According to the Mission Statement on its site, the government of the City of Cleveland exists to:
A. improve the quality of life by
1. strengthening our neighborhoods,
2. delivering superior services,
3. embracing the diversity of our citizens, and
4. making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to
a. live,
b. work,
c. raise a family,
d. shop,
e. study,
f. play
g. grow old.
And yet the City administration made a conscious decision to issue thousands of automated red-light tickets in violation of the law as they themselves wrote it. Which part of the Mission Statement says to steal from its citizens?
It's not honest on the part of the city to knowingly issue illegal tickets. Bob Triozzi, the City's top lawyer knew that the law the City Council approved was flawed from the beginning, making it illegal to issue tickets to drivers of leased or rented cars. But the illegal ticketing was approved with at least the tacit, if not explicit consent of the executive branch. Thousands of times, and for years.
As part of the law, the city devised an appeals process so onerous and labyrinthian that it is economically irrational to argue with the city about the ticket. Only a quixotic attorney had the time, money and legal know-how to challenge the law and win. If we have to obey the law, so does the City.
How does this behavior promote the achievement of the City's Mission Statements? It does illegally collect more money, perhaps for improving our roads, or not. However, when the City’s legislative and administrative branches cooperate to create this adversarial situation, biased 100% in favor of the City, that does not Improve the Quality of Life, Strengthen Our Neighborhoods, Deliver Superior Services, Embrace our Diversity, and certainly does not Make Cleveland a Desirable, Safe City. It DOES create suspicion, distrust and cynicism about the politicians we elect and, by association, the City itself. From where does Cleveland's self-loathing come? The Top.
Having lost the court case, Triozzi then has the unmitigated gall to argue that by capitulating to the staggering weight of the city appeals process, those illegally ticketed drivers FORFEITED THEIR RIGHT TO APPEAL WHEN THEY PAID THEIR $100 FINES.
As an analogy, assume the City paid the invoices of a contractor who knowingly submitted false bills to the City. When the City found out, they demanded their money back but the contractor claimed that once the City paid the bill it forfeited that money and had no recourse. Would that stand? Oh HELL no! Not only would the City get its overpayment back, but the contractor would be banned from further work and prosecuted for fraud. Maybe we ought to consider that plan of action for those officials who perpetrated this ticket fraud.
For the city to create this one-sided, confiscatory, back-door tax with such an unfair playing field is utterly unethical and dishonest. How is that behavior acceptable on the part of our elected and appointed officials?
Now, adding insult to injury, the city is using more of our money to challenge the legal motion to make this issue a class action suit. The city's leadership utterly and without shame refuses to stand up and admit its mistake. And yes, the city knew a priori that it was illegal to take your money and that they were not entitled to it. Now they refuse to return their ill-gotten gains to those from whom it was illegally taken.
Cleveland’s leadership refuses to take responsibility for their illegal actions both individually and as a group. They have no shame and their actions contribute to a culture of corruption. Nor does this behavior and the mindset that created it advance or lend support for the City’s stated mission to Improve The Quality Of Life.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
System Reset
I like technical lingo, it's a shorthand way of talking among peers. A system reset happens when you disconnect power to a product, then restart it. Sometimes called a 'power-down reset'. I learned about those as an electronic technician in the Navy. We also used a technique we referred to as 'percussive tuning' wherein we beat on the circuit boards with our fist to get it running. But I digress...
I read this article by William Mathies in a magazine called TWICE (This Week In Consumer Electronics) and saw that the 'system reset' metaphor is particularly applicable to the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio.
The history being described shows that healthy industries remake themselves periodically in response to technical advances. Most of the previously dominant players in a market are obliterated as they try to protect their business model. I think this story can be a metaphor to partially describe the decline of our cities.
Many metropolitan areas including Cleveland are being obliterated as they desperately try hold on to old business models, old policies, or old ways of doing business. Other cities or regions invest in infrastructure, encourage new businesses, cater to employers large and small, appease the obstructionists and NIMBYs, and voila! Here come the jobs!
Companies establish their headquarters in a more friendly business environment. Entrepreneurs come because they see a way to participate in a critical mass of ideas, management talent and HR assets. Investors follow the entrepreneurs (or is that vice versa?). Immigrants come with their dreams and ideas to start a company where none existed and hire people to fill positions that were created from an idea. Large companies spin off small companies who become medium size companies. This is the success story of Silicon Valley (Fairchild Semiconductor), San Diego (Qualcomm), Orange County, CA, Boston, Research Triangle Park, Seattle and Minneapolis.
Yes, it's good that the city is removing unsightly buildings and bombed-out vacant homes. I wish they would resurface the eastern end of Superior Ave where the poor people live just like they did the downtown section where the politicians go. I think it's great that the Cleveland Clinic is encouraging the growth of medical device companies. It's great that Case is being recognized as a mecca for materials science. It's great that BioEnterprise is bringing new brainpower to Cleveland. It's wonderful that COSE is supporting the small business enterprise in cooperation with KeyBank and Corporate College.
I am hopeful that the politicians can put aside their perpetual reelection efforts of pandering to the obstructionists and instead focus on what the city really needs: new companies that create jobs, generate paychecks and rebuild the service sector that generates more jobs. I don't think a law against texting while driving was the highest and best use of Council's time. No new jobs were created, no one will be arrested until they actually cause an accident. What a waste of Council's time.
Focus on bringing jobs to Cleveland.
I read this article by William Mathies in a magazine called TWICE (This Week In Consumer Electronics) and saw that the 'system reset' metaphor is particularly applicable to the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio.
The history being described shows that healthy industries remake themselves periodically in response to technical advances. Most of the previously dominant players in a market are obliterated as they try to protect their business model. I think this story can be a metaphor to partially describe the decline of our cities.
Many metropolitan areas including Cleveland are being obliterated as they desperately try hold on to old business models, old policies, or old ways of doing business. Other cities or regions invest in infrastructure, encourage new businesses, cater to employers large and small, appease the obstructionists and NIMBYs, and voila! Here come the jobs!
Companies establish their headquarters in a more friendly business environment. Entrepreneurs come because they see a way to participate in a critical mass of ideas, management talent and HR assets. Investors follow the entrepreneurs (or is that vice versa?). Immigrants come with their dreams and ideas to start a company where none existed and hire people to fill positions that were created from an idea. Large companies spin off small companies who become medium size companies. This is the success story of Silicon Valley (Fairchild Semiconductor), San Diego (Qualcomm), Orange County, CA, Boston, Research Triangle Park, Seattle and Minneapolis.
Yes, it's good that the city is removing unsightly buildings and bombed-out vacant homes. I wish they would resurface the eastern end of Superior Ave where the poor people live just like they did the downtown section where the politicians go. I think it's great that the Cleveland Clinic is encouraging the growth of medical device companies. It's great that Case is being recognized as a mecca for materials science. It's great that BioEnterprise is bringing new brainpower to Cleveland. It's wonderful that COSE is supporting the small business enterprise in cooperation with KeyBank and Corporate College.
I am hopeful that the politicians can put aside their perpetual reelection efforts of pandering to the obstructionists and instead focus on what the city really needs: new companies that create jobs, generate paychecks and rebuild the service sector that generates more jobs. I don't think a law against texting while driving was the highest and best use of Council's time. No new jobs were created, no one will be arrested until they actually cause an accident. What a waste of Council's time.
Focus on bringing jobs to Cleveland.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Help another person live.
Learn more about donating organs after your death at the MOTTEP web site.
Our beloved Stephanie Tubbs Jones donated 23 parts of her body following her death last year. You can start by calling the Red Cross.
Go. Do this. Now. It's important.
Finally, sign up NOW for the University Circle Inc Home Tour to be held May 2 and 3. I look forward to seeing you in my home.
Our beloved Stephanie Tubbs Jones donated 23 parts of her body following her death last year. You can start by calling the Red Cross.
Go. Do this. Now. It's important.
Finally, sign up NOW for the University Circle Inc Home Tour to be held May 2 and 3. I look forward to seeing you in my home.
Friday, April 10, 2009
My Home Featured on the University Circle Home Tour
Attend the First-ever Circle Home Tour presented by University Circle Inc. and Judson
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 10:59am
Featuring a broad range of styles, from the newly built to the newly restored, the Circle Home Tour is a glimpse at how people live in Cleveland's cultural mecca. Simply put, it's life inspired.
Self-guided tour Sunday, May 3, 1-5 pm.
Register online at http://www.universitycircle.org/tourReg.aspx
The First-ever Circle Home Tour
"Life Inspired."
This event is planned to start at 1:00 pm on May 3, 2009.
Begin at the University Circle Visitor Center or Judson Manor.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 10:59am
Featuring a broad range of styles, from the newly built to the newly restored, the Circle Home Tour is a glimpse at how people live in Cleveland's cultural mecca. Simply put, it's life inspired.
Self-guided tour Sunday, May 3, 1-5 pm.
Register online at http://www.universitycircle.org/tourReg.aspx
The First-ever Circle Home Tour
"Life Inspired."
This event is planned to start at 1:00 pm on May 3, 2009.
Begin at the University Circle Visitor Center or Judson Manor.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Weekend activities
Nate and I planted 50 strawberries, 2 grape vines, 2 blueberry bushes and 10 raspberry canes. Lots of digging, lots of rocks. My back-door neighbor Doyle has a Honda rototiller so we can get the garden bed prepared when it stops snowing.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Open letter to anonymous e-mailer called Sojourner Truth
To my readers: this post is my reply to an anonymous e-mail that I received from a person calling herself Sojourner Truth (I assume a woman as Soujourner was a woman). You can read the text of the anonymous writer in the post below this one.
Hello stranger,
I want to hear the truth and speak the truth. And share it with my friends.
A search on League of Humane Voters found this. The “Humane Voters” sites seem to be devoted to taking care of animals. That's important; a civilization can be measured by how well it treats its animals.
I’m not clear how your list of issues addresses animal cruelty, and I’m glad the bees and chickens law passed in February.
Regarding report cards, I don't know where each council person’s vote on each issue is published. I'm curious about how the city was gerrymandered in order to reduce the number of council seats. And I certainly don't know how the County Commissioners vote or even how they make decisions.
I’m angry about the culture of corruption that pervades every branch of government; legislative, executive and judicial, at every level of government including Federal, State, County, and city. I sometimes despair for the city of Cleveland when I see what it’s become.
Richard Huberty, a Cleveland building inspector is accused of taking bribes. Read that article in that link: it’s unbelievable!
Cleveland City Councilman Robert J. White III resigned over a lousy $500 bribe. That’s just stupid and greedy combined, but it’s small potatoes when compared to others.
The County’s former top cop was corrupt, power hungry and vengeful.
It looks like two of the county commissioners have apparently been receiving personal gain from contractors, builders and almost everyone else who does business here. The FBI is STILL executing search warrants.
The COUNTY TREASURER, for cryin' out loud, has been using his position for personal gain. THE GUY WITH ALL THE MONEY!
I’m active on the Liver Foundation of Ohio, the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, MOTTEP, SIDS, and I teach classes in Entrepreneurism at East High.
Everywhere I go I see worthy groups in need of money and support. So I do what I can: I’ve invested in startups, minority-owned sole proprietorships and individuals.
I hire people who come to my door asking for work (not a handout). In my opinion, the first step to maintaining or regaining a person’s dignity is a job.
And THAT is where our politicians have fallen down: jobs are gone and no one seems to care when companies leave the city. The Mayor even says Cleveland won when Eaton moves to Beachwood.
Sorry, none of the shops downtown will serve one meal or clean one suit, or sell anything else to any of the Eaton employees in Beachwood.
1. Jobs leave: people leave. That’s an easy equation to understand.
2. People leave: the service companies founded to serve residents leave.
So there are no grocery stores in my neighborhood. No gas stations, no department stores, clothing stores, restaurants, bars, sandwich shops, not even a fast food franchise, and only one laundry.
THAT is how decimated my neighborhood is. But we have our own branded gang of thugs and an inexhaustible supply of guns, drugs and hookers (one walked up on my front porch one night to solicit me!)
What is your agenda, Sojourner Truth? What is your vision of what Cleveland will be in 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years?
From where will the jobs come?
Who will start and run the companies that will create new jobs ?
Who will work here?
Who will live here?
Who will be top five private-sector employers?
Will Cleveland be known for medical devices, insurance, fuel cells, alternative energy products, ultra small cars, wind generating equipment, biomedical advances, world class health care, stem cell research, excellent educational facilities and faculty? All these are available to us now in labs, small companies and big employers.
Or are we destined to become the city whose high school grads aren’t qualified to work at these 21st century employers? Who can’t spell, or do math, or even have the social grace to stand up and say “How do you do? My name is…”
How about we end with your truthful name, Sojourner Truth?
Hello stranger,
I want to hear the truth and speak the truth. And share it with my friends.
A search on League of Humane Voters found this. The “Humane Voters” sites seem to be devoted to taking care of animals. That's important; a civilization can be measured by how well it treats its animals.
I’m not clear how your list of issues addresses animal cruelty, and I’m glad the bees and chickens law passed in February.
Regarding report cards, I don't know where each council person’s vote on each issue is published. I'm curious about how the city was gerrymandered in order to reduce the number of council seats. And I certainly don't know how the County Commissioners vote or even how they make decisions.
I’m angry about the culture of corruption that pervades every branch of government; legislative, executive and judicial, at every level of government including Federal, State, County, and city. I sometimes despair for the city of Cleveland when I see what it’s become.
Richard Huberty, a Cleveland building inspector is accused of taking bribes. Read that article in that link: it’s unbelievable!
Cleveland City Councilman Robert J. White III resigned over a lousy $500 bribe. That’s just stupid and greedy combined, but it’s small potatoes when compared to others.
The County’s former top cop was corrupt, power hungry and vengeful.
It looks like two of the county commissioners have apparently been receiving personal gain from contractors, builders and almost everyone else who does business here. The FBI is STILL executing search warrants.
The COUNTY TREASURER, for cryin' out loud, has been using his position for personal gain. THE GUY WITH ALL THE MONEY!
I’m active on the Liver Foundation of Ohio, the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, MOTTEP, SIDS, and I teach classes in Entrepreneurism at East High.
Everywhere I go I see worthy groups in need of money and support. So I do what I can: I’ve invested in startups, minority-owned sole proprietorships and individuals.
I hire people who come to my door asking for work (not a handout). In my opinion, the first step to maintaining or regaining a person’s dignity is a job.
And THAT is where our politicians have fallen down: jobs are gone and no one seems to care when companies leave the city. The Mayor even says Cleveland won when Eaton moves to Beachwood.
Sorry, none of the shops downtown will serve one meal or clean one suit, or sell anything else to any of the Eaton employees in Beachwood.
1. Jobs leave: people leave. That’s an easy equation to understand.
2. People leave: the service companies founded to serve residents leave.
So there are no grocery stores in my neighborhood. No gas stations, no department stores, clothing stores, restaurants, bars, sandwich shops, not even a fast food franchise, and only one laundry.
THAT is how decimated my neighborhood is. But we have our own branded gang of thugs and an inexhaustible supply of guns, drugs and hookers (one walked up on my front porch one night to solicit me!)
What is your agenda, Sojourner Truth? What is your vision of what Cleveland will be in 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years?
From where will the jobs come?
Who will start and run the companies that will create new jobs ?
Who will work here?
Who will live here?
Who will be top five private-sector employers?
Will Cleveland be known for medical devices, insurance, fuel cells, alternative energy products, ultra small cars, wind generating equipment, biomedical advances, world class health care, stem cell research, excellent educational facilities and faculty? All these are available to us now in labs, small companies and big employers.
Or are we destined to become the city whose high school grads aren’t qualified to work at these 21st century employers? Who can’t spell, or do math, or even have the social grace to stand up and say “How do you do? My name is…”
How about we end with your truthful name, Sojourner Truth?
Note from "Sojourner Truth"
I got this note from an anonymous e-mailer today using the name of Sojourner Truth.
I haven't checked the facts or numbers or claims.
I'll put up an open letter to this writer in my next post.
From: Sojourner Truth [mailto: xxxrailroad@gmail.com ]
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 1:41 AM
Subject: Report card on pubic officials? So join me in truth!
Dear Friends,
Are you interested in becoming a steward of your city—environment? Are you interested in monitoring actions, legislative or otherwise, that impact life in our communities for all? A Public Report Card on public officals and CDC's would send a powerful message that their actions will be examined, not just their (smooth-talking) words.
I apologize to the citizens of New Orleans for borrowing an overused and exploited term but I am disturbed by the economic, social, cultural and political "Katrina" that swept through Cleveland (commencing at the start of the 21st century) while government slept and let it keep coming back—in waves—wiping out homes, lives and once lively neighborhoods in the process.
This unnatural force didn't effect nearby Akron, Pittsburgh or even Youngstown, or any other city in the USA, the way it did Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland lost 100,000 residents, in seven years, an exodus that only rivals New Orleans. Neighborhoods were falling apart like toothpicks and city residents were losing their homes to foreclosure at the same time "developers" uprooted people and trees to make room for new hospital and museum wings, a botanical shopping mall, a fake trolley, and lots of parking lots. Cleveland public officials have a questionable track record as property developers but they can't help but paint broad strokes, using the city as a canvas, even if it's only with red ink and their mistakes last longer than their jobs! Thus the flats were leveled for yet another "revival," Medmart got a booster shot, the ironically named "Heritage Lane" turned duplexes into super complexes. I'm surprised no one bothered to get rid of the lake yet, or at least move it out of the way!
League of Humane Voters of Cleveland,
You can help people, animals and our natural resources!
You can hold politicians accountable!
Help create a Report Card now!
Elections are forthcoming. Who voted for what, where did your taxpayer dollars go, how do elected officials stand on the environment, gay rights, gender issues, animal rights, childcare, development, natural resources, food and shelter, Chief Wahoo, the port and beehives— and what exactly is their approach to governance. Direct democracy or feudalism?
Your ideas, thoughts, opinions are welcome. Volunteers also.
Interested in moving forward? Please contact the following e-mail address: xxxrailroad@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Sojourner Truth
And (FYI) the following article...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/magazine/08Foreclosure-t.html
Change!
I haven't checked the facts or numbers or claims.
I'll put up an open letter to this writer in my next post.
From: Sojourner Truth [mailto: xxxrailroad@gmail.com ]
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 1:41 AM
Subject: Report card on pubic officials? So join me in truth!
Dear Friends,
Are you interested in becoming a steward of your city—environment? Are you interested in monitoring actions, legislative or otherwise, that impact life in our communities for all? A Public Report Card on public officals and CDC's would send a powerful message that their actions will be examined, not just their (smooth-talking) words.
I apologize to the citizens of New Orleans for borrowing an overused and exploited term but I am disturbed by the economic, social, cultural and political "Katrina" that swept through Cleveland (commencing at the start of the 21st century) while government slept and let it keep coming back—in waves—wiping out homes, lives and once lively neighborhoods in the process.
This unnatural force didn't effect nearby Akron, Pittsburgh or even Youngstown, or any other city in the USA, the way it did Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland lost 100,000 residents, in seven years, an exodus that only rivals New Orleans. Neighborhoods were falling apart like toothpicks and city residents were losing their homes to foreclosure at the same time "developers" uprooted people and trees to make room for new hospital and museum wings, a botanical shopping mall, a fake trolley, and lots of parking lots. Cleveland public officials have a questionable track record as property developers but they can't help but paint broad strokes, using the city as a canvas, even if it's only with red ink and their mistakes last longer than their jobs! Thus the flats were leveled for yet another "revival," Medmart got a booster shot, the ironically named "Heritage Lane" turned duplexes into super complexes. I'm surprised no one bothered to get rid of the lake yet, or at least move it out of the way!
League of Humane Voters of Cleveland,
You can help people, animals and our natural resources!
You can hold politicians accountable!
Help create a Report Card now!
Elections are forthcoming. Who voted for what, where did your taxpayer dollars go, how do elected officials stand on the environment, gay rights, gender issues, animal rights, childcare, development, natural resources, food and shelter, Chief Wahoo, the port and beehives— and what exactly is their approach to governance. Direct democracy or feudalism?
Your ideas, thoughts, opinions are welcome. Volunteers also.
Interested in moving forward? Please contact the following e-mail address: xxxrailroad@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Sojourner Truth
And (FYI) the following article...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/magazine/08Foreclosure-t.html
Change!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Plain Dealer Subscription
I read my own notes and realized that I miss reading (scanning, actually) the paper at lunch. So I subscribed to the daily news too.
My root plants arrived from Burpee today: 50 strawberries, 5 raspberry canes, two blueberry roots, some other stuff. My sprouts in the basement are almost ready for transplanting. Time to get busy...
My root plants arrived from Burpee today: 50 strawberries, 5 raspberry canes, two blueberry roots, some other stuff. My sprouts in the basement are almost ready for transplanting. Time to get busy...
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