughout the city.  When families come to Case Western to visit, they are often blown away about how great our city is – why cannot people who’ve been writing about it their entire life see that?

 

 

 

At this point your views seem ignorant to me – and I’d love to help out.  I know this is a far cry, but young professionals like myself who actually want to be a part of a culture of change are flocking to the city (we see obstacles and overcome them rather than run away) and we’d love to show you the city.  Ask whatever you’re concerned about, and see the gold mine you have at your finger tips.  Or better yet, move away for five years – live through extreme housing costs, natural disasters, real rush hour traffic, and second-rate facilities.  Then come back and see the future that my peers will create for Cleveland.

 

Far from good or my best letter, but I was just angry this morning so I shot it off in about two minutes without rereading it.  On second viewing there are places I'd take my red pen to it...

^Nice

Very nice. You should make sure it's 200 words or less (and abridge if not) and submit it as a letter to the editor. Even if Feagler won't respond to these letters, it would be nice if the public got to read such sentiments, and hopefully, the PD will take note of a market niche who dislikes the paper's general tone and style.

while I have been shocked to find from time to time I agree with this guy, I have to ask if he actually is doing any good for the city (I think generally no). I think he mostly pisses off city people and reinforces the beliefs of the suburban flighters. as mentioned though , the PD panders to suburinites. If he really loves the city, which I think he actually does, he should put a little more reflection in to what he is writing.

This blog actually made me rethink my negative opinion of Mayor Jackson...

 

Henry Clay (1777-1862), a U.S. senator from Kentucky, once said, “I’d rather be right than be president.” We soon might be hearing a similar sentiment from a local, modern-day politician.

 

 

In spite of the media clamoring for a change of direction in regards to how we address our crime problem Mayor Frank Jackson’s shifting of police officers from the airport to the streets should not be taken out of context. Scribes and talking heads will take credit for “forcing the mayor to take action,” when the mayor was pointed in characterizing the move as part of an overall, continuing plan. Jackson is not about to cave into media pressure. You really have to know the man like I’ve come to know him over the last few decades...

 

 

The simple fact is, Frank Jackson cares about Cleveland deeply and knows as much about public policy as any politician I’ve ever interviewed — and a quite a bit more than most of them.

 

 

My own knowledge on a wide-ranging array of subjects is as vast as the ocean ... but only about one inch deep; but on any subject I’ve ever raised with him, Jackson’s knowledge is in-depth, detailed minutiae, background information, long and short-term-impacts, and, most of all, potential sound solutions. And for those who think he doesn’t like to talk, just get him warmed up on a public policy subject; it’s hard to shut him up. He flat out thrives on this stuff, but he’s much better in one-on-one conversations than in front of groups. What he doesn’t thrive on, however, is dog and pony shows— and that seems to be what the public has a taste for right now.

 

 

Jackson is that rare politician that’s probably too honest for his own good. In a public meeting in Hough (right after he became mayor), when a resident disagreed with him about a decision he was about to make on an issue, Jackson’s answer was simple and straightforward: “If you’re that upset by my decision, then don’t vote for me next time,” he said, with a genuinely friendly smile on his face. The mayor wasn’t mad, he wasn’t giving the man a smart-assed answer — he just thought this was a reasonable and fair solution to the man’s dilemma. How many politicians do you know that have the guts ... or the nuts ....to say something like that?

 

 

Last week I saw a t-shirt that read, “I’ve given up on reality, and now am looking for a good fantasy to believe in.” That’s where we are now at in Cleveland. Reality has become too brutal, too crushing. We’re looking for a superhero, for a John Wayne to ride into Dodge City and clean out the bad guys. We want Dirty Harry to tell the thugs, “Go ahead, make my day.” We want someone to take names and kick ass. Oh — and we want it done today, right now, not tomorrow, and certainly not next week. Never mind that the societal problems we’re facing have been over 50 years in the making — 50 years of benign neglect — we want instant solutions.

 

 

But the fact is, Jackson is too busy working on real solutions; the kind that take time to implement — the kind that make systemic change but don’t make headlines; the kind that don’t call for a press conference to be held every 20 minutes to update the media — which has this voracious, insatiable appetite for vacuous sound bites and just loves to feast on verbal junk food and empty calorie videos — and then let out a loud belch and asks for seconds, and even thirds.

 

 

According to the Web site Wikipedia: Bread and circuses’ — “... a derogatory phrase that ...criticizes government policies [put in place] to pacify the citizenry ... shallow, low-cost, low-quality ... commonly used to refer to short-term government palliatives offered in place of a solution for significant, long-term problems.”

 

 

While homicides are up slightly this year, other major crimes are down, it’s more the high profile nature of the crimes — coupled with that media hysteria — that has the citizenry up in arms. And more police on the streets won’t automatically mean less crime; police really don’t “prevent” crime (except in high concentrations like when they are stationed at an airport or in Times Square) they just catch the thugs after the crime has been committed. Any legitimate criminologist (not some armchair “expert” at the corner bar on a Saturday night) will quickly tell you that poverty and a lack of employment are the biggest causes of crime and we won’t see a real improvement until we solve those systemic problems. It’s not about catching thugs, or preventing them from committing crimes, it’s about not allowing the thugs to be created in the first place. Real problems require real solutions — not PR.

 

 

Jane Campbell was run out of office for — supposedly, according to the media — doing too much PR; attending too many ribbon cuttings; standing on too many soapboxes and spouting empty rhetoric. Now we’re saying Jackson is not doing enough of what we ran Campbell out of office for doing. Duh?

 

 

The mayor before Campbell — remember him? — used to make sure the TV cameras caught him all duded up in a bulletproof vest, walkie-talkie in hand, barking orders while leading police on raids of drug houses (probably after the houses were secure and empty, but the camera wouldn’t dare show that, not good for ratings). So what we really want is for Frank to be like Mike.

 

 

But, alas, Frank Jackson is who he is. What you see is what you get; and, in this era — where politicians have made an art form out of blowing smoke up our collective butt until it’s coming out of our ears — like him or not, Jackson’s candor can be refreshing. He actually did ride with the police on a prostitution sweep early on in his tenure, and probably was thinking all the while, “Why am I out here engaged in the photo-op BS when I could be actually doing some real work?” I don’t recall him ever mounting up to ride out with the posse again.

 

 

However, the fact remains, if Mayor Jackson doesn’t begin engaging in some cheap histrionics, if he doesn’t feed some red meat to the media beast, if he doesn’t give the public “bread and circuses,” he just might not get reelected. When he first considered running for the job he no doubt should have taken into account the fact that he has a low-key style and an unwillingness to bend to the public or media sentiment du jour. He evidently thought that people were ready for some real solutions, not more empty proclamations, and, just as evidently, he is mistaken.

 

 

During his mayoral campaign Jackson once (and probably more than once) said that he really didn’t want to be mayor; he just couldn’t sit idly by and continue watching Campbell — whom he thought was making a mess of things. But the truth be known, Jackson is one of the most reluctant politicians to ever hold office. If his good friend Lonnie Burten had not suddenly died he probably never would have been a councilman; his neighbors literally begged him to run. Same thing with the presidency of City Council, his collogues approached him to accept the post, he didn’t lobby for it. And so too with running for mayor, a lot of folks (many of whom are nowhere in sight now) twisted his arm until he said “yes” to running. So my point is, don’t expect him to lose any sleep over whether or not he gets to keep the job. The perks of being mayor mean very little to Jackson; the ability to bring about real systemic change means everything to him, and he just might decide that he can be more effective in accomplishing real changes after leaving office.

 

 

If the media thinks it can bully him into doing the job the way they think it should be done ... they’re in for a big, big disappointment. Did I mention how obstinate Frank Jackson is? And if the citizens don’t like what he’s doing ... well, just remember that guy in Hough. I can guarantee you this: His feelings won’t be hurt. He’d by far rather be right than be mayor.

 

 

Let’s be honest: We don’t really want a problem solver for mayor, we want a mayor that will check under the bed for the boogie man when he tucks us in at night, and then tells us a nice, comforting fairy tale (about how all of the thugs were either killed or locked up by a man writing nasty letters to them) as we drift soundly off to sleep. We want someone who’ll bring us cookies and a glass of warm milk if we wake up in the middle of the night scared that some big ‘ol mean predatory lender is going to take our bed and set it out on the curb before morning. We want a mayor who can reach into his pocket and pull out a big, fat wad of cash and buy us a shiny new medical mart/convention center (and a roof for the Browns Stadium while he’s at it) without any increase in taxes. We want someone who’ll beat up Jay Leno and the other late-night comics and make them quit telling derogatory “Cleveland” jokes that hurt our little feelings. We want a mayor that will put a Band-Aid® on our wound of neglect and tell us none of the city’s problems are caused by our lack of civic engagement. We want someone who’ll pat us on the head and tell us we have no moral responsibility to speak out when some sick son-of-a-bitch scrawls racist graffiti on homes — and then puts the torch to them. What we want is not a mayor — what we really want is a daddy.

 

 

But, sorry, Frank Jackson ain’t our daddy, so we might as well get over it and, while we’re at it, grow up and take back our community. Not for nothing is our form of government called a “participatory” democracy ... it works best when we all participate.

 

 

From Cool Cleveland contributor Mansfield B. Frazier mansfieldfATgmail.com

 

 

EXACTLY. EGG. ZACK. TLEE.

But, sorry, Frank Jackson ain’t our daddy, so we might as well get over it and, while we’re at it, grow up and take back our community. Not for nothing is our form of government called a “participatory” democracy ... it works best when we all participate.

 

I couldn't agree more!

I'm excited about the progress that Mayor Jackson is making .. or at least, is trying to make. It seems that Cleveland finally has a mayor that is trying to make some real improvements that actually matter to the future of the city.

That blog put it into perspective for me.  I think he has put the right people in place to get things done (airport, schools, Regional guy, etc.).

 

I am part of that population though that wishes and almost demands that he becomes more vocal when things happen that make regional news, like the woman killed in Playhouse Square, or the 4th of July murders.  Perception is a HUGE part of politics and the mood of an area. 

 

Unfortunately, a lot that Jackson is putting into place is not visible to the community.  What is visible is the crime, deterioration, and vacancies throughout the city.  I think that is where the Mayor needs to become vocal - letting people know that he is working on it, and that it is not a quick fix.  A bad perception is hard to overcome, especially in a hard-headed town like Cleveland. 

 

 

I have always heard Jackson is a really hard worker always was...and shuns pandering to the media. huge pluses in my book. How this translates in the end will still need to unfold. Still I agree he needs to have a presence. if he doesn't want to throw himself in front of a camera all the time like Jane, why not have a regular round table or weekly state of the city address? This seems to only happen sporadically.

I'm very glad that CC featured that article. I haven't met anyone that has worked with Jackson who would disagree. Its frustrating to read the PD and see how ignorant many of these journalists.

I have always heard Jackson is a really hard worker always was...and shuns pandering to the media. huge pluses in my book. How this translates in the end will still need to unfold. Still I agree he needs to have a presence. if he doesn't want to throw himself in front of a camera all the time like Jane, why not have a regular round table or weekly state of the city address? This seems to only happen sporadically.

 

I know I sound like a broken record, but we don't have any PR/Communications presence! Bombard us with press releases.

 

Frank, hire or groom from within City Hall a competent spokesperson to be your voice.

some of his closest associates do not win any points either

some of his closest associates do not win any points either

 

Please elaborate.

^^^ rrrright just when my cement shoes were being shelved for a while. I will let someone else who dares chime in.

I agree. He does need to make more of a presence. But I would rather he shun the media, quite frankly. I don't care about that. What I wanna see is progress, not rhetoric.

pd:

 

Bedford mayor declares support for Frank Jackson - letter to the editor

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Daniel S. Pocek

Bedford

 

I disagree with recent letters to the editor that criticize Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's leadership.

 

Daniel S. Pocek

Pocek is the mayor of Bedford.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/letters/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1188376746105410.xml&coll=2

That was a "read"! (snap)

Wow .. that's a great show of support!

I also credit him with the change at the Building Dept.  They are going to go from a complaint driven system to one that systematically deals with code issues.  They are starting with junkyards, then moving on to auto repair shops, and so on.  If they keep it up and follow through, this will make a huge difference in quality of life in Cleveland's neighborhoods.  The challenge, of course, will be if/when they move on to residential violations.

 

While I don't agree with some of his planning decisions on the Innerbelt and CC, I am very impressed with how he runs the city, though he could be a little more vocal in letting the public know what he is doing and what his plans are.  True communication isn't just dog and pony shows, it is important to helping the public understand the issues that effect their lives.

Mayor Jackson was just shown on the CBS evening news in a two part special about combating gangs in American cities. Part two is tomorrow.

pd editorial:

 

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson understands the quality of life issues that are eroding the city, but his administration is not doing enough to let desperate residents know they have effective allies at City Hall

 

Plain Dealer editorial

 

Restoring faith

 

Plenty of good people are trying to make Cleveland a safer city, but they need to know City Hall is standing with them in the fight

 

Some Clevelanders are busy making the city safer. Citizen patrols shoo away prostitutes and johns. Some hold rallies to urge youth to stay away from gangs. Others spend time watching out for the neighborhood.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1189241723161160.xml&coll=2

The series could have provided an opportunity for City Hall to reassure Clevelanders that it hasn't abandoned them. Instead, the mayor's cabinet was defensive and angry while meeting with The Plain Dealer editorial board.

 

Good...He should be...I want my mayor to be angry at them...Keep it up Jackson...

 

 

Anyone who knows Frank Jackson knows he cares deeply about these quality of life issues. But the overwhelming majority of Clevelanders know little about the mayor and far too much about the gunfire, drug dealers and noisy parties that are ruining their neighborhoods.

 

Wouldn't that be because the local "paper" spends more time on the gunfights then what is really going on in the city...Maybe if they cover the mayor, we would know about him...

 

I wrote a short letter to the "paper" urging them to explore the other side of Cleveland...The one where residents are not scared to leave their house and have great neighbors...Where streets are clean and kids play outside...The 90% of Cleveland that is safe and great...

^Unfortunately, you're right.  The PD has, for years, made a living on Cleveland's misfortune.  Honestly, I thought the series on crime in the neighborhoods would be enlightening but, really, it was just a series of vignettes from various neighborhoods.  It enlightened me little... But then, what would you expect for a big city paper that has won only 2 Pulitzers in its history (the most recent, after over 50 years, was for cartooning)?

 

The Mayor's office has a publicity apparatus but, really, I want a mayor who's getting it done in the day-to-day functions of the City.  I wish Frank would sometimes be a bit more forceful because, as I've long said, this City needs a real bastard to kick it in the pants.  But he's quietly accomplishing a number of things, particularly more regional cooperation with the burbs... and that's a major start in this balkanized, squabbling region that's hemorrhaging jobs and young talent.

 

 

They are letting imagery sweep them away in the tides of emotion. All the bitching against Jackson is anecdotal. The sad part is, as MTS said a week or so ago, the mayor's office can control their image to some extent. If Jackson is incapable of talking much or appearing emotional, then they need somebody who can fill this role because this is 2007. You can't be a politician playing the role of Wizard of Oz. They should create a "Safety Czar" who is charismatic enough to go before citizens and the press while at the same time smart and passionate enough to get change going. Someone who has a "big" persona, like the police chiefs in NYC and Miami (the former NYC chief).

 

Just this week Regina Brett wrote, basically, that FBI crime stats were incorrect because they indicated crime - except murder and something else - were down in Cleveland, but it certainly didn't "feel like crime is down," to her. This is a symptom to me of a communication and power vacuum. When people start questioning facts because they don't feel right, that's big trouble.

^ you can't be serious? this paper printed she "feels" the FBI stats are wrong? this needs to stop

http://www.cleveland.com/brett/index.ssf?/base/opinion-0/118898277742920.xml&coll=2

"People don't flee Cleveland because of statistics. They flee because they don't feel safe."

 

Correct, and her attitude is helping to further that feeling.  If she or the Plain Dealer really cared about the city at all, they wouldn't dwell on the same old stories to instill fear in people.  If crime is down, it is down, and the paper should reflect that.  Otherwise, it is a sensational commentary, not a news source.

 

Somebody needs to email this lady.

Why doesn't Jackson have a PR spokesperson, if he does, why am I not aware of him/her?  Just someone to meet with the press (Tony Snow anyone?)...I am fine with Jackson not coming out publicly, but it would be nice for someone in the mayor's office to come out and say they are working on the issues and things aren't as bad as them seem...

So what do you kids think for Mayor Jackson performance?

^I think Frank Jackson is a decent Mayor... I just think he's a terrible leader.

He's really learned his role in the past 4-6 months.  All postive reviews for him.

I agree he's gotten a ton better... but i want a little fire and emotion.  An empassioned speach.  Something that shows he cares.  it would also be nice if he didn't hibernate for the first 18-24 months in office.

I feel that he's a very hard worker, dedicated to the city (he truly cares about the betterment of Cleveland rather than his own political agenda) and that he's a great public servant.  However, he's not a visionary leader that people can stand behind. 

I feel that he's a very hard worker, dedicated to the city (he truly cares about the betterment of Cleveland rather than his own political agenda) and that he's a great public servant.  However, he's not a visionary leader that people can stand behind. 

Bingo.

 

PS, I may start handing out my fliers for Chris Ronayne now, whom is all of the above, plus the visionary leader part.

I wholeheartedly agree, but I don't know if he's ready to run yet, personally.  (Just me speculating)

I agree he isn't the most "out there" but is quality work and final produce less important than "bells and whistles".

 

Also, no Mayor (or Govenor or President) knows how to be Mayor (Gov. or Pres.) right off the bat.

 

I think he's grown and now that the ball is rolling I expect great things.  Now if only we could whip council into shape.

I appreciate all of the quality of life initiatives he's made.  I think he's a pragmatic mayor, but his lack of visibility hurts him.  Like McCleveland said, he's not really a leader.  Although he has very sound ideas, and IMO is one of the first mayors in a while to try to really address some of the more painful issues facing Cleveland, his execution style is more "city council president" than mayoral.  Nothing wrong with that, maybe, but if you're trying to get people to "Believe in Cleveland," you need someone who is willing to point out the positive changes they're making in the city.

I appreciate all of the quality of life initiatives he's made.  I think he's a pragmatic mayor, but his lack of visibility hurts him.  Like McCleveland said, he's not really a leader.  Although he has very sound ideas, and IMO is one of the first mayors in a while to try to really address some of the more painful issues facing Cleveland, his execution style is more "city council president" than mayoral.  Nothing wrong with that, maybe, but if you're trying to get people to "Believe in Cleveland," you need someone who is willing to point out the positive changes they're making in the city.

 

Very well said.  And I do like him.  He just doesn't envoke any passion at all.  You HAVE to have that.  At least here we do.  This city and region are desperate for real leadership.  Frank Jackson could be my chief of staff any day.   :lol:

I wish we had Richard Daley. 

I wish we had Richard Daley. 

 

Again, someone who inspires people.  Great leaders are equally parts smart / have good plans, and inspirational / charasmatic. If you are only the second you are a con man.  If you are only the first, you are a nice project manager... Unfortunately our mayor is only one of the two.

My friend from Chicago tells of stories of Daley riding around town, spotting grafitti and calling it in to be cleaned up on the spot.  If that's true, pretty inspiring.

 

Plus, if Daley were Cleveland's mayor, is there any doubt that Hopkins would be gone by now? (a la Meigs Field)

My friend from Chicago tells of stories of Daley riding around town, spotting grafitti and calling it in to be cleaned up on the spot.  If that's true, pretty inspiring.

 

Plus, if Daley were Cleveland's mayor, is there any doubt that Hopkins would be gone by now? (a la Meigs Field)

 

Are you smoking crack?  Why would Close Ohio's largest commercial airport. 

 

Or are you talking about Burke, which had more government and private sector flights than meigs did, at it's closing.