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Last week, the Ohio State Budget passed the Senate with a last-minute amendment to ban public broadband in cities across the state. This sweeping legislation snuck in by Republicans would have a lasting impact on Clevelanders. Mayoral candidate Justin Bibb is calling on the Statehouse and Governor Mike DeWine to urgently remove the ban during budget negotiations or by line-item veto.  

“Our city was recently ranked the least connected city in America and U.S. Census data shows that one in three households do not have access to the internet. This divisive piece of legislation will deepen that problem,” said Justin Bibb, candidate for Cleveland Mayor. 

The amendment undermines cities and its government partners like schools and libraries from working with telecommunications providers to offer low-cost internet services through a municipal broadband strategy. It also restricts the use of American Rescue Plan dollars to close the digital divide. 

“If signed into law, this ban on broadband will make closing the digital divide in Cleveland virtually impossible,” said Justin Bibb. “When a third of our residents are not online, they are held back economically and educationally. Access to high-speed, reliable internet is a must today to complete homework, find employment, access health care, start a business, or just stay informed.” 

“The biggest barrier to internet access is affordability and this amendment will only continue to put profit over people. It hands over the keys to the big telecommunications companies and blocks our shot at making the internet accessible to everyone,” he added. 

“I’m asking all Clevelanders, community organizations, activists and civic leaders to join me in calling on our state legislators to urge them to remove this midnight amendment to ensure residents have access to necessary online services. We must go a step further and demand limitations on American Rescue Plan funding are reversed and digital inclusion programs are funded,” said Bibb.  

“Ultimately, this amendment undermines the home rule of cities. I urge Governor DeWine to veto the amendment if the statehouse fails to remove it.” 

“As the least connected city in the country, we can’t afford more barriers to digital equity. Cleveland needs a municipal broadband strategy and as mayor, I’ll fight to connect every resident to the internet.” 

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Ross DiBello announces he has filed nominating petitions on Tuesday at the Board of Elections seeking to appear on the ballot in 2021 for Mayor of the City of Cleveland. 

The 38-year old West Park attorney submitted a total of 4,712 signatures. DiBello himself witnessed approximately 3,844 signatures, an unofficial record in Cleveland history for an individual candidate. With the majority of signatures being from his own West Park neighborhood, DiBello gained a comprehensive understanding of what Clevelanders want from their government. 

“West Parkers want the same thing as Clevelanders in Glenville, Slavic Village and Hingetown,” said DiBello. “They want representatives that will work for them all the time, on every issue, and build a Cleveland that cares about equity. Many are embarrassed by City Hall, and have been for decades, unfortunately. They will no longer tolerate the status quo and the consistent waste of our city’s resources.” 

In addition to those signatures personally witnessed by DiBello, a team of 44 volunteers and one canvasser, paid at the rate of $16 per hour, accumulated signatures far in excess of the required total. 

“While other candidates have spent months raising money from outsiders in order to pay outsiders to canvas, our team was focused on meeting and listening to Clevelanders,” said DiBello, who remains the only candidate to propose any legislation. “Work ethic and a commitment to service are the strengths of our campaign. A blue-collar town needs a blue-collar candidate. Being able to see so many Clevelanders agree with my platform and approach to community governance was a very pleasant surprise and a reiteration of why I am running. Our city deserves a leader who is a true public servant.” 

DiBello launched his candidacy proposing numerous legislative reforms to improve equity, democracy and free will in Cleveland. He proposes significant campaign finance reform, ending tax handouts to the wealthy, term limits for councilpersons and the Mayor, and a repeal of any further appointments of councilpersons, among other much needed changes. 

Learn more about Ross DiBello and his campaign by visiting www.rossdibello.com

Cartoon by Dean Norman

Inspired by a true encounter at the Rocky River Nature Center 

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State Senator Sandra Williams today became the first candidate for Mayor of Cleveland to file her petitions for the September 14 primary election.

Greeted by supporters as she entered the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Williams pledged a campaign focused on Cleveland’s future. “We stand at the threshold of a new day for the City of Cleveland.” Williams told the crowd. She went on to note the challenges our city still faces and how for too many it is hard to imagine better days ahead.

Senator Williams then shared her belief that this moment of peril has presented our best opportunity in decades to rebuild our city. Sharing her vision of a new, better Cleveland she said, “I see a city of opportunity for all Clevelanders; a city where economic, racial and gender inequality are extinguished;  where a good education is within the grasp of every student; and where fear and crime have plummeted..”

Williams also noted that in November Cleveland  voters will have the chance, as we did 50 years ago, to breakdown old barriers by electing the first female African American mayor.

Williams finished by pledging that her campaign will focus on every neighborhood and community in Cleveland. “This will be a campaign of bringing Clevelanders together in a crusade to build a community we can all be proud of, a city where our families and our children see a future brighter than today. Moving forward together is our path to a better tomorrow.  And together nothing can stop us.” Senator Williams concluded. 

Senator Williams filed a total of 4,971 signatures from across the city, well in excess of the 3,000 required to earn a place on the ballot.

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The sixth virtual Cleveland Consent Decree Community Conversation takes place tomorrow, June 9^th from 6:00-7:30 p.m., focusing on Families and Communities Building Resilience. The session is co-presented by United Way of Greater Cleveland and NAACP – Cleveland Branch.  

MEET OUR JUNE CONVERSATION LEADERS
PANELISTS

Brenda Bickerstaff, sister of Craig Bickerstaff who was 27 years old when hedied in 2002 
Alicia Kirkman, mother of Angelo Miller who was 17 years old when he died in 2007 
Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice who was 12 years old when he died in 2014 
Bernadette Rolen, mother of Daniel Ficker who was 27 years old when he died in 2011
Dr. Victoria Winbush, Professor of Social Work, Cleveland State University

MODERATOR

Rick Jackson, Senior Host & Producer, WVIZ PBS & WCPN NPR

A livestream will be available on the City Club of Cleveland’s YouTube channel by clicking here. A replay will also be available immediately after the session concludes.  Registration is free and open for all to join the conversation at unitedwaycleveland.org.

This 11-month virtual event series is complimentary and open to the public. The 2021 initiative is part of United Way of Greater Cleveland’s Public Policy Agenda to advocate, convene and support issues that impact Greater Cleveland. The series is possible through partnership with The City Club of Cleveland.

By Rich Weiss, for Neighborhood & Community Media Association of Greater Cleveland

If you missed your chance to attend the May 12^th public input meeting on the Cleveland Police Consent Decree, your input is still needed for the upcoming Consent Decree Community Conversation at 6:00 pm on June 9 (on Zoom).  This public meeting (co-sponsored by the local chapters of the United Way and NAACP) seeks your opinions and questions on progress of the Cleveland Division of Police in the areas of Families and Communities Building Resilience.

Rosie Palfy, who is a community advocate, a homeless advocate, a veterans advocate, and a member of the city of Cleveland Mental Health Response Advisory Committee since it was created in 2015, said, “I think that the event was really well received…and I’ve got nothing but positive feedback from the community. Strangers have reached out to me on social media, and it’s a small world out there. So somebody knows somebody, who knows me and they send me an email, and so I’m really glad I participated in it and I actually felt empowered afterwards. I was very pleasantly surprised at how it went.”

From the City of Cleveland “Straight from City Hall” newsletter

Police Week 2021 was recognized in Cleveland this week with multiple events honoring officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

On Thursday, May 20, 2021, the badges of Patrol Officer Vu Nguyen, EOW 7/6/18 and James Skernivitz EOW 9/3/20 were added to the badge case display located in the Cleveland Police Museum. Surviving family members of both officers, including their wives and children, were present for a small, intimate ceremony.

On Friday, May 21, 2021, the Police Memorial Parade and Ceremony, hosted by the Greater Cleveland Peace Officer Memorial Society was held in downtown Cleveland. Police agencies from the local, state and federal levels attended, including a detail from Canada. During the 2021 ceremony, Detective James Skernivitz was honored. Detective Skernivitz was killed in the line of duty on September 3, 2021 while working as a Federal Task Force Officer on the law enforcement initiative Operation Legend. Chief Calvin D. Williams spoke of the many awards and accolades bestowed upon Detective James Skernivitz during his time as a Cleveland Police Officer. In honor of National Police Week, we remember our fallen heroes as we keep their memories alive and hold dear the hearts of their loved ones.

To view photos from the Badge Case Ceremony, click here. To view photos from the Police Memorial Parade and Ceremony, click here.

COURTESY CMSD NEWS BUREAU

CMSD’s homeless students will benefit from an $80,738 fine that a contractor paid for using foreign steel on a state-funded transportation project.

The amount represents the largest share of $250,000 in fines that Attorney General Dave Yost secured from Miller Builders of Ohio.

State law requires contractors to use U.S.-made steel on state-funded projects. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission found that Miller Builders used foreign steel on eight transportation projects, which included storage buildings and road salt canopies.

“In Ohio, we put American workers and American products first, and this action ensures it stays that way,” Yost said.

Fines totaled 1½ times the cost of the steel used on the project. By law, the fines were distributed to the school districts where the projects were located.

District CEO Eric Gordon said the money would go to CMSD’s Project ACT, which serves homeless students and their families. 

Project ACT currently assists 1,800 students who are in shelters or temporary housing. But in a typical year, the department helps nearly 3,000.

The donation is one of the largest Project ACT has received since it was started in 1993. Director Marsha Zashin said the funds will go a long way in meeting the needs of students and their families.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am,” she said. “”This will be very, very helpful for our kids.”

Project ACT helps out with items such as school supplies, groceries, hygiene products, laundry detergent and Tracfones. Among the beneficiaries of its services in the last month were about a half-dozen families displaced by fires. 

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By Rich Weiss, for Neighborhood & Community Media Association of Greater Cleveland

If you missed your chance to attend the April 15^th public input meeting on the Cleveland Police Consent Decree, your input is still needed for the upcoming Consent Decree Community Conversation at 6:00 pm on May 12 (on Zoom).  This public meeting (co-sponsored by the local chapters of the United Way and NAACP) seeks your opinions and questions on progress of the Cleveland Division of Police in the areas of Crisis Intervention and Officer Wellness.

According to Roger Smith, Administrator of Cleveland’s Office of Professional Standards, “It’s really what the grassroots wants that should be driving this train.  It’s important for public figures and people who work in public agencies to understand with clarity what it is the community wants, here—what role they want the police to play in their communities and what kind of rules do they want to govern those interactions.  The only way to find that out is to get it from the community.”