Winterfest 2016 was held on a cold and festive Saturday, November 26, 2016 in the recently renovated Public Square, a $50 million bogus project, nicknamed Jimmy Dimora Public Square because of corruption involved in the process.

While there was good cheer all around – there was no shortage of reminders from projected messages on the screens or from the speakers on the stage to acknowledge the numerous supporters and contributors to the festival as well as to the renovation of Public Square.

Whenever there was mention of how great the renovated Public Square was – it was a cue for me -- to raise my WELCOME JIMMY DIMORA PUBLIC SQUARE – MIRED IN CORRUPTION sign so that the public could get a counterpoint.

After all there was nothing wrong with the historic 218-year old Public Square (opened in 1796 and that under went a senseless destruction starting in March 2015) that a little rehabilitation could not fix. There was no shortage of grass, flowers, elegant trees, granite benches, a fountain, a waterfall, and also a splash pool.

Clevelanders who continue to rejoice and marvel at the renovated Public Square should not forget who is subsidizing this project whose main purpose is to enhance the property values of the rich and powerful that live in the neighborhood.

Cost to Riders: RTA riders – Cuyahoga county’s poor, working class, seniors, disabled, and others will pay dearly with reduced services and increased fares to subsidize the renovated Public Square.

During the 16-month construction period – full closure of Ontario Street and Superior Avenue cost the RTA an estimated $3.5 million in additional operating costs because of delays in going around the Square.

The cost of full closure of Ontario Street is estimated at $1 million annually.

While the renovated Public Square officially opened on June 30, 2016, Superior Avenue remains closed costing the RTA $4,384 every day based on an annual loss of $1.6 million.

No response from City Hall: Mayor Jackson has not responded to

an e-mail dated August 14, 2016, urging his honor to reimburse the RTA for the estimated costs as per the Traffic Consultant’s Report of 2012.

This request was repeated at the Cuyahoga County Council meetings of August 9 and September 13, 2016 during the session on public comments, which are available on Youtube.

Still waiting for a response from his honor.

Campaign:So far, since August 2014, there have been nearly 900 hours of demonstrations – first with the LEAVE PUBLIC SQUARE ALONE signs and now with WELCOME JIMMY DIMORA PUBLIC SQUARE signs. This is the equivalent of walking over 2,500 miles carrying a sign.

The demonstrations continue unabated with the goal of educating the public about corruption in the project..

Details of the campaign can be found on my blog at REALNEO.