Endorsements

Cool Cleveland 02.25-03.01.04 <?

Cool Cleveland endorsements for March 2 election

For County Commissioner: Tim McCormack Let’s face it, either challenger (and former Commissioner) Tim Hagan, or incumbent Tim McCormack would do well for Cuyahoga County in the County Commissioner position. Both are conscientious, decent people who want the best for the county. Both possess solid experience and knowledge. But this race comes down to style of leadership. Hagan feels most comfortable with the deal-making approach that brought us Gateway and Browns Stadium, both valuable public assets that the community now wishes our public officials had negotiated more effectively for (Gateway just recently re-wrote a lease that was disasterous for the public, and no one likes the Stadium taking up valuable lakefront land for 13 events a year). While McCormack is rightly criticized for his prickly personality, his community-based approach and his instincts to question publicly last year’s ill-advised convention center proposal have created ire amongst the banks and big-money business interests who are now trying to defeat him by backing Hagan (after they spent $15 million against Hagan in his recent bid against Bob Taft for Governor). In retrospect, McCormack was right on the biggest recent issue to face our community (the convention center), and, interestingly, those who supported Taft against Hagan are probably regretting that decision. Tim Hagan would make a great Governor, and maybe if Taft continues his downward slide…

Vote YES on Issue 30 Nothing is more important to the county than our health and human services, and the best part of this levy is that it will generate $57 million a year for job training, home health care for seniors, children and family services, and mental health treatment, all without raising a cent of your taxes. This is a renewal levy, and it is desperately needed because of recent federal and state cuts.

Vote YES on Issue 31 Let’s see, an economic development issue that promises to promote entrepreneurship (in this town that desperately needs to develop small & mid-sized businesses), cleans up brownfields (what’s our alternative– rip down more soybean fields and ship more jobs overseas?) and supports arts and culture (our region’s greatest assets), and it will cost the owner of a $100K home less than $2 a month? I’m sorry, if you can’t figure this one out on your own, reading Cool Cleveland ain’t going to help you.

Vote YES on your library levy Not every community is a part of the Cuyahoga County Library system, so this issue won’t be on everyone’s ballot, but those who are should support this necessary measure. Cleveland has recently been ranked tops in the country in the quality of our libraries, and this is exactly the type of quality-of-life issue that has a positive effect on everyone. Children have an alternative to junk pop culture and the street, parents find an affordable place for books, magazines, videos and entertainment, small business owners take advantage of top quality research. If you live in most areas of Cuyahoga County, Akron-Summit County, Portage County, Elyria, Fairport Harbor, North Ridgeville, and Willoughby/Eastlake, you should support your local library.

Vote YES on your school levy Because of Ohio’s unconstitutional method of funding schools, these levys are always necessary, and usually it is recommended that the community vote for them. Occasionally, a school district gets off track and the community is right to turn their tax request down (as happened in the last election in Cleveland Hts/University Hts), but this time around, few controversies exist. If you live in Brecksville/Broadview Hts, Euclid, Garfield Hts, Independence, Lakewood, Parma, South Euclid/Lydhurst, or Cleveland Hts/University Hts, we recommend voting YES on your school levy. Nothing else has such a direct impact so close to home. Lakewood in particular has done an outstanding job of working in a three-year long, community-wide effort to determine their needs and craft a solution.

Vote YES on Lakewood Issue 10 Last year, Lakewood city leaders blundered by using the threat of eminent domain to take property for a necessary economic development initiative known as the West End Project. By designating desireable area as “blighted,” they succeeded in enlarging opposition from a handful of residents to over 50% of the electorate, who defeated the project last fall. Now comes the revenge, with an initiative to remove the “blight” designation. Voting YES will remove the designation and allow the community to take a new approach to collaborative economic development. Maybe they should ask their schools how to do it.

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I Love Downtown! Check out a dozen exciting housing projects in or near Downtown Cleveland, plus enjoy brunch or dinner at several restaurants on Sun 2/29 from 1-5PM. Tickets for this trolley tour are available by calling 771-1994, or at the start of the tour which will depart Sun 2/29 at 1 PM at Fat Fish Blue. ou can also just show up at the open houses! Get a sneak peak at the Pointe at Gateway, 1 and 2 bedroom condominiums at 750 Prospect Ave that are the newest addition to this downtown neighborhood. One bedroom units start at $77,900 and two bedroom units start at $129,900. Next, check out the Grand Arcade at 408 W. St. Clair; these nearly-sold-out 1 and 2 bedroom condos offer exposed brick, central air and lofted bedrooms starting at $79,900. Then, stop in at the Sincere Building at E. 4th/Prospect (after Sunday brunch at Pickwick and Frolic!). You can catch great views from the large windows, and there are marble baths, oak hardwood floors, plus two bedrooms and two baths. Starting at $269,900, these units place comfortable luxury within reach. http://www.progressiveurban.com
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A Cool Cleveland exclusive: Mayor Campbell supports Issue 31”’ At 3PM today, Mayor Jane Campbell is expected to make a public announcement in support of Issue 31, according to Chief Public Affairs Officer Lorna Wisham. Her support makes perfect sense since a majority of arts and culture institutions are within city limits. She delayed the announcement of her support because she was waiting for the Commissioners to outline their plan for the specifics of Issue 31, which they did at their meeting on 2/24. The Mayor should find reciprocal support from the arts community for her Cleveland Public Schools measure, which will be on the ballot in November.

The regional economic impact of arts The arts are a powerful economic source, attracting out-of-county visitors which generated $94 million in regional economic impact and more than 2,200 jobs. “I think this information will help us pass Issue 31. It illustrates in raw numbers the real economic impact the arts have on Cuyahoga County and its job base,” said campaign manager Chris Carmody. More info here.

Big business backs Hagan with $154,925 and $100,000 of it spent on one TV ad. National City CEO Dave Daverko, Progressive’s Chairman Peter B. and Gordon Gund all ponied up $10K a piece. Invacare’s Mal Nixon added $5K to the pot. Arm twisting at NCB also netted Hagan an additional $12,500. More info here.

Why is Nader running? If Kucinich and Nader are such good friends, why is Nader running as an independent candidate for the White House? Because Kucinich has stayed in the field as a Democrat, he has kept the left in the party. Nader will have less appeal in ’04 than he did in ’00, since so many people are intent on an “electable” alternative to Bush. More info here.

We heart Kucinich here “I still believe I’ve got a shot at this,” Kucinich said last week, but his campaign is no longer about being the Democratic nominee for president. His opportunity is to attract and retain voters, and to influence the Democratic platform. Rather than berate him, the Democratic party should thank him and work with him to keep him from bolting and mounting an Independent candidacy. here.

Free Times election endorsements Don’t just pay attention to TV ads and the major media. When you go to vote, read everything you can, including the endorsements of alternative sources as well. The Free Times comes out in favor of Issues 30 & 31, & John Kerry for Prez. Read their endorsements here. And read their profiles of County Commissioner candidates Tim Hagan here, and Tim McCormack here.

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Progressive politics and culture abound this spring at Trinity Cathedral. Hear Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for PBS’s NewsHour and former host of NPR’s Talk of the Nation speak on “Politics and Religion: The Two Forbidden Topics” Wed 3/3; tickets are $12, $10 for public radio and TV members, and $5 for students. Get ready for Sister Helen Prejean, the anti-death penalty activist who was played by Susan Sarandon in the Oscar-winning film Dead Man Walking; she’s preaching Sun 4/4 at 11:15AM on Palm Sunday. Jay Walljasper, the editor of the progressive monthly Utne will give a talk Wed 5/12 at 7:30PM. If music’s your thing, show up for a discussion of God in the music of the legendary band U2, Tuesday evenings at 7PM beginning Tues 3/2 thru 4/6. Trinity Cathedral, E. 22nd & Euclid, 771-3630. Free lighted parking, adjacent to the building off Prospect. www.TrinityCleveland.org
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Preserving resources Officials agree on how to proceed with one of the largest urban stream restorations ever attempted in the country. Plans involve returning two miles of Doan Brook into a free-flowing waterway along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from University Circle to Lake Erie. More info here.

Arts orgs and patrons carrying the burden If Issue 31 passes, the region can thank Cleveland’s major arts organizations for the ensuing positive economic impact. While the Commissioners are pushing hard for Issue 30 Health & Human Services, Issue 31 has been in the hands of the arts community. And they have come through with cash contributions to the campaign: Playhouse Square Foundation contributed $50K, the Rock Hall $25K, Great Lakes Science Center $15K, and the Cleveland Play House $5K. All told, over 187 individuals have made significant contributions as well. If Issue 31 passes, look to the arts as the new up-and-coming power base in the region. More info here.

Privacy is paramount Citizens should know about investigations supported by the U.S. Patriot Act that not only subjects library patrons’ records to scrutiny, but also keeps librarians from revealing such investigations. “This is a horrible thing to do to public libraries and bookstores and the American public,” said Pamela Bonnell-Mihalis, director of the Elyria Public Library. More info here.

Roldo bounces back Cleveland writer and Cool Cleveland columnist Roldo Bartimole called to say he is “doing pretty well, surprisingly so…” since he underwent major heart surgery last Friday. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Michigan Cool Cities Wake up, Cleveland! We should be doing a survey like this one Michigan put out to attract young professionals. See www.MichiganCoolCities.com

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It’s a BlackCoat blowout! Designed in Cleveland and made in the USA, Koyono’s mysteriously new BlackCoat is the ultimate raincoat/overcoat alternative for (Cool) Cleveland’s mobile and creative professional. Its uncompromising simplicity and quality balance Style, Performance and Utility. It can be worn for business or casual, has great adaptability with its 3-in-1 design, and is equipped with 11 compartments to hold everything from your PDA, mobile phone, MP3 player, airline tickets, and even a small laptop. Koyono will be selling the Black Coat? a la carte (shell and vest liner separate), as well as the already popular Slimmy wallet (The Slimmest Wallet on Earth) at Beachwood Mall until the middle of March. For a limited time only, buy the BlackCoat Hytrel shell for $199.00 and get the vest for FREE. That’s a $200 savings! PS – word on the street is that the BlackCoat may be on TV and/or in a movie or two. Now get movin’! Call 556-0802 or 496-3702 http://www.koyono.com
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AFL-CIO and UAW on board with Issue 31 Unions are jumping in at the last minute to support Issue 31, endorsing it even though they are in disagreement over the county commissioner race. More info here.

Momentum sought in campaign for arts, development tax County Commissioners want to find ways to create a countywide cultural district, allowing greater control over future levies and funding mechanisms for arts and culture in our region. We should have done this years ago. More info here.

Building in the Flats Cleveland developer Doug Price and K&D Group Inc. partner Bob Corna are planing to build a 100,000-square-foot structure in the Flats at the northeast corner of Center Street and Washington Avenue. More info here.

One woman speaks out Women are taught to trust and believe in their physicians. When that trust is broken, it affects not only the doctor/patient relationship, but all subsequent interactions on an intimate and psychological level. Read the PD’s Regina Brett’s incredible local story of abuse of that trust, affecting over 100 women. More info here.

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Induction party in Cleveland Tired of watching the censored 1-hour version of the Rock Hall Induction Ceremony on TV with all the good parts edited out? Come down to the the center of it all on Mon 3/15 for a live simulcast of the 19th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, available only in Cleveland. Catch the warm-ups and the screw-ups, the sound checks and the air checks. Catch all the colorful commentary, celebrity cameos, and the complete 4-hour show, including unedited performances by inductees and presenters. At the Rock Hall, you’ll be the first to see the 2004 Inductee exhibit and party in style. Tickets are only $10. The broadcast begins at 8PM, doors at 7PM. 241-5555 www.RockHall.com
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The Art Fix: call for artists It’s an electronic bulletin with no other purpose than becoming a venue of free and alternative promotion and distribution of art and literature. It is not a representing art agency, nor does it charge fees for promotion. They don’t sell or get commissions for the sales of artwork, books, bobbleheads, washing machines, kitchenware or puppies resulting from their efforts. Art Fix is created by and brought to you by Augusto Fine Art. For info contact aborelois@parkworks.org.

RTA plans public hearings The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has scheduled three community meetings in early March to discuss plans for its Euclid Corridor Transportation Project. Ground is to be broken late this year on the reconstruction of Euclid Avenue, which will involve building bus-only and bicycle-only lanes. The first meeting is Wed 3/3, 5:30-7PM, RTA’s Hayden Garage, 1661 Hayden Ave., East Cleveland. The last two meetings will be in Cleveland Thu 3/4, 4-5:30PM, at RTA headquarters, 1240 West Sixth St., and Thu 3/11, 6-7:30PM, at Liberty Hill Baptist Church, 8206 Euclid Ave. More info here.

Moving Minds: Verse and Vision Project poetry call out. The Regional Transit Authority and PWLGC are working creating a series of bus cards to be displayed in 700 buses that travel the city each day. Each written piece will be accompanied by artwork designed by the American Institute of Graphic Arts Cleveland Chapter. Writers can submit four to six pieces, not to exceed eight lines each, legibly typed on standard 8.5×11 white paper (no email submissions). Include author’s name, address, phone number, and email address on each page. If the submitted writing has been previously published, please indicate where and when. Twelve entries will be selected in this pilot series and will be the first of several bus card projects with the RTA. Work will not be returned. For notification of selected writers include a SASE. Deadline for entries is Mon 3/15 Mail to: RTA Bus Cards, c/o Poets’ and Writers’ League of Greater Cleveland, 12200 Fairhill Road, Townhouse 3A, Cleveland, OH 44120.

Film Fest features Cleveland filmmakers The “Local Heroes” section of the Cleveland International Film Festival (coming up 3/18 to 3/28) will feature 10 filmmakers who grew up in our region. Let’s hope there’s not another network-broadcast reality show sponsored by the U.S. government to compete with the Film Fest this year. Last year, opening night fell on the evening of the opening day of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. More info here

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Mobsters and Molls: don’t be sold-out! Now you can do good while having fun in your finest gangster wear at the Jump Back Ball. For 13 years, it’s been Cleveland’s #1 fundraiser for young professionals, benefiting Playhouse Square. Enjoy dinner, fine cocktails and ongoing entertainment throughout the evening Sat 2/28 at the State Theatre where you’ll jive to the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Dukes of Wail, Redline, and DJ Scott E. Jones. Black tie is optional! You’ll have the chance to rub shoulders with all the hip and busy movers and shakers of Cleveland. Lead sponsors are National City and Armada Funds. Order tickets now, as the Jump Back Ball sells out every year. Send e-mail to

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