By Tonya Sams of Legal Aid
For many years, Cleveland tenants who were facing eviction were not guaranteed an attorney.

That changed when the City of Cleveland passed a Right to Counsel (RTC) ordinance, which became effective July 1, 2020. Cleveland became the first city in the Midwest and only fourth in the United States to provide such a right. Five years later, RTC continues to ensure that Cleveland tenants have access to legal representation in eviction cases and has helped thousands of families stay housed.

Cleveland residents who are entitled to receive free legal help under RTC are those who have incomes at or below the federal poverty guidelines, and a minor child in their home. Attorneys at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland will represent tenants in Court, help them present their side of the dispute, and try to get a result consistent with their goals.
There are more than 5,000 evictions filed every year in Cleveland.

“Evictions harm Cleveland neighborhoods. They disrupt neighborhood stability. They hurt children who have to change schools suddenly. Families often lose their belongings when they’re forced to move quickly. Childcare, transportation arrangements, family support systems and access to employment opportunities all can be broken by a sudden move,” said Barbara Reitzloff, a Supervising Attorney in the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid.

“Legal representation through RTC makes it more likely that the tenant can stay in their home, or work out an agreement to move on a more reasonable timetable.”

Since it began in 2020, more than 4,500 tenants have received assistance from Legal Aid through RTC, and Legal Aid attorneys have been able to help 80% of those tenants achieve their case goals. The eviction process moves quickly. In Cleveland, court dates can happen within days of the tenant receiving court papers. If the Court rules against the tenant, the tenant may have as few as seven days to move. If the tenant doesn’t move, the landlord may hire private movers to set the tenant’s belongings on the tree lawn.

Fortunately, it’s easier for tenants to attend their eviction hearings in Cleveland.

“Since the pandemic, eviction hearings are held on Zoom. This is helpful because the tenant doesn’t have to worry about transportation to the Justice Center, the cost of parking, or arranging for childcare,” Barbara said.

Barbara reiterated that having an attorney is important.

“We’ve learned from RTC that you are likely to get a better result with an attorney than without one.” said Barbara. “An attorney can help get a tenant more time to move, or they may be able to stop the eviction completely. An attorney may be able to protect a tenant’s housing subsidy, which the tenant can lose if the Court grants an eviction judgment against the tenant.”

Cleveland tenants facing eviction should call 216-861-5835 or apply online at FreeEvictionHelp.org. For help with other housing matters, call 888-817-3777 or apply online at lasclev.org/apply.

Tonya Sams is a Development and Communications Right to Counsel continues to help those facing eviction in Cleveland.

If you have a cell phone, you probably use it dozens of times a day to text people you know. But have you ever gotten a text message from an unknown sender? It could be a scammer trying to steal your personal and financial information. Here’s how to handle and report unwanted text messages.

• Spam Text Messages and Phishing
• What To Do About Spam Text Messages
• How To Report Spam Text Messages

Spam Text Messages and Phishing

Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.

Scammers often try to get you to click on links in text messages by promising you something. Scammers might

• promise free prizes, gift cards, or coupons — but they’re not real
• offer you a low or no interest credit card — but there’s no deal and probably no card
• promise to help you pay off your student loans — but they won’t

Scammers also send fake messages that say they have information about your account or a transaction. Scammers might

• say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity on your account — but they haven’t
• claim there’s a problem with your payment information — but there isn’t
• send you a fake invoice and tell you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the purchase — but it’s a scam
• send you a package delivery notification— but it’s fake

The messages might ask you to give some personal information — like how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number — to claim your gift or pursue the offer. Or they might tell you to click on a link to learn more about the issue. Some links might take you to a spoofed website that looks real but isn’t. If you log in, the scammers then might steal your username and password.

Other messages might install harmful malware on your phone that steals your personal or financial information without you realizing it.

What To Do About Spam Text Messages

If you get a text message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give some personal or financial information, don’t click on any links. Legitimate companies won’t ask for information about your account by text.

If you think the message might be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the text message.

There are many ways to filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you:

On your phone	Your phone may have an option to filter and block spam or messages from unknown senders. Here’s how to filter and block messages on an iPhone and how to block a phone number on an Android phone.
Through your wireless provider	Your wireless provider might have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages. Check out ctia.org, a website from the wireless industry, to learn about options from different providers.
With a call-blocking app	Some call-blocking apps also let you block unwanted text messages. Go to ctia.org for a list of call-blocking apps for Android, BlackBerry, Apple, and Windows phones, or search for an app online. Check out the features, user ratings, and expert reviews.

How To Report Spam Text Messages

If you get an unwanted text message, there are three ways to report it:

• Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future.
• Report it on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
  • How to report spam or junk in the Messages app
  • How to report spam on an Android phone
• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

PRESS RELEASE

On Tuesday, the full slate of Ohio Working Families Party-endorsed candidates running for Cleveland City Council advanced to the general election. Rebecca Maurer, Ward 5; Mohammad Faraj, Ward 7; Alana Belle, Ward 9; and Tanmay Shah, Ward 12, all advanced on Tuesday and will appear on the ballot again in November. Nikki Hudson, Ward 11, had already secured a spot in the general election.

“The Ohio Working Families Party is extremely proud that all five of our endorsed candidates in the Cleveland City Council elections will advance to November,” said Aleena Starks, Ohio State Director for the Working Families Party. “We endorsed this slate of candidates because they’ll fight for working people in neighborhoods throughout our city. While the November elections are going to be a challenge, our candidates will face a broader electorate that is not impressed by the status quo we’re up against. Cleveland deserves a city council that will stand up for working people, and the WFP is going to do everything we can over the next eight weeks to help these five candidates win their races.”

The Ohio Working Families Party has provided indispensable support to these candidates and campaigns. In January of this year, Ohio WFP started monthly trainings with prospective candidates across the city. After the WFP released its slate of endorsements, candidates and their staff began meeting regularly with WFP to receive strategic support, build their campaigns, create a fundraising program, and craft a winning message for voters.

The Ohio WFP has also organized its members and volunteers to support its City Council slate. It made over 50,000 texts and 30,000 calls, and the support will continue through November’s general election.

In addition, earlier this year the Ohio WFP released its “Our City, Our Future” policy platform for the city of Cleveland. It highlights the WFP’s vision for tackling urgent issues like economic justice, affordability, and community safety — and includes some of the policies Ohio WFP-endorsed candidates would champion if elected.

PRESS RELEASE

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement in response to the announcement of a Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting being created. 

“I’m encouraged to see the majority take action to meet Ohio’s constitutional obligation to pass a bipartisan congressional map by September 30,” said Leader Antonio. “I’m especially pleased that our introduction of a fair, constitutional map has prompted movement toward a collaborative redistricting process. The committee now has the opportunity to seriously consider our map and ensure that we meet the deadline with a map that serves the people, not politicians.”

Ohio Democrats introduced a congressional map– Senate Bill 259– in compliance with the Ohio Constitution’s required mid-decade redistricting process. That process mandates that the General Assembly pass a bipartisan map by September 30. 

“I look forward to serving on this joint committee and working in good faith toward a bipartisan solution,” said Leader Antonio.

Details on Senate Bill 259 can be found here. Watch the full press conference introducing the bill here. 

Inbound East Shoreway to fully close after Friday morning rush hour for water main repairs — westbound lanes remain open

SUBMITTED

Following the Friday morning rush hour (approx. 10 a.m.), the inbound (eastbound) Memorial Shoreway (Route 2) will be fully closed from West 45th Street to West 28th Street to allow crews to complete urgent repairs to a damaged water main beneath the roadway. 

This action follows a major water main break near West 45th Street last week, which caused significant flooding. 

Closure Details: 

• Eastbound (inbound) Shoreway CLOSED from W. 45th to W. 28th, starting ~10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. 
• Reopening scheduled for Monday (Sept. 15) morning traffic.

Evening commutes will NOT be impacted — the westbound (outbound) Shoreway will remain fully OPEN throughout the closure. 

Detour Information for Downtown Visitors: 
West side drivers heading downtown (including for Guardians games) should use: 

• I-90 eastbound via West 117th St or West 150th St, or 
• Detroit Avenue to local north–south connectors like W. 25th, or W. 9th/W. Huron Rd. 

Access to Edgewater Beach and the Edgewater Marina will not be affected. 

We thank drivers for their patience and encourage everyone to plan ahead. 

PRESS RELEASE

Academy of Country Music, Country Music Awards, and Grammy Award-winning superstar Miranda Lambert made a special stop at City Dogs Cleveland on Friday, August 15, ahead of her performance at Huntington Bank Field for Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem Tour.

A lifelong animal advocate, Lambert is known for using her platform to promote shelter pet adoption through her 501c(3) nonprofit organization, MuttNation Foundation, often visiting local rescues while on tour. Lambert spent time meeting Eddie Money, Manon, Abba Gabba, Dolphin, Azalea, and Mulligan; all dogs eager to find a new home.

Her Cleveland visit came at the perfect time — right as the Clear the Shelters campaign launches at the Cleveland Kennel, offering reduced adoption fees of just $21 through the event’s run.

Clear the Shelters is a nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign organized by NBC and Telemundo stations, which has helped find loving homes for more than 1 million animals since 2015.

“It was great to visit City Dogs – the entire staff was so friendly and helpful – and the dogs! It’s impossible not to fall in love with all of them, they’ll steal your heart with just one look,” said Lambert. “I’m also especially glad to visit during Clear the Shelters and want to encourage everyone to come out and adopt!”

The Cleveland Kennel currently cares for approximately 160 dogs, nearing its total capacity. Just last month, City Dogs hosted a Superman-themed “SUPERDOG” adoption event, celebrating the hero’s Cleveland roots and the release of a new film — resulting in 44 dogs finding their forever homes.

“We really appreciate Miranda Lambert taking the time to come visit and help us promote our great dogs who are looking for homes,” said Izzy Esler of City Dogs.

Residents interested in meeting an adoptable dog can visit www.tinyurl.com/meetacitydog to learn out more about adoption and to set up a meet-and-great at the Cleveland Kennel!

About City Dogs Cleveland

City Dogs Cleveland is the adoption and volunteer program for the Cleveland Division of Animal Care and Control. Located at the Cleveland Kennel, City Dogs provides opportunities for the public to meet and get to know canines as the amazing family members they were meant to be.

About MuttNation Foundation

Founded by Miranda Lambert and her mom, Bev, in 2009, MuttNation Foundation is a donation-supported 501c(3) nonprofit organization that has raised over $10 million in support of its mission to promote the adoption of shelter pets, advance spay & neuter and educate the public about the benefits of these actions. MuttNation provides support through the MuttNation-Tractor Supply Relief For Rescues Fund to shelters and supporting organizations in times of natural disaster and supports spay & neuter through the MuttNation “It Takes Balls” program, among numerous other initiatives. MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert, a pet line of toys and supplies that benefits the Foundation, is available exclusively at Tractor Supply Company stores throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit MuttNation.com.

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is pleased to announce Rebecca Carmi and Sally Gries have been elected to five-year terms as standing trustees of the museum, and Howard Freedman has been named as an honorary trustee to the distinguished museum board.

A diverse group of local and national figures vested in the continued growth of the arts and Northeast Ohio, the CMA’s board of trustees guides the museum in its mission to create transformative experiences through art. Members are elected to positions in accordance with the museum’s charter and play an integral role in the life of the museum.

Rebecca Carmi

Rebecca Carmi, a lifelong advocate of the CMA, is an accomplished cantor, opera singer, recitalist, and author. She has served as chair of the CMA’s Womens Council and the Womens Council Education Committee, and as chair of ChamberFest Cleveland, and is actively involved in the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Carmi holds a B.A. from Brown University in comparative literature; a B.A. and a M.A. in voice from the Cleveland Institute of Music; a doctorate in educational leadership and change from Fielding Graduate University; and an M.A. in Sacred Music from the Hebrew Union College in New York.

After serving as congregational clergy in pulpits in New York, New Jersey and California, Carmi was the director of strategic projects for the Cantors Assembly from 2005 until her retirement in 2015, continuing to this day as a trustee. In 2018, in recognition of her lifetime career in the cantorate, she received an honorary doctorate in Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College.

Carmi has authored children’s books for Scholastic, Inc. and published several short stories in fiction anthologies. As a performer, Carmi has sung in concerts throughout the USA, Cananda, Europe and Israel and was a featured singer in the CMA’s exhibit Sonic Blossom by Lee Mingwei, in which singers performed one of Schubert’s art songs from Lieder, donning a specially designed “transformation cloak” and engaging patrons in an immersive experience of song.

Sally Gries 

Sally Gries began her financial services career in the late 1960s at Goodbody & Co. in Philadelphia in municipal bonds and has worked as an investment banker and venture capitalist. She founded Gries Financial in 1978 as a single-family office and has grown the firm into a disciplined investment and wealth management service. She holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and has the Certified Financial Planner designation.

Gries is the chairperson of the board of directors of the Cleveland Foundation, a trustee of Holden Forest and Gardens, a life trustee of Hawken School, trustee emeritus of Case Western Reserve University, and assistant secretary of the Victor M & Harriet J Goldberg Foundation.

In 2010, Gries and her husband, Bob, founded the Sally & Bob Gries Center for Experiential and Service Learning in University Circle. The foundation represents Hawken School’s commitment to the principles of real-life learning and involvement with the greater Cleveland community. The Hawken School University Circle campus is now the Hawken School Sally & Bob Gries Center for Experiential and Service Learning. Bob and Sally also established the Gries Family Award at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to honor Jewish leaders who have demonstrated high-impact leadership in both the Jewish and general communities.

Howard Freedman

Howard Freedman, a respected Cleveland attorney for more than five decades, began his professional career at Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff.  He has since practiced independently as a business lawyer.  He received his J.D. from CWRU School of Law and B.A. from Tulane University.

Freedman currently serves on the dean’s advisory council of the Tulane University School of Liberal Arts, on the board of directors of the Friends of the Uffizi Galleries, and on the leadership council of the Kent State University Museum.  He is emeritus trustee of Cleveland Arts Prize, which he previously served as board chair, and emeritus director of the Cleveland advisory board of Facing History and Ourselves, which he previously served as board chair.  In addition, he previously served on the boards of directors of SPACES, including as board president, FRONT, the Cleveland International Film Festival, and the Contemporary Art Society of the CMA.

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About the Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and performing arts and is a leader in digital innovation. One of the foremost encyclopedic art museums in the United States, the CMA is recognized for its award-winning open access program—which provides free digital access to images and information about works in the museum’s collection—and is free of charge to all. The museum is located in the University Circle neighborhood with two satellite locations on Cleveland’s west side: the Community Arts Center and Transformer Station.

The museum is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and made possible in part by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. For more information about the museum and its holdings, programs, and events, call 888-CMA-0033 or visit cma.org.

The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs urges residents to ignore all calls about missed jury duty as these are scam calls.

Cuyahoga County residents are reporting higher than usual numbers of scam calls from individuals posing as deputies who claim the resident has missed court appearances.

In a new twist in these scams, rather than immediately asking for fines, some scammers direct people to official-looking websites where they must enter personal information to learn the amount of the fine.

Many residents who visited the scam sites report they had entered their Social Security numbers, dates of birth and photos of their drivers’ licenses before being asked to pay up to $10,000 in “fines.”

Consumer Affairs reminds residents:

• Governments use “.gov” websites. County, federal and court websites do not use other domains, such as .org or .com, which are available to anyone.

• All calls, texts and emails about missed court appearances are scams. Courts send jury notices by U.S. mail, and no signature is required for delivery.

•  Law enforcement officers never call people about missed court appearances or to request signature comparisons or fines. 

• Never use callback numbers provided in vague messages about legal issues. They lead to scammers. 

Report scams to the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad by calling 216-443-7226 or through cuyahogacounty.gov/scamsquad. 

By The West Park Times Staff

The future of the historic building at 17209 Lorain Avenue, long known to West Park residents as the former Kamm’s Café and Old Tony’s, remains undecided, according to Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife.

“To the best of my knowledge, the property remains for sale or lease and there are no definitive plans for the building,” Slife shared. “Clearly a past plan that required city approvals for a limited demolition did not come to pass.

All this being said, the building remains in very good condition. I was inside of it recently.”

Slife’s remarks help clarify the current status of the site, which has been vacant since 2016 but continues to draw strong community interest given its history and location at the corner of Lorain Avenue and Rocky River Drive—the very heart of Kamm’s Corners.

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A Landmark of West Park History

The Kamm’s Building, dating back to 1900, stands on the site of Oswald Kamm’s original general store and post office—making it one of the most historic properties in all of West Park. It later became home to Old Tony’s, a neighborhood bar and restaurant that operated for decades before closing in the 1990s.

Since then, the building has seen a rotating lineup of tenants, including Panini’s Bar & Grill, Ironwood Café, and Kamm’s Café, none of which remained long-term. The building has sat empty since the mid-2010s.

In 2020, concerned residents launched a petition to “Preserve the Kamm’s Building,” garnering more than 1,300 signatures. The campaign emphasized the site’s importance to the neighborhood’s identity and urged city leaders to secure its future through preservation and adaptive reuse.

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What Comes Next?

While there are no active redevelopment efforts at this time, Slife’s comments suggest the building is being maintained and remains in a condition that could support new life—if and when the right project or tenant emerges.

The building’s prime location, architectural character, and symbolic value continue to make it a promising opportunity for a business or organization looking to plant roots in West Park.

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Know Something? Have Ideas?

If you’re a resident with memories of the building, thoughts about what it could become, or information to share about its potential future, email us at editor@westparktimes.com. We’d love to hear your voice on the future of one of West Park’s most iconic corners.