I was one of the 26 speakers (by my count) that spoke in the public session of the Cuyahoga County Council meeting of February 14, 2017.

The meeting was held to discuss the $140 million bond issue for upgrade of the 22-year old arena located in downtown Cleveland.

Over 200 Cuyahoga County residents packed the Cuyahoga County Council Chamber on a pleasant Tuesday evening to voice their positions – pro and con on the need to use public funds to finance the upgrade.

26 attendees spoke in the Public Comment session – for nearly 90 minutes, starting shortly after 5:00 p.m. -- divided almost equally (by chance) between proponents and opponents.

Representatives from the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus, Greater Cleveland Congregations, and groups representing the less fortunate spoke against the public funding.

Representative from business organizations, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, labor unions, and recipients of funds from the Cavs – spoke in favor of public funding.

Further discussions of the issue of public funding will be discussed at the Cuyahoga County Council “Committee of the Whole” meeting scheduled for next Tuesday – February 21, 2017 – starting at 2:00 p.m.

Link to report on cleveland.com:

“Hey Bro, can you spare a dime for Dan Gilbert, the billionaire owner of the Cavs – the 2016 NBA Champs.

As a towel-headed Clevelander – I support all our major sports teams and proudly wear their symbols under my headgear.

As an activist, I am aware that in Cleveland, Ohio – there are three ways of doing things – the right way, the wrong way, and the “Cleveland Way”.

The “Cleveland Way” of course is where in solving our societal problems -- we screw the “less fortunate” to benefit the “more fortunate”.

Sin Taxes on alcohol and cigarettes – consumed mostly by the less fortunate -- support the billionaire owners of the Cavs, the Indians, and the Browns.

Sin Taxes on cigarettes – again consumed mostly by the less fortunate – to benefit the mostly rich Arts establishment – who talk endlessly about the need to pursue social justice among the less fortunate while at the same time screw the less fortunate for their own financial gain.

And then we have Jimmy Dimora Public Square – a bogus project – whose main objective is to benefit the rich and powerful in downtown with an appreciation in property values while RTA riders – the poor, working class, senior citizens, disabled, and students --– are getting screwed with increased fares and reduced services.

And the owner of the Cavs – worth $5 billion -- wants taxpayers to pay $70 million towards the upgrade of the 22-year old arena.

And our elected officials in a county with loads of existing debt and high poverty rates -- are cooking up schemes taking money from here and there and bending over backwards to help a billionaire.

And, if they are not successful, Mr. Gilbert may take his team and move to some other city.

Also, Mr. Gilbert has promised, if the taxpayers give him the money he needs, Cleveland will not only host an NBA All-Star game -- he will give away free tickets for basketball games.

 

So Bro, spare a dime for the billionaire Mr. Gilbert and you may get a free ticket to the Q a.k.a. Cleveland’s Living Room.