election _2009

April 30, 2010

To the Citizens of Cleveland,

Members of Cleveland City Council,

Mayor Frank Jackson.

Cleveland had two leaders in the mid-eighties that should be honored during Black History month in February. If for no other reason than the one of practicing the principals of democracy in their public lives as servants of and for the people. And to this day, there is not one local leader I can point to and say; here is another Dr. Edward Young and Dr. Frederick Holliday.

Dr. Edward Young back when, was known to the public as Ed Young, an elected member of the school board. In later years he earned a doctorate at Cleveland State University. He past away in February of this year at the age of 67. His life as a young a public servant, was short lived because powerful forces (in my opinion directed by the {not all} civic elite) was out to find ways to get rid of him. Why? Young set out to achieve what voters expected of all candidates for government offices to do. He became a warrior in defending the rights of voters, in going beyond just talking about issues but doing. And when Young started doing, as a liaison person for citizens, the path of resistance from foes became ugly.

But what Young could not achieve as an elected public official (a short span of time), he achieved as a math teacher in the schools, and in other areas of social concerns in the community. Young was more than just a teacher to many students was; he was a mentor for the young who his best for their best to in educational. The greatest tribute to Young during Back History month would be to hear from the many students he helped along the path of learning. He was a lot of things to a lot of people outside the circle of public achievement and would have if allowed, done the same on the political front line.

One of the most sensitive issues Young took on as a board member, was the school budget, which was a hot topic on the minds of many community activists, and a taboo subject for Young’s antagonists. What made the issue worse, was his effort to form a group of citizens, concerned about searching the budget to find funds considered to be a waste of tax money which could better be used in direct services such as textbooks and school supplies etc, for students. Young did not appoint members to the group, but instead, opened the doors of the school administration building, to citizens sincere in finding loopholes in the budget, that could be put to better use in direct services (educational) to all students.

The group was short lived to the delight of antagonists who waited in hiding for the right time to attack Young’s efforts to bring about budget reform. I wanted to be a part in the effort and was invited (not appointed) into the group by Young. The budget was bound in several thick books and members teamed separately in reviewing the whole. And that was the first and last time the public was invited to scrutinize to budget. And when Dr. Holliday was head of the schools, he was under the lot of strain because of the budget, not only coming from Young, but from the civic elite (not all) who wanted to maintain a piece of it.

My son David and I attended Sunday morning worship at Trinity Cathedral where Dr. Holliday was the guest speaker. When the service was over we went into the social hall where people gathered to chat while having coffee and refreshments. Holliday was talking to a small group of men, when my son who was in the fourth grade at the time, asked if he could go over and talk to Him. I consented and watched, as David stood close by waiting for Holliday to end his talk with the men. Holliday noticing David standing close by and politely ended his conversation with the men. He shook hands with them then walked over to David and did the same. What they said to each other, I did not ask because at the time, I felt the same as Young, a Holliday critic and did not feel I should be transferring my thoughts to David. But I also paid my respects to Holliday because although I was a critic, this leader practiced the principals of democracy, like no other local pubic servant had done ever since. Holliday must have felt as a leader, communication with the public was an ethical part of business. I witnessed it for myself because he could have easily ignored my son, but instead, gave David a big smile, firm handshake and cordial.

So when Holliday committed suicide with a gun at Aviation High School, the public was stunned by the act, because he did not hint of anything out of the ordinary that was driving him to the brink of destruction. And yes, Holliday was surrounded by men who claimed to be his friends, but many citizens pointed to a few and knew they hovered over him for their own self gain. Merle Pollis, a radio talk personality and Ted Bonda, president of the school board became questionable as true friends of Holliday’s. But he was not naïve to all this, and also knew the temperament of school board members was nothing he did not experience elsewhere before coming to Cleveland. But no matter how good officials or the public feel about superintendents, in most cases they cannot escape adversity.

Pollis daily chats with Holliday about current happenings in the schools were a boost in ratings for the radio host. Before this time, the name Pollis was not a household word. Bonda was part of the civic elite establishment, and was scrutinized by the public over his motives of evolvement with Holliday. Bonda was not exactly happy with all the activist groups in the community who was dedicated to working "FOR THE KIDS!" Word got back to me that Bonda cussed (that S.O.B.!) me out behind closed doors many times for my evolvement. During that time, I was on TV, radio and writing Letters to the Editor, which appeared in just about every newspaper in town. School officials were getting tired of hearing my name mentioned at meetings. But to get this kind of attention, I must have been doing something right, "FOR THE KIDS!"

But reflecting back in hindsight, I was not exactly on track as a critic of Holliday. I, like thousands of other parents of students and citizen activists got caught up in the emotional fury of the time, and viewed Holliday as the fault behind Cleveland schools lack of educating too many students. I became a critic based on the "lack of education" my son received in the fourth grade.

The best I could say about it is the classroom activities tittered on the edge of insanity. The experience was so baffling that I felt writing about the fourth grade account, was important in hopes that other parents would not take for granted that their children was achieving the norm in education.

I released the finished work to about six citizens for constructive feedback.

Shirley Hawk, activist and elected official involved in educational endeavors, now deceased, read the accounting and chastised me for not seeking publication of the memoir. She read it two years after the fact (one-year taking notes and the other writing) and felt the public should have access to the journal. Her stern words were motivation enough to gain a literary agent, which turned out to be retired English teacher. She was enthused with the manuscript and sent out synopses of it to various publishing houses. The feedback was of interest but the basic replies were, it’s public education in the big city that is not surprising. The profit margin did not look promising, nothing there that would cause people buy it in large numbers on the national level.

I feel the main reason Holliday took to the airwaves with Pollis, was to feed back to the public, his evolvement in areas where improvements was needed (as in areas raised in my memoir) and offer some positive light on the schools where it existed. Holliday’s task was extensive, just on the level of desegregation alone, but did not appear to be rattled by it all; especially from people who was using the school district for self-gain. And I really do not feel, Holiday felt Young was one of them. A critic yes, but Holiday knew that comes with the territory of being a superintendent in an urban center. Young’s criticism was not of personal attaches on Holliday, but stuck to issues that were major concerns of citizens who voted for him.

But George Forbes, former president of Cleveland City Council was not moved by the concerns of citizens. He found an avenue of attaching Young in hopes of crushing effort to reform the budget. Holliday lift behind a suicide note, which he mentioned a school board member. The important point here is to keep in mind is Holliday did not state the board member’s name. If Holliday was so agitated by this person to the point of this leader being a major factor in his self-destruction, wouldn’t he have named the person?

Forbes became a judge and jury in his public attacks on Young that beyond a shadow of a doubt became questionable. Young was guilty of what, driving Holliday to his death…or just being a critic which voters expects from leaders where government services are not up to par. Young became the perfect scapegoat for the civic elite (not all) who did not want to feel a part of the public wrath Forbes successfully shifted to Young. To say that the civic elite along with Young did not play a part in Holliday’s stress, which he handled, quit well, would be wrong. But it was secondary to the main reason Holliday ended his life, which was to him deeply personal.

The public caught glimpses of Holliday’s emotional state of mind, only after he successfully kept it hidden from the public until after death. Holliday’s composure in public was level headed; controlled by an advanced plan to end life, which was already programmed in his mind before coming to Cleveland. His torment centered on his wife’s suicide by hanging herself in the basement of their home. The reasons for such a tragic ending should remain personal as Holliday wished in public life. Imagine, living with such a horrible image fixed in the mind?

A short time before Holliday’s demise, he paid off all of his financial responsibilities, certainly an act of design. And before signing a contract to become Cleveland’s next superintendent of schools, he insisted on a life insurance policy that included a suicidal clause, which covered self to the monetary tune of $100,000. Insurance policies rarely include such clauses.

In Forbes ranting against Young, he made a comment, which can be interpreted as a slam against budget reforms, whether they are city or school. Not in perhaps exacting words, he said, Ed Young has to go. He is not a game player. When the word "game" is uttered as in "games people play" against each other, it usually means deceitful acts against someone or groups of people. Politicians, who dare raise eyebrows for budget reform, may find themselves like Young, on the defense in protecting their professional stand against opponents. Forbes deserves the strongest criticism from the public for his sarcasm against Young. Without characters like George Forbes, writers would have a real problem, writing stories of interest.

Ed Young’s involvement in getting close to opening the school budget has been a hot issue ever since. The extreme importance of budget reform opposition from school officials peaked during the internship of Lisa Marie Ruda, who became interim head of schools after Barbara Byrd-Bennett retired. Her rise to prominence in the legal world began during the time of desegregation of schools. Under Ruda’s leadership of the schools, she faced no resistance from "appointed" members of the school board, in tightening the straps on the budget against public scrutiny. The flames of public concern over the budget had to be doused and Ruda made that possible, but she also made sure that if citizens started to probe it again, chances were they’d have to go by way of the courts. In other words, she made it most difficult to get inside the budget, which is almost like trying to get at the gold In Fort Knox. Yes, pieces of the budget pie can be viewed on the schools Web site, but it’s an insult to activists who want to know where the fat is, so all students as an example, be provided with textbooks. Ruda’s work on budget restraints, in protecting it against public access, drew the attention of officials in the Washington D.C. school district, which hired her after she left Cleveland. The Plain Dealer can undo what Ruda did (the budget is a public account) but the execs are holding hands with the civic elite (not all) in protecting the budget against real reform. Sounds dubious, don’t take my word, send letters/emails to the PD on this issue and wait…and wait…

A radio interview with Holliday hours before his death, I felt, did not receive the media attention it should have. If the public didn’t hear it over the radio station WJMO, chances are good; a bit of important history in Cleveland was intentionally covered up because I believe it would have put Young in a more favorable light. The PD perhaps is the main news source, which provides the best glimpses into historical data. However, to the best of my recollections, the paper did not include for public attention a review of the interview. And I feel its importance should be included to the overall history of the event.

The time slot of the interview is important. It is believed to either had taken place a few hours before his death or the broadcast was timed to take place soon after. I tapped the interview and played it over and over, to detect any kind of quivering in Holliday’s voice that would provide clues to what was about to happen. In the past, I had listened to most of his radio and TV interviews and did not find reason to detect anything unusual in the last one. The host did ask him a question about Ed Young. Holliday’s response offered no clues that would lead one to believe the "board member" was Young. But even Young may have been hooked into believing he was the one and stated, "He got me", but however, there was so much fury in the air against, that the unnamed board member worked against logical conclusions.Young was not the only board member that ruffled Holliday’s business affairs. Ted Bonda added his own influence over Holliday and just about followed him around on a daily basis. Holliday may have felt like most ethically minded supernatants who try to avoid working in school districts where there are too many Indians (civic elite) wanting to be chiefs (running interference). Could it be that Holliday was thinking of Bonda when he noted a "board member"? There is no way George Forbes, "beyond a shadow of a doubt", could pin Ed Young’s name to the suicide note, any more than I can pin Ted Bonda’s name to it. It’s best to say neither one was the ultimate reason for Holliday’s death.

I challenge the PD execs. to assign someone to review Holliday's last interview with WJMO and provide an analyses of its content to citizens to draw upon their own conclusions. To bypass the interview should be considered a broken link in the chronicle of the Holliday/Young saga.

The above account is reflections of an event that took place about 25 years ago. Although I had collected press reports, taken notes and recordings, this presentation only represents a small portion of the data and should not be considered history as written by a historian. In fact citizens should consider this letter open-ended meaning I welcome citizen input and if permission is granted, include the info at the bottom of this letter. Also, consider this letter open to disagreements that are constructive, they are important in offering readers concise data. This letter only provides pathways to the truth, until someone offers fresh insights that removes the pathway to the truth.

Over 25 years ago, two leaders proved to be upstanding examples of what democracy is all about. Today, democracy is being kicked around, and it’s good to remember leaders who practiced it. Voters elected Young and Holliday was chosen by members of the board, with input from citizens. Holliday was not only visible to the public but shared his intent with citizens on a daily basis, and did not dodge inquiry by staying behind closed doors. He was a prime example of what citizen’s expect from leaders today and should be honored during Black History month for demonstrating what is rare in local government circles now. I urge citizens who remembered Holliday presents in the community, to share their thoughts with others in hopes that someday, another will come along…to remind us that democracy is still alive, well and kicking up a positive storm in Cleveland.

Much can be said about Ed Young from citizens whose face to face encounters are worth public testimony. The most important fact I want to share with citizens is his zeal to live up to promises made to voters when he campaigned for the school board. There is not a local politician today that would dare do the same. Because if they tried living up to voter expectation, they no doubt would be chastised by the establishment for rocking the boat. Citizens can only hope for a leader who is not only willing to work for people but in conjunction with taking care of government business, that is ethical in content and mind. But if such a leader comes forth in the years ahead, citizens must stand tall next to that person, because the dark side, which is the side of dictatorship, will be out in force to rid the system of leaders such as the likes of Ed Young. He should be remembered during Black History month as examples of the kind of leadership citizens are looking for. As in the return of democracy, to the fullest since of the word…in City Hall as it is among multitudes of citizens in the community.

To be continued…by citizens who have been touched by the presence of Holliday, Young or both.

PS My next letter centers on a sore spot with multitudes of Cleveland area citizens. Traffic cameras. Three years ago I wrote an article about them which argued against of argument that they were put in place for safety reasons. About one month after the cameras were in operations, members of Cleveland City Council (the majority) was disappointed with the flashing results. Was it because the cameras did not make an impact on curbing speed or the running of red lights? No. The time is right to remind citizens of the essay that details their disappointments, along with a separate letter urging the public to continue disappointing Council members.

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May 24, 2010

To the Citizens of Cleveland

Members of Cleveland City Council,

Mayor Frank Jackson.

Ever since the first traffic cameras was installed on the streets of Cleveland, I have been reading articles, listening to TV and radio broadcasts with an open mind, trying to understand both sides of the argument. The argument on the side of local government, which is made up of politicians, is weak in comparison to what citizens have been arguing against, even before the first camera was installed.

The argument on the side of government, received thumps down from thousand of citizens in Cleveland and the county because of the profit factor. In fact the public (majority) views the cameras as a way to fleece the public, nothing less then a money making enterprise (scam) which exceeds the bounds of a non-profit service to the community.

The traffic camera issue also became a dictatorial one because citizen’s arguments against had become such a heated subject, the measure was not a wise choice to give voters. Meaning politicians put aside the rights of citizens to vote, and did what they have been doing more often, dictating what the government is going to get one way or another. If issues have anything to do with bringing in the money, the political response of silence toward people’s arguments against is, we (the politicians) well vote on behalf of voters, because really the issues are to complex for "those" folks to understand. Whatever happened to ethics in legislation. Today, legislators act more like dictators (stripping the publics vote) whenever they decide what’s good for the public…or is it what’s good for the civic elite?

The government’s argument that "Traffic cameras" was put in place for the purpose of "safely" became mute in the minds of citizens who voiced discontent over the rise in citations that centered on just two violations, speed and running red lights. Violations that caused police to stop cars in the past, hand out tickets that demands drivers to appear in court for all kinds of violations, pay fines and hear judges talk about safe driving, still seemed the way to go. But as the traffic cameras instilled in the minds of multitude of citizens, not a better way to go in the business of making money. There was a time when many people perceived traffic court, as the way for City Hall to bring in the money. In other words where it goes from there (citizens are told it goes into the general fund), is anyone’s guess…and anyone’s guess is probably the right…

In the past, I had written about traffic cameras with much interest to readers, but it’s really hard to tell if the politicians thought the same. If they did, it was the best kept secret the public was not to know about (that goes for the PD too). There is no reason to repeat what already has been written, so if the readers wish to read beyond the short excerpt below, our leaders wouldn’t mind. Their silence on this issue past and present, has and will discourage many voters from voting. And when voters do not vote, the protectors (many incumbents) of government interests get back into office via the vote that lacks background reviews of the elected.

Excerpt from… November 4, 2005, Part 5 {2005 Election)

"Campbell - Jackson - No Contest Here - Either Way, It's A Big Guy Win! The Odds and Ends of Games Politicians Play on the Public"

"Was it Campbell's idea of placing cameras at strategic intersections, a safety measure or a capital enterprise? If motorists run the lights, the cameras get the license plate numbers and the drivers receive heavy fines. When the idea was introduced to the public, Campbell talked more about big bucks, rather then safety. If a driver runs a red light and causes a serious accident, oh-well, more buck go into the general fund...that’s none or your business where it is spent. With all the technology out there, why not install cameras operated by computers that automatically brings cars to a stop at intersections. Maybe it's already been done...but I'm talking safety...can't make money that way."

An article dated November 15, 2007 put the spotlight on the traffic cameras and is still relevant today.

"Mayor Frank Jackson - The man I sight for dereliction of duty And by the end of this article (or beginning) many citizens will agree - Red light - Speed – Cameras."

Recently the Cuyahoga County for Liberty citizen action group put the traffic camera issue back into the spotlight. On Friday April 9, the group held a rally kicking off the drive and invited voters to sign petitions to put the issue before the public in the November election. The organizers vowed to gather double the amount of signatures required to make it an event of celebration in both cities after passing. Yes, hundreds of citizens already enthused over signing the petitions are optimistic. There is a lot of hard work ahead, but what makes it easier, are the steadfast citizens who been touched in wallets and purses from the greed of City Hall officials, are now offering moral support. If readers read the above article, they will better understand why, I too, supported the efforts to remove the cameras from the streets of Cleveland and county...before the Cuyahoga County for Liberty came inter being. I like that title, has a Liberty Bell ring to it that chimes out the word democracy.

Upon hearing of the Cuyahoga County for Liberty’s intent, Cleveland Law Director Robert Triozzi stated…

"It's a sad reflection when liberty is equated with the ability to break the law at will"

What law was broken? Citizens are sighing petitions to put the issue before the public so voters can either keep the traffic cameras in place or remove them. What law is being broken? Triozzi needs to be reminded, Cleveland is still a democracy, not a dictatorship.

Is the word "liberty" equated with the meaning, do as I say, not as I do? Soon after the cameras went up, news investigators started probing the "do as I say, not as I do," double-talk that goes on in government circles. In other words, if "those" people (citizens) break the law, they must pay a penalty. News examiners have from time to time, discovered when city employees "break the Law," hundreds of pictures snapped by the traffic camera of city vehicle, bypassed the enforcement of penalties because of what…connections? Recently the PD published an article on Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold who had over a $1,000 in fines not paid on traffic camera citations and a parking ticket. The total amount was paid a few days later because of the negative publicity she was getting. The man that should to be singled out for the safely net of government people caught in the eye of traffic cameras is Earle B. Turner, Clerk of Courts. Does he care about what the public thinks? Yes, if he senses that more voters are starting to redirect inner frustrations toward politicians, into positives actions at the voting booths.

Triozzi went on to say, "If motorists slow down, don't run through red lights, and obey the traffic laws, then the issue of traffic enforcement cameras is moot."

Heed your own words Triozzi. The news investigators may be on your trail. He called citizens who were caught on camera but refused to pay penalties, "irresponsible". I think he really has a problem with personal ethics management. Is it "those" people who are "irresponsible" instead of the "somebody" people in government who place themselves above the law?

For the past nine years, I never regretted writing prolifically about issues that are of citywide public interest. And for the next nine years, the articles will be to a lesser degree but none the less just as important. What is of greater importance is centering attention on the Wards and councilpersons that have been elected to serve the people in government. And no doubt, silence from Council members on issues of importance to citizens will continue until they find peaceful way to break the pattern. One example of an excuse for the silence, is if citizens confront leaders about what I had written, they may be told that Hough is not a citizen of the Ward, and therefore his writings are mute. So, if this happens I will encourage citizens here (residents in the Ward), to do what I’ve encouraged individuals to do in the recent past. Email concerns to leaders and expect responses, silence is inexcusable. If it continues after a reasonable time passes, it’s time to do some serious thinking about finding ways to reason with the councilperson. If all approaches fail, citizens should not fail in some more serious thinking about raising a recall election. Don’t wait, four years of irresponsible leadership to change, it's not going to happen.

Now is the time to find out if leaders are really working for the people? Or working for government advancements that dwarf the concerns of citizens in the community. I invite citizens from the Wards to send emails concerns to be included here wither they be positive or negative toward the councilperson.

Community groups that are working on issues for the people in the Wards and new groups that are forming are vital and should be listed on the Ward pages. So please send info to me in helping spread the word that citizens are working on positive changes in the community and are always ready to welcome others.

The group that is now working on the traffic camera issue is a concern that evolved from citizens in every Ward who made it a hot topic of discontent. I am putting the name, Cuyahoga County for Liberty , on all the Ward pages, in hopes that citizens will make it a household word. Because CCFL will be working on other controversial issues of citywide public interest in the future as well. The "power of the people" within this group, and all others, depend on citizens willing to join, and together hold onto the dreams of hope for a better government tomorrow, a government that is empowered by the people and governed by the spirit of democracy within. The address for Cuyahoga County for Liberty is…

Examples of Ward pages are as follows…

Brian Cummins Ward 14

Jeffrey Johnson Ward 8

More pages to be announced soon which will address the same questions. Current issues for all Council members to answer is in the following order.

1 - Did you vote to place "Traffic Cameras" on the streets of Cleveland? If you entered office after the vote, do you support keeping the cameras on the streets now?

2 – Who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland public schools? The PD first revealed this during the Campbell years. But what they failed to state is who ordered it? Maybe it has something to do with PD executives holding hands with the civic elite (not all)? Councilman Jeff Johnson was part of the Campbell team when "hands off" was revealed. I emailed Johnson in hopes of getting some answers but his silence urged continuation of the quest. I will continue the emails to other councilpersons until citizens either get some "hands off’ answers or voters will get to know what leaders really think (What do you think of the silence?) of people who ask too many questions. The following two headings of PD articles are clues that the "hands off’ order is still in force.

"Mayor Frank Jackson won't intervene in Cleveland schools teacher negotiations" By Thomas Ott, The Plain Dealer May 11, 2010,

"Mayor Jackson, get involved in the talks between teachers and the Cleveland schools" an editorial By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board May 16, 2010

Is the above editorial heading "double-talk" coming from editors who know better?

3 – The election year is over, so is it now time to find hiding places until the next "election year?" In emails to Cummins and Johnson I asked the following question, "Are you having community meetings? And if so is there a schedule available for citizens who may like to attend? More silence. I will continue the quest with all other Councilpersons.

4 - The election year is over…and so it seems is the end of councilpersons "Newsletters" to citizens. In emails to Cummins and Johnson I asked the following question, "Absent from Ward... thus far, is the　councilman's "Newsletter". When can citizens expect them to arrive at homes? Still more silence. I will continue the quest with all other councilpersons.

5 - To be continued...

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June 9, 2010

To the Citizens of Cleveland

Members of Cleveland City Council,

Mayor Frank Jackson.

I received an email from a reader that urged me to stop promoting the Cuyahoga County for Liberty’s ambitious drive to put the traffic camera issue on the November ballad, by inviting registered voters to currently sign petitions.

No, I will continue promoting the Cuyahoga County for Liberty Web site for several good reasons. The following is just a few that are on the minds of citizens. When Council members voted on the Codified Ordinance 413.031 (the traffic cameras) on July 13, 2005, did they, as all "ethical" legislators should do, encourage constituents to review their own thoughts on the issue (gather votes for or against), than act on the findings before Council as a whole in finalizing the main vote? If this was not done, leaders who side stepped this important procedure, made a mockery out of democracy. Citizens vote officials into office as representatives, to do what they cannot do, carry their opinions on issues (THE MAJORITY OPINION), which may or may not; be the way officials wish to vote, but must abide and finalize the vote based on people’s choice. There are rare actions to the rule, but in most cases anything less, is an act of defiance against voters who had put their trust in Council members when votes were cast.

There has been a lot of backlash from citizens over the traffic cameras since they had been raised. In newspapers, on TV and courtrooms, and from hundreds of citizens who received traffic violation citations, via bloggers, public gatherings, in homes and so on. Although many people feel helpless in removing the streets of the cameras, the six years of hell raising for good reasons was not a lost cause. If people who feel politicians have betrayed them, they should think about moving beyond the frustrations and complaints.

Assist in anyway possible in helping groups like the Cuyahoga County for Liberty, rid the streets of cameras that only put on display, how low this government (elected officials) had come in the business of profiting from non-profit safety services.

And according to state law, the camera actions unlike police reports are not permissible in traffic court. And that is the pivotal argument which has caused many citizens today, to move beyond all comments over the traffic cameras, and act upon all the various viewpoints in hopes of returning some kind of sanity to the offices of Council members.

If the state law claims proof of action from traffic cameras cannot become a part of court documents, than elected leaders in government who voted on an emergency amendment on March 9,2009 is in the wrong, and should be considered accomplishes to crimes which are taking place today on both sides of town. So, citizens who are signing petitions to put the traffic camera issue before the public in the November election, are not only giving the populace a say on the issue, but reminding politicians that sooner or later, crime does not pay. Now citizens should keep in mind, Joe Cimperman and Michael Polensek voted against passage of the measure on March 9,2009, but this does not mean they voted against the ordinance back on July 13, 2005.

Now if the crime is on me, meaning my analysis is slanderous, I urge Cleveland’s Law Director, Robert Triozzi to write a brief in sixth grade English (not in legal terms) to the citizens of Cleveland, which explains a possible loop-hole in the state law that people should know about. Crime busters have accused the Mayor (Jackson) of being the current ringleader in the traffic camera scam. And it is up to Triozzi to protect his boss’s image to the citizen’s of Cleveland. If Triozzi remains silent, the document directed to below should not be second-guessed.

"SPEEDING TOWARDS DISASTER: HOW CLEVELAND’S TRAFFIC CAMERAS VIOLATE THE OHIO CONSTITUTION." BY KEVIN P. SHANNON

Now there seems to be a contradiction between what the state has on the books and the city’s ordinance. The Ohio Supreme Court a few years back upheld the right of municipalities to snap camera pictures and issue citations. But does the citation carry the same strength as tickets handed out by police? Is the hundred-dollar penalty for running red lights and speeding the same, as judges would hand out in traffic courts? No, tickets written by police after braking Ohio traffic laws is a criminal offence and penalty can vary pending on the judges ruling. Traffic camera citations is a civic law which is flawed because owners of vehicles who refuse to pay the penalties, are not forced to do so by Ohio law.

Cleveland Municipal Court collections coordinator, Brian Mahon stated the law is "toothless" in enforcing the payments of penalties. Going beyond attempts by collection agencies to collect the money is fruitless. So, why is it that Cleveland’s legislative body is doing nothing to fix the law? Could it be that the law cannot be improved upon because the state ruling will over power it if tried?

Then what does the local law amount to if the courts are helpless in executing judgments on violators? The so-called law becomes something other then a legal process. Am I wrong by saying, what is presented to citizens, as law is just pretence, a deceptive act to fleece the public? Am I wrong by saying the traffic camera law is mute because if violators ignore the monitory penalties, the ordinance lacks the most powerful step of all, consequences for such actions?

Four emails have been sent to the following Councilpersons asking them to share their individual viewpoints with Ward citizens, who would like to know, why the "yea" votes for the traffic cameras? Or if members were elected after the vote, are they in union with the majority vote

I will include a reminder of the document above, "Speeding Toward Disaster… If Cleveland’s Law Director, Robert Triozzi did not respond as yet to the citizens of Cleveland, please encourage him to do so.

The immediate four Councilpersons are…

Councilman Brian Cummins. The email can be read by going to the Ward 14 community page.

Councilman Jeffrey Johnson. The email can be read by going to the Ward 8 community page.

Councilman Kevin Kelley. The email can be read by going to the Ward 13 community page.

Councilman Joe Cimperman. The email can be read by going to the Ward 3 community page.

If responses are not returned after the second reminder, citizens need to find ways to gain cooperation.

Councilperson responses to citizens will appear on the Ward pages after two weeks had past.

All other Council members will receive emails at intervals of four with separate e letters going out to Cleveland citizens with updates on out going info and incoming responses.

To be continued…