The City Club's stolen gavel caper

By Pete Kotz on Tue, Oct 17, 2006 at 4:05 pm

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The City Club of Cleveland — which prides itself on being "the oldest continuous free speech forum in the country, renowned for its tradition of debate and discussion" — is a lot less audible these days. Seems that someone walked off with its gong and gavel set, which has been used for more than 70 years at the start and end of each program. Speakers have included such notables as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and Jane Fonda. Employees speculate that the gong and gavel (worth $4,000) were swiped sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 11 p.m. Saturday — presumably for one bitching frat party. If you have any info on the missing items, call 216-621-0082. -- Michael Gallucci