Lincoln Heights Block Club voices discontent
with Tremont West Development Corporation
by Jerleen Justice

(Plain Press, November 2008) Waves of discord and discontent continue to swell within the rank and files of the Lincoln Heights/Scranton-Starkweather Block Club. The Ward 14 community organization has deep concerns that unbalanced representation and lack of fair treatment from the Tremont West Development Corporation are having a negative impact in the needs and growth of their slighted area.

On October 9, 2008, the membership gathered at the Zion Church of Christ on West 14th Street and as the sun was sliding behind the horizon, it was apparent that those arriving at the old house of worship were on a mission.  

Upon entering the ramped ingress, secretary Henry Senyak welcomed attendees with a handshake, hot coffee, soda and cool water. The evenings chronicle included the autographs of officers, members, speakers and invited guest.

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Among the brotherhood, there were also the faces of Andrew Morse, representative of Ohio Awnings, Ward 14 Code Enforcement Officer, Robert Rodgers, Kristen Ciofani and Sandy Smith from Tremont West Development Corporation. A representative from the Near West Neighbors in Action was one of the special invited guests in attendance.

As the meeting got underway and the order of business continued, co-chair Roman Dowhaniuk led the discussion and the beginning of what could well be a turning point in a block club revolution. Paving the path to severing ties with Tremont West Development Corporation was well underway as the panel continued to ventilate with their thoughts and opinions and it was evident that the scales had tipped in that direction.

Upon the orange and green covered tables was an array of credentials yielding enlightenment and guidance on How to Start a Block Club.  "We seem to be the black sheep," said co-chair Dowhaniuk. Questions arose in connection with monies that were earmarked for Ward 14 but had not been accounted for.  Councilman Santiago and Tremont West Development Corporation were both tagged as the agents in control of the designated resources. "Maybe it's time to plan an audit," said the distinguished man in black, advocate for Near West Neighbors in Action.  

The forum was in agreement that their affiliation with Tremont West Development Corporation had not been a fruitful relationship for some time. They had been overlooked, slighted and ignored and that the social injustice had taken its toll on the long-time residents of this Tremont region. It was agreed that the undertaking of this process would be a lengthy and time-consuming endeavor.

"It's not going to happen overnight," stated block club leader Roman Dowhaniuk.  

As the evening’s platform drew to a close, the motion was made, seconded, and accepted into the record that Part II of their pilgrimage would continue at the November gathering. "We want this done in a careful thought out way," stated Georgiann Franco. "We will use our energies and take time to do this thoughtfully."

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