Public Comment

Want to continue being informed of city council decisions on community

Gun violence is a serious and growing problem in the Longwood community. Every night, I hear gunshots. Sometimes it's during the day. Sometimes the shots are so close that I don’t know which way to run. This constant fear creates an overwhelming anxiety that is hard to describe in words. Too many people in our neighborhood have easy access to guns. But gun violence is not just about weapons—it’s about the conditions that lead people to pick them up in the first place. Many of our young Black men are carrying anger rooted in trauma—both from within their homes and from what they face in the world around them. That pain often has nowhere to go but outward, and sadly, it too often turns into violence. I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I do know that our community needs help in many areas—mental health support, education, jobs, and stronger community ties. Solving the gun violence crisis in Longwood will require more than just policing. It will take care, attention, and investment in the people who live here.

I don’t live in Cleveland, But I do frequent the area a lot. The topic I'm requesting is about public space to have better areas for people to be outside more. I am writing as a resident/supporter of Cleveland to share my thoughts on the current state and future development of our city’s public spaces. Cleveland’s parks, plazas, lakefront, and recreational areas are vital assets that contribute to community well-being, environmental health, and economic vitality. Public spaces should be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all. While there are many positive efforts underway—such as the revitalization of the lakefront and improvements to some parks—there is still room for growth in how we maintain, design, and prioritize these areas, so more people regardless of age can enjoy themselves, and find a way to escape when times are hard. I respectfully urge city leaders and planners to consider Equity in Access, Ensure that all neighborhoods, including underserved communities, have walkable access to safe and quality green spaces, also Maintenance & Safety. This is also important because it improves upkeep of existing parks, and increases the efforts to reduce litter and vandalism. Community involvement will also help out because many residents can use the space and help gain attraction. To achieve all these things I feel like more public words have to go out about these things. These things should be done year round by people who are used to doing certain things at parks or community spaces. More people can spread the word. Cleveland has a unique opportunity to redefine its identity through thoughtful investment in public spaces. A city that values outdoor life, connectivity, and shared places is a city that thrives socially, economically, and culturally. Thank you for your attention and for your work in building a more livable, vibrant Cleveland.

My name is Honesty Bacchus, and I live in the Glenville neighborhood. Today, I would like to address the city’s budget allocation and its impact on our community’s financial well-being. As a resident, I’ve observed a significant gap in financial support and insufficient funding for schools, which has resulted in a lack of essential resources for students after they complete their education. This issue has profound consequences for families, educators, and the future of our neighborhood. It is crucial that we address it to ensure sustainable growth and equitable opportunities for all. I propose implementing a financial literacy program in our schools. By ensuring that every student has access to classes that teach the basics of financial management and provide practical resources, we can equip our young people with essential life skills. Neighboring communities, such as Shaker Heights and Rocky River, have seen the positive impact of prioritizing such initiatives. I urge the council to allocate funds for a financial literacy program as part of the city’s education budget. This investment would empower our students, strengthen our community, and pave the way for a more financially secure future. Immediate action is necessary to prevent further disparities and give our youth the tools they need to succeed. Thank you for considering this important issue. I look forward to seeing how the council takes steps to support financial education in Glenville.

Hi everyone, it's Nate. I want to clarify the roles of service dogs versus emotional support animals. Service dogs are trained for specific tasks and have public access rights, including planes and hospitals, and any place that allows the public. Emotional support animals provide comfort but don't have the same access. Therapy dogs are wonderful. Look at the ADA and understand your rights, your dog's rights, and the federal rights under the ADA. Dispose of dog waste responsibly either way. I've had a SD for 2.5 yrs. We need more ADA compliant businesses in the city. People with questions about service dogs can contact the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 for more information.

The pole needs to be removed ASAP before it it's a pedestrian or car.

ROBERT S. WEISBERG 11965 Caves Rd. Chesterland, Ohio 44026 440-488-5132 THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR PAST HELP! Don’t be taken advantage of as I was! Please help me FREE the people of the City of Cleveland from political Bondage! Our warehouse never was a public nuisance, Still, I begged, borrowed, and sold everything I could; I spent over $350,000 "doing" roofs, installing sprinklers and furnaces at the unwarranted commands of "Judge" Pianka. THEN MY FAMILY WAS (Figuratively) "CASTRATED"! Former Buildings "Czar" Vilkas is a (Bad guy) but I would bet my life he got something from someone for the condemnation of our property thus closing us up and raping my family! I wanted restitution in some form from "The City", I was ignored and insulted: NOW, before I get old and die, I intend to "Destroy the Enemy"! (The thieves that control our area.) FOR STARTERS; These UN-DEMOCRATIC "Dirty" politicians need to be exposed and prosecuted! PLEASE use all the influence and authority you have in order to enforce all FEDERAL and OHIO LAW on the City of Cleveland. If you were to inspect them, among lots of other faults you would find that many of its Public Buildings are unsafe, full of asbestos and lacking Fire Sprinklers, notably including its Justice Center, City Hall, and ironically The Main Fire Department Headquarters Building as well as the landmark Terminal Tower. Please let all the City workers and the general public know about how they have been exposed to HUGE amounts of asbestos in most all City of Cleveland and County Buildings. They and the families of "departed" City workers are likely due compensation for Cancer related health problems. Do not allow the wide spread political corruption in “Cleveland” to further tarnish Ohio! Make sure "The City" abides by the same rules its property owners have been forced to. FINALLY: Let the world know how to break away from (Secede) from the City or: DO JUST THAT for yourself and your constituents. If asked, I would love to help coordinate this project! Sincerely, BOB WEISBERG, 440-655-1516 BALDWIN'S OHIO REVISED CODE ANNOTATED TITLE VII. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS CHAPTER 709. ANNEXATION; DETACHMENT BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT; DETACHMENT FROM CORPORATION Copr. © West Group 2003. All rights reserved. Current through 3/30/03, including File 1 of the 125th GA (2003-2004), apv. 3/7/03 709.38 PETITION FOR DETACHMENT OF LANDS AND ATTACHMENT TO CONTIGUOUS TOWNSHIP; MAY FORM NEW TOWNSHIP Upon petition of a majority of the freehold electors owning lands in any portion of the territory of a municipal corporation, or, if no freehold electors own land therein, upon petition of a majority of the owners of lands therein, accurately described in such petition with an accurate map or plat thereof, praying to have such portion of territory detached therefrom, the board of county commissioners, with the assent of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation given in an ordinance passed for the purpose, shall detach such portion of the territory therefrom and attach it to any township contiguous thereto, or, if the petition so requests, such board shall erect the territory into a new township, the boundaries of which need not include twenty- two square miles of territory. Before any such territory is attached or detached, under this section, the following requirements shall be met: (A) The board shall: (1) Ascertain and apportion the amount of existing indebtedness of the municipal corporation from which the detachment is made, which indebtedness shall be assumed and paid by the township contiguous thereto and to which the territory is attached, or by the new township, if a new township is erected, or by the corporate successors of such township, and such apportionment shall be made in proportion to the tax duplicate for the detached territory transferred to a contiguous township erected into a new township to the total tax duplicate for the remaining portion of the municipal corporation from which the detachment is made; (2) Ascertain, adjust, and divide between the contiguous township or the new township, if a new township is erected, and the remaining portion of the municipal corporation all moneys and other credits belonging to such municipal corporation in the same proportion as is provided in this section for division and apportionment of any indebtedness; (3) Order the amount so adjusted and divided to be paid or delivered by the parties in possession thereof to the proper officers of the contiguous township or new township and to the remaining portion of the municipal corporation. (B) After such apportionment is made each section of the original territory by which the indebtedness was incurred shall be primarily liable for the portion of the indebtedness so apportioned. (C) In the issuing of bonds under Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, and in arriving at the limitations imposed in such sections, only the portion of the indebtedness apportioned to each section of territory shall be counted as the net indebtedness. (D) The petition, map, ordinance, and the order of the board, certified by the county auditor, shall be recorded in the plat book in the office of the county recorder, and as soon as such record is made the proceedings shall be complete, both as to the detaching of such territory from the municipal corporation and the annexation thereof to the township or the erection of the territory into the new township, and to the apportionment of the indebtedness. (E) Wherever territory has been detached from a municipal corporation and attached to a township or created into a new township, the board of township trustees of such township, or, where such township has become a municipal corporation or been annexed to any municipal corporation, the legislative authority of the corporate successor of such township may, by ordinance, duly passed, contract, through its proper officers, with the municipal corporation from which the detachment was originally made, to apportion the indebtedness of the original territory in the manner provided in this section. Such contract shall be made by ordinance or resolution, duly passed by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or board of township trustees, and the effect of such contract shall be the same as if such apportionment was originally made by the board of county commissioners, as provided by this section. SOMEONE (I believe it was Lee Iococca) SAID: LEAD-FOLLOW-or GET OUT OF THE WAY! I SAY: LET’S LEAVE OUR MARK AND MAKE SOMETHING GOOD HAPPEN! BOB WEISBERG 440-655-1516 Asbestos Exposure If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma (Pleural, Lung, Chest), or Asbestos Cancer you may be entitled to collect Millions of Dollars from negligent companies who have set aside billions to pay victims. It is particularly important to check with a doctor if any of the following symptoms develop: Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness. A persistent cough that gets worse over time. Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up. Pain or tightening in the chest. Difficulty swallowing. Swelling of the neck or face. Loss of appetite. Weight loss. Fatigue or anemia. Fever, night sweat http://www.awnwyn.com/meso/ Don't hesitate to seek justice for the damages you or your loved ones have suffered. Sponsor information: The Legal Leads Network, Inc., 14545 J. Military Trail #137 Delray Beach , FL 33484 For decades, people were being subjected to asbestos exposure without realizing the impact it would have on their lives. Asbestos exposure is linked to deadly diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. As a result, asbestos related litigation has been one of the largest challenges to address. Congress has tried to address asbestos exposure lawsuits for the last several years, but has been unable to reach compromise between opposing sides. Many have criticized asbestos exposure lawsuits, questioning how people continue to suffer asbestos-related illnesses when asbestos use was largely phased out in the 1970s, but there is a long latency period between asbestos exposure and disease onset in many cases. In addition, the use of asbestos was widespread, affecting a high number of workers and their families unknowingly when they brought the asbestos dust home. Entire communities suffered asbestos exposure from mining the naturally occurring mineral fiber. Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer almost always caused by asbestos exposure. Within a year or so of becoming diagnosed, a patient can die from the incurable disease. The 15 to 50 year latency period from asbestos exposure to onset has meant the number of people that will continue being diagnosed with the illness is expected to rise over the next couple decades.

Council Members What a travesty it was that transpired Tuesday, where in which The Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee passed the action to remove the pedestrian retail overlay at the corner of West Blvd and 10022 Madison Ave (former CVS) in helping to create a gas station . The sheer ludicrously that Councilman Harsh would say that the SHEETZ gas station on Brookpark is a headache for him along with the complaints from his constituents while in the same breath say well if making the property a gas station becomes a problem for Danny Kelly then that is on him and his problem, not even taking into consideration the problem it would be for the community. If this is your thought process then it is troubling. Councilman Harsh you literally explained what a pain your decision was to let a gas station come into the neighborhood and then said lets approve the same thing for Danny Kelly. Isn’t that the definition of insanity? One doing the same thing hoping to get a different outcome. I really wonder if you take into consideration the desires of your constituents or your fellow councilmember’s constituents and how your decisions affect them. You play the I voted for your project now you vote for mine game. The whole meeting was a sham and showed me how much I really dislike the process that the system represents or pretends to represent. If any of you council people here representing Cleveland have a real passion to help and serve your constituents for the betterment of the City, then please do not pass the removal of the pedestrian retail overlay Ord.No. 791-2024 I am asking you to help make this former CVS lot a new Fire station which would better benefit the intersection of West Blvd and Madison Ave and better serve the community. Jamie Lee Brazier Ward 15 - member of The Coalition for a Better Cleveland

CMSD has allowed the students and staff members at Newton D. Baker School to learn and work in abominable conditions for decades. Rats, a severely leaking roof (raining on the inside), mold and other issues have been wholly ignored by the District and the Mayor. Would you want your children in a school like this? It happened! And now, after allowing these students and staff members to rot in an unsafe and unhealthy building, CMSD is adding insult to injury by abruptly closing NDB. There is NO plan for everyone to move to a swing site. There is no plan to build a new school. There is no plan for these human beings in CMSD’s and the Mayor’s trust. Students at NDB are being forced to choose new schools in new neighborhoods with new teachers and new classmates. What? Where is the compassion for these already traumatized children (because to learn in such appalling conditions is traumatic)? Where is the concern for them? Where has it been all these years and where is it now? Staff, are being forced to apply and interview for new positions at new schools with very little notice. Can you imagine that stress? That is downright disrespectful to every staff member and child. Please do not close NDB in this inhumane manner. Treat the children and adults there with some dignity and care, which will be something new for all of them. Please keep the student body and staff together in a swing site to avoid further harm to them. Please finally do right by NDB. Do the right thing.

Since the Mayor is the head of CMSD and has appointed all of its Board members, I need Council members and the Mayor to please hear my concerns on the proposed unified calendar. I teach first grade at Campus International School, right down the road from City Hall - on Payne Avenue. If the unified calendar is approved by the Board (hence, the Mayor), my school will lose: *5 teacher professional develop days before school begins *5 student learning days after most CMSD schools are ready out for the summer break *30 minutes EVERY DAY of instructional time - that’s 150 minutes per week; 600 minutes per month; 5,700 minutes each year of lost instructional time. This time MATTERS. We are one of two International Baccalaureate schools within CMSD. Our students need this extra time for group projects, independent research, and for our inquiry-based learning model. Our students are thriving now. Please come and visit, you’ll see! Or, simply look at our data which tells our tale. Because of our IB model, our staff NEEDS the extra 5 days (before traditional schools start) to plan, collaborate and learn together. This time also matters because we are the LARGEST school in the CMSD portfolio. We are, I believe, one of the very few schools who draw students from all over the city. The number of buses we have is a lot. It takes 20-25 minutes (or more depending on the weather) just to dismiss approximately 740 students. Losing 30 minutes each day is a severe detriment to our students. It is time we sorely need. We also take students from outside of CMSD (about 15%, I believe) who CHOSE Campus international because we offer an extended day/year and because we are IB. These people drive some distances to CIS twice each day because they so value what we are. In addition, we take about 15% of students who are affiliated with Cleveland State University (staff & students can enroll at CIS) because we have a unique partnership with CSU. It’s part of what makes our school unique and our extra instructional minutes and days are valued by CSU. I’m asking the Mayor and Council to please consider excepting Campus International School from the unified calendar decision. There are other schools that are losing out as well. The only way to truly understand how each extended year/extended day school uses and needs this time is to study ach school individually. It’s the only way to guide this enormous decision and CMSD hasn’t done it. Please consider asking CMSD to study each affected school individually and then present those specific findings to the Board. If this is not done, and CMSD moves to one, unified calendar, much will be lost and nothing will be gained aside from saving money which is best done at the administrative level, not at the student outcome level. Thank you for for your time and consideration.