Block Clubs

Lincoln Heights Block Club Voices Discontent

Jerleen1 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:33:13 -0700

Will other areas (block clubs) or groups consider severing ties with TWDC

Lincoln Heights Block Club voices discontent
with Tremont West Development Corporation
by Jerleen Justice

(Plain Press, November 2008) Waves of discord and discontent continue to swell within the rank and files of the Lincoln Heights/Scranton-Starkweather Block Club. The Ward 14 community organization has deep concerns that unbalanced representation and lack of fair treatment from the Tremont West Development Corporation are having a negative impact in the needs and growth of their slighted area.

On October 9, 2008, the membership gathered at the Zion Church of Christ on West 14th Street and as the sun was sliding behind the horizon, it was apparent that those arriving at the old house of worship were on a mission.

Upon entering the ramped ingress, secretary Henry Senyak welcomed attendees with a handshake, hot coffee, soda and cool water. The evenings chronicle included the autographs of officers, members, speakers and invited guest.

NEWS ANALYSIS

Among the brotherhood, there were also the faces of Andrew Morse, representative of Ohio Awnings, Ward 14 Code Enforcement Officer, Robert Rodgers, Kristen Ciofani and Sandy Smith from Tremont West Development Corporation. A representative from the Near West Neighbors in Action was one of the special invited guests in attendance.

As the meeting got underway and the order of business continued, co-chair Roman Dowhaniuk led the discussion and the beginning of what could well be a turning point in a block club revolution. Paving the path to severing ties with Tremont West Development Corporation was well underway as the panel continued to ventilate with their thoughts and opinions and it was evident that the scales had tipped in that direction.

Upon the orange and green covered tables was an array of credentials yielding enlightenment and guidance on How to Start a Block Club. "We seem to be the black sheep," said co-chair Dowhaniuk. Questions arose in connection with monies that were earmarked for Ward 14 but had not been accounted for. Councilman Santiago and Tremont West Development Corporation were both tagged as the agents in control of the designated resources. "Maybe it's time to plan an audit," said the distinguished man in black, advocate for Near West Neighbors in Action.

The forum was in agreement that their affiliation with Tremont West Development Corporation had not been a fruitful relationship for some time. They had been overlooked, slighted and ignored and that the social injustice had taken its toll on the long-time residents of this Tremont region. It was agreed that the undertaking of this process would be a lengthy and time-consuming endeavor.

"It's not going to happen overnight," stated block club leader Roman Dowhaniuk.

As the evening’s platform drew to a close, the motion was made, seconded, and accepted into the record that Part II of their pilgrimage would continue at the November gathering. "We want this done in a careful thought out way," stated Georgiann Franco. "We will use our energies and take time to do this thoughtfully."

News & Articles | Archives

Plain Press - 2012 West 25th Street - Cleveland, Ohio 44113-4119
Phone: (216) 621-3060 - FAX: (216) 621-7979 - Email: PlainPress@yahoo.com
Designed & Maintained by Jeffrey Sugalski

Important Current Topics that Tremont Residents need to know

Henry Senyak — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:52:50 -0600

Sammy Catania resigns at TWDC Board President to seek TWDC staff position
by Chuck Hoven

(Plain Press, August 2008) Sammy Catania announced that he is resigning as President of the Board of Directors of Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC) in order to apply for the position of Development Director/Strategic Investment Initiative Program Director with the organization.

During his tenure as President, Catania worked successfully to restore TWDC’s standing committees. The organization now has a number of strong committees working toward their goals.

In line to succeed Catania as Board President is Tom Cook, the First-Vice President of the Board of Trustees. Catania also served as chair of the Housing Committee. He recommended Housing Committee member Tim Jenkins as his replacement as chair of the committee.

NEWS ANALYSIS

At a July joint meeting of the Housing, Safety and Economic Development and Long Range Planning committees, Chris Garland mentioned that he had posted the position for Development Director on careerbuilder.com and published it in the Cleveland Neighborhood Development Corporation newsletter. Garland said Board member Tom Cook and a representative of Neighborhood Progress Inc. would be among those serving on a screening committee, which will narrow down applicants to a short list so he can interview the finalists.

Catania said he has been applying for positions as development directors for some time now. When the TWDC position came up in his job search, he decided to resign from the board and apply for the position. Catania, a developer, who has worked on properties in the Tremont neighborhood, does not believe his business interests will present a conflict with the position he seeks. He believes he can work around any potential conflicts.

TWDC member Henry Senyak sees another potential conflict of interest facing job candidate Catania in that Catania helpd to select Garland as Executive Director, and now Garland could be potentially interviewing him for a position with TWDC. "This just does not pass the smell test, most municipality's or corporations have policies in place that prohibit someone resigning from a board position and accepting employment for a period of one-year,” said Senyak.

“It is my opinion that Chris Garland remove himself from the hiring process in regards to this position,” said Senyak. “Mr. Catania was involved with the search committee to hire Chris Garland as the Executive Director. This should be brought in front of the full Board with input from the membership. There must be no perception of a conflict of interest in regards to filling this position, it would further erode the publics trust and opinion of Tremont West.”

______________________________________________________________________

Job Discription posted on the TWDC Website:

Development Director / Strategic Investment Initiative Program Director
Tremont West Development Corporation

Principle responsibilities include the planning and implementation of housing and commercial Tremont neighborhood development projects and implementation of land use activities in the TWDC strategic plan.

The Development/SII Director reports to the Executive Director. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide primary staffing to physical development projects
• Provide primary staffing and compliance reports to funders for development projects (including, but not limited to the City of Cleveland and Neighborhood Progress, Inc.)
• Provide research, feasibility analysis, and recommendation on potential physical development projects
• Provide ongoing staff support to the Housing Development Committee and the Long Range Planning / Economic Development Committee
• Provide ongoing staff support and TWDC representation to the NPI Land Assembly Team
• Attend/represent TWDC at industry-based committee meetings and public hearings as needed
• Coordinate with Code Enforcement, Community Organizing, and Property Management staff
• All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications/Education:
Bachelor's degree with three to five years experience in community development (i.e.: nonprofit, government, banking or real estate development capacity). Previous experience should include project management and real estate financial analysis. Familiarity with local, state and federal housing and commercial development programs and private financing resources required.

The successful candidate will have a strong awareness of Tremont housing market and conditions desired. Candidates must be self-motivated, innovative, able to work independently and with neighborhood committees. Candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to coordinate with public officials and private
developers. Candidate must also be proficient in spreadsheet and database preparation, as well as word processing.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to:

Tremont West Development Corporation
2406 Professor
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Email: twdccareers@gmail.com
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

______________________________________________________________________

Please contact TWDC Board members to voice your opinion in this matter.

guy templeton black is a canidate for the board of tremont west development corporation

QUESTMINISTRIES — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:55:20 -0700

guy templeton black, is a canidate for the board of tremont west development corporation -

please read my one page bio - two sided - when sent by twdc - or stop by twdc - and i can email soon- and i will post it -

"freedom from fear - freedom of speech - freedom from want - freedom of religion "

this is reported to have been quotes from a president roosevelt speech -

this is on the four sides of the pillar statue with hands on top holding the world -

and a poll flying the american flag -

in the cleveland city park - island - back of st. john cantious, and tremont school, at kenilworth, west 10th, tremont ave., literary ave.,

yogi and guy

ANTI-SPECIESISM
SPECIESISM:
1. A PREJUDICE OF ATTITUDE OF BIAS TOWARD THE INTERESTS OF MEMEBERS OF ONE'S OWN SPECIES
AND AGAINIST THOSE OF MEMBERS OF OTHER SPECIES.
2. A WORD USED TO DESCRIBE THE WIDESPREAD DISCRIMINATION THAT IS PRACTICED
BY HOMO SAPIENS AGANIST THE OTHER SPECIES.
SAVE OTHER-OUR SPECIES
SOS-FRE
FROM RESEARCH EXPERIMENT
QUEST, MINISTRIES, GUY TEMPELTON BLACK, PASTOR, and YOGI YOGA BEAR, SERVICE K-9 (guy's partner)
753 BRAYTON AVE., CLEVELAND, OHIO 44113-4604 USA, V:216.861.7368, F:216.861.7368
UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES VETERAN (VOLUNTEER) PEACE, ANTI-WAR, DEFENSIVE
faith based non-profit corporation no. 389646, 501(c)(3), SINCE 1965,
http://www.geocities.com/questministry
ADVOCATING FOR A NATIONAL WAR DOGS MEMORIAL http://www.wardogsmemorial.org
DONATE TO QUEST, VIA PAYPAL:
(CLICK) http://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=questministries%40netzero.net&return=http%3A//www.geocities.com/questministry/questministries

http://www.disclosureproject.com TRUTH - EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

Art to Unite

merrickhouse — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:14:31 -0600

Tremont Pointe Welcome Back Signs

amyweahry — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:37:12 -0600

Welcome Back Tremont Pointe

In support of our returning neighbors " Welcome Back Home" signs are available at the Tremont West office @ 2604 Professor Avenue. There are window signs for businesses and yard signs for residents. They are white with blue lettering. You can pick them up anytime or access one through your block club during the month of September.

Call Kristen at TWDC- 575-0920 with any questions.

Amy Weahry
Co-Chair
South of Jefferson Block Club

South of Jefferson Block Club

amyweahry — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:29:24 -0600

Join us at our meeting at Lucky's Cafe on Tuesday, August 14th @7:00 pm where Progressive Urban Real Estate will be presenting plans for development of six townhomes, each with a two car garage, on the east side of West 8th between Starkweather and Brayton.

Stephen Bloom of TWDC will be updating the block club about Starkweather Place.

Lastly, we will be electing a committee to work on the welcome home celebration in relation to Tremont Pointe.

Amy Weahry
Co-Chair
South of Jefferson Block Club

Sale

desschmitt — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:54:33 -0600

The first wave of consignment items are on clearance - red lined items are 50% of the original price of 1/3 retail! You'll find some really great deals.

Also, Sunday is Father's Day. Last minute, custom gift baskets are available to show appreciation for Dad on his day. Last day for orders, Thursday, June 14th.

Lincoln Park Neighbors - Auburn Cookout in the Park

ScottR — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:20:06 -0600

Start: 12:00 pm
End: 1:30 pm

Neighbors living around Lincoln Park: Please join us for the Auburn Block Club's Cookout in the Park. If you can, bring a picnic item to share - but by all means, please, join us around the grill for food, drink, and fun! Thanks to the generous donations of area businesses - we'll be holding drawings for wonderful door prizes - including a pair of Indians tickets, a 3 month gym membership, and restaurant and company gift certificates/cards.

Lincoln Park Neighbors - Auburn Neighborhood Clean-up

ScottR — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:18:35 -0600

Please join us for our annual Neighborhood Clean-up - 9 am - 11:45 am - beginning in Lincoln Park. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Our thanks to Councilman Joe Cimperman for providing the dumpster. Auburn has retained a driver to pick up the bags you have filled and left on the treelawn and take them to the dumpster for you.

Remain after the Clean-up for a Cookout in the Park!

Ward 14 Cleanup

slsmith819 — Mon, 21 May 2007 12:08:17 -0600

Ward 14 held an all-ward cleanup on Saturday, May 19. Thanks to Councilman Joe Santiago, Tremont West's Michele Davis, Scott Rosenstein and Robert Rodgers and TWDC board member Marcia Leslie, and Matt Martin from Stockyards who all particpated in the cleanup!
Of all the block clubs in Ward 14 - three of which are in Tremont (Lincoln Heights, Old Tremont and Metro North) - only Metro North organized around the cleanup day. Thanks to Metro North Block Club Chair Chris Krosel, the other members of Metro North, some University of Florida alums and members and kids from churches along Scranton who turned out to help!
In true Tremont fashion, I drove past on Saturday and everything looked great. I drove past on Sunday and the litterbugs already were out in full force.
STOMP OUT LITTERBUGS!!!
Sandy Smith