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On March 8, 2009, the cover of the New York Times Sunday Magazine will feature a photo of Councilman Tony Brancatelli, Ward 12, as an introduction to the magazine’s cover story on Cleveland’s experience with foreclosure, progression toward recovery from the epidemic, steps being taken and warning flags being flown to prevent a second wave of foreclosures.
The story, written by acclaimed author Alex Kotlowitz, creates a vivid picture of the human aspect of the struggle against foreclosure and its residual effects and highlights the efforts of Councilman Brancatelli, Councilman Jay Westbrook and Cleveland Housing Court Judge Raymond Pianka to Break the Cycle of Foreclosure and Abandonment. It also points out that people across the country, including national and international media, are looking to Cleveland to see how to deal with foreclosure, which has swept the nation.
While the story paints sometimes grim, yet realistic picture of Cleveland, it also stresses the real work being done and tells the story of several Clevelanders that have stood firm and made an impact in their neighborhood and on their street because they care. Among those is a story of 81 year old Ada Flores, who takes good care of her property and diligently watches over and reports any activity in the vacant properties surrounding her. Another story is of local store owner Jerome Jackson, who is slowing buying up and revitalizing the vacant properties around his store.
Councilman Brancatelli, who represents Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood, is quoted in the magazine saying that Cleveland is “one of the most resilient communities in the country. People are rolling up their sleeves and working.”
The New York Times coverage furthers Cleveland City Council’s goal of continually increasing awareness of the foreclosure issue and the City’s need for more resources, while highlighting the work that is being done.
“We have a wonderful community and working together with residents, stakeholders, business and government will make a difference,” said Councilman Brancatelli. “We have to keep fighting and keep making people outside of Cleveland aware of our reality so that we may capture the resources we need to successfully Break the Cycle of Abandonment.”
Since the start of the current term in January 2006, Cleveland City Council has focused on the foreclosure crisis and the resulting presence of vacant and abandoned properties in the City of Cleveland. Cleveland City Council’s efforts to Break the Cycle of Abandonment include a four step, holistic approach, addressing Detection, Prevention, Maintenance and Blight Elimination, and Redevelopment. In February 2008, Council’s Initiative was highlighted in a day-long forum on foreclosure held for the presidential candidates. Numerous national and international media pieces have also shed light on the battle against foreclosure.
Each and every Cleveland neighborhood is affected by the problem of vacant and abandoned properties. Cleveland City Council is committed to working with community leaders and all Clevelanders toward a solution that addresses the needs of the residents of these neighborhoods and makes Cleveland a place people choose to live, work, learn and play.
The New York Times March 6, 2009 Sunday Magazine article “All Boarded Up” can be found here.
More information on Slavic Village is available at: www.slavicvillage.org
Information on an important Re-imagining Cleveland Initiative that progressively looks at next steps in Breaking the Cycle can be found here:
http://www.cudc.kent.edu/ by clicking on “Re-Imagining a More Sustainable Cleveland”
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