Plain Press

  • Tanisha’s Law calls for compassionate approach in responding to mental health and behavioral health crises in Cleveland

    by Chuck Hoven      (Plain Press May 2026) After over a decade of community advocacy, the City of Cleveland now has in place a law that calls for a civilian led alternative to police response to calls for help with a mental health or behavioral health crisis. The new City Ordinance (1198-2024) is named for…

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  • City of Cleveland launches Financial Empowerment Blueprint to advance economic stability and wealth-building for residents 

       (Plain Press May 2026) On April 2nd, the City of Cleveland announced the launch of its Financial Empowerment Blueprint, a comprehensive, data-driven plan to help residents achieve greater financial stability, reduce housing cost burdens, and build long-term economic security.     A statement from the City of Cleveland says, “Developed through extensive community engagement and cross-sector…

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  • Cleveland’s $600 million youth problem

    by Tessa Jackson, Faubourg Advisors    (Plain Press May 2026) A pediatric therapist posted something on social media this week that’s been sitting with me. Teens, he argued, don’t need another program, pipeline, or productivity metric. They need a third space—somewhere to simply exist, unoptimized and unbothered.    He’s right. And after twenty years in…

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  • Welcome Nikki Hudson and Phil Kidd to their new positions

    by Greg Cznadel    The monthly Democratic Ward Club meeting January 14th 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…

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  • Board of Education and citizens tasked with reviewing plan calling for massive change in the school system

    by Chuck Hoven    (Plain Press December 2025) The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board of Education and the citizens of Cleveland are tasked with reviewing a plan for the future of the school district that will have a profound impact on the future of the City of Cleveland. The plan is titled Building Brighter…

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  • November 4, 2025 – Unofficial Election Results

    (Plain Press December 2025) (Official results will not be available until November 25th at www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov ) (Post Election Vote by Mail, Provisional and Post Election Day – not yet recorded by the Plain Press publication date) (Also see close election in Cleveland Ward 12 – if a recount is requested official results may be delayed)…

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  • The poor pay for Cleveland’s politics of privilege

    by Chuck Hoven    (Plain Press November 2025) Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Community Solutions Emily Campbell issued a report in September of 2022 that said “the United States Census Bureau’s 2021 one-year estimates show that nearly 105,000 people in the City of Cleveland lived in poverty in 2021. Of those, more than…

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  • Community efforts result in newly redesigned Storer Park

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, September 6, 2025; Storer Park, W. 67th and Storer Avenue: Betty Jo Palmer celebrates at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the redesigned and refurbished Storer Park. Palmer initiated a “Light up the Park” campaign five years ago and worked persistently to build a coalition of supporters to see a community…

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  • Back-To-School celebrations equip students with school supplies

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, August 9, 2025; All City Back to School Festival, Cleveland Public Auditorium, 500 Lakeside Ave. East: Cleveland Metropolitan School District Director of Financial Support and Services Melody Patterson hands out school supplies to parents and children. PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, August 9, 2025; Esperanza’s Back-To-School Celebration, Max Hayes High…

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  • Council Leadership Fund: Who are the big donors?

         (Plain Press September 2025) Those attending the Co-op Circles Cleveland City Council Candidates Forum on municipal economic policy on July 31st at Pilgrim Church were greeted outside by Mike Seals carrying a protest sign. On one side the sign said, “End Kleptocracy Now”, on the other side the sign said, “County Politics is a…

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