• Proposal for new policies for police crisis intervention teams revealed

    by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, January 2017) The City of Cleveland proposed policies for its Crisis Intervention Teams Program were revealed at a Community Forum on December 13 at Urban Community School at 4909 Lorain Avenue. In addition to reviewing drafts of the new policy, residents and stakeholders were given the opportunity to make suggestions…


  • Election 2016 results — turnout varies widely in precincts in Plain Press service area

    Election 2016 results – turnout varies widely in precincts in Plain Press service area (Plain Press, December 2016) Voters approved all three issues on the ballot in Cleveland this November. Of the three issues, the half percent hike in the payroll tax won by the smallest margin winning 51.36% to 48.64%, with 64,439 yes votes…


  • December 2016 Plain Press – PDF

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  • What fool taxes himself or herself?

    by Roldo Bartimole (Plain Press, November 2016)    If the Cleveland Establishment forces—you know them—can’t back a $15 an hour wage, then they shouldn’t tax the first $15 an hour of pay. Or even, not tax the minimum Ohio wage of $8.10. That would make the first $16,848 ineligible for the city tax. That would…


  • Community groups demand a higher standard from Cleveland City Council – urge rejection of Police Review Board Ballot Issue 33

    (Plain Press, November 2016)    Members from the Cleveland-based chapters of Black Lives Matter and Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) are criticizing what they call weak revisions to the Police Review Board: a set of minor changes to appear before voters on this Election Day. The groups say Issue 33 is “a watered-down version…


  • Concerns about West Side Market parking fees raised at community discussion

    by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, November 2016)    Residents and stakeholders in the area around the West Side Market attended a meeting at Franklin Circle Church on October 18th to discuss proposed parking rates for the West Side Market and Hicks parking lots. Mayor Frank Jackson’s Chief of Staff Ken Silliman presented the City of…


  • November 2016 Issue of the Plain Press – PDF

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  • Citizens offer input to proposed changes in the Cleveland Police Department’s use of force policy

    by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, October, 2016) Over one hundred people gathered at Urban Community School, on September 20th, to offer input to proposed changes in the Use of Force Policy from the Cleveland Police Monitoring Team. Residents were given a handout with a brief summary of current use of force policy and the proposed…


  • Poverty growth in Cleveland neighborhoods continues

    CHILD POVERTY GROWS IN ALL NEIGHBORHOODS SERVED BY PLAIN PRESS by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, October, 2016)       Despite the many community development projects in Cleveland neighborhoods, the poverty rate in Cleveland was estimated to be higher in 2012 than it was in the year 2000. The 2000 Census listed the poverty rate in Cleveland at…


  • Tackling poverty is the most effective way to improve performance of students in Cleveland schools

    by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, October 2016)          The End Poverty Now! march was by far the largest demonstration in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention. The marchers brought their message before the national media to draw attention to a critical issue. The message should also be heeded here in Cleveland. Census bureau data published…