Plain Press

  • Local economy faces uncertain future during COVID-19 pandemic

    Local economy faces uncertain future during COVID-19 pandemic by Bruce Checefsky Sean Watterson is doing everything possible to keep his business from going under. As co-owner of the Happy Dog on Detroit Avenue in the Gordon Square arts district, he’s responsible for 30-40 full and part-time employees all of which have been laid off since…

    plainpress

  • Ohioans facing eviction urge Gov. DeWine to issue a statewide eviction moratorium for residential tenants

    Ohioans facing eviction urge Gov. DeWine to issue a statewide eviction moratorium for residential tenants Plain Press, May 2020      In March, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) and a group of 80 organizations delivered a letter to Governor DeWine calling for a statewide residential eviction moratorium. Since then, over 700 people have signed the letter,…

    plainpress

  • Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless launches COVID-19 Emergency Homeless Response campaign

    Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless launches COVID-19 Emergency Homeless Response campaign (Plain Press, April 2020)    The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) has launched a COVID-19 Emergency Homeless Response campaign to swiftly act on the threat coronavirus poses to Cleveland’s homeless population. People experiencing homelessness are one of the most at-risk populations during the pandemic.…

    plainpress

  • Mayor Frank Jackson announces Cleveland Public Power moratorium on shutoffs CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD POWER SHUTOFF CAN REQUEST SERVICE BE RESTORED

    Mayor Frank Jackson announces Cleveland Public Power moratorium on shutoffs CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD POWER SHUTOFF CAN REQUEST SERVICE BE RESTORED by Delaney Jones and Jacie Jones (Plain Press, April 2020)    This article is the fourth in a series based on issues that came out of the Cleveland End Poverty Now Coalition’s October 17th, 2019…

    plainpress

  • Talk of the Town Community Conversation at Franklin Circle Christian Church

    Talk of the Town Community Conversation at Franklin Circle Christian Church by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, April 2020)    Providing affordable housing is a critical need as real estate development expansion continues in neighborhoods once considered low to moderate income like Ohio City and Tremont. To address the issue, Ohio City Incorporated (OCI) hosted the first…

    plainpress

  • Reader weighs in with objections to coverage of Metanoia Project Shelter at Denison Avenue United Church of Christ

    Reader weighs in with objections to coverage of Metanoia Project Shelter at Denison Avenue United Church of Christ To the Editor: (Plain Press, April 2020) Re: February 2020 Plain Press article by Bruce Checefsky titled “Neighbors and homeless advocates defend Denison Avenue United Church of Christ’s offering of hospitality to the homeless” To all, I…

    plainpress

  • Benefits and risks of development discussed at MetroHealth Community meeting

    Benefits and risks of development discussed at MetroHealth Community meeting by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, March 2020)   Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmin Santana circled the rotunda of the South Branch Library on January 27, 2020 hugging her constituents as the MetroHealth community meeting was about to get under way. When she stepped up to the microphone,…

    plainpress

  • Reaching Lincoln Heights proposal outlines aland use plan for Lincoln Heights neighborhood

    Reaching Lincoln Heights proposal outlines aland use plan for Lincoln Heights neighborhood by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, March 2020)    During the third and final community meeting held at South Branch Public Library for the Reaching Lincoln Heights proposal, Cory Riordan, Executive Director of Tremont West Development Corporation, reminded the twenty or so neighborhood attendees…

    plainpress

  • Draft of Reaching Lincoln Heights Land Use Plan to be presented to Lincoln Heights Block Club at February 10th meeting

    Draft of Reaching Lincoln Heights Land Use Plan to be presented to Lincoln Heights Block Club at February 10th meeting by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, February 2020)         During the third and final community meeting at South Branch Public Library for the Reaching Lincoln Heights proposal, Cory Riordan, Executive Director of Tremont West Development Corporation, reminded…

    plainpress

  • Working group and public meetings to review current tax abatement policy and incentives for developers

    Working group and public meetings to review current tax abatement policy and incentives for developers by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, December 2019)           Councilman Kerry McCormack believes Cleveland’s tax abatement policy and incentives for developers need reform, so he organized a working group to review the existing program and recommend changes. While committed to keeping the…

    plainpress