Councilman’s Corner

Greetings. Happy February. Well 2016 looks to be another positive year with many projects and initiatives underway.First though, it is that time of year that the freeze and thaw cycle is upon us. Chuckholes and other road issues are already popping up. For street repair please call (216) 664-2510.  This is the same number to call for snow removal and plowing issues on residential streets. We know with this weather we run the risk of water leaks. Please, if you see water running in the street or tree lawn areas please call the Divison of Water immediately at (216) 664-3060. In addition, believe it or not street lights could go out due to salt spray and extreme temperatures.  If there is a street light out on your street please call (216) 664-3156 and report the location.  Be proactive.

We have been very fortunate, so far, with the snow fall.  We all know that could change in a twelve hour period. One of the greatest challenges for our city’s snow removal crews are cars parked on the street; illegally parked cars and vehicles that have not been moved pose a real problem for the drivers to properly clean the streets. Everyone should know that if a car has not moved in 48 hours, even though legally parked, it can be ticketed. If it hasn’t moved within 72 hours it can be towed as well as ticketed. There should be NO abandoned vehicles sitting on our streets. Anyone who has a vehicle that has not been moved please call the 5th District Commander’s Office at (216) 623-5505 and report the location and the vehicle’s make, model and license number, if possible.  Your call starts the process and once the Traffic Officer marks the vehicle the clock starts ticking. All of us worry about winter and the trials and tribulations that come with it; however, we are CLEVELANDERS, we get through it every year.

Above all, please check on elderly and shut-in neighbors who have not been seen to make sure they are alright.  Be a noisy neighbor, check on them and call 9-1-1 immediately, if need be.  You would be surprised how many times that being a concerned neighborhood has been the life saver for a neighbor in trouble.  

Also remember, if you have a pet there is a tether law in the City of Cleveland and provisions regulating how long an animal can be tethered outside especially when the weather turns to below freezing. Please be a responsible pet owner and look out for all of our “furry friends.” If you see someone not properly caring for their pet please call the City’s Animal Control at (216) 664-3069 and report the issue, location and any other pertinent information.

As I have reported previously, the new Salvation Army’s $10 million community center is well underway at 17625 Grovewood Avenue and the work on the new Veteran’s Park at East 174th Street and Lakeshore Boulevard has stopped but will resume come Spring as weather permits. Watch for the Dedication of this important park in our community coming in June. 

The Northeast Regional Sewer District has embarked upon a greater review and inspection of all the sanitary and storm sewers around Euclid Beach, Villa Angela, Wildwood and the Euclid Creek Watershed in an effort to better pinpoint sources of pollution that effect water quality during the summer swimming season along the lakefront. We are hoping that they can really get a true handle as to what is contributing to this very real problem.

Finally, I want to thank all the individuals, neighborhood groups and institutions for their engagement in the community last year. Your efforts are beginning to pay off and have led to more interest than ever before in our community including commercial development opportunities.

As we move into this year, I don’t have to tell any of you that we are in the middle of a Presidential Election. Heaven help us all! We citizens need to be more informed than ever before. Regardless of your political affiliation, I hope that at least one thing is clear -  I hope that you are Registered to vote. But, being registered means nothing without actually VOTING. YOUR VOICE IS CRITICAL IN AMERICA IN 2016. Everyone running for President should have to explain to us a) what their plan is for job creation and economic development, b) how do they intend to protect us against those fanatics and state sponsored terrorists who wish to do our citizens and our Country great harm, c) what about the cost of college tuition and the sorry state of our Nation’s public education system, and d) what about the growing pollution problem in the great lakes – our nation’s main source of fresh water. As you can see- there are many issues confronting us and it is only “through an engaged citizenry can we have the type of government that will be accountable to its people.” Please register and VOTE.

Feel free to call or email me.  You may always be reached at my office at (216) 664-4236 or via email at mpolensek@clevelandcitycouncil.org.