WE DEMAND RESPECT
An open letter to Chris Kennedy:
Your recent remarks directed toward Cleveland leadership found in
the March 29, 2009, edition of The Plain Dealer are offensive
and crude at best. I have been a loyal advocate of the Kennedy
family since the campaign and subsequent election of
John F. Kennedy as President of the United States of
America. I admired and respected Robert Kennedy for his inclusive
actions and quest to establish right relationships between and among
citizens within this great country; and I have suffered along with many
others in this community as tragedy, illness and other afflictions have
affected your family.
Mr. Kennedy, I disagree with your sweeping assumption that
“Cleveland lacks strong leaders.” Congressman Louis Stokes, David
Abbott, Dr. Lolita McDavid, Sam Merrett, Randell McShepard, Barbara
Danforth, Pastor Edward Cryer, Barbara Esperon, Bruce H. Akers, Scott
Wolstein, Pastor Nate Ortiz, Steve Wertheim and Stanley Miller are a
few examples and certainly not an exhaustive listing of our esteemed
elected/former elected, faith-based, corporate, nonprofit, medical and
community leaders.
It is understood, we have not met, nor have you met the general
population of greater Cleveland; otherwise, you would not have
questioned our mentality. We are a people of hope and aspiration
for a better life for our children. We are a people who desire
employment with a decent living wage, affordable homes, safe and clean
communities, clean water and a safe food supply,
superior medical care, superior schools — and we demand
respect.
Reverend Charissa Prunty
Cleveland
DANCING TO “JIG”
Thanks for exposing what is really going on at the Jigsaw (“The Jig
Is Up,” March 18, and updates, including this issue). It is pretty sad
because the Jigsaw is actually one of the best spots in town for live
music, and hopefully someone buys it and treats their employees the
right way. I play in a band, and when I say that after we found out
about employees (some are our friends) not getting paid, it was a
no-brainer to pull out of doing any shows at the Jigsaw, until each and
every one of these employees are paid what they are owed. Hopefully
someone buys this Cleveland landmark and runs the business the right
way. We can’t afford to lose any more good things in this town.
Jack Sabolich
Cleveland
I read your article “The Jig is Up,” and I wanted to commend you on
this story. It is unfortunate that these things happen. I see no
logical reason for this other than mismanagement or the heart being in
the wrong place. I have been a Scene reader for many years, from
back when the “musicians wanted” ads dominated the back pages. I have
been involved, in one way or another, for years in the Cleveland music
scene, all along believing that we can again make a difference. Gone
are the days of real grassroots efforts to help out the talented (and
not-so-talented) songwriters and musicians who just want a place to
play, record and maybe get a little local radio play and some
mentoring.
It was an exciting proposal when I heard of the plans and the
partnerships being formed to “help the music scene.” Finally, some
people with guts, moxie and some cash that can build it up! But alas,
as your article so eloquently put it, “the jig is up.”
Dale Godbey
Cleveland
As one of the bands Phil was making big promises to (including
evaporating regional tours), I wanted to say that your cover story
saves me the trouble of having to explain to people what went down.
Great read.
Joe Fortunato
Venomin James
STOP THEM BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
An open letter to Governor Strickland:
I am writing to urge you to postpone Brett Hartmann’s April 7
execution by lethal injection. I read James Renner’s summary in
Cleveland Scene of Mr. Hartmann’s trial in the 1997
murder of Winda Snipes (“Deadline,” March 25). Several points impressed
me:
1. The remarkable unreliablity of “forensics expert” Rod Englert’s
testimony and qualifications (he had no formal science education, and
some of his conclusions amounted to mere speculation);
2. Judge Michael Callahan allowed an inmate who shared a cell with
Hartmann to testify that Hartmann had confessed to the murder in a
private conversation, despite the fact that the snitch’s lawyer warned
Callahan that his client was about to commit perjury;
3. Shoddy investigative work and followup by the detectives handling
the case, especially their failure to look thoroughly into Jeffrey
Nicholas’s alibi for the entire day of the murder (Nicholas was Snipes’
boyfriend at the time, and a neighbor heard him arguing with Snipes
shortly before the murder, ” … yelling about cutting the bitch’s
fucking throat”);
Governor Strickland, I ask that you please read James Renner’s
article in the current Cleveland Scene and look closely
into this case. Too much evidence has been ignored, some of what has
passed for “evidence” stretches the bounds of fairness and credibility,
and there is still vital evidence that needs to be gathered (especially
DNA testing of hairs found in Snipes’ blood.) Mr. Hartmann deserves the
chance to prove his innocence before it’s too late.
David A. Debick
Euclid
Editor’s note: Hartmann was granted a stay by an appeals court.
See the Scene&Heard section of this issue for an update, and watch
for more on the Scene&Heard blog at clevescene.com.
This article appears in Apr 8-14, 2009.
RECYCLE THIS IDEA: THE TRASH COLLECTION PROBLEM.
In case you haven’t heard: Lakewood is replacing its trash collection methods, presumably to eliminate workers. But it is using a concept that will cause the city to burn up more taxpayer dollars without significant benefits. The city has been talked into a new plan: scrap its current trash collection vehicles and invest in new trucks with large “arm” devices attached. These vehicles, according to the publicized plan, will stop at each residence and use the arms to clamp around new trash receptacles which will be distributed to households. Now we have a problem. A new problem. And you will have to pay for it unless you write your mayor.
In its exuberance to further Lakewood’s recycling and garbage collection effort, the mayor and city council approved the new automated trash collection system already. But they evidently have overlooked the hidden costs in this proposal (which quickly eliminates the purpose of affordable level recycling). A quick review will make it clear this idea does not have the city’s best interests at heart:
Part of the problem started back when Lakewood encouraged development of turning family dwellings into apartments and condos. When the number of residents multiplied unrestricted, so did the number of parked cars, many of whom were forced to “spillover” into on-street parking. Therefore, with this trash collection proposal, the new trucks will be forced to work around these cars with a higher probability of damage occurring to parked vehicles.
Now about our “assigned” trash receptacles: where will they go? The logic should have been considered by our officials: how can these containers be placed so that the large hydraulic lifters of the trucks can reach them, especially with cars in the way? Most side street treelawns in Lakewood are not long enough for access. So, should people place these containers in their driveways? This merely prevents residents from getting cars to the street and driving to jobs. And, placing receptacles in the streets themselves would be unsafe and cause accidents. Of course, in winter — during high accumulations of snow on treelawns (such as what we just experienced) — the whole project is unusable. Snowplows would have to start taking care of the treelawns also. We would be forced to go back to the system we have now at double the cost — unless we let garbage pile up to unhealthy disease-filled levels. Not an option. Will one receptacle per household be enough for tenants’ needs? Probably not. And they say that “assistance can be provided” for elderly folks who cannot move the 90-pound containers. But what does that mean exactly? That collectors will be willing to pick up the trash for them? Isn’t that what we have already?
As far as allocating our resources — and taxpayer money — to a flawed course of action, this will cost us much, much more than we are led to believe.
And other problems have not been covered: the rest of the year Greater Cleveland infamous rain downpours would soften the treelawns, and wheels of the containers could sink in, gouging the lawns with deep ruts. That would cost the city additional expenses to repair! Now multiply this by each residence (we ARE the “City of Homes”) and its obvious the effect of this on our community. As a landlord and longtime resident, I can foresee the problems. Doesn’t anyone else?
Also, it was never made clear if this touches on a recycling effort or merely a substitute for all collection. Therefore, if the additional trash collection would continue, additionsl collectors are still needed, and the city’s costs increase here, too. Even so, the duplication of (expensive) containers would be required of each dwelling and large family. And we have not even begun to cover the problem of trucks stopping more and longer at each residence on narrow streets — keeping emergency traffic from getting through and preventing school buses from reaching destinations.
Obviously the proposal was not inspected appropriately (personally, I believe the person who thought up this idea should be held accountable for reimbursing the city of cost overruns). Did anyone consider the configuration of OUR city before giving this proposal to the mayor? Yes, it is a bold idea to try eliminating workers’ jobs — evidently the main goal — but it will cost more aggravation in the long run.
And that is not even calculating in the intangible loss of good will with the neighborhood. THAT is priceless!
Expensive new equipment — Extra snowplowing needed — More gas-wasting stop-and-go on streets — blocking emergency vehicles on narrow streets. This increases costs, not decreases them. Lakewood, if you let the mayor know now with a call or letter, there may still be time to cancel the project and get the city’s — OUR — money back.
Joe Garrison