Plain Press

  • Pre-primary endorsements unfairly influence election results

    by Bruce Checefsky    (Plain Press May 2026) The Cuyahoga County Democratic precinct elections on May 5 are the most important primary elections this year, according to Ellen Kubit, who is no stranger to politics. She is running for reelection in Ward 7, Precinct B.    Kubit, a political strategist and former campaign manager for…

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  • Downtown Cleveland hosts No Kings Day rally and march (photos)

    PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON Saturday, March 28, 2026; No Kings Day rally at Willard Park, E. 9th Street and Lakeside Avenue: John and Deanne Lentz of Cleveland Heights say their primary reason for being at the rally is “the threat to our democracy.” PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON Saturday, March 28, 2026; No Kings Day rally…

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  • Ward 7 Candidates Community Media Panel Discussion

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  • Do we repeat the mistakes?

    Do we repeat the mistakes? by Roldo Bartimole   How generous are both local politicians and the Cleveland news media going to be on luxury spending for the new domed stadium?   Lessons can be learned from the outrageous spending for Dick Jacobs, then of the Cleveland Indians, and the Gund family, owners of the…

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  • History says Browns stay put

      by Roldo Bartimole (Plain Press June 2025) Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne is trying to save Cleveland.    He has put his foot down on rejecting a get-out-of-town demand from Browns owners – the Haslam family.    They’re asking for a $600 million input from County residents. Borrowed, the cost will likely double for Cuyahoga County…

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  • CLEVELAND LEADERS IGNORE THEIR PEOPLE

    CLEVELAND LEADERS IGNORE THEIR PEOPLE By Roldo Bartimole Where are the political activists? Where are the Citizens? Cleveland needs them badly. The city has sunk into a silent obedience of acquiescence. Voters are in hiding. Leaders hide from them. This is a serious problem. A prognosis for a dead city. The past is always with…

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  • Ohio Fair Lending and Vital Communities Conference examines housing issues in Cuyahoga County

    by Bruce Checefsky      Frank Ford, Senior Policy Advisor, Fair Housing Center for Rights and Advisor with Vacant and Abandoned Property Action Council (VAPAC), presented the preliminary findings of a mortgage lending analysis in Cuyahoga County during the 33rd Annual Ohio Fair Lending and Vital Communities Conference. In a six-year review of home purchases and…

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  • Representative-elect to the Ohio House of Representatives shares agenda

    (Plain Press, December 2022) To the Editor:      When I decided to run for State Representative last January, the district maps were undecided and still being debated in Columbus. It appeared back then that there would be potentially four candidates, including myself, who would run in what was nominally considered to be House District 15.…

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  • Housing experts work to address Cleveland’s housing issues

    Kevin J. Nowak, Executive Director of CHN Housing Network, was one of the panelists at a Brown Bag Forum held at Cleveland State University’s College of Urban Affairs on September 27th titled “How should American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds address housing issues in Cleveland.” The forum was sponsored by the Ohio Fair Lending Coalition…

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  • County executive candidates Chris Ronayne and Lee Weingart offer different visions for Cuyahoga County

    Cuyahoga County Executive Candidates (L-R) Chris Ronayne and Lee Weingart by Bruce Checefsky               (Plain Press, November 2022) Democratic candidate Chis Ronayne and Republican hopeful Lee Weingart, candidates for Cuyahoga County Executive, could not be more different. Ronayne wants to build on his long-standing relationships with civic leaders and work with the nonprofit sector…

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