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By Tonya Sams, Development and Communications Assistant at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

Many people think the label “domestic violence” applies only to violent acts against a lover, but it is much more than that. 

Domestic violence describes regular, consistent acts of physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. It not only occurs in spousal and intimate partner relationships, but also in relationships with other family members, including those with children, live-in partners, or people who have children together and are no longer involved in an intimate relationship.

Perpetrators of domestic violence control the target or targets of their abuse through fear. If targets don’t comply with their initial tactics – which can be threats of harm, the withdraw of financial support, and/ or verbal and emotional abuse – then the abuser resorts to physical and/or sexual abuse. 

Domestic violence does not discriminate. People of all races, religions, sexual orientations, abilities, and financial status can inflict or suffer from domestic violence.  

Targets of domestic violence do not cause the abuse that is inflicted upon them. But, abusers often try to convince them they have done something to cause the abusive response.

Abusers often isolate their targets by having them cut off communication from those that could help them, such as family and friends. Abusers also try to control every aspect of their target’s life. For targets, every decision becomes influenced by how it would make their abuser feel. 

Targets of abuse may feel guilt, shame, and failure. They may find it difficult to break away from the relationship for several reasons, especially if they are financially dependent on the abuser 

(another tactic commonly used to maintain control). 

There are resources available for those who are targets of domestic violence. 

OhioLegalHelp.org has a new, web-based domestic violence reporting tool. The tool (which was created through a partnership with The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Ohio Domestic Violence Network and Ohio Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence) allows users to fill out and save their forms if they cannot complete them all at once. The site can be accessed on any mobile device. 

Help is also available through Legal Aid’s Family Law Group. A Legal Aid attorney can help you file civil protection and temporary protection orders and connect you to other community resources available to people escaping abusive relationships, such as Journey Center for Safety and Healing and the Ohio Domestic Violence Network. Apply for Legal Aid help online 24/7 (lasclev.org/contact) or call 216-687-1900 during normal business hours.

PRESS RELEASE

Mayor-Elect Bibb has identified Deputy Chief of Police Dornat A. “Wayne” Drummond as Interim Chief of Police to temporarily replace retiring Chief of Police Calvin Williams whose last day will be Jan. 3rd. 

“We must maintain top-level expertise in this role while we search for a new Police Chief. Deputy Chief Drummond is highly regarded for his service, and I look forward to working with him,” Mayor-Elect Justin Bibb said.

Deputy Chief Drummond, a deputy chief since 2014, is a 32-year veteran of the Cleveland Division of Police. He has climbed the ranks from walking the beat as a patrol officer to serving as commander of the 6th District in 2005.

Other positions he held include Strike Force Detective, Case Preparation Officer and Equal Employment Officer. He also served as Public Information Officer and taught Law Enforcement Ethics at Cuyahoga Community College. 

Currently, he oversees field operations, the Bureau of Traffic, which includes the mounted division, and the Bureau of Community Relations.

Drummond graduated from the University of Toledo and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy’s 230th Session.

“I am honored to be selected to lead the force during this period of transition. Keeping Cleveland safe has always been my number one priority,” Drummond said.

Once Mayor-Elect Bibb takes office on Jan. 3rd, the administration will work with an executive search firm with experience recruiting for police departments in major cities across the country. The firm will search far and wide and seek talent nationally and locally. Community engagement will be an important part of the process to determine community expectations for the role.

By Jerry Masek

2022 will be a full year for the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. There will be a lot for West Park voters to monitor, so they can cast informed votes.    Are you registered to vote? 

Dates to remember   

Feb. 2: Filing deadlines for all candidates.    

May 3: Primary election.    Nov. 8: General Election. 

Federal positions

Senate: U.S. Senator Robert Portman is not seeking re-election, and other candidates are vying for the open seat.    

House: A new map of Congressional districts has not yet been approved. 

State positions   

Executive: Elections will be held for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Auditor and Secretary of State.    

Legislative: West Park is represented by seats in the General Assembly. Both Sweeney and Antonio will seek re-election this year.

Judicial: Some seats face elections in 2022. 

Cuyahoga County   

Executive: At least 3 persons are running for the County Executive post.    

Legislative: Because of staggered terms, only half of the County Council members face elections. The term of Dale Miller, whose District includes West Park, does not expire in 2022.    

Judicial: A new of seats will be on the ballot.     For more info, go to https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov

House Bill 68 protects Ohio jobs and promotes a healthier construction industry across the state

CONTENT SUBMITTED

State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) testified Wednesday on House Bill (HB) 68, her bipartisan legislation with State Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton) to ensure that prime contractors are paid promptly and construction projects can move forward across the State of Ohio. The bill passed the House with a strong, bipartisan vote of 86 to 11.

“Contractors rely on timely payments to finance bidding on future work, which creates more good-paying jobs for Ohioans. Late payments jeopardize a contractor’s ability to secure their next job and to ensure reliable paychecks for workers,” said Rep. Sweeney. “House Bill 68 is a reasonable, pro-business, pro-worker bill that fosters a healthy and good-paying construction industry in Ohio.”

The bill closes a gap in state law by amending Ohio’s current Prompt Pay Act. It requires timely payments for prime contractors 30 days after they submit an invoice for undisputed, properly performed work. It creates an even playing field with legal leverage that incentivizes bills to be paid in a timely manner, regardless of if a project falls under the public or private sector. 

Ohio law already requires the following timetable for payments, and HB 68 would close the highlighted loophole:

Public Construction Projects

Owner to Prime – 30 days after invoice unless otherwise agreed (R.C. 126.30 and 153.14)

Prime to Sub – 10 days after prime contractor receives payment from owners (R.C. 4113.61)

Sub to Lower Tiers – 10 days after subcontractor receives payment from prime contractor (R.C. 4113.61)

Private Construction Projects

Owner to Prime – No Provision

Prime to Sub – 10 days after prime contractor receives payment from owner (R.C. 4113.61)

Sub to Lower Tiers – 10 days after subcontractor receives payment from prime contractor (R.C. 4113.61)

HB 68 now awaits additional consideration.

There is much work for NOACA to do in 2002.   

Develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to facilitate access to $3 billion available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).   

Execute the eNEO2050 long-range plan that identifies comprehensive planning strategies and $14 billion in future transportation and environmental planning projects.   

Connect residents to job hubs through our Workforce Accessibility and Mobility Tool and Van Pool Program.   

Along with our partners, NOACA will begin construction of the $45 million Irishtown Bend Stabilization Project, and  produce a Climate Action Plan.   

These projects and others will transform our region to sustain economic growth and quality of life for all.

Majority of funds are part of President Biden and Democrats’ American Rescue Plan

CONTENT SUBMITTED

Today, Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) voted in favor of Substitute House Bill (HB) 169 to appropriate $4.18 billion to support education, expand access to childcare and improve public health, among other investments in Ohio’s working people, families and communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is funded through several federal COVID-19 relief packages, the majority of which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act backed by Democrats and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year.

Hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to Ohio under the American Rescue Plan were at risk of expiring had the General Assembly not taken legislative action on the funds this month.

“This is timely, bipartisan legislation that will ensure we are bringing the full power and resources of the United States to bear against the public health crisis that has upended every aspect of our society,” said Rep. Sweeney. “Learning loss from the pandemic has been devastating, and we cannot allow our children, who are the future of Ohio, to continue to fall behind. That’s why almost 60% of this bill, nearly 2.5 billion dollars, will go towards education. We are only able to make such a sweeping appropriation because of the leadership of President Biden as well as Senator Sherrod Brown and Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Marcia Fudge, Joyce Beatty and Tim Ryan, who are the only members of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation that voted for the American Rescue Plan.”

Sub. HB 169 includes:

• $2.48 billion for K-12 schools;
• $1.05 billion to help health care providers hire and retain employees;
• $639 million in supplemental child care grants to enhance the hiring and retention of staff and improve access to child care;
• $250 million in grants for law enforcement agencies;
• $91.1 million for the Department of Health to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and address other public health priorities;
• $7.3 million to prevent youth homelessness.

The American Rescue Plan is landmark legislation for the Biden administration and advances many long-held Democratic priorities, including investments in working people, families and communities as Ohio and the nation continue to build back amid the COVID-19 pandemic after decades of failing to invest in families and communities.

The Plan will lower health insurance premiums, extend tax credits to families with children and invest in jobs. The American Rescue Plan is widely regarded as one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in history, with targeted aid to families making less than $90,000 annually. No Republican members of Congress voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan.

Sub. HB 169 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.

By Jerry Masek    

District 2 County Councilman Dale Miller — a veteran of 40+ years in public service — has many goals as 2022 begins.   

Miller represents Ward 16 and 17 in West Park, plus Lakewood and Rocky River. His term expires in 2024. 

Focus On Goals   

COVID-19: Getting the pandemic under control is a top priority. “We have to make the vaccine easier to obtain for everyone. Only 56 percent of the County workforce is vaccinated. We need to do better.”    

OPOIDS: “700 persons died of overdoses in 2021. That’s just horrible. We need to do more.”    

JUSTICE: “The County Jail, the Mental Health Diversion Center and bail reform are all key this year. We need to help keep more people from entering the system.”    

CLIMATE CHANGE: “The County needs to use more clean energy, and help reduce the impacts of climate change.”   

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Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors returns to the Cleveland Opera Theater stage this holiday season after Covid-19 forced the production into the digital realm last year. Performances will take place December 17-19, 2021 across Cuyahoga County in an effort to make the production geographically accessible to Northeast Ohio residents. In the spirit of the holiday season, this production is presented free of charge thanks support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and the Kulas Foundation with 100% of donations received supporting The City Mission’s Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center. 

For 10 years, Cleveland Opera Theater and The City Mission have come together to produce this holiday favorite. Michael Parry, Donor Relations Officer at The City Mission, says Amahl is not only an inspiring story and beautiful musical gift to the greater Cleveland community, but “it generates awareness of and support for The City Mission’s work. We are happy to partner with Cleveland Opera Theater on this production.” 

The mission of Cleveland Opera Theater is to advance opera through innovative, accessible, and inclusive experiences. While this generally means for our audience members, the company also makes a concerted effort to collaborate with Cleveland’s myriad training programs to feature and promote local professional artists including younger singers starting their professional careers. As in 2019, this year’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors will feature members of Cleveland Institute of Music’s youth choirs supplemented by select adult singers, under the direction of Conductor Jennifer Call. She says, “this beautiful story of hope and kindness is a perfect close for our Fall semester and for our return to ensemble singing after the year apart. Performing in this production is always a wonderful collaboration to introduce our young singers to opera and the art of storytelling as part of a professional production.” 

About Amahl and the Night Visitors: 

Based on Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors is a retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a young shepherd named Amahl, who needs a crutch to walk and lives in poverty with his widowed mother near Bethlehem. They receive visitors, three kings, who seek shelter on their journey to bring gifts to a newborn child. A vivid and accessible tale originally created for television, Amahl and the Night Visitors is truly an opera for all! 

About Our Production: 

Performances are free and un-ticketed. Cleveland Opera Theater is enforcing strict preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 including socially-distanced seating for attendees. Visit Clevelandoperatheater.org/amahl. 

Friday, December 17, 2021 @ 7:00p – Church of the Saviour, 2537 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 Saturday, December 18, 2021 @ 7:00p – Old Stone Church, 91 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113 Sunday, December 19, 2021 @ 3:00p – Rocky River United Methodist Church, 19414 Detroit Rd. Rocky River 44116.

View more information here. https://www.clevelandoperatheater.org/amahl

CONTENT COURTESY STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL NEWSLETTER

(By Courtney Cook)

The Cleveland Department of Public Health has launched a new COVID-19 Dashboard in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University. View the dashboard here. The dashboard provides concise data summaries and a map of current infection risk for government officials and the general public. All displayed data on the Cleveland COVID-19 Dashboard are updated before 6:00 a.m. EST daily.

About the City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life for its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us, Twitter at @cityofcleveland or Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcleveland.

COURTESY Straight from City Hall Newsletter

The City of Cleveland’s Rockefeller Park Greenhouse will hold its annual Friends of the Greenhouse Park Greenhouse Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature many varieties of poinsettias. Rockefeller Park Greenhouse is located at 750 East 88^th St. (On the northeastern edge of the Rockefeller Park between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and East 88^th Street.)

Poinsettia plants will be sold for $5 by cash or checks made payable to Friends of the Greenhouse. To view and share more information about the greenhouse plant sale, download the flyer here.

The Rockefeller Park Greenhouse is a City-owned botanical garden and greenhouse housing four acres of specialty plant collections, seasonal floral displays and indoor and outdoor themed garden displays. The public greenhouse is wheelchair accessible and offers free admission year-round.

COVID-19 protocols will be in place and masks are required.

For more information about the Poinsettia Plant Sale or the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, visitrockefellerparkgreenhouse.org or call 216-664-3103.

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To celebrate the start of the holiday season, Hudson Conservatory of Ballet (HCB) will present two performances of The Nutcracker at Hudson High School on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m.

HCB is thrilled to welcome Lea Fleytoux and Jarod Curley of American Ballet Theatre (ABT) to the stage to perform the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. ABT is recognized as one of the world’s leading ballet companies performing at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center in New York City. Both Fleytoux and Curley have performed as corps de ballet members with ABT since June 2019. Fleytoux, originally from Paris, trained in the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School before moving her way up into the company. Curley, originally from Bethesda, Maryland began in the ABT Studio Company before he was promoted to apprentice and then corps de ballet member. Along with these two guests, two local male dancers, Antonio Morillo and Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni of Verb Ballet, located in Cleveland, will appear as additional characters throughout the ballet.

Currently in its 8th season, HCB has made its traditional version of the classic holiday ballet a staple in the community for the past six years. Directors Eric Carvill and Sunita Joshi started the tradition in 2015 by presenting the second act of the ballet, the Land of the Sweets. Each season, the production has grown to include Act One scenes such as the Waltz of the Snowflakes, the Party Scene, and the Battle Scene. Now wIth a complete ballet and 70+ member cast, the story keeps getting better. 

This season’s production includes new features in every scene. The Party Scene will include added dresses and a reupholstered sofa matching the Victorian-style era in which the Stahlbaum family lives. Godfather Drosselmeyer will perform new tricks such as making flowers appear out of thin air and pulling a multi-colored scarf out of a town boy’s ear. Her majesty the Rat Queen, featured in the Battle Scene, will be adorned with a new Queen-of-Hearts-inspired costume including a military-style jacket and a custom made headpiece complete with a heart studded crown. The updated Snowflake corps bodices will give an extra sparkle to the magical Snow Scene. In the Land of the Sweets, the Arabian Coffee and Chinese Tea dances include added dancers and therefore new choreography and costumes to bring the sweets to life. Lastly, the most recognizable and audience favorite Waltz of the Flowers dance will feature new handmade corps de ballet costumes that mimic a bouquet of flowers with evergreen bodices and layers upon layers of pink and yellow tulle.

The characters donning these new and existing costumes are performed by students in HCB’s Conservatory program as well as selected dancers from its Full Season Program. HCB’s Conservatory consists of 42 students ages 9-18 who train anywhere from 7-15 hours per week in classical ballet and contemporary styles. Students compete and are recognized in regional, national, and international competitions such as the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) and American Dance Competition and International Ballet Competition (ADC IBC), attend prestigious summer intensives all over the country, and have been selected to attend year-round programs at world-renowned training schools both nationally and internationally. 

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at hudsonconservatory.com/nutcracker or at the door. Performances will be held at Hudson High School located at 2500 Hudson Aurora Road in Hudson, OH. Theater doors will open 45 minutes prior to the start of each performance. All audience members are required to wear a mask. 

COURTESY STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL NEWSLETTER

Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Police Chief Calvin D. Williams announce two Command Staff appointments to the Cleveland Division of Police following recent supervisory retirements.  The appointments will fill the roles of Commander of the Bureau of Special Investigations and Commander of the Bureau of Special Services.  These appointments will take effect on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

Ali Pillow, Commander of the Bureau of Special Investigations

The Commander of the Bureau of Special Investigations oversees the Investigative Section which includes the Accident Investigation Unit, the Homicide Unit and the Financial Crimes Unit, the Technical Section which includes the Crime Scene and Records unit, the Forensic Unit and the Photography Unit, the Special Victims Section which includes the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit and the Domestic Violence Unit, as well as the Administrative Section consisting of the Central Charging Office and the Criminal Statement Unit.

Commander Ali Pillow was appointed to the Division of Police in 1993.  Pillow served the Division of Police in the Fifth District on Basic Patrol and in the Vice Unit before being promoted to Sergeant in 2008, to Lieutenant in 2015 and to Captain in 2020.  Commander Ali Pillow has served the Division of Police as a Narcotics and Gang Unit Supervisor, an Internal Affairs Unit supervisor, as Public Information Officer, Lieutenant overseeing the Homicide Unit,  as the Executive Officer of the Bureau of Special Investigations and as Acting Internal Affairs Superintendent.  He has received multiple awards including the Medal of Heroism (2), Police Officer of the Year, Chief’s Special Commendation and Chief’s Outstanding Unit Award.

Alfred Johnson, Commander of the Bureau of Special Services

The Commander of the Bureau of Special Services oversees the Strategic Enforcement Section including the Narcotics Unit, SWAT, the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force, STANCE, the Gang Impact unit, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, HIDTA, the Domestic Violence Warrant Unit and the Violent Crimes Task Force.

Commander Alfred Johnson was appointed to the Cleveland Division of Police in 2007.  He served the Division of Police in the Fifth District and Third District on Basic Patrol and in the Community Services Unit, as well as within the Gang Impact Unit.  Commander Alfred Johnson was promoted to Sergeant in 2017, serving as a supervisor within the Gang Impact Unit.  Johnson is the recipient of multiple awards including a Chief’s Commendation, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Chief’s Outstanding Unit Award and a Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Award.

Cleveland Division of Police Announces Police Chaplain Appointments

Six Police Chaplains Appointed

CLEVELAND- Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Police Chief Calvin D. Williams announce six Police Chaplain appointments to the Cleveland Division of Police.  The appointments will fill the roles of vacant Police Chaplain positions.  These appointments will take effect on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

Chaplain Rosa Colondres

Chaplain Rosa Colondres is a Pentecostal Minister and  is currently serving as an Ordained Minister with the Iglesia Cristiana.  Ms. Colondres is an Ordained Pastor for Juveniles and has a Bachelors in Biblical Theology.  Ms. Colondres lives in the City of Cleveland and speaks Spanish fluently.  Ms. Colondres hopes to help officers in crisis. 

Chaplain Craig Donofrio

Chaplain Craig Donofrio is a Pastor at St. James Lutheran Church in Cleveland (Old Brooklyn Area) and has been an ordained Pastor for 22 years.  Mr. Donofrio served as a Chaplain in New York for First Responders after the terrorist attacks of September 11^thand since then has become fond of officers and Firefighters.   Mr. Donofrio understands the traumas that officers face in their duties.  He is eager to help officers and looks forward to being part of the team.  

Chaplain Freddie Graves Jr.

Chaplain Freddie Graves Jr.is the lead Pastor of The Rock Church.  Mr. Graves received a Master of Arts Degree in Black Church Studies from Ashland Seminary.  His extensive professional experience includes serving as Pastor and a Minister of Worship of various churches and organizations.  Mr. Graves feels it is important that the Community understand that officers are there to help others and that they are human too.   Mr. Graves is excited to be a Police Chaplain. 

Chaplain Theodore Kavouras

Chaplain Theodore Kavouras is a Deacon at Christ Lutheran Church (Cleveland). Mr. Kavouras was elected Deacon in April of 2021.  He has a Bachelor of Science from Indiana Wesleyan University. Mr.  Kavouras’ father is currently a Police Chaplain and through his father he has learned of the troubles that First Responders face and wants to help officers through difficult times.   

Chaplain Timothy Rosenberger Jr. *Mr. Rosenberger was unable to attend today’s ceremony and will be sworn in at a later time.

Chaplain Timothy Rosenberger Jr. is a Lutheran Pastor and the youngest applicant at 26 years of age.  Rosenberger has a Master of Divinity Degree from United Lutheran Seminary.   Mr. Rosenberger Jr. has a Doctor of Ministry from Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University and is the Lead Pastor at Sola Caritas Metropolitan Community Church.  He currently lives and works in Ohio City.  His Ministry was originally conceived for the LGTBQ Community but has grown to welcome others who may feel dislocated. He has always wanted to be a Chaplain for First Responders. 

Chaplain Grady L. Stevenson Jr.

Chaplain Grady Stevenson is the City of Cleveland Executive Director of the Community Relations Board where he works to promote relations among Cleveland’s racial and cultural groups.  He began his career with the City of Cleveland in 1989 serving as a meter reader and later a customer service representative with the Departments of Public Works and Public Utilities. He returned to the City in 2006 to work for the Department of Community Relations as a supervisor in the areas of community outreach and crisis intervention.  Mr. Stevenson worked as a liaison from the city to local families victimized by violence, planned several community events to increase positive relationships between the police force and the public, and has connected several ethnic communities within Cleveland to local resources.  He also serves as the Pastor of Damascus Road Ministries.  Stevenson hopes to bridge the gap between the community and the police.  Mr. Stevenson studied at the Northeast Ohio School of Ministry.