Dog Days of Summer

It goes without saying that the Concert Series along the lakefront this Summer have been a great success.  My sincere thanks to the Beachland Park Association, Coronado Beach Association, the East Shore Park Club, and above all, the Cleveland MetroParks, for bringing “music to the neighborhood.”  We look forward to growing our concert series next summer and beyond.

Since my last update we have taken down an additional six (6) condemned and abandoned structures in addition to the 218 we have already removed.  My sincere appreciation, specifically to the Cuyahoga County Landbank, for the partnership they have established with my office. For the first time in a long period we are making serious inroads in ridding our neighborhood of these derelict properties.  My personal goal is to ramp up this effort throughout the remainder of this year into the next. Please remember, if there is an abandoned house on your street do not assume the City or County knows about it; for some neighbors have taken it upon themselves to maintain the yards and to pick up junk mail. I am greatly appreciative of these proactive neighbors. However, inspectors or our local development corporations wouldn’t know they are abandoned. So, please let us know of an abandoned structure on your street or in the neighborhood.  

Public safety is a number one priority and a foremost concern of all Cleveland residents. My sincere thanks to 5th District Commander, Sammy Morris, and the “men and women in blue” who patrol our neighborhood. This summer, with the help of our “nosey neighbors,” who I love, the 5th District was able to stay on top of many problems which could have grown. When neighbors pay attention and look out for one another, what a difference it makes.  Let’s continue to send a message to those individuals who wish to disrupt the peace and sobriety of our community; it will not be tolerated in Ward 8.  

I hope you have all witnessed the foundation work and the walls going up for the new O.H. Perry school between Harland and Schenely Avenues, just off East 185th Street.  What a great sight and we all look forward to its completion.

This summer has also been busy with block parties, street events, neighborhood association meetings, picnics and a whole host of events planned to bring neighbors together.  We are fortunate in Ward 8 to have as many active groups and organizations as we do.  However, as I have witnessed so often, it is the same neighborhood leaders and volunteers trying to do it all. You know what?  Even though they do a great job –they need rest too, and they need your help.

As many of you know, I have repeatedly appealed to residents to become involved in our local development corporations; Collinwood Nottingham Development Corporation and Northeast Shores.   Please, become a stakeholder in the community and have a say in neighborhood issues and development plans.  The door is always open and they welcome community participation. 

QUESTION: Are you a registered voter? Do you know that there is a Mayoral Primary coming up?  Tuesday, September 12th is Primary Election Day.  I get calls and emails into my office daily about city services and issues that are of concern to local residents. This is your opportunity, as voter, to let your voice be heard, as to what you believe is important.  There are nine people running for the Mayor’s office. Two will come out of the primary to square off at the General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 7th.  The General Election will also include Judicial races, Issues, and Council races city-wide including the 8th Ward.  

As I have stated at our neighborhood meetings.  These elections are critical on the northeast side from Glenville east through Collinwood and Nottingham. For, whoever is elected will once again be involved in the redistricting process. The last time that happened we saw our ward boundaries change to the west and south and our ward number was deliberately changed from Ward 11 to Ward 8.  We need to make sure, whoever is elected, that they will look out for the best interest of the residents and put what is good for the neighborhoods city-wide above petty gerrymandering, which had a devastating impact upon such areas as the Nottingham neighborhood. Be an informed voter.

Those who wish to vote by absentee ballot through the mail can do so by calling the Board of Elections at (216) 443-3200 or visiting their website at www.boe@cuyahogacounty.us.   

As always I can be reached at my office at (216) 664-4236 or via email at mpolensek@clevelandcitycouncil.org.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Polensek

Michael D. Polensek