Letters to the Editor
October 2008

For letters from previous editions, please visit the Archives page. To submit a letter to the editor, please click here.

Ward 14 Tremont residents’ concerns fall on deaf ears

To the editor: (Plain Press, October 2008) I read with astonishing interest the news story, “Conflicts arise as Union Gospel Press construction proceeds,” in your September 2008 issue. Every time a conflict arises in Ward 13 Tremont, TWDC runs out to save face with developers whose projects create negative impact on the quality of life for residents living near the development project.

Diametrically, Ward 14 Tremont residents’ complaints and concerns fall on deaf ears.  For nearly 3 years, my direct neighbors and I have listened to as many as 25 to 50 dogs barking, yelping and occasionally fighting, each and every day. This delightful array of noise provided courtesy of the 24/7 doggie daycare/kennel located on Scranton Rd. I have lived in my family home all my life, like most of my neighbors; the housing stock usually stays in the family.

We tried to appeal this politically motivated decision from the Zoning Board in both, the Court of Common Pleas and the State of Ohio District Court of Appeals for over two years to no avail. We successfully had the owner prosecuted with criminal charges of Dog Nuisance in the Spring of 2007. It is obvious our group of residential neighbors living directly behind this business could call the Dog Warden daily and have the same outcome. Contrary to the business owner and Councilman Joe Santiago, we are not vengeful as has been stated by them. We wanted to prove a point that not even this business is above the law and in 2007, Judge Angela Stokes agreed.

TWDC has tacitly supported this business from day one when Colleen Gilson, the former Executive Director, chose to write a letter to support the concept of this business. Could it be that the owner of the Mutt Hutt, Becca Riker, received favoritism because she sits on the Board of Directors of TWDC? Could she have received favors from Councilman Santiago and Councilman Joe Cimperman for this project because of connections and political support? It is interesting that several of the support letters to BOZA were from TWDC Board members who live close to a mile away from this facility, are not negatively impacted by its location, but utilize it for daycare and/or other kennel services.

Ms. Riker testified under oath that she would not have more than 25 dogs and would not have overnight boarding, funny how that changed as soon as the variance was approved. Against the presentation of over 70 signatures from residents in opposition and the opposition from the City of Cleveland Planning Dept., because it was located within 500 feet of a residential area, BOZA approved the plans. In hindsight, I believe this was a political decision already decided before the BOZA hearing took place and was a waste of time and energy for the residents affected by this business. The affluent new residents living in Tremont have a place to baby sit their dogs instead of having them chew up their 250K to 500K houses and condos. Councilman Santiago and Councilman Cimperman took care of their friends and contributors once again.

I believe the outcome would have been different had BOZA been asked to put this business next to the affluent residents of Ward 13. I wonder, would these residents appreciate the dogs, barking, yelping, etc., on a daily basis.  I think not.  The police and the Dog Warden would be there everyday.

Unfortunately, there is a clear pattern within the Tremont community that social injustice usually wins out and the poor residents should just move out.  I applaud, Ms. Justice and the Slone families for standing up for their rights and those of their neighbors. Hopefully, they will not have the same misfortunes within the legal system that we experienced. My neighbors and I feel that the reach of individuals that sit on the Board of Directors of TWDC can, will and has influenced the judicial system. This is what happens when you do not have an equal split of Ward 13 and Ward 14 residents on the Board of Directors of TWDC.

This part of Tremont will never heal until proper conditions and controls are put on this business. Is there a possibility to negotiate a sustainable solution for all parties? I believe there is, but TWDC has to accept us as equal partners within the Tremont community.  TWDC must stop treating Ward 14 Tremont residents as unwanted stepchildren as was the custom when Joe Santiago and Rosemary Vinci controlled the Board of TWDC.  Control of the Board has changed hands but the belief that residents of Ward 14 Tremont do not matter has not. I urge all residents of Cleveland to be active in their community and to be weary of local politicians that make bad decisions rendering your lifelong home and property value worthless with one trip to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

It is time for the City of Cleveland and TWDC to understand the real issue and look for a long-range solution.  The quality of life for residents is the most important objective and should not be usurped for the benefit of a few with disregard for those most affected by biased decisions and support.

I remember when Emily Lipovan was Executive Director of TWDC, when businesses were second and residents were first. I served as a Board member for six years and know first hand how things were done then, and how they are done now. Unfortunately, currently businesses are first and foremost with residents being an afterthought. If as a member you are not in agreement with the controlling clique, your opinions and opposition to their agenda is negligible.

Nina Swerdlow
Former TWDC Board Member and
Lifelong Ward 14 Tremont Resident

Update on El Tropical: 09 -22 -08

To the editor: (Plain Press, October 2008) I would like to let the community know that nothing has changed, even though we are waiting on the second of possible four appeals on the revocation of the nightclub’s liquor license we still fear for our lives on a nightly basis.
 
Just this weekend at least four fights had broken out at El Tropical and spilled into the residential community, almost every night some patron is shooting guns in the air. The drug abuse and dealing around the exterior of the club are running like clockwork. My neighbors blockade themselves into their homes at night, with weapons at the ready, fearing for their families’ lives. With every gunshot heard, neighbors wonder who could have been killed.

 The system is broken; the owner can file appeal after appeal and the neighbors and our community suffer; tax paying citizens are abandoning their life-long homes and leaving them for thugs, gangs, prostitutes, and drug dealers that patronize this nightclub. Even an established neighborhood tavern that has operated for 40 years just two blocks away from El Tropical closed stating the conditions in the neighborhood have worsened, and other businesses are starting to leave.

 Mayor Jackson, at a community meeting last year, you referred to the activities at El Tropical and the surrounding neighborhood as a level of organized crime. Mayor, you consistently boast Cleveland is a "City of Choice, " well in this case the only choice is to let the organized crime win. It is hard to continually watch this bad soap opera. The City of Cleveland already has enough evidence to adjudicate this place as a neighborhood nuisance. They could enforce building and housing violations, overcrowding, etc. and board up the place tomorrow. But why is this not happening? Do you think this would be allowed to happen in Tremont, Detroit Shoreway, or Ohio City? I think not. Who is protecting this convicted drug trafficker Mr. Mayor?

 I would like to see someone like Councilman Kelley, who was bragging that he feels safe putting his kids to sleep, to come and bring his children to Storer Ave. and see how quickly he will run. I will update you again on the progress of taking back Storer Ave, that is if we are still alive to talk about it. I pray to God every night to protect my family and neighbors. I hope someone helps us soon!

Rowena Ventura
Storer Avenue

return to home page