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At last night's City Council meeting, the redistricting legislation was pulled at the last minute, and an emergency meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday morning for a vote on another set of newly drawn lines, though it doesn't look like the lines for Collinwood will different from the last change, which was last Friday. What has been done defies good public policy, logic and common sense. This is a good example of why people are disgusted with politics.

As obscene as it is, we will make the best of a bad situation, that's all I can say. This was done deliberately to hurt the Glenville and Collinwood communities and we shouldn't forget that. This was done to silence the community, to repress differences of opinion and the political process itself. Heaven forbid that you involve the citizens of the wards you represent! Heaven forbid that they have a voice!

You would not think that so little could be thought of the people who live in our neighborhoods, it's hard to imagine the disrespect being shown for our citizens.

What I can say to Northeast Glenville is at least you'll have a coucilman who cares about you. You were thrown to the wind but now you will have someone who will not turn his back on you.

To our neighbors in Nottingham, you will not be abandoned. We will be standing together.

To the many that are distraught, at the end of the day, the neighborhood isn't going anywhere, no-one is putting fences around us. They want a divided community, they thought by drawing these squirrely lines they were going to get that. If we let them hack us up we get what we deserve.

But we are going to rise to the occasion and care about each other and look after each other. We need to reach out to each other and show it. We are all neighbors. At times like these we must wake up and become more politically astute and more engaged. We have historic neighborhoods, strong communities, and we're not going anywhere.

March 26, 2013

This past week has been the most trying and difficult time in my civic and political life. The Redistricting of City Council Wards was a gut-wrenching, roller coaster ride, especially due to the fact that Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:00 PM., was the first time I was able to view our Ward map.

Since that time, the mapped boundaries had changed at least three times. On Tuesday, March 26, 2013, the majority of Cleveland City Council members voted 17-2 to pass the new redistricting lines, with Councilman Joe Cimperman (D-3) and myself (D-11), voting against the final version as presented. We were successful in keeping the North Shore Collinwood intact. Unfortunately, as heartbreaking as it is for our community and to me personally, we lost the historic Nottingham Village community along St Clair Avenue to the present Ward 10 councilman.

This loss was a result of the Ward 10 councilman demanding that the North Glenville area, east of Eddy Road, be placed in our ward, which will now be called the new WARD 8 beginning on January 4th, 2013. When our voters go to the election polls for this coming September’s Primary and November’s General Election, we will be voting in the new WARD 8 configuration.

Dear Residents of Ward’s 10 & 11:

As many of you know, the City of Cleveland had to re-draw the current 19 wards down to 17 due to the city’s population loss. The process, which was led by Council President Martin J. Sweeney, who represents the far west side, and Ward 10 Councilman Eugene Miller, was done secretly in back rooms and behind closed doors with virtually no public input. Councilman Miller gave away parts of the current Ward 10 such as the E. 140th street corridor, where he currently lives, and the Northeast Glenville neighborhood, for he did not want to “represent those folks anymore.”

WHAT A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE RESIDENTS OF GLENVILLE!!! Because of this “so called” compromise, Nottingham Village has been stripped from Ward 11 and The Glenville area has been chopped up between three different council wards. The Glenville neighborhood, since the days of Mayor Carl Stokes, has never been cut up like this.   

The tailor-made ward lines were truly done deliberately to disenfranchise the people who live in Nottingham Village and Glenville and to ultimately deter participation in the political process. These changes have created serious confusion and will have devastating effects on voter participation, effective leadership and the overall success of our communities.  Council President Sweeney did not draw the new ward lines to enhance the 10th Ward but rather as an attempt to preserve the Councilman of the 10th Ward at all costs

This year my wife Janet and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. Some are surprised when I tell them that we have lived in the same house for 40 years and in the same neighborhood for 50 years. I think Janet and I are some of the longest standing members of Our Lady of the Lake formerly Holy Cross parish. Although we are Catholic and I’m a big booster of Catholic education, I am also a strong supporter of public schools.

I’m proud that when I was a state legislator, the state of Ohio instituted auxilary services and later on when governor we reimbursed non public schools for the cost of complying with state laws.

One of the proudest days of my life was when the Supreme Court ruled that the “school choice” Cleveland scholarship program that we had instituted was constitutional-- that is public money can be used to support students who choose nonpublic schools. I’m pleased that today 5500 students are taking advantage of it. also proud of their 5500 students who live in Cleveland and use the program.

When our daughter Molly was killed crossing the street by the driver of a van that ran a red light on her way back to Oliver Hazard Perry school after lunch, Janet and I decided that the way to preserve her memory, and our love for her, was to touch the lives of other children by establishing the Molly Agnes Voinovich Major Work education fund. Molly and her sister Betsy and brothers George and Peter were all in the Major Work program. George, Betsy and Peter attribute their success in school to the wonderful primary education they received in the Cleveland public school Major Work program, which is still thriving today at O.H. Perry school in the Collinwood neighborhood.

One of the reasons I have supported both public and nonpublic education is that I believe that supporting education is the best way to give witness to the second great commandment: Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Community Comments Page: 

(Editor's note: Jeanne Coppola would like to launch a column on the Forum page where Collinwood Observer readers can comment on the world around them and ask questions of local organizations in public. She is getting the ball rolling this month.)

Question to Cleveland Water Department:

Why was there no mention in the news media that the Cleveland water supply was contaminated with manganese, until three days after it happened?  (Why did The Plain Dealer bury this information in a short paragraph, on page 5 of the obituary page, (9-08-12) in the Westside edition, but fail to publish it in the Eastside edition, where it affected residents?)

Will a representative of the water department please tell readers of The Collinwood Observer:

What exactly is manganese, how did it get in the water supply, and is it harmful to drink?

(Please do not say, you do not know how it happened. That is not an answer.)

Thank you.

The Collinwood neighborhood has a host of skilled individuals and groups that have created businesses in the Collinwood area. They all need our encouragement and support.

Chuck Handel has been a Collinwood entrepreneur for over forty years in the business of selling and servicing good used appliances. Chuck says, "I have serviced two generations of customers."  No longer affiliated with NorthCoast Appliance, Chuck is now semi-retired and works from home providing expert service specializing in Kenmore and Whirlpool washers and dryers. Chuck is continuing to service Collinwood and surrounding areas charging only $24.95 for service call.

For appliance service call Chuck Handel, "A Friend You Can Trust."  216-486-WASH(9274)

In the midst of the housing crisis and foreclosures, neighborhoods have been left with empty and abandoned homes, leaving the city to cut the lawns. Most of the neighborhood does their part in keeping the outside of their homes appealing.

Willie Williams is one of Collinwood's home owners who consistently maintains his properties. His stately-looking home on East 156th Street is always well-groomed. His well trimmed lawn and colorful flowers stand out and attract attention from cars driving by, people walking by, and get loads of compliments from all. Councilman Mike Polensek has complimented Willie Williams publicly on several occasions at the East 156th Street meetings. Owning his home for over twenty years, Mr. Williams says when he first purchased his house there was no paved driveway and there was no grass.

"I keep my home well-manicured because I care about where I live. I hope others will follow and show pride in where they live."  Mr. Williams has  pride and interest in Collinwood. He regularly attends the East 156th Street meetings and can be heard sharing his concerns, voicing his opinions and offering suggestions.

Thank you, Willie Williams, for showing pride and beauty in our neighborhood.

Rhonda Hudson-Williams enjoys writing inspirational and thought-provoking articles.

At the April meeting of the Northeast Shores marketing committee, residents and business owners in attendance pressed the agency to act upon a request to order a new set of moveable letters for the LaSalle Theater's marquee. NSDC, whose mission is to develop a better neighborhood “for everyone to live, work and visit,” owns the building and has been marketing it as a brewpub/entertainment venue for more than 18 months.

If everyone who has cringed with embarrassment at the marquee’s so-called welcome sends a dollar to Northeast Shores to help defray this $400 purchase, Executive Director Brian Friedman will be well on his way to the Bonus Round. Contributions can be sent to 317 E. 156th Street, Cleveland, 44110, Attn: AEIOU.  

The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. When planted, it grows up and becomes a tree with long branches and is larger than all the other garden plants. With cultivating and the passage of time, this small seed turns into something other than what it started out to be, affecting much more than the way it appeared it would.

Anything we desire-- better health, more money, better relationships, etc., is ours by having Faith. As the mustard seed is planted, so should our Faith. Just as we have to cultivate a garden and remove the weeds, the same is true of our Faith.

We water our Faith with positive self-talk(affirmations), listening to positive and uplifting CD's, or reading verses from our Bible. Faith that is planted in our hearts and nurtured, being constantly fed by speaking good words and watching the thoughts that enter our minds, will grow into more Faith. Like a mustard seed, our Faith grows into something larger than than what it was when it it began, sprouting into all areas of our lives and showing its effects in ways we may find to be amazing.

Even though the news reported on our televisions tells of wars, killing, high unemployment, rising gas prices, and foreclosures, there is good going on in the the world though the good news is not reported as often nor as loud. There are good things happening to others. There are a many, many, many, good people in the world.

I won't buy into the doom and gloom that is constantly thrown at us. I have seen good and experienced good. 

I have planted in my heart that our entire world will soon be full of the kind of loving people I already know and all will exist without the worry of being in harm's way. 

In the words of singer Billy Joel, " The good old days weren't always good and tomorrow ain't bad as it seems,  I'm keeping the Faith."

Rhonda Hudson-Williams is a resident who enjoys writing inspirational and thought-provoking articles.

The Collinwood post office is one of 3,653 post offices being considered to be closed by the Postal Service, which has lost $5.7 billion dollars this year.  The Postal Service operates over 38,000 facilities nationwide, and has seen a decline of 43 billion pieces of mail, mainly because of electronic communications. 

Our community needs the Collinwood post office.  It was the first post office built in Collinwood.  It serves a wide population area, many who have lived here all their lives, and who don't have access to another facility.  Instead of closing post offices, the Postal System to should meet with each community and find out which services they need the most, and perhaps reduce other services.  Eliminating post offices will not guarantee more revenue.  Reducing prices and offering convenience is a better solution.

Closing the post office will cause difficulties for residents and local business, who buy stamps and mail packages.  It will also be detrimental to people who have post office boxes.  The Postal Service will loose customers because more people will start using electronic communications, rather than travel out of their way to other locations.   And, residents will find it easier to start using other currier services.

continued.

Each one of us has a favorite room in our home that makes us feel more comfortable. The living room is where we can entertain and watch television. The bedroom is where we can relax and enjoy a good night's sleep.

The kitchen is where we cook our food and where a lot of us gather and converse. I would say the kitchen is the love center of the home. The bathroom is the room where we can close and lock the door to have our privacy. The bathroom is where we go to eliminate, rejuvenate and cleanse our bodies.

The bathroom was my favorite room in my home. As a single parent coming home after long and stressful days at work, with my young children waiting for me and having to cook dinner, I would retreat to the bathroom first. It was there, behind the closed door, that I would take some time to be with myself to unwind my frazzled nerves. I would think, regroup and prepare myself for what I called "Second Shift", my duties as "mommy."  The 15 - 20 minutes spent in my bathroom were my peace and serenity.

cont.

As a resident of Cleveland, Ward 11, I would like to ask a question to Mayor Frank Jackson, and the Commissioner of Waste Collection. Why are waste collection workers being laid off, when residents are paying $8.25 in taxes for this service? How many people reside in Cleveland?  Shouldn't this revenue be sufficient?  Please reply to the readers of the Observer. Thank you.

As  a rider of the RTA, I am asking if an RTA representative could answer my questions about your policy regarding picking up riders at the bus stop when there is lots of snow. At some shelters, the snow is so high I cannot even walk to the shelter, or get off the bus at the shelter. Sometimes the bus driver lets me off a little way past the shelter at the corner.  And one bus driver told me to wait at the corner.  But, another bus driver told me that the RTA policy is to only pick up people at the bus shelter. 

Please tell me what the RTA policy is, about picking up, and letting riders off when there is lots of snow?  I have a disability, and trouble walking in the snow, especially when it is piled high and icy at the bus shelter. 

And let all bus drivers know the answer, too. Because some drivers let passengers off at places where the street is cleared. And some drivers do not.

I am sure other riders would like to know,  also.

Thank you.

3/1:  Pasted below is the official response from RTA emailed by

2-25-11 – From RTA

Letter to Collinwood Observer in response to letter from Jeanne Coppola:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Ms. Coppola’s questions. 

Because RTA has more than 9,800 bus stops and bus shelters within the Greater Cleveland area, we ask bus operators to use their own judgment on where it is safest to pick up and drop off passengers. One day a snowplow may push snow into one bus stop, while push it away from another, and drivers have to do their best to judge the situation, again to find the best way to safely carry customers.

RTA has many crews that are dedicated to snow removal in the winter and travel all around Cuyahoga County, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to areas we serve to maintain bus shelters, rail stations, parking lots at rail stations and the Park N’ Ride facilities. We request the help of property owners, in both business and residential areas, to clear bus stops in their area, just like they clear sidewalks and entrances for their customers and employees.

We also know that when snowplows clear streets, a lot of that snow may end up in front of bus stops or shelters, just like street plows that inadvertently push snow into driveways. Clearing snow and ice is an ongoing battle.

RTA tries to find the safest ways to bring bus, rail and paratransit passengers to their destinations, even when Mother Nature takes over. We appreciate our customers and are working hard with partners throughout the county to provide a safe riding experience.

RTA

Jeanne Coppola is an artist, and a lifelong resident of the Collinwood neighborhood.

"Everybody is a star, I can feel it when you shine on me." A song by Sly and The Family Stone speaks of the power that radiates from each one of us. Each individual is as important as the other. Our presence can contribute to someone's life, or cause a void in any situation. 

Ever been told you were "missed"?  I believe what is being missed is the radiant force that shapes our form that shines out upon those we know and love. Our presence can make a huge difference in someone's day and how they experience it. 

Allowing our light to shine will help us to see brightness in the midst of darkness, to do right when some one else is doing wrong. It will cause others to have a curious wonder as to what it is that seems to radiate you. See the differences in others as not actually being different, but in the difference of how they shine their light.

No matter what the circumstances of our being born are, we are all here on purpose. Every time a woman gives birth, a star is born. Allow others to be who they are, a "star" here to illuminate our universe and bring their own creative quality to such a level that even the thought of them will leave an everlasting brightness.

The Sly and the Family Stone song continues: "Ever catch a falling star? There's no stopping it until it's in the ground." 

--Or maybe not.

Rhonda Hudson-Williams is an Ohio resident who enjoys writing inspirational and thought-provoking articles.

How fast has 2010 come and gone. We have all survived uncertainty. For thousands, job loss. Some have had to leave their homes. Children are having to return home or live with friends or other relatives. We have all had  to downsize as we adjust to another way of living.

Living on less, and possibly living with less. With so much going on all at one time, it seems there is no time for one's self causing our immediate surroundings to become cluttered and out of order. If this is true for you, then the clutter and disorder we see around us is also going on in our minds. 

Although the times we are living through are trying, peace can be found when we clean out our mental closets. At home, when my closets are out of order, it reminds me that something in my life is out of order too. I start working on clearing whatever it is, by cleaning out my closets.  What I am not wearing or using, I give away. The process of clearing out and giving away relieves stress. The process of giving away, or eliminating, makes room for something else.

Its's a process.The old saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day," is an expression of the steps needed to get to a desired end.

To build a foundation takes work. To realize any idea and see it manifest takes vision, faith, and constant effort. Challenges may come that will create obstacles; or ideas may need adjusting, but the work is still being put forth. Such it seems is life. We have all the tools needed to build our foundation, and we know what to do, but find it sometimes hard to keep up.

We may become disheartened or discouraged because it is much easier to say what we desire, than it is to make it happen. What takes up the time in our days is the process of our lives. We are all working towards something.

When we fall down-- get back up--encouraging others to do so by our example. When we get off track-- get back on.  There is always something learned in every experience in the process of life.

When Russia made its fatal foreign policy blunder in 1979 by invading Afghanistan, soon followed by the Iranian hostage crises, President Jimmy Carter went down to defeat in one of the greatest incumbent electoral college massacres in American history as a result of his perceived impotence in the face of these “crises”.  One of the many destructive fallacies of the chest-thumping Reagan Era and beyond was the Washington “bi-partisan” consensus that wars and other military spending somehow transcend fiscal restraints and exist on their own astral plane.

Reagan got a Dixiecrat Congress to double military spending at a time when the U.S. was winding down the Cold War and not engaged in “war” anywhere. Meanwhile, Reagan got the Dixiecrat Congress to cut domestic spending - we just couldn't afford those costly social programs. Reagan pretended the two things were totally unrelated, and the Dixiecrat Congress merrily went along.

Maybe the Democrats are finally catching on. In June, Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois posted this stark news:

“This month, we mark the seventh anniversary of President Bush's declaration of ‘mission accomplished’ in Iraq, yet five American soldiers have been killed there in May alone. Iraqis went to the polls nearly three months ago, but the political system remains so fractured that no party has been able to piece together a coalition. There are some indications that sectarian violence is again on the rise.”

As a concerned resident of Cleveland, I have been wondering how the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) will implement its transformation plan to improve our public schools. What criteria will they use to make their decisions and how will they get input from parents and students, about what they want to see happen? 

I'm a registered architect. I live in Cleveland with a loyal companion named Rolf who has long floppy ears and a tail. I own a house in Ohio City and I've maintained my architectural practice on the near west side since 1998. I moved here in 1987 after attending college at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City on a 5-year, full-tuition, merit-based, academic scholarship where I earned my professional degree. When I first graduated, I pursued a long-term interest in cars and became a certified automobile mechanic before returning to architecture and becoming licensed.

Ken Lanci is the REAL Independent candidate for Cuyahoga County Executive. He has spent 40 years as a jobs creator and turnaround expert in Greater Cleveland and will use that experience to create jobs and improve the economy of Cuyahoga County.

Ken Lanci spent the first years of his life in a housing project on the eastside of Cleveland, with his family who was on public assistance. He was industrious at an early age, working odd jobs to help make ends meet. When he was just 19, he rescued the family print shop from bankruptcy.  Lanci had no formal business training but learned quickly to listen to his business mentor and other experts. He benefited greatly from heeding their knowledge and wisdom.

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you’d hope to accomplish during your term in office?  

A.  An energy upgrade on all county-owned buildings to make them more energy-efficient with procedures for evaluation. 
B.  A county-wide land use and management plan that successfully engages all the municipalities. 
C.  A Laborers and Artisan Corps of suburban and inner city youth, 16-60 resulting in tangible, ecologically sensitive capital improvements to our built environment. 
D.  A state chartered Bank of Cuyahoga County, dedicated to investing in the county, prohibited from selling mortgages, trading in derivatives and committing usury.

2.) What do you regard as the major challenges that must be met in order for the new system of county government to succeed?

We have to be able to communicate with each other. We have to respect each other and the good work that we each bring to the table to solve problems. We have to leave egos and petty politics at the door and work together in a civil way.

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you’d hope to accomplish during your term in office?

The top priority is to create jobs for the people in Cuyahoga County. I have been creating good jobs for 40 years. I will not only strengthen existing businesses but will go out and aggressively market our region to bring new jobs here. I will develop the www.CuyahogaJobs.us website which will be a database of the county’s physical assets (land, commercial property, etc.) and a database of the county’s human resources, listing all of the unemployed and underemployed and their skill sets. 

Restoring integrity to county government is extremely important. I will restore the people’s trust in their public servants, first leading by example. I will also establish the Commission on Public Integrity to root out corruption and incompetence. The commission will develop and implement a strong code of ethics for public and elected officials. I will overhaul the appraisal process to make sure property taxes are fair. Only qualified professionals (appraisers, real estate professionals) will be involved in making sure valuations are fair and accurate. Of course, a major function of county government is providing health and human services. I will fight to make sure the safety net is working effectively and efficiently.

Unemployment and being out of work can feel like carrying the weight of the entire world on your shoulders. In these days and times with so many others carrying their own heavy load, there is hardly anyone to ask to take some of yours off, even if just for a little relief because their own load is so heavy. 

Tim McCormack is probably our best bet for County Executive. That is just my opinion, I hope you will agree with me at election time. He also happens to be one of the finest N. Collinwood neighbors around, there are many fine neighbors in N. Collinwood, but with Tim, I find him to be articulate, well spoken, and he has impeccable  taste. He and his wife of 27 years, Valerie, live at a lake house with 3 of their 4 sons. He is a graduate of St. Joe's High School, Miami of Ohio and Cleveland Marshall Law School, which he finished in 1972. Currently he practices Private, Probate and Mental Health Law. I had the great opportunity to sit down with Mr. McCormack, and ask a few private questions and here they are.

As a young child, I was introduced to the movie, "The Wizard of Oz", made in 1939. From then on, this movie remains one of my favorites: one I introduced to my children, and still watch to this day.  As a child I was delighted and enchanted by the magical qualities that appeared in the movie.  As an adult watching the Wizard of Oz, I observe the movie's meaning in a spiritual way.

Sharon Cole, 41, Democrat. 1949 Green Rd., #607 (Ward 10) Cleveland, OH 44110. Employment: On leave from job of Executive Assistant to Cleveland City Councilman Eugene Miller

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.

Legislator and Advocate. This person will have the legislative duties of the new County Government including introducing and voting on legislation, confirming candidates nominated by the County Executive, and approving County contracts. In addition, this person will be an advocate for the people of their district and the county as a whole. That means making sure the legislation introduced is effective, the approved candidates for leadership positions are qualified, and that the voice of the people is heard when it comes to decision-making in the new government structure.

2. Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

Because I want to give back to a community that has given me so much. This new government should be one of new ideas and a new direction for the County. However, the person elected to this position should also have government experience and a history of building partnerships to get things done. I would like to be a part of the creation of this new County government.

Albert Knute Oberst, JD, 76, Republican. Cleveland Heights. Job: Retired volunteer, living on pensions and stock income. Also, I will not take a paycheck....I am giving  back.

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.

I have reviewed the Cuyahoga County Charter and I fully understand the depth and breadth of Article 3. Having spent about 30 years in government I am very familiar with all of those responsibilities. Appointing, establishing procedure, budget and management, etc, are all duties I am familiar with, having spent 18 years with Cuyahoga County. 

Having worked as an assistant to George Voinovich when he was County Commissioner made me aware of most of these requirements. Senator Voinovich appointed me an Interim County Commissioner. See http://www.aloberst.com and you can understand my County background. Included are Economic Development, World Trade, Budget and Management, Management Information Systems,  preparing Request for Audits, etc, all have prepared me. Included are my experiences with the City of Cleveland as an assistant director of  the Human Resources and Economic Development and Port Control (Hopkins airport).

2. Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

Having the above mentioned experience makes me uniquely qualified to perform. That is, I have the motivation, aptitude and training to start off  the new county  government  as a successful operation.

My name is Barbara J. Thomas,  I am 70 years old, a Democrat and I have been a resident of East Cleveland, Ohio for 45 years; I am retired receiving a pension from Metro Health Medical Center, I am now receiving income as an East Cleveland City Council Member.

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.
•    Introduces and passes ordinances and resolutions.
•    Appoints and provide for the compensation and duties of the Clerk of Council and necessary staff.
•    Establish departments, divisions and sections under the supervision of the County Executive, such as boards, agencies, commissions and authorities.
•    Establishes procedures under which the County Executive may employ experts and consultants.
•    To establish procedures governing the making of County contracts and the purchasing of County supplies and equipment pursuant to competitive bidding.
•    To adopt and amend the County’s annual tax budget, operating budget, and capital improvements program and to make appropriations for the County.
•    To provide for the acquisitions, construction, maintenance, administration, rental and leasing of property.

2. Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

John Crist, 28, Democrat. Cleveland Heights, graduated from CWRU Law School in May (I can't call myself an attorney until I pass the bar-- we will get results back in November). 

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.

The County Councilmembers have three primary duties. First, to represent their district. That means understanding their district's unique needs and responding appropriately.

Second, to develop, along with the rest of the candidates and the executive, a plan to move the county forward, bring jobs, create accountability and make Northeast Ohio great. We need big goals. We should expect Northeast Ohio to be the best area in the country.

Third, and very importantly, to restore trust and accountability creating an openness that the County has lacked in recent years. That means no backroom deals. No secret hiring. And always public meetings.

 2. Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

 Many of the candidates here were "recruited" by powerful friends that want to retain power. Other candidates have run for different offices before and wanted to be politically involved. I'm running because I'm passionate about our county and believe that this area can be great again with the right candidates.

We must encourage smart growth that takes advantages of our advantages. We have the fourth largest body of water in the United States. We have world-class healthcare facilities and universities. What we do with these advantages could define our economy for years to come.

In short, I want to serve because I believe the job is important and should be performed by people who are passionate, smart enough and hopeful enough to truly help.

Alan Rapoport, 61, Democrat. Cleveland Heights, Attorney in Private Practice

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.

County Council will be a legislature. It will pass ordinances and resolutions. It will set policies and appropriate money. It will adopt budgets. It will confirm important appointments of the County Executive. Members will participate fully in all these activities, possibly through a committee system. Most importantly, Council can elect to have oversight responsibilities. The Charter creates a “right of inquiry.”  This allows members to bypass the County Executive and get information directly from County employees.  In the end, the most important duty of the County Council may be to act as a check and a balance. It will only fulfill that duty meaningfully if members cooperate with each other and with the County Executive.

2. Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

We are about to experience the greatest change in a form of local government in our lifetime. I ask for an opportunity to participate in this change so I can help invent a delivery system for vital services that affect the health and welfare of our community. I ask this because I believe I can make a positive difference, as I always have in the past. I also believe that if I help make Cuyahoga County a better place for everyone, it will be better place for me, too.

Danny Williams, 56, Democrat. I have lived at 2219 Elandon Drive, Cleveland Hts., OH 44106 for the last 17 years. I earn my living as Executive Director of The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland, one of the oldest free clinics in the country and by far the largest in Ohio. The Free Clinic provides high quality medical, dental, mental health, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS services free of charge to over 10,000 people every year, with a paid staff of 53 and more than 300 medical and lay volunteers.

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.

The powers and duties of the County Council are specifically prescribed in Sec. 3.09 of the Cuyahoga County Charter.  In summary, they include the legislative authority for the County in the following areas: 1) appointment of any staff needed for the efficient operation of the Council; 2) establishment of procedures for contracting; 3) adoption of budgets; 4) setting of personal bonding requirements; 5) acquisition, construction, maintenance, etc. of property and public improvements; 6) creation of intergovernmental cooperation agreements; 7) levying of assessments for public improvements; 8) obtaining of information from County employees; 9) establishment of programs to provide financial aid for post-secondary education; and 10) the establishment of a code of ethics. To that, I would add, listening to and following the will of the people.

2. Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

Serving on County Council is a logical extension for me of two decades of public service. During my working career, I have been a local small business owner, high level public administrator, and award-winning nonprofit executive. I left law practice 20 years ago because I felt a strong urge toward public service. I believe the perspectives I have gained from these varied experiences are precisely what is needed in this new government structure.

I have served as Executive Director of the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland since 12/06. In this capacity, I see first-hand the impact of a County system that is broken. Our fragmented governmental structure has not spurred the economic growth needed to stem our loss of population and to build our tax base. Consequently, our citizens have lost the capacity to support their basic health, housing and other family needs. At the same time, those safety net institutions that have historically addressed these gaps have been chronically underfunded and their critical value underestimated. I believe I can bring a mature, creative and balanced approach to solving our County’s problems.

Julian Rogers, 36, Democrat. 3920 Orchard Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44121. Job: Executive Director, Education Voters of Ohio

1) Describe the duties of the members of the County Council.

The County Council serves as the legislative arm of county government. The new charter outlines twelve specific duties of the County Council, but the primary role of the Council is to provide oversight over the overall operation of county government and to serve as a balance to the powers of the county executive. Additionally, as this will be the first Council under the new charter, new Council will have to play an instrumental role in transitioning to a new government structure. New departments will be created and some departments will be combined. It will be critical that the new Council have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of these departments so that the new government can operate efficiently and with no disruption in services to Cuyahoga County residents.

2) Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

With the right leadership and a focused vision, I believe that Cuyahoga County can be an example of how regions along the Great Lakes can reinvent themselves to be striving communities where families want to live and businesses wish to locate. My life, both professionally and privately has been devoted to making a difference in the lives of people in our community. I would like to continue that commitment to service as a member of the County Council.  

I would like to help create a county government that is run efficiently, provides the highest quality of services and operates in a manner that is open to the public, fair and corruption-free. This will require an unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards among all members of the Council, the County Executive and all employees of county government. The members of the new County Council need to be willing to work extremely hard to make sure we get this right the first time. The voters are expecting change and a better government and I am dedicated to meeting their expectations.  

Finally, it is time for the next generation of leaders to take positions in government in order to bring new ideas and energy that Cuyahoga County so desperately needs.  

Like most of you, I have been inundated with publicity by people seeking my vote to become County Executive or to represent me (district 10) on the new County board. Also, the Plain Dealer and the Collinwood Observer have done good jobs of presenting the cases of these many office seekers. This is excellent and it seems to me we have a very good pool to chose from.

But what surprises me is that many of these candidates list high among their attractions that they are long-term members of the Democratic or Republican party or, a few, that they are actually endorsed by one of these major parties.

At the federal level I have no difficulty distinguishing between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats, for instance, tend to favor maintaining a strong net to support the unfortunate and rigorous inspections to curb the greed of Wall Street. Republicans favor cutting taxes and reducing the presence of Government and its regulators. I am sure you can list a dozen other important principles on which the two parties differ. So it is no wonder if you support one of these parties and find the other unattractive. At least they are heading in different and predictable directions.

KC Petraitis, 24, Democrat. Collinwood, Ward 11, Cleveland. Job: Currently unemployed, former employee at the Cleveland Lakefront State Park.

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.

The new County Council has the responsibility of helping create a new government and provide a check on the new and very powerful County Executive position. It is a position that I believe should be used to encourage regionalism by crossing city and ward boundaries to create a network of leaders to better serve our residents.

2. Why do you want to serve on the County Council?

My educational background and current service in the community has allowed me to understand the issues that affect those in the County the most. I have campaigned on the issue of foreclosures, vacancies, and brownfields as the primary goal if elected. I understand the frustration of residents who have to deal with these magnets for crime and eyesores in their community. It affects their home equity and neighborhoods. I see the County Land Bank as an important tool to help correct these problems and I would allocate more funds to the Land Bank to ensure it meets its goals and helps our residents. Despite our looming budget problems this has to be our priority. If we do not stop the bleeding we will lose Cleveland and ultimately our region.

3. What qualifications do you bring that make you the most qualified?

My experience and work with creating organizations and understanding the foreclosure problems plaguing our area make me a viable candidate. I have a Masters in Public Administration where my concentration was in economic development from Cleveland State University. I am a public administrator by trade and not a politician. We need to have people capable of working outside the box and who are not politically constrained when it comes to creating this new government. My service at Northeast Shores has given me a fantastic understanding and network of leaders in the community who are so instrumental when change is being created and implemented.

Matt Brakey, 29, Republican. Cleveland Heights. Job: President, Brakey Energy.  We provide comprehensive energy management services to some of northern Ohio's largest companies.

1. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.

First, it is important to draw the distinction between “duties” and “powers;” duties being what the new Council has to do, powers being what the new Council can do.

The duties of the new Council more or less include setting up a structure for managing county properties and bureaucracies, approving the budget, creating a development plan, and developing a code of ethics. Pretty vanilla.  However, it is the powers of the new Council that county residents should be concerned about.

The powers of the new Council (and even more so for the Executive) are extremely broad. Essentially, the express powers of the new Council allow it to contract with any third party as long as it can reasonably be construed as being under the umbrella of government “economic development.”  However, the express powers for the new Council (and similarly for the Executive) are introduced by the following language:

 “All powers of the Council shall… include, but not be limited to (my emphasis added), the following” (12 powers then listed).  Because this language says the powers of the Council and Executive are not limited to the express powers, we must look to the rest of the charter for the limitations placed on this government.

Other than some vague language about respecting municipal rule, there are no limitations given to this new government’s power.  So other than state and federal law and their respective constitutions, this new county government has unlimited power.

I believe that is power that causes corruption: Absolute power corrupts absolutely and this new government has near absolute power.

Last month, the CO published a letter on its Forum page titled "Laid off or Liberated," by Rhonda Hudson-Williams, in which she wrote about the employment rate, and how people are relying on themselves, after being laid-off.  She said that unemployment can be a time of "...freedom. (Of) not having to concern one's self with setting the clock..." And I agree.

Not being bound to structured time or having to perform duties for others, all day long, is how life SHOULD be lived! The society of work in which we live was created by humans, and can be changed, if enough people decide to change it!

Ms. Hudson-Williams notes that her all friends were "relaxed...(and) fresh faced," after being laid-off, and have used unemployment as a time to reflect, or embark on spiritual journeys.

I think this is all wonderful, and is something other unemployed readers (like myself) would like to consider.

But my question is:  How can an unemplouyed person relax, and tap into their "creative selves" when the worry of having no means of support looms over them?

What is her secret?  Please share it with us.

"With a child's heart, go face the worries of the day. With a child's heart, turn each problem into play." A song by the beloved Michael Jackson expresses the innocence and carefree attitude of a child, that we as adults sometimes forget.  

Over seventy-six percent of registered voters DID NOT VOTE in the last elections. I’m Dianna Hill, and I hear your voices demanding a change. Together, we can work to promote an empowered county, holding elected officials, starting with me,  accountable for every day that we are in office.

As a soldier in the United States Army Reserves for 9 years, serving as a Psychological Operations Specialist, I had the honor of serving our nation and I understand what it means to be accountable. Our citizens require transparency and deserve not only to be considered, but motivated and inspired with every decision that comes through our County.

To do this, I must know what the most important asset of this county is-- I do and so do you.  Our most vital asset is our families.

Terri Hamilton Brown is a skilled leader with the right experience to start our new county government off properly. A Cleveland native, Terri Hamilton Brown graduated from the University of Chicago (BA in Economics) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Masters in City Planning.) After returning home, Terri’s public, private sector and non-profit leadership uniquely prepared her for the challenges our first county executive will face.

As Director of Community Development in the White Administration, Terri Hamilton Brown led Cleveland’s effort to build more than a thousand housing units and several multi-use districts, beginning a residential building boom in the city.
As Executive Director of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Terri Hamilton Brown achieved a “worst-to-first” style turnaround of the 1,000 employee organization, transforming its national ratings from bottom to top and its un-auditable books into near-perfect audits.

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you'd hope to accomplish during your term in office?

I will bring military type LEADERSHIP by example with Loyalty, Equality, Appreciation, Duty, Ethics, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage for upholding democracy by and for the people of Cuyahoga County.

My priority will be putting our families first with an "Extreme Makeover of Reform: Cuyahoga County Edition" to restore public trust and faith in our public servants and services.  Our people are the greatest assets of our County, they deserve to enjoy the prosperity that comes with positive, productive, and passionate reform.

I will work to implement the Government Innovators Strategies for Reform which promotes transparency in all government processes: policies must encourage public participation, ethical professional practices, and basic “Business 101” standard operating procedures of accountability.

I will post on our County website a public calendar so that all  events, meetings, and forums can be managed effectively while inviting public participation.

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you'd hope to accomplish during your term
in office?

As County Executive, I will work to achieve the county charter’s vision of an efficient government with strong executive leadership, checks and balances, and increased opportunity for all; working collaboratively with the County Council to create the reform supported by the county’s voters. Four priorities – Increasing Economic Opportunity for All; Ensuring Improved and Sustainable Health and Human Services; Making County Government More Accountable; and Restoring Public Trust – will be critical focal points from day one.

2.) What do you regard as the major challenges that must be met in order for the new system of county government to succeed?

A major challenge is for the Executive and Council to form a consensus understanding of how the charter government should operate, and to develop a working relationship so that the business of the County continues with little interruption.  If elected, I will propose a coming together of the Executive and Council within the first week following the election, and that a series of working sessions – for organization and initial work planning – is scheduled prior to actually taking office on January 1. 

Last month, the CO published a letter on its Forum page entitled "Open letter to RTA: Your driver almost killed me" in which a reader described an RTA bus driver, who could neither see nor hear her, closing the back doors on her as she tried to step off the bus across a 12 inch gap to the sidewalk.  The following letter is RTA's response.

Dear Ms. Coppola,

We appreciate you bringing this situation to our attention. We will investigate the incident you mentioned and work with this specific driver to manage improvements as needed. We also appreciate you as a customer and want to keep you and all our passengers safe.

Our main concern with all of our transportation methods is safety. The HealthLine vehicles were designed with a precision docking system that brings the vehicle very close to the platforms, so there should not be a gap. This allows our customers to safely ride, board and leave the vehicles.

The vehicles do have cameras that allow the operators to see all door openings of these high-tech vehicles for exactly the reason you mentioned, so they can ‘see’ passengers getting on and off the bus.

Ed FitzGerald has spent has spent more than two decades in service to others: as a community volunteer, Congressional staff member, FBI Special Agent, Assistant County Prosecutor, City Councilman, and now as the Mayor of Lakewood, Ohio.

The seventh of eight children, Ed worked his way through Ohio State University, and then attended night law school while serving as a staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives. He also became active in his community, volunteering as a reading tutor in the public schools, and working with a local senior citizen service program.

After graduating from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Ed was commissioned as a Special Agent with the FBI. After completion of his training in Quantico, Virginia, he was assigned to the Organized Crime Task Force in Chicago. As a Special Agent, FitzGerald was recognized by the FBI Director for excellence while heading up a wide-ranging and successful investigation into organized crime and political corruption.

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you'd hope to accomplish during your term in office?

I plan to clean up the corruption and restore confidence in county government—the FBI can and will only take care of a piece of this—the highest ethical standards must be set and met among all county employees and departments.  Second, I will work to build on the strengths of our county to retain and attract jobs; third, as we redesign county government, I will ensure that the stellar health and human services currently provided through the county continue, even as government systems and departments consolidate; finally, it is clear that safety and security are a paramount concern and the county can and should play a larger role in ensuring the safety of all of our neighborhoods.

2.) What do you regard as the major challenges that must be met in order for the new system of county government to succeed?

One key challenge is the lack of sufficient checks and balances in the existing County Charter. I plan to implement a County Inspector General’s office to ensure that the highest ethical standards are met and maintained. This is crucial for restoring the people’s confidence. As consolidation of so many departments occurs, it is also important that we are methodical and truly assess what is working and what isn’t.  

Matt Dolan was elected to three terms in the Ohio Legislature, serving the 98th District, which includes parts of Cuyahoga County and Geauga County. He served as Chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee during his second term, working with Republicans and Democrats to pass a nearly unanimous $54 billion budget that lowered taxes and reduced the size of government. 

Dolan was the key sponsor of the Great Lakes Compact, legislation to protect Lake Erie. Dolan was also the primary mover of other legislation, such as the Cuyahoga County Landbank and the Third Frontier Project.

Victor S. Voinovich, Sr. started as a CPA in with Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young) and then migrated to Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, most of the time in business for himself. Today, he is Managing Director of Sperry Van Ness in Northeast Ohio as an independent franchisee. He has been a partner, founder or sole owner of over a half-dozen entrepreneurial businesses, ranging from retail stores, to a cleaning company, to a consulting company. He has participated or led over 20 non-profit organizations in social services, religious activities, professional activities, and strategic planning.  Recovery Resources honored him by naming him a Life Trustee at his retirement from the board.

The Collinwood Observer will be running interviews  of County Executive Candidates and County Council candidates throughout the election.  Next month we will begin running interviews from our County Council Candidates. 

If you would like to submit questions to be used in our County Council interviews, please sign up on the Collinwood Observation Deck.  Go to collinwoodobserver.com, click on “Observation Deck” in the menu on the left, sign in, and enter your suggestions for questions, under the Topic, “What would YOU like to know about your County Council Candidates?”  

We will round up your answers and prepare a "Readers' Interview" for the candidates. It’s your turn to ask the questions. 

Here, in response to questions posed by The Observer, Republican County Executive Candidate, Victor Voinovich, shares some of his thoughts on the new county government and the challenges that lie ahead: 

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you’d hope to accomplish during your term in office?

I have 3 objectives:

•    Grow our economy,
•    Better, smarter county government,
•    Unite our region.

Here, in response to questions posed by The Observer, Republican County Executive Candidate, Matt Dolan, shares some of his thoughts on the new county government and the challenges that lie ahead:           

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you’d hope to accomplish during your term in office?

A)    Restore the public faith in public servants by running the County with honesty and integrity;
B)    Replace our silo service delivery system of human services with a wraparound service system; making individuals one step away from dependence and one step closer to independence;
C)    Establish Cuyahoga Forward, a one-stop-shop for business development; and
D)    Implement job descriptions and requirements that match skill sets, thereby creating measurable standards to determine results.