Senyak - I responded to you in the Crusader topic.

D'bra, I will try to do my best to respond to you.

 I will try to do this in reverse order. I would be happy to meet with you and either owner of the Tremont Tap House. Chris Lieb will be out of town to Feb. 8th. Chris was here since the beginning in 2003. For the record since the operational format has changed and their opening on October 31st 2007, I have patronized the establishment over 20 times. Neither parties want to look backwards. Since it has re-opened I have not heard a single complaint from our Block Club members. The clientele has shifted to a more mature crowd that have respect for the surrounding residential community. As part of the conditions of use within the Tap House's Zoning Variance is a requirement to have a off-duty uniformed Cleveland Police officer on premises from 9PM to 3AM on Friday and Saturday nights. The officer routinely patrols the parking lots, and the surrounding streets this alone has even reduced neighborhood criminal activities. The new operation is a pleasant addition and is really way more conducive to co-exist with the surrounding residential as dense as it is.  I have also personally donated the low voltage wiring for the phones, computers, and speakers. As a funnier aside, I have donated items on the Tap House's Beer Can wall. So friend or foe I guess when you have to hit the "John" you can think of me!!

D'bra, I was invited to your Block Club meeting by Linda Deitrich. Your meeting was poorly moderated by the facilitator. One thing you will find out I do not LIE. If I did, People would be filing against me left and right.

Enough on Touch.

I believe some-one may brought you up to speed yesterday on the operation at 2132. If you do not believe me go talk with the CEO of Voss Industries. Ask him who sat down with them before the November 2006 BZA hearing for Envy? If it was not for my intervention, and the position that Voss took, no legal team would have went to the Zoning Board hence they may have approved the dance club. This pressure also mobilized OCNW to gain community input on the variance and their passing of a resolution to also oppose. BTW the only reason they had to go to Zoning and all this started was from a single complaint after the Murder of the Patron in the Voss Parking lot, I will let you figure that one out. I took significant heat from my detractors in Tremont, and even posts were put on a Web Site on the know defunct DIY Club "The Church". The Web site is no longer, but I believe one person posted something close to this.  "He is now going after Envy in Ohio City, and the neighbors their do not have any problem with them".

When you say I have issues with "Trendy and "Youthful" well lets see. I believe about 15 locations ended up with Violation notices, or review for compliance in 2006-2007. I can only say four fit your description. I can also say several real trouble spots have closed their doors, and some will soon have their Liquor licenses hopefully revoked.  Mirage just lost their licence and appeal to operate under appeal on Friday.

I have been asked by Councilman Santiago to do these reviews. I cannot speak for him with regard to Envy. He knows my strong opinion. I am also the only resident to sit on his City Council ad-hoc committee regarding Liquor Laws and potential new Zoning definitions for these establishments. The real trouble is the top Building and Housing Officials that placated Joe Cimperman's request  to change their sworn testimony about Touch are ignoring you about Envy. In my position I cannot have it both ways, either your compliant or your not. "You cannot be just a little bit pregnant" . You cannot create new terms that do not exist in the Zoning Code to favor one operation over another. That's why we have to change the code to help business face a lesser criteria versus all being termed "Nightclub". Several establishments in Ward 13, and Ward 14 are still operating out of Compliance well after being cited by the After Hour Inspector, Envy is not alone.

I have worked with and known this Inspector for five years, please do not imply that I had anything to do with his decision to move to another department and go into management. The top brass ignored him and he had to do three jobs in the unit himself, after lay-offs and retirement of his Chief. All he wanted was to be naturally promoted to the Chief's position, and given one inspector. I will tell you even Bar owners in both Ohio City and Tremont are very upset to find out that the City does not have a after hours inspector, and the City has lost its most experienced Building Inspector to Neighborhood Development. Go talk to Jeff at the Garage Bar he will tell you about this.

I would encourage you and your Ohio City Neighbors to call the Mayor's Action Center and officially complain that the City has eliminated the After Hours Inspection Team. I will also tell you this was the same inspector that cited all the junk yards, car shops etc. He will be sorely missed. I can also put you in contact with this former inspector if you choose not to believe me in this post.

2nd District Vice states Tremont and Ohio City has some new businesses.

I wonder if the CDC's will hold  meetings with David Cooper, Cleveland's Chief Building Official to figure out a way to make these businesses legal and conforming too?

 Reprinted from Cleveland.com Compliments of the Plain Dealer on 02-03-08

Underground smokehouses open amid crackdown on smoking, strip clubs

Smokehouses fill in for bars, strip clubs

Sunday, February 03, 2008

James F. McCarty

Plain Dealer Reporter

Ohio's crackdown on strip joints and barroom smoking has spawned as many as two dozen underground nightclubs that operate in houses across Cleveland.

Known as smokehouses, the after-hours hangouts offer what legal clubs and bars cannot - places for patrons to smoke while they drink, watch strippers after midnight and have sex with prostitutes, according to city vice detectives.

So far, the smokehouse owners have been cagey enough to avoid being busted.

"These guys aren't stupid," said attorney Skip Lazzaro, who represents legal nightclubs in court. "They know that if they want to stay open, they have to fly below the radar, avoid complaints and the attention of neighbors."

To stir up business and avoid detection, the smokehouse proprietors rotate the dancers from house to house and open on alternating nights so they don't compete with each other, Lazzaro said.

Lazzaro and vice cops say they started hearing about smokehouses in Tremont, Ohio City and other residential neighborhoods last year after the state began enforcing a ban on smoking in public places and legislators outlawed nude entertainment after midnight.

Detective Tom Shoulders, a 2nd District vice sergeant, compares the smokehouses of 2008 to the gin houses of Prohibition in the Roaring '20s.

"You put too many restrictions on people, they're going to find someplace else to go for their entertainment," he said.

Informants tell police that smokehouse patrons, primarily white suburban men, bring their own liquor, cigarettes and cigars.

Doormen collect up to $25, purportedly for a buffet, and may require a reference for entry. Some clubs also provide jars filled with condoms.

"They have succeeded in creating this underground, sleazy, cash- only business that cannot be regulated, taxed or secured by police," Lazzaro said.

Shoulders and his twin brother, Terry, head of the 3rd District's vice unit, say they have yet to gather enough evidence to raid the clubs. That's because the neighbors aren't complaining, and undercover officers have been unable to get inside one.

They have asked landlords to monitor activities in their rental homes and urged residents to keep their eyes open for any unusual activity.

Detective Joe Bovenzi, a member of Tom Shoulders' 2nd District team, has helped close illegal bottle, drug and sex clubs during his 10 years as a vice cop. He recalled a case about two years ago when he helped to bust a home in Tremont where the owner had erected a brass stripper pole in the living room.

Bovenzi predicted the smokehouses would eventually meet the same fate.

"Someone will be treated wrongly and drop a dime," he said. "Or there will be fights or shootings, and we'll move in."

 Henry,

We would welcome your help in this matter.....to find out the TRULY ILLEGAL OPERATIONS like this in our service area , who they are, names, addresses, etc.

Sammy

Bottle Clubs ETC.

        Hi Sam,

 I am planning on digging into this matter too. I did pick up that Channel 3 is doing a story similar to the PD tonight at 11:00 PM.

I'm wondering . . . why has there only been bad press for Tremont for the last two years? (Seems the PD hates Tremont and Dennis)

BTW, I watched Channel 3 and there was no mention of Tremont at all. The story was about University Heights! And no mention of the Bottle Clubs.

I think it's all bs that deserves some very deep digging by those who need to promote the good things going on in Tremont.

Channel Three did a investigation on the laxed enforcement  of the Liquor Control Commision. I never said the story was going to be on/or inTremont. I called the news Department, they said this story was going to include illegal establishments like bottle clubs. They never said Tremont, I never said Tremont. I said similar.

It is obvious that these issues are all over the City. It seems the PD had good intel from the Second District to point at both Ohio City and Tremont.

Yeah, lets waste more taxpayers money funneled to CDC's to promote businesses instead of helping the working poor, and the homeless in the community that this money is supposed to help. Keep digging, I will keep digging it will soon be on several political doorsteps in this community.

We will find out soon about the gentrification process in Tremont.

so the beer can collection IS yours... thats so funny because i asked them about it friday and they said it was a secret or something like that, then you posted saturday..anyways, i'm glad you've buried your hatchett with taphouse --- now could you please do the same with Touch? You really do have a tendency to misconstrue/render disingenously-hystrionically the facts of a situation. i was at that meeting Henry, dear, and you were inapproriate. enough said..

my point is you tend to view things through pre-conceived notions. let me give you a different scenario - the doorman at Touch - you posted his myspace page as an example of how horrific a person this man is, but if you had taken the time to sincerely look into WHAT HE IS SAYING you would find you and he see eye to eye on more things than not. your words: "Yeah, lets waste more taxpayers money funneled to CDC's to promote businesses instead of helping the working poor, and the homeless in the community that this money is supposed to help." he would most likely agree with. READ HIS STUFF, henry. you and channel 19 - two peas in a pod!

as for all this "Bottle club" hysteria - guess what Henry, people have SEX. oh yes they do! And if they are bothering NO ONE, as all accounts mention repeatedly - WHY DON'T WE LEAVE THEM ALONE???? when they DO bother someone or something - tHAt is when police can intervene and alleviate the bothering... we will never ever ever stop sex and certainly never stop sex for money  because guess what: GUYS ARE STUPID ENOUGH TO PAY FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi D'bra.   Touch Supper Club

I really do not have a problem with Robert, Touch as a operation, or even Eric. He has the right to his beliefs as a American.

 I was very concerned about a couple issues that I witnessed. My real problem is how Building and Housing and the Board of Zoning can be influenced by Politics. I was at City Hall doing a extensive records search on 2710 Lorain, amongst others from the 70's forward on Monday. I have put in a FOIA request for these files.

Robert Etal just wants to run his business, I do not blame him. But what I read will show that the City Building and Housing officials misrepresented facts. Its the City I want to go after. They are the ones letting 2132 fly under the radar screen because they are just lazy. These top Building Officals and Planners will do anything neccisary to continue to get their fat paychecks and look the other way when it comses to non-compliance.

I am making a over all case it involves just two many trouble spots, but I also want to make my point of equal enforcment under the law for all the establishments.

The City has changed terminology two many times regarding clubs and entertainment.

The only reason I put the story on the bottle clubs out was to see if it recieved any reaction. I am more concerned of the Drug aspect involved.

 Their several things in play with the troublespot you have a major issue with. That you will have to trust me on. 

 Take care.              Henry

"I am planning on digging into this matter too.
I did pick up that Channel 3 is doing a story similar to the PD tonight
at 11:00 PM."

Henry, you're so full of yourself. Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Cimperman's Donations

        This may open some eyes. You make your own conclusions.

http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSProcessContributorList.do

Donations

                 The above link ended up disabling itself. Go to the main page listed below, click on Ohio and the on the Tenth District. It wil open to all the candidates running. You can then click on Joe.

 http://www.fec.gov/

wOw. that was well worth the effort, henry - thank you. So Kucinich contributions reads like the who's who of union and labor and simperman's is LOADED with developers, EASTSIDERS, developers, lawyers, developers, construction companies, developers, EASTSIDERS, developers.... i get the picture.

if simperman had been mayor back in the 70s there would be no CPP (owned by the people) (and we'd be paying twice as much for electric) and the city would not have been called on to immediately pay their bonds (The banks wanted to force privatization of Muny Light for financial self-interest: Five of the six banks held almost 1.8 million shares of CEI stock; of the 11 directors of CEI, eight were also directors of four of the six banks involved) and we would not have gone into default...and Brock Weir and Cleveland Trust (AmeriTrust/KeyBank) would have held their Empire. In fact, they would probably still be Emperors today - then simperman could officially be their court jester. And then the Breuer Building would not be causing such controversy, because it would be their throne. Too bad simperman wasn't mayor in the 70s...

....and the pEOple??? well, we could just eat cake.

Great Commentary

      I would agree. I do not have much personally against Cimperman. My issue is their are a lot of donations from people associated with Non-profits and CDC's that Cimperman funds.

   Did you see John Wilber's name. John "Freakin" Wilbur the father of Moda when he ran OCNW. Now second in command at the Community Development Department. This does not pass the smell test!!!

I think people can get a clear picture who wants Joe Cimperman to win.

This guy Volpe? Give me a Break!!

its not about pERsonally liking simperman or not - he's a politician. i was actually starting to develop an affinity for this guy and then he started his campaign of lies.

he obviously lacks integrity - kucinich has a 1.4% absentee rate in congress (don't believe me - check it with the washington post http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/109/house/vote-missers/) i mean - how many people have a 1.4% absentee rate at their job? yet simperman is barraging the media with this idea that kucinich is absent all the time.

tHAt is dishonest, pure and simple. and when i read the page after page after page of contributions from forest city, the ratners (i never knew there were so many of them), et al i have to question if they care about the prosperity of the rest of us (1% of the population earned 49% of every dollar in this country in 2005 and that rate has been rising - the highest since 1929, just before our country went into the big depression).

do they care? ummmmm probably not. and i now group simperman into that bunch - he represents them and he represents their money, as it has obviously bought him.

simperman's willingness to be dishonest at the very onset of his campaign indicates his lack of integrity and a propensity to sell out. i don't know if it was sharkey's idea, but it sure was a bad one. he'll never get my vote.

dbra – Let's back away from the dishonesty/integrity accusations and get our facts straight.  The absentee issue that Mr. Cimperman has been raising has to do with the universe-wide presidential campaign that keeps Dennis away from NE Ohio.  I have never seen anything taking Dennis to task for missing votes.  If you want to cite evidence that supports your accusations, then I'll withdraw this post.  Failing that, your accusations seem to be just a bit outside of appropriate.

KMM: Could you explain what you mean? The TV spots Cimperman is running claim 300+ missed votes and more missed votes than any other congressman. Considering he missed 2 less than Tubbs-Jones this term, I don't see how that can be valid. And the 300+ must be from his entire time in Congress. Anyway, are we talking about different things? 

I really should buy a TV.  I haven't seen any of those ads.  The only thing I have seen is the whole "your presidential candidacy is a distraction, land the spaceship and pay attention to NE Ohio for once" notion.  Having said that, if there are ads claiming that Dennis has missed some number of votes, my sense is that someone usually checks those numbers fairly rigorously and I expect that the numbers are accurate for what they report.  Spinning numbers favorably in a political campaign hardly amounts to dishonesty and certainly doesn't support the accusations lodged above.  Perhaps I was a bit testy, but I get that way when I hear whining from this neighborhood about a guy who works tirelessly to improve our quality of life around here.

Cimperman's misleading ad (courtesty of the Plain Dealer)

1.
Cimperman misleads how many votes Kucinich missed. The extremely
high number is how many he has missed in 10 years in congress, not the
past year. (Ron Paul has missed more votes)

2. Cimperman is still collecting his $70,000 from City Council while he
is running for this position. $70,000...ARE YOU SERIOUS??

3. Not from the PD...Cimperman gave us Tremont Pointe...thanks

"my sense is that someone usually checks those numbers fairly rigorously and I expect that the numbers are accurate for what they report" -- tHAt is exactly what the simperman campaign is counting on - assumptions not based on fact. they say if you repeat a lie often enough people begin to believe it. and simperman is lying - repeatedly.

why don't you actually follow the link and rEAd the data for your self, or actually view the ads so you know what you are talking about.

simperman is a liar. and maybe you dO need to buy a tv. at least try to get your facts straight before you post.

simperman may work hard for some, but he ignors the rest!

"I was a bit testy, but I get that way when I hear whining from this
neighborhood about a guy who works tirelessly to improve our quality of
life around here."

His "anti-Kusinich" ads are disgusting, and exagerations. I have a feeling that he uses the same accounting system that G.W. Bush does when he (G.W.) keeps saying the "Economy is getting better!"

Not only did Tremont Pointe come with simperman, but Mattel seems to be spewing more stuff into the air.

One may be able to justify the 300+ votes on a stretch (10 years), but
the claim that he has missed more than any other person in Congress is
incorrect.

"2. Cimperman is still collecting his $70,000 from City Council while he
is running for this position. $70,000...ARE YOU SERIOUS??"

The position of Cleveland Councilman is considered a PART-TIME JOB.

I just watched the ad that I think is at issue.  The language that I heard was "missing more votes than almost any other congressman."

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/01/tv_ad_bashes_kucinich.html

I also just visited a database on the Washington Post website, which reported that Dennis missed 139 votes in the 110th Congress, 17 votes in the 109th Congress, and 165 votes in the 108th Congress, for a total of 321 votes missed.

"missing more votes than any other Congressman - HE"S IN THE TOP 5% attendance!!!!

 so wHAt is your pOInt?????

ok - are we supposed so sWALLow this idea of an absentee congressman that simperman is so DESPERATELY banging? I mean ok - I have two degrees - and call me either stupid or naive or both - BUT I SEE A FRICKING LIAR!

i mean - did you SCROLL DOWN to the myriad of votes missed by every other congressperson - above and beyond those of Kucinich and can you HONESTLY (the opERative term) say Kucinich is lacking in attendance??? i mean please - at least have the dignity to be REAL

ok - this is not even worth debating....for christ's sAKe...

or no - i'm sorry - what you are saying is the candidate who can most skillfully distort the truth is worthy of office???

Am I still living in fricking hIGhschool????

god help us...

here's an interesting list of the entitlements we are providing Joe's buddies- (read more at Roldo http://www.coolcleveland.com/index.php?n=Main.RoldoLinkWasPDEditorialWrittenWithStraightFace )

"Below are the incredible “incentives” given to the Wolstein partnership for the Flats East Side project. Here is the list:

-BDOHS (port authority) will provide $11 million in loans.

-City of Cleveland will provide $6 million in Core City loans.

-Cleveland Public Power will provide $3.4 million in services.

-Cleveland Water Division will provide $740,000 in infrastructure costs.

-Cleveland will provide another $1 million from its general obligation bonds.

-The County, City and Cleveland schools will forgo $11,140,000 in property taxes under a TIF (tax abatement) program to help the project.

-Cuyahoga County will provide $1 million in subsidies.

-The State of Ohio will provide a grant of $3 million for “environmental remediation,” matched by a loan from Cuyahoga County of $1 million, both committed from the 2005 Clean Ohio program.

-Tax exempt Parking Revenue Bonds estimated at $8,540,000 will be repaid from Public parking facility revenues.

-Tax-exempt infrastructure bonds estimated to be $9 million are secured by annual payments by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

-The sum of approximately $4,550,000 will be made available through the Federal Highway Administration.

-The federal government has appropriated and the city shall obtain and make available when required for eligible project costs a grant of $1,464,735 from the U. S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration (NOAA grant).

-All rental and condominium units (some 300 units) will be tax abated at 100% for 15 years. No cost estimate given by the city, port authority or county.

-The city agrees to enact legislation as necessary to amend and extend the CRA residential tax abatement program to assure that all residential improvements are eligible for the full 15-year, 100% abatement of real estate taxes. No cost given.

-The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will construct a transit station on the RTA Waterfront Rail Line for the project “…all at no cost or expense” to the developer. No total or estimated cost mentioned.

-The City of Cleveland “shall take all necessary action to vacate all existing streets within the project site to the extent no longer require as public improvements for the project, and any easements which impair or adversely affect the development, construction or occupancy of the project, or which lie within the project site and are no longer required for use as public improvements for the Project.” No cost estimate given.

-The City of Cleveland “shall convey to the developer all the land owned by it (the city) within the residential site not necessary for public improvements by official quit-claim deed…” No cost estimate given.

-Under a section called “public improvements”, it states: “Public improvements necessary to support the Residential project will include but may not be limited to the following….

-Abatement, demolition and environmental remediation (including all necessary earthwork and soil clean-up) of the Project properties as they exist as of the execution date of this Agreement so as to allow for construction of the Residential Project.

-On-site paving and landscaping for all areas from the building lines of the Residential Project to the street curb as well as the public spaces of the Riverfront Park described below.

-A Riverfront Park extending from the southern boundary of the Project along the Cuyahoga River ’s edge north to the Norfolk & Southern rail line with an eastern edge defined by a realigned Old River Road and a new street network described below. The Park may include but not be limited to the following elements: a riverfront boardwalk, gather places; pavilions; project signage, retail kiosks; and a marina for transient boater use. The Riverfront Park shall be planned in such a manner so as to receive the proposed extension of the Towpath Trail…

-Utility improvements, replacements and/or upgrades sufficient to provide necessary storm and sanitary sewer, water, electrical, gas and thermal heating and cooling services for the Residential Project and the permanent improvements in the public right of way (e. g. street lighting) and property (e.g. Riverfront Park fixtures and appurtenances) for ongoing and seasonal needs.

-Street improvements, realignments and additions to serve the Residential Project and its associated parking facilities, including all necessary traffic control equipment and signage…

-Bulkhead repair, replacement and improvements sufficient to maintain the long-term integrity of the eastern edge of the Project site bordered by the Cuyahoga River.

-The Public Parking Facilities and Private Parking Facilities estimated to consist of a minimum of 1,600 spaces in total and sufficient to serve the retail and residential uses of the Project by way of four structured facilities and no fewer than two surface lots, including all necessary equipment, landscaping and appurtenances.

-An allocable share of land acquisition costs associated with the square footage occupied by the Public Improvement as a percentage of the entire Project square footage (Residential Project plus Public Improvements.)

-Any and all soft costs which may be attributable to construction of the Public improvements including but not limited to architectural and engineering services, lighting, traffic and parking consultants, permits/fees, testing and inspection, temporary utilities, financing fees and costs and capitalized interest on bonds or loans.

With Joe in Congress just think of how much booty can be delivered to our developers. "

I am reading all these posts from people stating that Dennis isn't missing votes, but isn't being an effective Conressman more about getting things done? Showing up to vote on other people's legislation is certainly nice, but what has Dennis actually accomplished in Congress since 1996?

Other than collecting $70,000/ year what has J. Cimperman accomplished? He rarely returns phone calls, he gave us "Tremont Pointe", increased crime, Steel Yard Commons. Why can't I think of anything good that Joe has done?

Oh wait, this is a "friend" of big business and contractors that I'm talking about . . .not a friend of the people.

Dennis has been in Congress during a time when Republicans have held the majority. Democrats in general haven't accomplished very much until this year - they are trying to turn things around . . .

you know, i was listening to the local political chat thing on channel 25 sunday morning and one of the pundits mentioned that it would be nice to hear from cimperman what his agenda is, what his plans are, instead of this sniping at kucinich.  

i have to agree. i am very disenchanted by cimperman harping about a non-issue. it would be different if kucinich's attendance really were an issue, not just in the very most distorted view. it is disingenuous of cimperman to campaign the way he has. it also shows immaturity, he is actually making a spectacle of himself, like a yapping chihuahua.

its disrespectful to his constituents not to campaign on issues and fACts. if he is such a better choice, he needs to explain why and perhaps campaign on why. maybe he will muster it up at the debate...

btw - the debate is tuesday at 12:15pm on Ch 3 & 5 and 90.3

or you can watch the old one: shown 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 p.m. Sundays until the March 4 primary.

So the answer to my question concerning what Dennis has accomplished in DC since 1996 is what?

am i supposed to be answering thAt?

i don't know, go check out his website or his office. or maybe he will get into that in the debate. i'm bringing up the issue of disingenuity in his political advertisements.

I thought you had two degrees dbra.  You are the smart one here.  You spell big words like chihuahua.  How are we expected to understand when even our self-proclaimed expert doesn't know the answer?

sorry - I'm busy getting a third degree right now, I don't have time to do your homework.... maybe in august, between semesters.

Kucinich facts:

Dennis has pushed the same issues since 2003

He has been:

Against the attack on Iraq

Against NAFTA

Against the Patriot Act (which has removed habius corpus and most of our civil rights)

Against pre-emptive war

For single payer health insurance

For funding to rebuild infrastructure of USA

He has put forth a plan to bring the Troops home

TRUTH - he has the BEST voting record in Congress of anyone fr4om a mostly white, ethnic district. He doesn't have a large Liberal base constituancy.

Cimperman, on the other hand, won't aknowledge donors with business interests. Deflects questions about China and does not like Kucinich's outspokeness. He also DOES NOT return phone calls.

It also needs to be repeated, during Kucinich's time in Congress, the Congress has had a majority of Republicans - nothing the Democrats have proposed has gone through.

Dennis actually helps people! The current Administration should be impeached for Treason - unfortunately that isn't going to happen.

i can give a cimperman story - i lived on brayton a few doors down from this very sweet couple, Mr. and Mrs. Brown. many of you may know mr. brown - he's the guy who rides around on his bike collecting cans (he cashes them in once a month and takes mrs. brown to dinner) they are in their mid 70s and they care for their 40ish son who is mentally retarded. They have lived in Tremont all their lives. 

when we had the new water/sewer lines put in, the water company failed to replace the brown's water meter. about a year later, a water bill for a couple thousand dollars arrived. they (with obviously no way to pay it) began to seek help, one of their calls went out to councilman cimperman.

cimperman did come out to their house and looked down their hole. and then he did nOTHing. absolutely noTHINg.

don't believe me? stop mr. brown some day and ask him about it - he's a fabulous storyteller and he most likely will favor you with a few other stories as well. well worth the time... unfortunately, this particular story is non-fiction.

regarding those 5000 jobs cimperman is claiming in his ads: 

"One woman in the audience asked Cimperman to specify the location of the 5,000 jobs he claims to have brought to Cleveland. He answered that jobs were created in downtown's Euclid Arcade, Tremont and the Flats.

Later Cimperman provided a list to the media of just 4,076 created jobs, more than a third of which were temporary jobs at the 2002 Gravity Games." excerpt from PD 2/20/08

you can hear the debate transcript here (soon): http://www.cityclub.org/content/podcasts/index/Podcasts.aspx

With all your crazy talk, I should have guessed you were a renter.

ok...wHat??? actually i own my home, taffy brain, but whAT does that have to do with ANYTHING?

don't bother me...i'm listening to cimperman on 90.3. i suggest you do the same so you don't have to keep asking inane questions..

Chet, could you please not slash at me personally? I enjoy this venue to discuss local issues. I believe my comments were concerning the candidates. You have directed your comments at me. My educational status has nothing to do with my opinion of the candidates. Many people without college degrees are very intelligent. My home ownership status has nothing to do with my opinion of the candidates. If it did, renters would not be allowed to vote. Please try to be rational.

Can we act like big people and stay on the topics? I'm sorry I called you taffy brain.

BTW,  the interviews on 90.3 this morning were very interesting. Well worth the time to dig them up at 90.3's website if they archive them. 

well, well, well...

I just can't belive no one has mentioned the front page article of the Plain Dealer... http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/05/cleveland_councilman_joe_santi.html