• Justin Bibb vows to modernize City Hall

    Justin Bibb vows to modernize City Hall by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, October 2021)   For Cleveland mayoral candidate Justin Bibb, leadership is all about relationships. The 34-year-old son of a social worker and first responder advanced from the primary to the general election November 2 along with City Council president Kevin Kelley in the first mayoral…


  • Residents want more notice, better access to information on local government meetings 

    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…


  • The Pace of Passage: How Quickly City Council Makes Laws and What That Means for Clevelanders 

    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…


  • Low voter turnout allows small pockets of voters to determine results in Cleveland’s Primary Election

    Low voter turnout allows small pockets of voters to determine results in Cleveland’s Primary Election by Chuck Hoven    Only 15% of Cleveland’s 247,742 eligible voters voted in the Primary Election. A total of 38,360 Clevelanders cast votes in the primary according to the unofficial preliminary results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. 13,506 of…


  • Films returning to the Capitol as it celebrates its centennial

    Films returning to the Capitol as it celebrates its centennial by Brian Love (Plain Press, August 2021)                       Film fans cooped up for months can celebrate the return of live screening when the Capitol Theater, at W. 65th and Detroit Avenue, celebrates its 100th birthday with an August 12th reopening. The featured film will be the Wizard of Oz (1939). Tickets…


  • City Club hosts Clevelanders for Public Comment in a forum and a mock public comments session

    City Club hosts Clevelanders for Public Comment in a forum and a mock public comments session by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, May 2021)      The resident led movement, Clevelanders for Public Comment, now has a majority of Cleveland City Council — nine members — committed to passing legislation written by Near West Side activist Jessica Trivisonno that…


  • Members of Cudell Improvement and Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization vote on merger

    Members of Cudell Improvement and Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization vote on merger (Plain Press, May 2021)    Members of Cudell Improvement and Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization received a packet of information about the proposed merger of the two community development corporations. Members were asked to cast a ballot either for or against the merger during…



  • Ohio City and Tremont respond to calls for more affordable housing

    Ohio City and Tremont respond to calls for more affordable housing by Marc Lefkowitz, The Land  (Plain Press, April 2021)        A new land trust on Cleveland’s near west side has a mission to increase permanent, affordable housing in the midst of a hot housing market. Ohio City and Tremont West Development Corporation have teamed up to form…


  • The Repair Company celebrates 50 years on Madison Avenue

    The Repair Company celebrates 50 years on Madison Avenue Plain Press, March 2021         In February, Sandy Bozak, owner of The Repair Company at W. 103rd and Madison, marked the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of her company. At a February 4th ceremony, Ward 15 Cleveland City Council Representative Jenny Spencer presented Sandy Bozak with a Council Resolution of…