No schools to close in Collinwood :Update from Councilman Polensek

I am sure by now that you have all heard about the proposed Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) cutbacks and planned K-8 school closures. We as a community are very fortunate that none of our local schools were on the list. I personally believe that this is no coincidence for our local schools are doing much better academically and our population base has remained more stable than other sections of the city.

Our population is stable

This brings me to the other big issue, the Census 2010 data just released. As expected, the City lost a substantial number of residents from 2000 to 2010, especially in the east side wards 4 though 10. As I have indicated to callers, who have expressed concerns as to how these new numbers will ultimately affect our ward lines, I expect our ward to grow in size to the west. Where that expansion will likely take place is up to City Council. However, I want to assure the residents of Ward 11, as I have in the past, that I will do everything I can to make sure our community remains intact and secure. That is my personal goal and I plan to do everything I can to see that take place.

The Collinwood Observer is growing

It is great to see the Collinwood Observer grow. Please support our neighborhood newspaper, and maybe, even become a contributing writer and if you are a neighborhood-based business, consider becoming an advertiser; for we are one of the few neighborhoods in the City of Cleveland, to have our own neighborhood-based paper. It is our community’s way of promoting positive developments and projects. The paper is also an opportunity for our local school students to read about, write about,  and promote the good things in their own neighborhood schools.

Rec Center is on its way

I hope you have all seen the ongoing progress at the new Recreation Center on Lakeshore Boulevard at Euclid Beach. The pool is under construction and the gymnasium floor has been poured. The exterior skin and windows are being installed.  Thus the building is about 60% complete. Read the Collinwood Observer or log onto www.collinwoodobserver.com for future updates and articles.

Flow Polymers coming to St. Clair

Great news! Flow Polymers, a company I have been working with for some time, will announce shortly that they are relocating a major part of their manufacturing operations from Connecticut to the Cleveland Industrial Innovation Center (CiiC) at 17000 St Clair Avenue in the Nottingham neighborhood. They are in the process of renovating 80,000 s.f. of the former Graphite Bronze/Clevite facility and will spend several million dollars in the process. We welcome them to the Ward 11 community with open arms and hope to see expanded job opportunities once they relocate their employees.

Be a good neighbor

Springtime is upon us! At least, the calendar, says so! With that I would urge our residents to take a good look at their property and yards with the hope that as soon as the weather breaks you can begin to spruce things up. Historically, one of the things that I have been impressed with the most about our community is our respect for one another. How can we show that, besides being neighborly and respectful to one another? It is by maintaining our own property. I know, as well as anyone, how economically stressed many folks are today. However, to keep one’s yard clean and the grass cut is essential in maintaining our high neighborhood standards which ultimately benefits everyone. Please join with me in making Ward 11 not only the most neighborly community, but the best-looking one as well.