Residents want more notice, better access to information on local government meetings by Doug Breehl-Pitorak and Rachel Dissell In June, Cleveland City Council passed a law that allowed it — and other city boards and committees — to meet virtually or in person with 12 hours’ notice for members of the public who might want … Continue reading
The Pace of Passage: How Quickly City Council Makes Laws and What That Means for Clevelanders by Doug Breehl-Pitorak, Cleveland Documenters (Plain Press, October 2021) During a July forum for mayoral candidates, Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley answered what seemed like a simple question: “What are your thoughts on what constitutes adequate public notice and … Continue reading
Utilities for All holds vigil at City Hall to remember those who died due to utility shutoffs by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, October 2021) Seven deaths from hypothermia were reported during a single month earlier this year after utility companies shut heat off in the middle of the winter to customers unable to pay their bills. … Continue reading
Advocates for free eviction help urge increased commitment by the City of Cleveland to fully funding the program by Chuck Hoven United Way of Greater Cleveland, the Cleveland Legal Aid Society and CHN Housing Partners have teamed up in a public private partnership with the City of Cleveland to offer free help to qualified Clevelanders … Continue reading
Guarantee citizens the right to food, clothing, shelter, and medical care To the editor: (Plain Press, September 2021) With all the debate recently for amending the United States Constitution in favor of certain issues and/or those constituencies, perhaps a more appropriate amendment should guarantee each citizen of the United States the right to food, clothing, shelter, … Continue reading
Participatory Budgeting Cleveland (PB CLE) to launch budget recommendations by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, August 2021) Town meetings were first established in the earliest New England settlements as a form of direct democracy in which most or all members of a community come together to discuss policies, laws, and budgets for their community. The first town meeting was … Continue reading
Family members who lost loved ones to police action speak at community meeting on Consent Decree by Rich Weiss (Plain Press, August 2021) Four local community members who lost loved ones to Cleveland Police Department (CPD) use-of-force were the Zoom panelists for the June public input meeting on the Cleveland Consent Decree. United Way of Greater Cleveland and … Continue reading
Call to action: Cleveland needs to address lack of low-income housing options To the Editor: (Plain Press, May 2021) My name is Paul Sherlock and last Friday (April 9th) my friend Jim Schlecht and I staged a protest of four apartment development sites currently underway on the Near West Side of Cleveland. We were protesting the lack … Continue reading
Cleveland Mayoral candidates crowd the field by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, May 2021) More than a dozen candidates have registered with Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to raise money towards the Cleveland mayoral election scheduled to take place on November 2, 2021, with others expected to announce their candidacy in the coming weeks. Blaine Griffin announced … Continue reading
Next Cleveland Consent Decree Community Conversation: 6:00 pm, April 14 By Rich Weiss, Neighborhood & Community Media Association of Greater Cleveland (Plain Press, April 2021) Have you ever wondered: “How is the dedication to community engagement reflected in the Cleveland Police Department’s current budget?” Do you have a handle on: “What is the CPRB (Civilian Police … Continue reading
