by Greg Cznadel

   The monthly Democratic Ward Club meeting January 14^th at the Estabrook Recreation center in Old Brooklyn was the first combined meeting of residents from the new Ward 4 (formerly Ward 13) and the new Ward 11. Normally, Councilman Kris Harsh, Ward 4, has a guest speaker from the City, followed by updates in the neighborhood and the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation.

   One learned of new and future construction (the Pearl Road Residences, the Memphis-Pearl Project), the state of abandoned stores (CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens) and what’s going on with Melted Wings Winery and  Oak Park Hotel. People are always welcome to ask questions, bring up issues on their street, like abandoned houses, drug spots, and speeding.

   This meeting welcomed Nikki Hudson, new Ward 11 councilwoman. As Ward 4 and 11 now cover all of Old Brooklyn, the two councilpersons will be sharing news at the monthly meeting. Hudson explained that this was her first week on the job and there was a lot to learn. With fewer wards each councilperson has taken on additional committees. One of her first meetings pertained to the Safety Committee. It was three hours long! Kris Harsh smiled and laughed. He said he was listening in on You Tube, went back to work, came back a few hours later and it was still going on.

   Copies of the Plain Press were on the table. I shared the types of articles on our community – on Old Brooklyn’s history and their Tree Stewards program. Nikki Hudson chimed in, complimenting Chuck Hoven and the Plain Press. Hudson, a Snake Hill supporter, has braved many cold weather hikes. See past and future updates in the Plain Press.

   During the meeting, Ward 11 Council Representative Nikki Hudson asked what topics or people those attending the meeting would enjoy. I mentioned the Depaving Program in Cleveland and Phil Kidd from the Mayor’s Office of Capital Improvement. Phil Kidd was at the first Tree Stewards Tree workshop at Six Shooters in January 2025 (see Plain Press). He was standing at the end of the table, listening. If I didn’t mention the City’s Depaving Program, he probably would not have spoken up.

   He always seems to appear at “green” meetings somewhere in the crowd. At a Coffee with the Cops and Steward event later that year at the Rebel Reserve, I thought I recognized him. Then at the Cleveland Parks and Greenspace Coalition quarterly meeting with 14 community-led park and greenspace groups in attendance, I saw him again.

   At the last Cleveland Tree Coalition meeting, Sara Tillis called him up during one of the slides to explain the status of the Depaving program along streets in Cleveland and Old Brooklyn streets Broadview and State roads. He walked up to the screen saying he was not expecting to give a speech.

   When I suggested him as one of our speakers, a smile appeared on both Kris Harsh’s and Nikki Hudson’s faces. A smile like I have never seen. I was not sure what I said. They explained that he left the Mayor’s office to the Cleveland Foundation as Director of Vibrant Neighborhoods. They both agreed this was a great loss to the Mayor’s office.