Why is Cummins taking so long to decide if he wants to run in ward 14?

Is he more concerned about getting reelected or the residents? I always thought he was a pretty good guy but I'm disappointed it's taking him so long to make a commitment.

He is used to the yuppies in old Brooklyn not the Latinos that make up 50% or more of Ward 14.

I don’t think Cummins will make it past the primary it will be Santiago and Cintron …Round 3
 

I received that polling call last night...I specifically asked "who had ordered the poll?" and was told 'Brian Cummins'.

As a highly concerned resident of Ward 14, I say- let these guys get up and run against each other...The person who has the capacity to prove himself worthy of our respect will win our votes.

I want a leader who knows how to represent ALL the families at City Council and in the community; (not just the latino and gay families), I want a leader that understands how to meet the needs of the SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHICS of our ward (not who sends our CDBG funds to other neighborhood community development corporations like Tremont, Ohio City, and Stockyard and the Famicos Foundation way out on the east side totalling approximately $400,000 per year!!!), and I want a leader who knows about the daily requirements of the position so that he can delegate to his Ward/Precint Leaders, advocate as needed on behalf of our residents, and unify our Ward with community oriented initiatives/events that empower us (WARD 14 RESIDENTS) to care about our community more. I want a leader who empowers, motivates, and unifies our diverse community to work together with good old fashioned block clubs and a leader who knows how to collaborate with the uncountable resources in our city in order to enable our residents to feel safe, find relief, and to see the vision...not just keep surviving the times... I want a leader who makes us all feel proud about living in Ward 14, not who quits having community forums when he's met with the truth of his poor leadership. Avoiding the core issues is not solving the problems that our residents address daily. But, I forgot, he gets to live in another ward while attempting to be the councilman of our ward....no wonder he sends our CDBG Funds to Tremont!!!

I don't want a leader who drives a Lincoln Town Car around our neighborhood, looking down his nose at the residents who didn't get up and vote for him (he only sends his newsletter out to the folks who actually voted in the last election-because their voices count). I don't want a councilman in this ward who thinks that our Senior Citizens should be referred to Assisted Living Facilities because they are not so able to sustain their property owner responsibilities anymore when he should be inspiring our community and youth to work together to balance needs. I don't want a councilman who micromanages (instead of uniting and delegating and collaborating) community development needs to develop long term plans, address foreclosures, and rehab our overwhelmed neighborhoods . I don't want a leader who snubs his nose at the socio-economically disadvanted and less than educated residents in our Ward as though they don't deserve his time. I don't want a leader who puts on a $20 Million Dollar dog and pony power point presentation about projects that did not create employment for Ward 14 residents during the construction phases because all the contractors were from out of the area. (Referring to the so called 'community forums' that were held at St. Rocco's when residents who want basic survival and quality of life needs met like safety, abandoned houses, and social service concerns were practically told to sit down). I don't want a leader who undermines the Social Service Needs of our community when he's not empowering the residents to get the well deserved help they need, yet pretty much saying-"it's not his problem" in everyday terms.

It's time that we had effective LEADERSHIP, not misappropriation of funds or redirection of responsibility. I don't appreciate the current councilman's complete failure to effectively represent the families of our ward. I want our residents to realize that these councilmen make close to $75,000 per year (That's almost $300 per day of work-not counting all their days off and so forth). Wow, what we the impoverished could do with that kind of money, particulary when so many in Ward 14 have families of 4 living off less than $20k per year!!!

Uncountable families in Ward 14 are met with extreme socio-economic challenges to include individuals, families, seniors and disabled persons living on limited income. Our families struggle to meet basic living requirements. We-the parents of children-who are inundated with safety concerns particularly from living amidst approximately 500 registered sex offenders living amongst us (262 in 44102, 168 in 44109, and 64 in 44113) want a leader who is going to make a family oriented difference, not advocate for "BARS AND CLUBS." We want a leader who supports our local businesses that are struggling to survive the challenges of this economy, not who supports the businesses out of our Ward. Our next leader better be geared at representing our deserving residents and businesses, not other neighborhoods.

There are approximately 50,000 students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. 30% of them live in "TRANSIENT" families that move at least but often times, more than one time in a school year. The CMSD is addressing these issues and the special needs of the non English speaking families. It should be an imperative requirement that our councilman finds a way to help families in our ward become inspired to grow roots in our Ward, not make them want to move because of that leader's inability to control his emotions and be contemptuous about his political differences. I am tired of watching the current councilman act like a spoiled (overpaid), haughty (snub nose), emotionally driven (yelling) dictator.

I have never felt so appalled by the leadership in Ward as I feel now. The big city planners use our demographics (low income resident populace) in Ward 14 to get Millions of Dollars in Grants and Funding to create top heavy jobs for the highly educated at these Not For Profit agencies. Who's bringing jobs to the area that will place the less educated and blue collared populace of our ward into good jobs????

Moreover, I am fed up with the heterosexual, white community being shunned by the current leadership. I am tired of the top heavy executive directors (earning on average of $100k per year -pretending to do positive things for our community.) I pray that the Cleveland Foundation and all of the outside foundations and philanthropic organizations start putting restrictions on these not for profit organizations funneling exhorbitant amounts of money through their doors while we watch these organizational representatives live the high life under the umbrella of doing positive for our residents.

Heck, take all that money and put it into motivating our youth-offer every student in the City of Cleveland who graduates from high school a FULL PAID SCHOLARSHIP TO A HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTION. Motivate our people and empower them with opportunities. Stop using them as a tool to put on dog and pony exercises in politics.

At the end of the day, I want a leader who knows what we need...not what he needs. I want a leader who's prepared to stand up and be held accountable at all costs. I want a leader who knows how to be out there in front empowering our residents....and I want a leader who isn't afraid to take a few heat rounds for doing the right thing and standing up for what is right....at any cost. I want a leader who knows about family values like leadership, integrity, honesty, committment, respect, and selfless service.

I want all of these contending candidates to get ready...because our residents are ready to stand up and hold you accountable. I want someone who is passionate, committed, and dedicated to doing their job effectively and without question. I want someone who is able to admit his weaknesses so that he may effectively find support to keep his role effectively balanced. I challenge all of the candidates that wish to represent Ward 14 to debate their qualifications and positions. But, moreover, and most importantly, I challenge our residents to get out and hold these politicians accountable. I challenge our community to mark their calendars for the SEPTEMBER 8 primary...and to VOTE or send in their VOTES to the Board of Elections before the primary date.

I know God is not available...so in the interim...you all get out here and show us all what you are made of so that we can make a decision on who we believe can handle the load of being Councilman of Ward 14!!!It's going to be an exciting summer....

Respectfully Submitted.... Ward 14 Resident....

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Amen Ward 14 resident! AMEN!
This conversation started here--
http://realneo.us/content/opportunity-pee-dee-terry-egger#comment-11164
Please join REALNEO and continue to post your concerns.
 

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WOW, Couldn't say it any better.

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Angel - Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts. And to my tipsters (you know who you are) -- keep them coming.

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Not a problem sharing....just stating my position...remembering the many folks who don't have the courage, wisdom, or ability to stand up and fight for these core issues independently...particularly when many of them are adversely affected daily and too afraid to speak up and make waves.

I just want to let our residents know that someone believes that their voices should be heard. I want them to feel empowered to stand up and hold these candidates accountable. I want them to believe enough in our children and the possibilities to put these candidates on a short leash and hold them accountable. I don't want them to feel intimidated and unappreciated....I want our residents to get empowered, motivated, and united....

If we collectively start organizing our streets back into a strong voice, then we can conquer the confusion that is currently keeping us dysfunctional. Years ago, Ward 14 had strong functioning block clubs that had precint leaders who rallied our residents together at block club meetings. I remember the days when our Volunteer Precint Leaders actually competed over that position to make a difference in the community and it is a volunteer position! These Precinct leaders communicated with the councilman regularly. They met, discussed issues, and reacted with solutions..... This community has always had aging families...and I cannot ever recall hearing anyone complain about helping the elders with a project...ever...until this year....what has become of our communities when elders are forgotten, neglected, and abused???

Last week, an elder died in our community. As the police officer called to tell me that my neighbor had unexpectedly passed, I walked out of the house at almost midnight to make sure that no one violated her life upon her being taken out of the house by the coroner. All week, our neighbors rallied to help that family clean out this elder's house and belongings...no one violated that family-but they joined forces and helped them along in their process. Before the elder died, our neighbors took her trash out, cleaned her house, and shopped for her groceries. They cared...they didn't abuse her...and her time came...but not a soul discussed the thought to send her and her oxygen tank, walker, and life into an assisted living home. She wanted her independence til the end, as it was her right...and our community respected and helped her within reason. That's what being a community is about!!!

The days are not so long past that our communities stood in planning and development meetings where the leadership was challenged and held accountable by the least likely residents to include teenagers. Our residents-young and old were kept abreast of upcoming events before the internet was so popular-we received our notice with a postage stamp invitation to the meetings. Apparently, today, we the residents are not worthy of that mailing.

There are hundreds of meetings monthly going on at uncountable organizations and institutions in our community monthly. It's like navigating a political graveyard maze to figure out where to be and when and to figure out what the big picture is overall. The comical part is that current leadership acts as though we, the residents, are bothering him regarding ongoing operations and planning. Despite his attempts to be involved, it feels so superficial to see him attempt to engage the residents at public forums. He appears comfortable in front of the dog and pony arena, but take out the suits and ties and you have one lost person....particularly when surrounded by the residents of the ward who want answers.

I am certain that Mr. Santiago may have had the best intentions to be a councilman. I believe he has had to most certainly navigate the City of Cleveland bureacratic system and learn the ropes as he went too. Every time we get a new person, it takes them another couple years to get comfortable enough to actually proceed with definitively planning, progressing, and implementation. That's part of the process.

Our Ward gave Santiago a faithful chance... He tried...but he's not measuring up, particularly when it comes to representing the indigent. He's insulting all of us with his flamboyant lifestyle. I believe that he (Santiago) believes he has done phenomenal things independently.... But Thomas Jefferson School, Walgreens, and Eden Housing didn't really need him in order to get in place....Those were progressive long term projects that had been in the planning phases long before he was ever seated as a councilman....but now that he is here while they are being built, I am certain he will attempt to take the credit for these projets being effectuated...But he won't give credit to the many other folks who worked tirelessly to make them happen either...until he reads this and is reminded of his role and responsibility...

Santiago has a bitter, hateful way of discussing anything relevant to Cintron and the Plain Press Newspaper, an historical publication on the West Side. I appreciate a candidate's passion, but not HATE, ANGER, ANIMOSITY, and FERVENT EMOTIONAL CONTEMPT. Santiago's contempt for Cintron has shown a complete lack of maturity since he took office and to date, it apparently has not ceased, as is reflected in almost every attempt to discuss and overcome the past diversities between them. Santiago's inability to overcome the challenges and accept their differences has become a nightmare for the residents of this Ward. While our leaders squabble, we the residents are neglected. (Like children with fighting parents!!!)

Some leaders take heat rounds and then get back up and fight the battle more. Some quit and run away in defeat. Some are not ready to commit to the battle for the best interests of the residents...and some attempt to redirect responsibility to the old leadership for current woes... and some should just realize that they could be better utilized in other positions than as councilman. It's been 3 years....for the last 2 years alone I've seen over $800,000 of Ward 14 money go outside of our bounds.....My God in heaven please wake me up from this absolutely unbelievable nightmare.... Those funds for 2009 are set to be distributed to not for profit agencies outside of Ward 14 COME JULY!!!!

EVERYONE GET ON THE BANDWAGON AND CALL THIS ABSURD COUNCILMAN TO KEEP OUR CDBG FUNDS IN WARD 14 AND TO USE THEM FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITHIN OUR WARD!!!! There are many projects, programs, and businesses that could use those resources. USE THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. LET THESE OTHER WARDS, THESE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES, AND THEIR PROJECTS GET NEGLECTED FOR ONCE!!! TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS, TELL YOUR FAMILIES, AND TELL YOUR COUNCILMAN TO STOP THE INSANITY OF MISDIRECTING OUR FUNDS!!!!

IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT HE QUIT MOWING EVERYONE ELSE'S LAWNS AND NURTURED HIS OWN BACKYARD IN WARD 14!!!! It's time to put a leash on his frivilous spending habits.

216-664-3706 WARD 14 JOE SANTIAGO...OFFICE...
AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK...CALL THE MAYOR'S ACTION CENTER AT 664-2000 OR COUNCIL PRESIDENT SWEENEY.....ASK THEM WHAT YOUR RIGHTS ARE...GET MOTIVATED, GET PASSIONATE, AND STAND UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY.....IT'S TIME TO PROTEST IN A UNITED FRONT TO THIS ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE UNDERGROUND OPERATION THAT SANTIAGO IS EFFECTUATING....

CALL COUNCILMAN SANTIAGO TOMORROW AND TELL HIM THAT YOU OPPOSE ANY OF THE WARD 14 CDBG FUNDS BEING SENT TO OTHER THAN WARD 14 AGENCIES...AND DON'T LET HIM TALK DOWN TO YOU AS THOUGH YOU ARE STUPID...TAKE NOTES ABOUT THE WAY HE REACTS....THINK ABOUT IT....IT'S OUR MONEY....IT'S OUR COMMUNITY...AND IT'S YOUR TAX DOLLARS....YOUR VOICE COUNTS TOO!

I AM BUT ONE PERSON....MY VOICE IS ONLY AS LOUD AS YOUR ECHOS REACH!!!

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Amen Again, ANGELnWard14...

I hope Santiago takes the time to read this. But then, you are much more generous than me - I don't think he actually gives a d@mn about anyone but himself.

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FYI: It has been common knowledge that the LDC in Ward 14, Clark-Metro, was denied funding years ago because of the lack of accountability and it didn't meet it's own organizational objectives for years. That's why foundation and city funding was stopped. Something in the law indicates that there is to be only ONE LDC in each city ward. If the choice is to use neighboring LDC's to fund employment positions that serve Ward 14 - or do nothing - then it would seem that funding those positions to continue services to Ward 14 is the right thing to do given the situation.

To blame Councilman Santiago for working with neighboring LDCs to fund employment positions that serve Ward 14 is grossly unfair. Why would any person who cares about ward 14 want the funding to stop just because there is no functioning LDC in the ward? Maybe the rest of the residents want those services.

Everyone knows the problems in Ward 14, politically, economically, and otherwise. It may very well the most impoverished Ward in the city. It has been used as a political battlefield by selfish people who want their jobs protected and their old jobs back (see Recall,2007). Many are struggling to just maintain their daily lives and don't care about any of this insider stuff.

Democracy is a two-way street. Those who want to form block clubs for variety of reasons, should form them. Those who want business alliances in the ward, should form them. Those who want a stronger Democratic Ward Club should petition the county party to change the by-laws forcing Ward Club Presidents to hold meetings and allow new precinct members to be included, instead of deliberately excluded.

The days when democracy was closer to us all have long gone. There are numerous organizations out here trying to fill voids, as well as fill their own coffers. The funding is like a river, it flows where the current political establishment decides where it will flow. Seldom is one council person repsonsible for sovling all the problems facing our society. It doesn't happen in any other major city in Ohio, and it's not the case here in Cleveland.

Blaming one person for all the ills, real and imagined, of one ward is absurd. And expecting any council representative to be a social worker, a shrink, a cheerleader, a priest, an automatic ATM machine for every program that comes along,your best friend, the police and fireman, and a babysitter is simply unrealistic. Pointing residents to those organizations and services that can help is part of the job.

Ward 14 deserves a council person who is doing their best to get things done - not running a popularity contest.

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After all of the hot air by angel and bopdowop, the fact remains that the city and your ward is screwed up because yo fail to focus on an action plan. U just whine and whine. Why not go down to city hall with your friends and demand to some city services for your ward? Why not force a criminal investigation of Sweeney, Jackson and Saunders for misallocation of funds? U think that Robert White, DiMora, Russo and the former County REcorder are the only politicians on the take?

Why not insist that your city leadership stand up to Hagan on the unvoted tax? U know why you won't? You're scared, and you'd rather just blow hot air.

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1) Bassakwards.....Absolutely perfectly stated.... and I HAVE done quite a bit more than blow hot air...with a great deal of heart and soul on behalf of our community....But, as we all know...politics are tough...and keeping yourself alive while holding them accountable is still a concern.....

2) We are not whining...we are stepping to the plate when the opportunities present themselves to do what we know and have the power to do with the best of our abilities and resources available.

3) I am definitely not afraid to stand up for what is "right".....by far. I welcome the opportunity to hold these folks accountable...and have communicated with them...but as you well know...they are all excellent at "passing the buck, posting delays, and avoiding responsibility" when it comes to the little people realizing how they have been used and abused by their games standing up to them....and that includes all "Places" of interest that I come in contact with...

Our current councilman could have collaborated with the LDC when he came into position. He wanted Cintron out of the BOD, he got that...but since then, he has consistently denied them as even being a real entity. Instead of embracing the LDC and collaborating with it to improve the area, he redirected those funds, worked with other CDC's, and disregarded our area with respect to the LDC...and it has become a very pivotal issue for him and the community. Clark Metro Development Corporation is alive today, without city funding...3 years after Santiago turned his back on it. Amazing for any CDC to stay alive for so long without direct funding from their councilman, but the Clark Metro group has a strong history with many dedicated people who continue to care about its vitality...and who work hard daily to progress forward. They are located on Fulton, directly across from the councilman's office on the third floor. I am proud to hear that they are working diligently to overcome the challenges and have done a great job doing so. Prayerfully, our next councilman will have his priorities in line...

There is no need to blame the current Councilman for failing to find any one simple way to empower, inspire, and strengthen his community.... But I believe that the constituents did expect some LEADERSHIP from the person that they put in that seat....not someone who is chronically "REFERRING" the needy to social services because he has nothing more to offer them for inspiration....

Theories of leadership are defined herein from Wiki. Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task” [1]. A definition more inclusive of followers comes from Alan Keith of Genentech who said "Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen." [2] Students of leadership have produced theories involving traits [3], situational interaction, function, behavior, power, vision and values [4], charisma, and intelligence among others.

I am glad that this forum is being effectuated...perhaps the noise in this forum will reach the streets, stretch near and far, and door to door with each of the 7 prospective candidates who have pulled petitions to date (8 if Cummins decides to run)... Perhaps the truth will finally open up the doors to change.

If the current councilman was so quick to be aware that these ailments were always a part of Ward 14, then I question his intrinsic reasoning for running in this Ward because I do not see his sincerity in the general public...and that's not healthy for any of us.

Maybe we should all put a WRITE IN CANDIDATE ON THAT BALLOT....and then go from there....vote for the single mother who can raise her 3 kids on less than $20k per year....I bet she knows how to be conservative, considerate, and communicative...

At the end of the day.... let the ideas of positive avenues of rebuilding our community, business bases, and empowerment be fortified by reality. Encourage our residents to do something productive, lead them, don't dictate to them. Be a leader and do something ingenuitive, not trite and disparinging for our residents.

The leadership needs to empower our residents to be a part of the solution, not whine and whine... But, when you already feel powerless and your leader doesn't spark any inspiration-then you will do nothing but wait and wait and wait...until you get angry enough to do it yourself...and when that happens, usually you move away...looking for the sense of community and leadership that you couldn't find back at home. We are asking for someone with the character, integrity, and fortitude to stand up and do this job in a manner that is representing the immediate needs of Ward 14 residents. We aren't Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway, or Tremont... We are Ward 14... our diverse cultural base should be core element of empowerment, not disregard.

Thank you all for posting...but be assured that I will work to challenge our community to be part of that solution....not the problem.

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BTW...democracy is NOT dead in America or Ward 14.... That's why this is such a wonderful way to recognize the realities of the world and the positions of persons involved.

As I said, we need a LEADER not a MICROMANAGER.

When that LEADER does his job as a LEADER, then the results will QUADRUPLE...because his community will support him without hesitation.... but as you said....people are selfish and we must filter through leaders who are ineffective at motivating their followers...and their community.

THERE IS A FUNCTIONING LDC in the WARD...but apparently IT did not win the POPULARITY contest with its councilman.... SO...FYI world, CLARK METRO IS ALIVE...and why don't you ask your councilman why he REFUSES TO FUND IT??????????

I repeat, call your councilman (664-3706) and recommend that he funds the local Clark Metro Development Corporation (JULY) this year instead of the other agencies...He should give his local CLARK METRO a fighting chance at doing something positive for Ward 14...but he continues to try and tell people that it is not recognized....but only because he doesn't recognize it.... and that is absurd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARD 14: TAKE NOTE..... GET MOTIVATED, GET PROACTIVE, AND MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.... TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS...TOGETHER WE CAN SHOW THIS CITY AND THE WORLD THAT WE ARE IMPORTANT, THAT WE HAVE A LOT TO OFFER THE REST OF THIS CITY, AND THAT OUR LIVES ARE SIGNIFICANT! DON'T ALLOW ANYONE TO HOLD YOU DOWN OR BACK.... KEEP ON FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND WE WILL CONQUER THOSE ILLS OF OUR COMMUNITY!!! BE INSPIRED BY THE FACT THAT AT LEAST OUR 2ND DISTRICT COMMANDER IS HAVING REGULAR MEETINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY...BE INSPIRED THAT THERE ARE A FEW FOLKS WHO CARE ABOUT YOU.... TAKE CARE!!!!
 

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Angel, this city will die if people like you don't step up.

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Clark Metro, in my opinion, has been ineffecive as far back as I can remember, since 1989. I supported Councilman Santiago in withholding funding.

We forget the purpose of a CDC is to channel funds and support neighborhood development. A CDC is NOT a social service agency and to function as one is a duplication of services already provided.

There are many who care in Ward 14. While I share your frustration, I believe, it is devisive and non-productive to post stream-of conscious text with little thought to what really comes under the auspices of a Councilman's duties.

Shouldn't we try to find common ground on the few issues on which we agree and work together?

Our passionate interest in Ward 14 can and should be harnessed into productive change.

Further, I believe it benefits community if more people "own" their posts with an identity.

Kate Dupuis

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Kate - thanks for joining the discussion.

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I agree with harnessing our passionate interests towards productive change...

With all due respect, Ms. Susan Kate Dupuis...own it yourself. I appreciate your dire curiosity to know who has the charisma to speak these thoughts.... But I want you to look into the eyes of every resident and at every face, on every street, and hear my words. I want you to be prepared to realize that these are the silent ills that tick off the people in our community and intimidate them from speaking up. I want you to respect that I am tired of seeing moms with black eyes arguing over food money for their kids from their crack head dads in our community and wondering where the leadership is? I want a leader who has the ability to challenge the old and overcome the obstacles to build new bridges with core foundations within our ward.

Why don't you tell your pal, Mr. Santiago to run against Mr. Zone and represent the community that needs him and leave Ward 14 alone? Maybe Mr. Santiago can take his experience and open a not for profit development agency that brings all kinds of great ideas and development to Ward 14...but heck, even that was not a thought in his 4 years....He couldn't work with the one in his community...so he sent it all everywhere else....

HEY WARD 14 RESIDENTS...BE PROUD....EFFECTIVELY SPEAKING, JOE SANTIAGO HAS SPENT $400K PER YEAR, TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $1,600,000.00 WHICH HAS BEEN USED TO SUPPORT OTHER COMMUNITIES THAN WARD 14...THAT'S LIKE WINNING THE LOTTERY!!!! AREN'T YOUR PROUD OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT TO FUNNEL MONEY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO OTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS???????????

WOW....$1.6 MILLION GONE WITH THE WIND.....

WOW, WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY, HE COULD HAVE FUNDED ENUMERABLE PROJECTS, DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AND SO FORTH...AND HE DID...JUST GO LOOK AT TREMONT, OHIO CITY, AND SO FORTH.....HAHAHHAHAHAH THE JOKE IS ON WARD 14!!!! IT'S TIME TO TAKE A HIKE MR. SANTIAGO....WE DO NOT WANT YOU REPRESENTING OUR WARD ANYMORE. AND WHOEVER ELSE STEPS UP...BE READY FOR THE WATCHDOG RESIDENTS TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE IN ADVANCE OF YOUR CHOICES.... WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE CONSIDERING USING OUR COMMUNITY FUNDING....NOT TOLD AFTER THE FACT...WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW, SUPPORT IT, OR NOT....

THAT RECALL WAS NOT ALL ABOUT NELSON CINTRON...LOTS OF FOLKS SIGNED THAT PETITION...THEY STOOD UP AND WANTED THE FACTS TO COME TO LIGHT THEN...AND IT'S SAD THAT THEY LOST...BECAUSE IN THE INTERIM...WE'VE BEEN NEGLECTED TWICE AS MUCH DUE TO THE CONTEMPT AND RETALIATION OF MR. SANTIAGO...THAT RECALL DIDN'T GET HIS ATTENTION TO DO BETTER, IT FIRED HIM UP TO REMOVE HIS SUPPORT FROM THIS COMMUNITY-WARD 14 MORE...WE LOST IN THE END ON THAT BATTLE...BUT THE WAR IS NOT OVER!!!

Ward 14 is a community that is and always has been in need of those Social Services that Councilman Santiago keeps sneering and basically complaining about. However, I don't see him finding ways to empower his residents to overcome those social service needs directly.

Federal Housing Laws have been violated all over the city with other councilman sending funds to LDC's...yes, I said it loud and clear....FEDERAL HUD FUNDING has been manipulated to build condos, townhouses, and high priced living quarters to STEER out the less than desirable populaces, raise the property taxes, and make high roller communities for the GAY population to enjoy...and Clark Metro has been the place that everyone moved to in the backlash of these events. Those neighborhoods in Tremont, Ohio City, and Detroit Shoreway are all well known for doing this...They may now be beautiful neighborhoods with enumerable results and new yuppy residents who have no clue about the folks who got tossed to make those beautiful streets a reality... but today, they are not FAMILY FRIENDLY...but GAY FRIENDLY. That's awesome for that population...but it's absolutely unreal for HETEROSEXUAL FAMILIES in our city. Heck, even the middle class mother of a city worker was complaining about raising her kids surrounded by the Nice Gay people...it's difficult all the way around... And BTW I have quite a few GAY friends... I love & respect them dearly...but while they have a blast running from artwalks to bars and film festivals...there's not really anything there that I want my kids to see...you know...family friendly. So, now that you all are out of the closets and living your lives openly...and we must respect everything about your lives including getting married....you have found your equality.....but we are now being met with our own discrimination as heterosexuals.....
That's reality. It's time for you to respect our position on matters too. Specifically, respect Ward 14 families at all levels.

So, our world has come full circle and life is life... But the facts remain and the demographic changes that should be embraced have created borders to neighborhoods that basically force low income families out. Those families remain in Ward 14 for the majority. Moreover....Matt Zone has done unbelievably beautiful things with Detroit Shoreway, but what about the Southern region of his Ward... like day and night. Humor...

Your definition relative to the Clark Metro regarding INEFFECTIVE is a matter of opinion which should be outlined... Has it met the immediate needs of it's population with social service needs like HEAP and Home Weatherization? Yes it has. Since STEERING (A Federal housing violation and misuse of HUD FUNDS) is effectively the way that the OTHER CDC's have operated to achieve their results, I know that the CMDC has not achieved that result and I apologize that they were not abusing the Federal Funds to the levels that ALL of the other LDC's have over the last decade....Sorry that Clark Metro didn't have the audacity to push the seniors out by harrassing them with housing violations and raising their taxes beyond their ability to pay with development projects next door to their life long homes...as did TREMONT per the popular blogs on that subject matter. Sorry that Clark Metro didn't target the GAY Community and steer out the Heterosexuals as did OHIO CITY and all the rest... Sorry...that wasn't their goal.... No, I take that back, I will not apologize for the fact that the Clark Metro tried to stay stay alive and recover from it's own challenges in order to progress forward with pride and allegiance for the Ward 14 community...you know the disabled, the seniors, the families, and everyone in our ward...

My stream of conscious is nothing compared to your website streams of poems and gay liberation stuff. It's okay for you to support your stuff, to include the recall, but it's not okay for me to do so???? Keep stepping.

I believe that our diversity should be welcomed. I believe that our differences should be channeled and that we can use our welcomed positions on matters to support the community where we can.

Until the leaders of our Ward recognize the actual needs, how can we progress forward? We have a leader who is tap dancing all over town with everyone but the people he's supposed to be leading???

I got on here to say that I expect and hope for more in the NEXT person who is seated as WARD 14 councilman. We cannot change the unfortunate past... We can only learn from it, change the cause and effects of the future, and prayerfully redevelop our Ward to empower our residents to overcome their woes and needs. Hey, now that all the other Wards got their pretty little communities rolling...perhaps their councilman will donate to our Ward 14 development in the future!!!!!

I apologize for being so "passionate"....but I am very tired of being expected to respect everyone's diversity when this leadership is not respecting the basics..... at so many levels.

When was the last precinct leaders meeting? Who are the current precinct leaders for Ward 14? How many blocks clubs have been offered that funding? How many times has Santiago notified those persons of their ability to ascertain such funding? OOPS...guess he forgot about those things????

WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT COUNCILMAN IN WARD 14???

STOP BY THE CLARK METRO SOMETIME....I HEAR THAT THEY ARE DOING WONDERFUL THINGS AND HAVE SOME EXCITING PROJECTS UNDERWAY TO INCLUDE A Y.O.U. SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR THE YOUTH!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK CLARK METRO...DON'T LET THIS COUNCILMAN RATTLE YOU OR HOLD YOU BACK...WE THE RESIDENTS SEE HOW DILIGENT YOU ARE WORKING TO COLLABORATE YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS!!! GOOD LUCK!

ONE THING APPEARS TO BE CERTAIN, WHEN THE CLARK METRO PROVES ITSELF TO THIS COMMUNITY...THE COUNCILMAN WILL NOT HAVE THE LUXURY TO EVEN BEGIN TO TELL THE WORLD HE PLAYED A PART IN THE LDC'S ACCOMPLISHMENT...THEY ARE WORKING INDEPENDENT OF HIM AND HIS NEGATIVE ATTITUDE!!!! I BELIEVE IN THE CLARK METRO, IT'S POSSIBILITIES, AND IT'S UNYEILDING EFFORTS TO SURVIVE THE CHALLENGES... STAY POSITIVE!!

Have a wonderful day..... Stay motivated Ward 14.... : )

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I found all of these comments on another link to the exact same article that was published on the METRO part of Cleveland.com....Interesting input from all. Thought those who came this far in the debate would appreciate other opinions about the article on Cummins and the new names in the race!!!

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Posted by Jizy4 on 05/20/09 at 12:18PM
Boy am I lucky to be a Ward 14 resident.
This is why so few vote.

Inappropriate? Alert us. Post a commentPosted by burroughowl on 05/20/09 at 4:56PM
@ jizy4 (really? "jizy"??) - i live just above the line for ward 14, you would be LUCKY to get Cummings. The fact that anyone is even polling to find out what residents thinks shows that at least ONE person is interested in knowing. for your sake, i hope it's not Cintron!

Inappropriate? Alert us. Post a commentPosted by moutainmove on 05/20/09 at 5:40PM
Man this dude looks like a complete dork

Inappropriate? Alert us. Post a commentPosted by weinerroast on 05/20/09 at 5:42PM
Has anyone approached Ward 14 community activist Henry Senyak why he did not register to run for Ward 14. He is better then them all combined.

Inappropriate? Alert us. Post a commentPosted by jmdward14 on 05/20/09 at 11:34PM
Who ever put up the poll should talk to the rest of the candidates running. There are seven candidates who filed petitions to run in Ward 14 myself included. Brian Cummings has not filed in Ward 14 as of yet ,so until he files somewhere why talk about him running in Ward 14. Ward 14 has been misrepresented for years between Nelson Cintron and Joe Santiago what have they really done for the ward other than embarrass themselves and the people they represent. Yes the ward is largely Latino and they need representation but what about the rest of the people in the ward , who is their representative ? this is not just about Latinos it is about every person who lives in Ward 14. There is a reason less than 20% of the registered voters in the ward are voting. When there was a recall against Councilman Santiago only 1,247 people voted I believe their are at least 10,000 registered voters in Ward 14 and roughly 22,000 people in Ward 14 what about the rest of the ward? who represents them? my guess is the people are fed up with the current and past council representation and are so fed up that it doesn't make a difference to them who their representative is because nothing gets done, other than the current and past councilman satisfying themselves and their friends. I am hoping I can change this and represent everyone in the ward the minority and the majority. My Campaign office is located at 2546 Market Street Suite # 2, I can be reached @ 216.664.0535 my e-mail is jmd4citycouncil [at] yahoo [dot] com please let me know your opinions and concerns regarding Ward 14 so I may work with you in moving Ward 14 forward.

James M. D'Amico
Candidate for Cleveland City Council
Cleveland Ward 14

Inappropriate? Alert us. Post a commentPosted by afternoon1 on 05/21/09 at 7:01PM
James:
You are a total IDIOT. 2546 Market Street???????????
You live above the Barber Collage.

Inappropriate? Alert us. Post a commentPosted by jmdward14 on 05/21/09 at 11:37PM
afternoon1, Yes I live above the Barber College I have lived on the top floor of the Barber College for 24 years my Campagn Office is on the second floor on the Market Street side, the old Police Mini- Station. It is hard to find that is why I said Market Avenue. I also left my phone number and my e-mail. If you want to call me an Idiot please have the balls to do it to my face, call me, meet me,or stop in the office. I am sure you don't have the guts to do that though. I am in the office @ 7:30 AM everyday so please stop by after you get up @ the crack of noon or as soon as the cartoons are over. People like you are the reason this city has so many problems, for some reason you have an issue of what side of the street I live on instead of discussing the real issues. What have you done to improve our neighborhood and the City of Cleveland nothing I assume, again stop in my office and I will tell you what I have done.

Sincerely ,You my friend are the gutless idiot

James M. D'Amico
Candidate for Cleveland City Council
Cleveland Ward 14
216.664.0535
jmd4citycouncil [at] yahoo [dot] com
 

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From a previous commenter. Why not force a criminal investigation of Sweeney, Jackson and Saunders for misallocation of funds? Can I sign a petition? How do we get the investigation rolling?

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Which investigation(S) specifically are you wishing to tackle? If you push for INTERNAL...it'll go nowhere.... that's obvious...

If you go to County...well, please let's just think about that....(Who do we have DiMora, Russo?)

If you go over all their heads to the State-Attorney General, then you know that they are investigating things too....

Then you can jump to the Department of Justice and to HUD (http://www.hud.gov/complaints/index.cfm)

and then there's the IRS for investigations of fraud...

At the end of the day....you need to find a hungry investigator wishing to crack this city wide open....but that's next to impossible...because too many folks live in fear of losing their lives....and because too many of these folks are just overpaid, underutilized, and really don't understand the comprehensive laws that are being violated....and because overall....that's one large scenario to be tackled...and too many people are just TOOOOOOO busy trying to survive things in the present in order to waste their time digging up bones (DELETED or DESTROYED FILES) on these so called leaders..... for over the last ten years or so of WHITE COLLAR FRAUD.....

Look, the reality is simple...Shhhh!! hush!!!! Don't go there!!! Oh my God...what if our FBI finally tracked down and found the trickled down misusage and what if the FBI finally hired a dedicated specialist in the laws of HUD funding to see through the dog and pony shows of the overpaid execs at these CDC's that build high rise town houses that sell for on average of $200k a piece and the Councilmembers who supported their actions???? (Look at Tremont, Ohio City, and Detroit Shoreway!!! Beautiful work guys!!!) My Heavens....there's so much collusion (Judge Pianka sits on the Board of Directors at Detroit Shoreway.) that everyone would fall....and our city cannot afford that...now can it???? My God....everyone's in bed with each other in these situations....the tangled web that these city officials have webbed is almost incomprehensible to the average person.

The simplicity boils down to understanding the federal guidelines for using those HUD Funds. Our city streets should be made of GOLD after all the waste locally, not lined in hungry folks and homeless folks.... These contractors figure out how to abuse the system by paying off inspectors, then they pay the employees below prevailing wage, and they suck our neighborhoods dry with slipshod work... there are houses that are being rehabbed with costs exceeding $75,000 for a single family home for lead abatement...hahahha on us... That's excessive...(in the City of Cleveland)...unless of course you are rehabbing mansions....

Now....here's a fact for you....did anyone pay attention to how the BANKS started/stopped lending to homebuyers amounts under $50,000.00 a few years ago?????? In other words, they are pretty much saying, we don't want to float our money for UNDER that amount.... Well, if you are a low income family and wish to invest into a home...you usually cannot afford to buy one OVER the $50k mark...so it prevents you from buying at all....SO, how can we in Ward 14 ever get out of this cycle when they've run up house prices so high that no one can afford to buy them, let alone rent them???? Does anyone have any idea how many of the residents in Ward 14 are living on less than $1,000.00 per month...???? How do you expect them to afford the basics when they are on fixed incomes and you are OVERCHARGING THEM FOR RENT???

What about the underground of businesses in our city that don't pay their taxes??? Oops...gonna get myself killed talking like this???? Who's paying attention???

Take away those paychecks from those councilman and make them learn to live on $1,000 per month...if they achieve the goals within their community, give them a bonus. The leadership has gotten SPOILED....they don't "want" for anything...how can they "get it"???

When you cut through all of the red tape, distractions, and get to the basics...it's really pretty simple... but who has the courage to fight this battle? Who can afford to fight this battle? Who has the time to fight this battle? Who WANTS to chase this negative history and hold these folks accountable???? Come on now...who's stepping up???? If I COULD, I WOULD WITHOUT HESITATION...but I can't by dynamic...unless of course someone wants to pay me double the mayor's salary to chase this crap!!! (JOKE)...so...that's the way it goes....Please....let me know who has the tenacity to chase this spiderweb??? Make us all proud that the truth got revealed....

Until then...we must move forward.....EVERYONE GET BUSY holding these PUBLIC not for profit community developments accountable....they get money and hire wonderful staff...remember....they are NOT SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS....they are like "DEVELOPERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY".... LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU EXPECT...go to their meetings...ASK QUESTIONS....the law says that they must make their records available to you all....ASK THEM FOR THEIR MONTHLY ACCOUNTING..>TELL THEM YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH THEY ARE SPENDING AND WHERE???? Watch your own faces when you see these staff being paid monthly amounts in excess of some residents annual earnings!!!!

I must run.... Stay motivated to overcome and conquer these historical demons.....Keep your noses clean and you won't get caught up in these spiderwebs..... Do the right thing and you won't have to worry...but lots of these places should be cleaning up their abusive practices...IT'S TIME FOR ALL THAT MONEY TO BE PUT INTO DEVELOPING BUSINESS, JOBS, AND HOUSING FOR THE PEOPLE IN WARD 14..... HEY...NORMALLY...NO BUSINESS SHOULD BE CODEPENDENT ON THAT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS....MANY OF THESE PLACES HAVE BEEN USING IT FOR OVER 20 YEARS!!! HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA OH MY DEAR CLEVELAND....

BTW....I CHALLENGE ALL THE SURROUNDING COUNCILMAN TO DONATE TO OUR COFFERS IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS...THEN WARD 14 CAN UNEQUIVICABLY PROVE ITSELF, CREATE WORK, REDEVELOP, AND INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE OUR RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE... MAYBE WE CAN ALL GO GREEN IN THIS NEXT PHASE AND FIND TONS OF SUSTAINABLE IDEAS TO TURN INTO REALITY...WE'VE GOT AWESOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE GREAT IDEAS... THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE FAITH FROM THE CITY AT LARGE!!! I BELIEVE IN THEM AND I ASK THE NEXT COUNCILMAN TO SHOW US WHAT'S HE'S MADE OF......HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WEEKEND ALL!

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I spoke briefly this afternoon with Brian Cummins. He confirmed that this was indded his poll.

He also confirmed that he plans to run in the new Ward 14 based on the results. More on this on the blog Tuesday ... have a great weekend, and stay tuned!

Henry Gomez

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I hope he made time to read our concerns...and that all the contenders have made time...even those who don't use email!!

What was so hard about him answering this question? Is he not proud to represent Ward 14? Awww...looks like he's got his work cut out for him!!! I am excited...we are up to 8 folks running in Ward 14!!! Wow...where's everyone been hiding???? With this many folks, perhaps the masses will find time for the PRIMARY election in SEPTEMBER....or they will make time before then to go to the Board of Elections for a few minutes and cast their vote...443-3200...If you want to vote early, call them...they can assist you!!!

This summer is going to be one to remember in Ward 14!!! Looks like we're going to have a few "roasts"!!!!

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For the Candidates:

1) Where do you intend on using the $400,000.00 per year in funding?

2) What new projects do you intend to bring into our community?

3) Will those projects (development) create labor jobs during A) Development, B) Construction and C) Long term sustainability Phases for actual residents of Ward 14?

4) Do you know who all the precinct leaders both republican and democratic are? Have you communicated with them?

5) How will you inspire, empower, and sustain a sense of community via the block clubs?

6) How often will you hold community forums?

7) What plans do you have to help our seniors get the direct assistance that they need without steering them into assisted living and in order to support their desires to remain independent?
(Help with housing needs like repairs...please, no referrals to SHAP...but how will you inspire a sense of community that helps the elders?)

8) How will you work to provide accountability to our community? (Newsletter, Community Forums, and/or Website with not less than monthly updates?)

9) How will you develop a relationship and collaboration with the local Community Development organization, Clark Metro?

10) Will you support sending ANY of Ward 14 CDBG funds to any organization outside of Ward 14? (If you answered yes...then please quit while you are ahead!)

11) How will tackle FAIR HOUSING VIOLATIONS at City Council? Have you read Chapter 665 of the City of Cleveland Codified Ordinances yet? If not, please quit now!!!

12) Do you know how to effectuate and pass resolutions within the City Council?

13) Do you appreciate the folks in our community the way that they deserve to be respected or are they tools in your political career?

14) Are you prepared to delegate, empower, and motivate your residents to rally together for the greater good? Are you prepared to engage them with opportunities, proactive assistance and give them direction as needed? (Not just for the election, but for the duration???)

15) Are you ready to fight on for their best interests; the weak, feable, disabled, challenged, homeless, and hungry?

16) What are your motives for running, other than the outstanding paycheck and political power?

17) How can you collaborate to bring empowerment into our community on a consistent basis??? (Empowerment towards self sufficiency for the low income, for the single parents, for those seeking direction, for the deadbeat dads?)

18) How will you work to empower our community to overcome and deter crime? (Teens selling drugs, robbing houses, and addicted persons engaging in criminal activity?)

19) Oh my...so many social service needs in Ward 14...how will you be able to work with everyone calling you for their little needs at these BASIC levels?

20) How will you bring change to our community and restore it's vitality?

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Angel,
Are you sure you don't want to run for council? You sound exactly like the person this area needs. Someone who really cares about the residents of this area.

Thanks for your thoughtful posts. Thanks for caring about the community.

A member of the community
(used to be Ward 14, then Ward 15, now soon to be Ward 14 again)

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I'd love to run....and I know I could win....because I do GENUINELY care...and although that paycheck seems nice...I'd probably donate it all back to programs IN WARD 14 that build up our community...by nature.

We live in a selfish world..filtering through those people that will work as a councilman without hesitation, consistently doing what is right- all the way- is a difficult process.....

Thanks for thinking so highly of my positions as to even say such a considerable thing... I am flattered...

The question is not whether I can do the job...but whether I would survive the changes...I'd be afraid that I'd get killed when it comes to fighting these deeply rooted politicians who are so highly connected in our communities... I WOULD DEFINITELY NEED A FULL TIME BODY GUARD... NO DOUBT.

It's still an option though......