Plain Press

  • Schools have a deficit while many experience property tax increases – Residents ask, “Why?”

    by Chuck Hoven    (Plain Press May 2026) Many Clevelanders are wondering why the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is laying off teachers and other staff members during a time when many residents are complaining about property taxes that have increased substantially.    A September 30, 2024, commentary by Zach Schiller of Policy Matters Ohio…

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  • Board of Education and citizens tasked with reviewing plan calling for massive change in the school system

    by Chuck Hoven    (Plain Press December 2025) The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board of Education and the citizens of Cleveland are tasked with reviewing a plan for the future of the school district that will have a profound impact on the future of the City of Cleveland. The plan is titled Building Brighter…

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  • Cleveland City Council Ward 7 race heats up

    PHOTOS COURTESY OF RONALDO RODRIGUEZ, JR., LA VILLA On July 14th, Ward 7 City Council candidates participated in a Neighborhood & Community Media Association of Greater Cleveland Community Media Panel discussion with reporters from Tremonster, Plain Press, and La Villa. by Bruce Checefsky    (Plain Press August 2025) Cleveland City Council Ward 7 candidates Austin…

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  • TRUTH IS: WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD PRO SPORTS

    Truth is: We can no longer afford pro sports by Roldo Bartimole    If the Browns domed stadium in Brook Park tiff tells anything it says loudly that Cleveland and Cuyahoga County taxpayers can no longer afford the rapacious desires of billionaire sports owners.    We simply cannot pay their tab any longer.    It…

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  • GATEWAY PROMISED 28,000 JOBS;

    THREE YEARS LATER – 35,000 JOBS LOST GATEWAY PROMISED 28,000 JOBS; THREE YEARS LATER – 35,000 JOBS LOST by Roldo Bartimole   In 1990 when Cleveland politicians and top business & legal leaders were preparing to sell the first sales “sin” tax for our sports team owners, they promised 28,000 “good paying jobs for the…

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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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  • Media should reveal what public funds are subsidizing at Brook Park dome

    Media should reveal what public funds are subsidizing at Brook Park dome by Roldo Bartimole (Plain Press, July 2025) Now that the Republican state legislators and Gov. Mike DeWine have shoved $600 million FREE dollars into the hands of the Haslam group to build the property tax free domed stadium it’s time the public be told…

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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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  • Cleveland and Cuyahoga County need new policies to help residents address property tax delinquency

    by Chuck Hoven      (Plain Press August 2024) Cleveland homeowners face foreclosure at a higher rate than the national average. A good percentage of those foreclosures are due to residents getting behind on their property tax payments. Cleveland and Cuyahoga County policy makers could do a much better job in assuring residents are able stay…

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