April 28, 2011

To all Cleveland City Council members

An excerpt from Open Letter No. 17 

In Cleveland, there is a double standard in traffic laws. State and local laws conflict with each other, and in the minds of citizens who have expressed wonderment since the mixed signals became a legal issue. The local laws related to the use of traffic cameras as a safety devise, conflict with state enforcement rules. The mixed bag of regulations contributes to a government that is either dysfunctional or strait-up greedy for money beyond reasonable understanding. But when all is said and done, the powers that be must choose one over the other, voluntarily or other wise. This is what citizens are now rightfully arguing in the court of public opinion. Will this matter be settled by way of the public vote, or in the courts of law? Either way, if politicians pretend not to hear and act on public majority opinion, citizens again will be heard in more ways then one, once "one set of rules for all" is in place.

If Jackson and Council members (not all) continue in efforts to fight against a conceivable loosing battle against public opinion in the courts or voting booths, there must be some kind of retribution in return because the standoffish attitudes resembles dictates that has nothing to do with democracy.

At least 18 leaders thus far by their silence seem to be in agreement...continue the momentum until the final day of reckoning comes in court after appeals runs it’s course. Money, money, money, must get it by hook or legal (sovereign immunity) crook. The public needs to stand tall in riding this city of the now silent majority among leaders, if you all remain steadfast against respecting the opinions citizens have already echoed. Voters in the 2013 election must judge by what is not done about this issue today. And Council members shouldn’t be too confident that Plain Dealer endorsements along with naïve voters is all that’s needed to secure office space in city hall. Remember what happened to Joe Santiago by citizens in Ward 14…can happen again.

I repeat, Council members, "must break the silence or I will break mine against influencing voters," if responses are not posted on this WebSite before the day Paul Greenberger’s "class-action" suit is heard in court. Any memos received after the hearing will not be posted. Members who respond will not receive comments from me, no matter how I personally view the feedback. In a democracy, citizens are privileged to think about Councilperson responses for themselves…and judged among themselves without bias input at election time.

To date, Joe Cimperman and Brian Cummins responded to the current issue.

I appreciate the responses so comments related to the silence on this issue will not be posted in red to their Community Ward pages. But please note this does not include other issues raised that got the silent treatment in the past. To date, the traffic camera issue is the worst that testified to the old cliché, "it’s a dog eat dog world". But the public has already started to growl back, enough is enough, and is howling, it’s time the pack scramble for the boneless jobs…like dog setting.

In a recent meeting related to a rate hike request by the Cleveland Water Department, Councilman Kevin Kelley, Ward 13 stated,

"The more information the public has, the better it is for the entire process,"

Well, what about the six issues the "public" has raised on this Website" Six issues, and all you can provide is silence. The "entire process" of information has failed because the six issues have only been from one side, the "public". But the "public" will continue encouraging you to do so. Democracy stands for open communication. But what does silence stand for Kelley? Do you have the courage to answer? 

I cannot really end this memo with the cordial, "Kind regards…" It doesn’t complement community echoes on this issue.

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Back to Open Letter No. 17