By Mansfield Frazier
What was that Popeye used to say when his dander was up and he was about to go into fighting mode? “That’s all I can stands and I can’t stands no more!” Interestingly enough no one ever accused him of engaging in Ebonics. Nonetheless, that’s how I feel about the primary election season: I’m full to the point of bursting… I’ve had more than enough of politics, thank you very much. And, since I’m a self-admitted political junkie, I know how the rest of you must feel.
But, just when I think politics is over for a while, just when I think I’m going to get a much-needed break, two issues of import to the Black community come along, and — like an old warhorse — I’m right back in the thick of things.
First off is the situation in East Cleveland. Last week I wrote an open letter to the residents of that city urging them not to self-destruct by wallowing in schadenfreude. Allow me to explain: A bit over a week ago someone published a scandal sheet entitled East Cleveland Tattler. It was filled with salacious material about former Mayor Gary Norton, questioning his stewardship of city affairs while making vicious personal attacks.
The sordid sheet was professionally written and diabolically clever… it certainly gave Norton’s detractors something to hoot about. The only problem is, just when major institutional investors are about to take interest in East Cleveland, the opposition to the current regime is acting like a bunch of juvenile class clowns, yukking it up over juvenile allegations instead of acting like responsible members of the community.
While there’s strong suspicion in regards to who’s hand might be behind the rag, the important thing for city residents is to not waste time attempting to figure out if it’s a man or a woman (or both at the same time) that penned the scurrilous missive, but to figure out how to capitalize on the opportunities that are presenting themselves.
Mayor Norton’s enemies are going to be in for a rude awakening… sooner rather than later, and when the doo-doo hits the fan they can run over to Warren and find a skirt to hide behind. Sorry to sound so cryptic, but they know what I mean.
The other issue is closer to home for me — it’s regarding the recall petitions a group of residents is attempting to circulate against Ward 7 City Councilman TJ Dow, who had a tough act to follow in the legendary Fannie Lewis. Granted, no one can live up to a legend, but the best way to try is to do exactly as the legend; and in Fannie’s case that meant calling people back in a timely manner.
Dow is a young man of the young generation… which means he favors communicating via the most up-to-date technologies — texting. When I was unsuccessful in reaching him via his cell phone his assistant suggested I try texting; he got back to me immediately. The problem is, the residents of the ward he represents are not up on the latest technology… they want a goddamn phone call. Hey, like me, they’re old folks and are not amenable to adopting new technologies. How hard can that be to understand?
Also, a political axiom is that “you can’t beat somebody with nobody.” If the recall is successful, who does the opposition plan to run against Dow? With the economy in the state it’s in the folks lining up for a $70,000 a year job will be around the block. The thing is, Dow will probably beat all of them. (Oh, you didn’t know that a recalled councilman can run when the election to replace him is held?)
Of course Dow can nip all if this in the bud simply by calling constituents back in a timely manner — that’s what Fannie did.
From Cool Cleveland correspondent Mansfield B. Frazier mansfieldfATgmail.com. Frazier’s From Behind The Wall: Commentary on Crime, Punishment, Race and the Underclass by a Prison Inmate is available again in hardback. Snag your copy and have it signed by the author by visiting http://www.neighborhoodsolutionsinc.com.
6 Responses to “MANSFIELD: The Beat Goes On”
Jonas Balsitch
Thieves of a feather flock together. Let’s see Mansfield. You spent time in prison for stealing. Your wife’s under indictment and in trial for stealing. Gary Norton’s accused of stealing and misusing public funds and you come to his editorial rescue. Actually, your editorial position makes sense to me. You guys all stick together. I’m not trying to be harsh, but you really need to stop pointing fingers at other people.
East Cleveland’s government is once again under assault by a criminally-minded public officer who chooses not to act within the limits of the elected office he’s holding. Norton can’t use public funds to pay $10,000 to an employee to have sex who should have been prosecuted and fired for theft in office when she lied to get an extra paycheck. He can’t negotiate contracts with Cleveland Clinic to close Huron Hospital without public input and council approval of the agreement. Once council passes an ordinance only a judge can stop it. An opinion from the law director doesn’t count and finance director Jack Johnson has no authority to add money to fund a job council specifically eliminated. No one told Norton to do these things he did them on his own, and without the authority to do so. Are concerned and knowledgeable people supposed to sit back and say nothing just because “HE SAYS” deals are coming from major investors? Have you even examined what he’s said to validate whether or not Norton’s telling the truth? Do a public records check, my man. You might learn something.
It’s all about the limits of an elected official or “individual’s” authority and sometimes people just don’t get that. Gary Norton can do anything he wants. The mayor has to follow and “enforce” the duly passed ordinances and resolutions of council pursuant to Section 113 of the Charter of East Cleveland, and Title 733 of Ohio’s Revised Code. Do a little reading before you get into grown folk business and you might be able to share worthwhile information instead of your baseless opinion with your readers. Didn’t you say you wanted a break from politics. Take it. Believe me. You won’t be missed.
The single-most important duty East Cleveland’s public officials need to focus on right now is the creation of a solid financial plan to keep the city from going into fiscal emergency or minimizing its impact on city services. They’ve got a $5.8 million debt crisis to resolve and the state auditor’s told them not to blame the previous mayor. Why? Because Norton was council president and Joy Jordan chaired the finance committee between January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009. Ohio law makes a city’s finances the responsibility of council. Failing to meet with not only the city’s financial employees, but with every other public and banking entity dealing with East Cleveland’s finances for four years is an oversight the previous Norton-led council can’t okey doke away.
To succeed in averting the city’s financial crisis, council and Judge Will Dawson need reliable information from the finance director and they’re not getting it because Norton’s specifically told him not to release it. Norton’s actions are irresponsible and unlawful because he’s obstructing the official business of the city’s other public officers.
Hey dude. Your preoccupation with men in skirts must come from your lengthy stay in a same sex prison. I’m sure you miss those intimate all male showers and the smell and feel of man when you hung out with your boyz in the dormitory. Given your eye-to-eye stature with the dwarf-like Norton and your less than muscular build, what role did you play? Up or down? Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Don’t forget. You really need to stop finger pointing. It ain’t cute. And if your readers want to read the East Cleveland Tattler send an email to eastclevelandleaks@gmail.com and we’ll send them to you.
Gerald O. Strothers Jr.
3/13/2012 – Breaking News – East Cleveland
More residents are signing affidavits to cause the prosecution of Mayor Gary Norton Jr. for Theft in Office and Dereliction of Duty. We the people of this great City of East Cleveland will not tolerate any more fights in City Council or the mayor “double-dipping” and getting paid for two full-time jobs.
Ohio Supreme Court – Gerald O. Strothers, Jr. v. Mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio, Gary Norton, Jr. Case Number 2011-1483 and Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals (same caption) are two cases where the court will order Norton to allow us to audit the books.
There are millions of dollars missing and it’s only a matter of time before we find out who has taken that money and placed it perhaps in some offshore bank account. Hint, hint.
Valery Hill
My understanding is that Cleveland Clinic agreed to pay East Cleveland $20 million. $6 million of these dollars were to be used to demolish the Huron Road facility and the remaining dollars were to be paid over a 5 year period, with the first installment of $3.5 million being paid to East Cleveland in December 2011. The Huron Road facility is presently being demolished, which seems to support such an agreement. If this is not correct, perhaps someone could tell the citizens of East Cleveland what the actual agreement was and how the funds were disbursed.
The recent distribution of the East Cleveland Tattler may have caused tempers to flair at the City Council meeting, but this is to be expected. My concern is not who distributed the material. Are the allegations therein true? This is the issue and what the citizens of East Cleveland need to know.
Jonas Balsitch
Sorry Mansfield. Brenda Frazier was convicted of theft a day after I wrote that she was on trial. Your loving and trusting wife gets an 18 month prison stay all because she tried to help you.
If she had left a sorry multiple ex-offending loser like you in the halfway house she might have actually met and married a decent man instead of one who would mislead her down the wrong path for his personal gain. She lifted you up. You dragged her down. What a shame.
Now your article about Norton makes sense. How much did he pay you for it? Thomas Mulready should know that you use your column to trade off journalistic favors to attack people on behalf of others for money. With her at least $85,000 income gone, you had to do something to pay for that big house you have on Hough Avenue, so you did what you always do in times of need. You cut a greasy, criminal deal with another criminal. How much did Norton pay you?
This is the same crap you pulled on Mike White when he was Cleveland’s mayor. You didn’t get the contract you wanted from the late Fannie Lewis’ Hough Area Partners in Progress when she was in council, and you thought Mike was holding it up. So you used your column to write nasty and untrue statements about him to send him a message. “Give me my contract or I’ll keep writing about you.” Mike still said no to your despicable attempt at blackmail.
Mansfield, for your wife’s sake, I hope she dumps you and moves on when she gets out of prison. You’re a malcious repeat offending loser who no one should trust. You’ve been pimping that book you wrote and running around here like a well respected journalist, when you’re nothing but a con artist who uses the credibility associated with writing to cut deals for yourself. Perhaps now you’ll get the job you deserve unpacking boxes on the late shift at Walmart if you can pass their criminal background check. Here’s a title for your next book if that job don’t work … “Walmart Greeter.”
Hey dude? Still got your fascination for a MAN in skirts?
Valery Hill
The Tattlers 1, 2, 3, and 4 have revealed the truth. Were it not so, Mayor Norton would stand before the citizens of East Cleveland and delare his innocence. Because the mere appearance of infidelity can destroy a marriage, Norton has the responsibility of protecting his reputation, for his wife’s benefit. As East Cleveland’s mayor, he also has the responsibility of maintaining a level of integrity that will not subject him to public scrutiny. Mayor Norton has not protected his reputation. Rather, he has carelessly associated himself with Vanessa Veal (a city employee), thereby destroying the trust that both his wife and the citizens of East Cleveland have placed in him. His behavior is appalling, at best; and if he will gain any credibility, his public declaration of innocence must be heard. The rumored threats and bullying of those who oppose him is not enough. Only a public declaration of innocence can restore his soiled reputation, if he is, in fact, an innocent man.
Po Mcn
East Cleveland needs to be disbanded, split up and divided among its neighbors as they seem wholly incapable of governing themselves, or perhaps donate the whole thing for the Clinic or Case to demolish.
Have to agree that it is galling that Mulready and co. allow this repeat criminal a pedestal for his pathetic attempts at muckraking, especially since his wife is obviously one of the self enriching Dimora democrats that have ruined the inner parts of the county