Public Comment

As a transplant to Cleveland from Youngstown—a city I love, but one that has long suffered from crime, disinvestment, and political neglect—I recognize the signs of a city on the edge. I didn’t come here expecting perfection, but I did come hoping for progress. Instead, I’m watching the same patterns play out: unsafe neighborhoods, neglected communities, and leaders more interested in stadium deals than public safety. This summer has been a rampage on the peace of Clevelanders. People are dying. Families are terrified. And from the Mayor on down, leadership has been nowhere to be found. I support investment in our city, but let’s be honest—those investments aren’t reaching the people who need them. There's a clear divide between the haves and the have-nots, and the gap is growing. Citizens can’t afford the taxes levied on us, let alone food, medical care, or housing. Some are left with no choice but to turn to crime for survival. And the system is failing all of us. I’ve written to this body before—multiple times—about safety and affordability. I’ve gotten no response. Not even a generic acknowledgment. How is that acceptable from people who claim to represent us? Cleveland is still one of the poorest big cities in this country. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a disgrace. And instead of focusing on that reality, this Council is prioritizing billionaires and stadiums over residents' lives. The politicking is shameful. Let’s also talk about Mayor Bibb. For someone with political capital and national aspirations, he does a terrible job advocating for Cleveland at the state and federal level. The silence is loud. Either figure it out—or get out of the way and let someone who gives a damn lead. We are tired of hope. We are tired of empty gestures. We want action. We deserve better than this. Sincerely, Melvin Wilson Concerned Citizen

Why is it so difficult to get answers on speaking to city council? I have been trying but the links didnt work and now says council is on summer recess. I would like to address council at next meeting.

Ohio city and Detroit shoreway has been over taken by out of state investor in local investor to profit off these hot neighborhoods. They do this by buying up properties and running them as long term air bnb. A local investor that comes to mind is house hotels. They have multiple properties in both Cleveland and Lakewood that run as illegal air bnb properties and taxes haven’t been paid. This owner who lives in Lakewood id behind on many of his properties property tax bill. He also has been cited for allowing parties at his properties that guest don’t follow Cleveland rules of quiet hours and or correct parking. Recently a property on W47 and W45 have had large under age illegal properties that require police. Additional residents feel very strongly that crime has upticked since pandemic with car jacking and car door handle pulling. Renter and home owner may not be reporting these crime because they know CPD will not respond so instead property continue to change hand or renters move due these issues like air bnb and the crimes they bring with them to be addressed. A $200 fine is not steep enough to keep property owner and out of state investor in line.

Why no one know the dates for the community meeting. No contact number for questions. I'm very disappointed with the. Councilman Anthony Hairston.

I am staunchly against the proposed 49-year lease of the I-X Center to a “Fortune 100 company”, which, by some reports, seems to be Amazon, for the use of a data center. Data centers are well known across the country to use high amounts of water and electricity, and often cause pollution, both by material and by noise. This can only bring harm to the people of Brook Park. City Council cites 250 new jobs created by this company as a benefit of the deal. This number of created jobs is a miserly amount for such a massive site. Amazon values convenience and greed over fair labor practices and ethical corporate practices, and it should not be allowed to lease such a large property in Greater Cleveland. Surely there are other plans for the property which can be discussed by the public! I highly recommend that further studies be done so that city council can consider alternatives that 1) Create more jobs and/or 2) Do business with a company that is ethically sound, which will not harm the community they operate in.

13 victims of one of the most notorious abuse cases on children in the state of California would like to address the state of Cleveland by making it clear that Laura Cowan aka Salimah Shabazz was one of the abusers in our household. We all was abused long before Laura came into our lives and when she arrived she aided in some of the abuse. Laura Cowan aka Salimah Shabazz has gotten the attention of many media outlets and some talk shows. After the Dr. Phil Show she called us all roaches pigs dogs and stupit on social media than erased it. Our entire family has tried to live a quiet life and put our pain behind us by tuning the noise of the lies she has told out but we have not been able to do so because of Laura Cowan aka Salimah Shabazz promoting of false narratives about our abuse as if she is a savyer when in fact she participated in the abuse on many occasions we was held in her garage in her 3 bedroom 2 bathroom condo as children. Mentally she has raged a war against us to hurt all of us with her vicious attacks, Laura has falsely accused a Ex- District Attorney Law officials Julie Baldwin of harrasment against us by stating on murder unscripted podcast that Mrs. Baldwin gave her information on all siblings to keep us in fear of her our family is gravely in fear of Laura Cowan aka Salimah Shabazz. We are asking the verbally speak to the public concerning this matter

I have called police but idk if they come out or not, because I don’t want to give my name or address. I would talk to parents, but they are not nice people. Please help 2 of the boys live on west 52. Not sure bout other one. I think he comes to visit his gma or something. Nobody watches these kids they are free to terrorize the street. I’m sick of it!!!

Kids on Noisy dirt bikes up and down the street all day. I put up with it for 4 summer's and don't want to go through it anymore. I work nights and they wake me up daily. I have called police, but I guess these kids think they don't have to stop?

I live on Puritas and Grayson road. People on Grayson have an arrorw to turn right, when arrow changes they continue to turn. I have the right of way because I am going straight. I have almost gotten hit many times. Crossing the street is impossible because the cars won't let you cross in the cross walk they keep turning and don't give you the right of way. Something needs to be done, thanks

We need to hurry this gas line project. I need to sleep. It's very tenuous and aggravating as a tax payer. They have been on my street for a month . I'm over it