Many of these schools have been the focus of positive Plain Dealer articles. And I have always felt a main reason for the spotlight is to shed light instead of darkness over the school district. Schools in darkness may cause parents to remove children from the centers for better educational environments.

Can anyone point to PD articles that cast the spotlight on any of these fine schools? Why not? A main reason to the "Why not?" is parents and students in the public schools may start thinking about transferring. And that means a portion of state tax dollars will transfer with them. I really think the PD’s bias is showing by not casting the spotlight on charter schools to balance the arguments. I guess the best in schools that is doing a fine job in educating students with less tax dollars simply does not rank anything with the PD, and that is damn shameful!

An update on the Traffic Camera petition drive. Basically, it’s going well, and that is a good sign when citizens are not happy with government leaders who slight them when it comes to voting on issues that goes beyond state law, which in turn they were willing to undress the deceit. And I will always encourage citizens to get involved if they feel the cameras should not be on the streets of Cleveland, until the voters (not the votes of Council members) vote "yea" or "nay" on the issue. The camera issue seemed to be the last straw with citizens, who are denied the right to be heard (via the vote), and now are involved in protecting their heritage. Government leaders are proving over and over that democracy, is a system of action not suitable when it comes to fleecing the publics income. But more and more citizens are realizing, if they do not stand up to protect their freedoms, under the system of democracy, a different kind of government system will rise up. One that too many leaders now favor, especially in the invasion of people’s livelihood. And will become a political mindset beyond reason, if more and more citizens do whatever to stop the greed.

A member (probably echoed by all), of the Camera Team stated the following…

"It is up to you. It is up to you to do something. It always has been and it always will be."

The "you" in the above statement refer to all citizens. A supreme reason for citizen discontent with leaders in the past and present is that not enough people are willing to "do something". The Traffic Camera petition drive is just one of many issues the Team will be tackling in the future. And believe me when I say, it is a shame that even, one citizen, has to do whatever it takes, to undo the callous works of politicians, who dare lie to the public, when they say in various was, I’m working for the people who voted for me. Perhaps some but doesn’t have the backbone to peacefully organize citizens in the wards to collectively work on making changes that concern residents.

Join the Team and become a proud member of a group of people whose ultimate goal is to put democracy back at the helm of Cleveland government.

Who ordered "hands Off" the Cleveland Public Schools? The politicians are not talking. Maybe some honestly do not know, and if they dare ask the resplendent Jeff Johnson, he might have told them to go ask Hough. However, in every issue I raised thus far, there is absolutely no excuse for complete "silence" in return. On this issue alone, a good response may have been, upon asking others, I have no idea who said that. What is so wrong with two-way communiqués? Total silence has nothing to do with democracy, and a whole lot to do with dictatorship. The public does not expect answers from dictators. And autocrats only break the "silence" when people’s thoughts matches there own. But "silence" to the people on the question of "hands Off" the schools, in my opinion, did not originate in a PD article that failed to provide the source of the order. It would have been nice to know, but the question is one that goes beyond first mention in the PD. And if Johnson frowned upon my inquiry, He should already know the following…

The strongest message of "hands Off" to date came from former mayor Mike White who hired (an early challenge to democracy) Barbara Byrd-Bennett to be CEO of the schools. She came to town with a bible in hand and said in various way, I am the way, the truth and the light…and God help the person who gets in my way. I think she mentored Jeff Johnson in "the way", because when schools in his territory started to go "belly-up" years ago, it was "hands Off" the schools and "hands On" working for "The Man" (the civic elite). And the civic elite (not all) could care less about the youth in Cleveland schools in those days…unless of course the children were their own…and in a suburban school system. A good example of one of the elite was former mayor Jane Campbell who had two daughters in Shaker High School.

When Eugene Sanders became CEO of schools, he presented a five-year plan in efforts to improve the schools. Many citizens became skeptics of the plan based on his years in the Toledo School District. The PD clearly showed bias against the citizens ("hands off") of Cleveland when they did not provide a balanced view of Sanders Toledo experience. But citizens were on the right track, especially parents of students who removed their children from the schools since Sanders arrival. And based on his actions in Toledo, I among many other citizens became early skeptic of his inaction’s here.

No, there is a reason beyond general awareness for the reason students are leaving (also continuing in Toledo) the public schools for private and charter centers of learning. The psychological profile of students is often overlooked in public schools, which if they are lacking social disciplines, can hinder the learning process but more on this issue below. The PD has also showed their bias against parents and students by not showcasing charter schools that are getting grade A Report Card from the Ohio Board of Education. An exception to the PD neglect of the good is charters sponsored by the public sector, which in most cases get glowing reviews. The PD builds up the public/charter schools to keep student from dropping out, and hardly give any attention the praiseworthy charters. That is because when students leave the public schools, tax money from the state goes with them. To discourage parents from removing children from the public schools, the PD centers attention on charters that are on the "bad boy" list with the Ohio Board of Education. They center almost exclusive attention on these schools, and state close to nothing about public schools, which have beaten the charters in greater number of years in the dumpsters. One of the reasons in back of all this positive attention on the public charter plus specialized schools, and negative focus on the private charters, is the civic elite buddy system (not all just some powerful few) in protecting the school treasury for "hands on" access.

It is now four years after Sanders first plan was initiated with some success but not enough to ward off the importance of creating another five-year plan. Part of Sanders failure the first time around was his bullish attitude toward the professionals he expected miracles from. And when wonders didn’t happen, his arrogance took over. Halfway through the first plan, Sanders fired a high official he brought here from Toledo, because the woman failed to deliver higher grades in the twelve schools she was in charge of. She just didn’t have a "Harry Potter" magical wand that jumped into action after the words "hocus-pocus" was uttered. Another high-ranking official left the school system on her own, basically because she could not do her job…to many chiefs and no Indians. This time Sanders could not fire her because she was employed by the Gund Foundation. Sanders had a problem with a woman in the Toledo schools, and if he does not learn to cool his arrogance, the new Academic Transformation Plan is already heading in the wrong direction.

I state "Already" because if the plan doesn’t include a major issue in the learning process, success in changing school Report Cards with the state is not promising. I touched on the subject recently in emails to Council members when raising the student dropout problem.

The importance of learning social and emotional skills is just as important as learning the three R’s. Without the one, the other becomes a struggle that may not be overcome. A few years ago the corporation my wife works for adopted an elementary school on the East Side where volunteers helped kids who needed extra care with the basics in learning. She did this for a few years, until the involvement became such a worry she could not shake it off. She told me many stories about the kids she helped, but there was one that even I became disturbed over to the point of never forgetting. Somewhere in my past writings it’s there. She was helping a girl with reading when the child told her about not doing her homework the night before, and her teacher who was not happy about it. Why, my wife asked. The little girl whose family is large answered, because I always worry about where I am going to sleep at night.

The following excerpt is from, "Cleveland elementary school gets new faculty from principal on down" Monday, August 09, 2010, Thomas Ott, The Plain Dealer

"Bedell, who teaches art, had worked at Rickoff at least a couple of days a week since joining the district nearly 20 years ago.

He said teachers' efforts were hindered by problems their students experience out of school. Many children require psychological services, and some, particularly in the upper grades, seethe with constant anger, he said."

The best of staff from principal on down will mean little if social and emotional learning skills are not part of the school experience.

Jeff Johnson needs to do what he didn’t do years ago, when he chose to became a servant politician to the civic elite, or shut-up the rhetoric which amounts to a hill of beans. He is back is the pulpit preaching to Sanders about what he should be preaching to himself. This is a classic example of, do as I say, not as I do.

The following excerpt is from, "Cleveland schools chief briefs City Council on upcoming launch of transformation plan" Thursday, August 12, 2010, Edith Starzyk, The Plain Dealer

"The harshest criticism of the district came from Ward 8 Councilman Jeff Johnson, who charged that Sanders hasn't lived up to his promise to keep council involved as the transformation plan unfolds.

"I've lost two schools, I have two empty buildings, and I've got kids going to new schools, but I have not had one phone call from you," he said. "Don't tell me you appreciate us (on council) - you disrespect us.

"You sell more than you provide." "

First paragraph. It’s nice for a change to defend Sanders actions when appropriate. Johnson’s harsh criticism of not being informed "as the transformation plan unfolds" was juvenile. Sanders started a monthly newsletter called "Transformation" which I assume is sent to all community residents. Now if this update is nothing but hype for the new plan, the propaganda if that’s what it amounts to, is reason enough to cross-examine Sanders intent. However, Sanders is not a baby-sitter for any Council person, I’d advise Johnson to get up off his duff, get on the hot-line to the person in charge of update info on the plan, and stop the bellyache nonsense. Johnson needs to start doing the right thing for the citizens in his ward. Like bring back the ward’s Newsletter, and share with them insights on what’s happening in the schools, and ACTIONS…ooops, I went too far, it’s "hands off" the schools for now. Johnson needs to leave Sanders alone, and for that matter, not too many citizens are impressed with his rhetoric (or was it a temper-tantrum) in Council chambers. The councilman sounds like he is back on the campaign trail…for a seat beyond the Council seat. Umm…sounds familiar.

Second paragraph. "I've lost two schools, I have two empty buildings" In retrospect, did Johnson walk into these schools, sit down among the students when he was in office years ago, listen to their concerns and then do something constructive? Johnson lost two schools but something far more important then buildings were lost. And many adults today, who was in the schools when Johnson was in office can till him the way it was…but I do not think he really wants to listen. Because back in the not so good old school days, it was still "hands off" the two buildings that are now empty.

Johnson stated, "I have not had one phone call from you" I repeat, Sanders is not a baby-sitter. There may also be eighteen other Council members who would like to hear from Sanders. But get real, ever hear of protocol? As much as Johnson may not like it, Sweeney is still Council President and the Clerk of Council is always open to Sanders calls if he needed to relay information. Now, I have no doubts that since entering office in January, Johnson received hundreds of calls from residents that may have said the same (I have not had one phone call from you), after leaving request for call backs when he was not around…which seems to be a tradition among all Council members.

The third paragraph…or rather statement. "You sell more than you provide."

This may be true, but Johnson did the same on the campaign trail to voters, but is providing little in return after the vote…who says…"Echoes". Which seems to be a tradition among all Council members So look who’s (Johnson) calling the kettle black.

Johnson and all the rest of Council members plus Jackson need to start doing what citizens wanted them to do for decades. If they do not stop the theatrics in Council chambers and start monitoring the transformation plan in an ACTIVE way, the blueprint will achieve expectations. And don’t blame Sanders for your own failures.

Citizens should watch what happens in the near future to see if Sanders transformation plan is somehow causing local politicians, to rebel against the "shakers and movers" who are benefiting in some way, by demanding "hands off" the schools. Cleveland students deserves "hands on" attention from every official. And if they start asking the kids if it’s needed and how they could help, the kid’s vote, the majority vote, most certainly would shed light on the way democracy is working in government.

Citizens need to watch…and if they hear nothing positive coming from politicians who say they are working for the public (which include our youth), get rid of the ones who are the greatest procrastinators, by method of recall or voting them out of office.

If readers wish to submit other issues not covered here that has citywide interest please forward them. I will contact all for follow up info.

If citizens from the wards have special concerns related to communities within the region which Council representatives are not addressing, this page is open to these concerns. However, if a councilperson feels the issue was already addressed, they need to forward the info to me. In fairness to all Council members, I will contact them via email on all issues that are in dispute.

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 councilpersons. The fourth issue to answers is…

The Councilman’s Newsletters to ward citizens was discontinued, why?