Just wanna say:
These posts are about my opinions, which are subject to growth, adaptation, and change.
Past posts do not necessarily represent what I think at the current point in time. I leave them up to show a development, growth of ideas in my education process.
GO CLEVELAND!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
"The Future is Bright In Cleveland"
Hello! Apologies for not posting in like three months. I've missed this.
Over spring break I visited with a bunch of cool people in the workplace in Cleveland, and I've compiled my new campaign:
The Future is Bright in Cleveland
Basically, it refers to a collage of hidden ideas:
1. The Cleveland in future looks optimistic
2. There are many young people coming back to Cleveland, anxious for change and fresh with ideas.
3. This future is bright, as in educated/intelligent, and therefore promotes optimism.
Cleveland City Government faces many challenges, and besides the egregious water and sewer rate increases, have approached them with grace.
However,
much more needs to be done.
What I stand for as a citizen, potential future office holder:
--> FIX POTHOLES. Next to utilities, garbage collection, and snow plowing, this is the most necessary, tangible capital improvement which MUST be addressed. I would honestly double the paltry funds dedicated to this tax, perhaps removing the subsidies to the Cleveland Browns . . .
--> REFORM CITY GOVERNMENT. (Credit is due when I get the okay from the idea-makers). Instead of Cleveland's ward system being the basis for everything, there should be two camps of councilmen. The first camp should be 5-6 officials elected in a city-wide vote to represent the city's interests. The highest vote getter should become the Council President. Another 6 positions would represent "districts" of the city, similar to the current ward format.
--> DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT. 1. Create a no-fly zone for crimes committed in main business districts throughout the city. Offenders get maximum penalty/sentence & a fine automatically. 2. Find a way to hire a brigade of cops to walk the streets of downtown at all hours of the day. In pairs. 3. Encourage apartment investment through similar subsidies to the condo deals (15 year tax abatement, etc.). 4. Post signs near freeways/downtown entrances on Rt. 2 W, Rt. 2 E, Ontario, E. 9, Carnegie, Lorain, Detroit, Superior, St. Claire W., Euclid W., Chester W., etc. over the roads, with a cool creative design that says "Cleveland" or "Welcome to Cleveland" spanning the roads from above.
--> SCHOOL REFORM. (Credit due for some of this, again. . . ) 1. Consolidate/demo/repurpose schools with under 50% attendance. The numbers published in the PD this weekend were ridiculous. CMSD does not need this many buildings open. 2. Work a deal out at a state level allowing something like $4,500 (half of state's contribution) to follow students who reside in the city of Cleveland to private schools or suburban school districts. Reimburse for travel expenses. CMSD still gets to keep 2/3 of total funding per student and DOESN'T HAVE TO TEACH THEM. CMSD will complain, but at this point choice is the way to go for Cleveland's economy and students. 3. Reform the CMSD with parent, teacher, student participation. Use the "metropolitan" label as a gift to have specialized schools on each side of town. 4. Count attendance after 1st period, not at 10 AM. . . 5. Many other things
--> CONSOLIDATE services with neighboring suburbs. In say, Brooklyn's case, buy them a new engine or ladder truck PLUS an EMS truck PLUS pay for Brooklyn for the staff costs & maintenance costs, in order to improve coverage in Old Brooklyn, Linndale, and Denison Rd. area. Offer trash removal services to East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Heights, etc.
--> LOWER TAXES incrementally through my revenue-stream-stabilization model. Work first on lowering the income tax, so people & businesses want to work in Cleveland more. Secondly, impose $20 fines annually on house owners who don't keep houses & yards up to code (at enforcer's generous discretion), $100 on ungodly buildings & undeveloped lots, etc. NEW INCOME, YAY!
--> CUT RED TAPE. You shouldn't have to go through a councilman (who'd get credit for the project) to open a business. Cut the red tape, fill the zoning & permit boards with educated, well-meaning, people, and consolidate zoning. WE DON'T NEED 14+ zoning designations! I'm one of the few planners who is OKAY with less planning (in certain aspects).
--> NEW LAND USE POLICIES (1. is misplaced to *LOWER TAXES, above). 2. Allow owners of houses next to adjacent demolished housing lots to absorb that property as long as they maintain it;
--> PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING. Double the $ amount given to each Ward, allow citizens to decide where that investment goes, and which neighborhood gets a large development/streetscape grant every (Each ward guaranteed 1 every 10 years).
--> LAKEFRONT Move Port to land east of Airport; Develop current port site; Then remove airport and allow planned development as part of a new Lakefront Plan.
--> MAKE USE OF FIBER NETWORKS. Unleash the free Wi-Fi beneath Euclid Corridor. Help Euclid become the next I-271. Establish free Wi-Fi across the city.
--> CLEVELAND CARD. Work with the RTA to establish a renewable-rides card with city-business-only-accessible Debit capabilities. Each person to purchase one gets a ClevelandID
--> WEST SIDE MARKET. Establish Market District as Special Improvement District. Funnel more funds into it for renovations. Build parking garage, provide unique eating space for consumers. Develop residential in the area.
--> CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL LEARNING CENTER. Set up a block with classroom buildings, dormitories, labs, etc. for inviting Ivy-League and all other college students across the country for a "Semester in Cleveland." Provide unique internships, job-shadowing activities, networking events, real-world experience, skill-building programs, etc. for students. Promote HS programs, Undergraduate programs, graduate programs. Interact with CSU & numerous community stakeholders to provide a truly unique experience for students & increase the downtown student population by 1,000. Maybe on Euclid Corridor between E. 9th and E. 13th.
--> GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY --> Each police precinct should host a monthly meeting for citizens to ask questions/ answer questions/ educate about challenges, etc.
The future is bright in Cleveland whether we do these things or not; but I'm certain the future will be EVEN BRIGHTER with these platforms in place.
Over spring break I visited with a bunch of cool people in the workplace in Cleveland, and I've compiled my new campaign:
The Future is Bright in Cleveland
Basically, it refers to a collage of hidden ideas:
1. The Cleveland in future looks optimistic
2. There are many young people coming back to Cleveland, anxious for change and fresh with ideas.
3. This future is bright, as in educated/intelligent, and therefore promotes optimism.
Cleveland City Government faces many challenges, and besides the egregious water and sewer rate increases, have approached them with grace.
However,
much more needs to be done.
What I stand for as a citizen, potential future office holder:
--> FIX POTHOLES. Next to utilities, garbage collection, and snow plowing, this is the most necessary, tangible capital improvement which MUST be addressed. I would honestly double the paltry funds dedicated to this tax, perhaps removing the subsidies to the Cleveland Browns . . .
--> REFORM CITY GOVERNMENT. (Credit is due when I get the okay from the idea-makers). Instead of Cleveland's ward system being the basis for everything, there should be two camps of councilmen. The first camp should be 5-6 officials elected in a city-wide vote to represent the city's interests. The highest vote getter should become the Council President. Another 6 positions would represent "districts" of the city, similar to the current ward format.
--> DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT. 1. Create a no-fly zone for crimes committed in main business districts throughout the city. Offenders get maximum penalty/sentence & a fine automatically. 2. Find a way to hire a brigade of cops to walk the streets of downtown at all hours of the day. In pairs. 3. Encourage apartment investment through similar subsidies to the condo deals (15 year tax abatement, etc.). 4. Post signs near freeways/downtown entrances on Rt. 2 W, Rt. 2 E, Ontario, E. 9, Carnegie, Lorain, Detroit, Superior, St. Claire W., Euclid W., Chester W., etc. over the roads, with a cool creative design that says "Cleveland" or "Welcome to Cleveland" spanning the roads from above.
--> SCHOOL REFORM. (Credit due for some of this, again. . . ) 1. Consolidate/demo/repurpose schools with under 50% attendance. The numbers published in the PD this weekend were ridiculous. CMSD does not need this many buildings open. 2. Work a deal out at a state level allowing something like $4,500 (half of state's contribution) to follow students who reside in the city of Cleveland to private schools or suburban school districts. Reimburse for travel expenses. CMSD still gets to keep 2/3 of total funding per student and DOESN'T HAVE TO TEACH THEM. CMSD will complain, but at this point choice is the way to go for Cleveland's economy and students. 3. Reform the CMSD with parent, teacher, student participation. Use the "metropolitan" label as a gift to have specialized schools on each side of town. 4. Count attendance after 1st period, not at 10 AM. . . 5. Many other things
--> CONSOLIDATE services with neighboring suburbs. In say, Brooklyn's case, buy them a new engine or ladder truck PLUS an EMS truck PLUS pay for Brooklyn for the staff costs & maintenance costs, in order to improve coverage in Old Brooklyn, Linndale, and Denison Rd. area. Offer trash removal services to East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Heights, etc.
--> LOWER TAXES incrementally through my revenue-stream-stabilization model. Work first on lowering the income tax, so people & businesses want to work in Cleveland more. Secondly, impose $20 fines annually on house owners who don't keep houses & yards up to code (at enforcer's generous discretion), $100 on ungodly buildings & undeveloped lots, etc. NEW INCOME, YAY!
--> CUT RED TAPE. You shouldn't have to go through a councilman (who'd get credit for the project) to open a business. Cut the red tape, fill the zoning & permit boards with educated, well-meaning, people, and consolidate zoning. WE DON'T NEED 14+ zoning designations! I'm one of the few planners who is OKAY with less planning (in certain aspects).
--> NEW LAND USE POLICIES (1. is misplaced to *LOWER TAXES, above). 2. Allow owners of houses next to adjacent demolished housing lots to absorb that property as long as they maintain it;
--> PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING. Double the $ amount given to each Ward, allow citizens to decide where that investment goes, and which neighborhood gets a large development/streetscape grant every (Each ward guaranteed 1 every 10 years).
--> LAKEFRONT Move Port to land east of Airport; Develop current port site; Then remove airport and allow planned development as part of a new Lakefront Plan.
--> MAKE USE OF FIBER NETWORKS. Unleash the free Wi-Fi beneath Euclid Corridor. Help Euclid become the next I-271. Establish free Wi-Fi across the city.
--> CLEVELAND CARD. Work with the RTA to establish a renewable-rides card with city-business-only-accessible Debit capabilities. Each person to purchase one gets a ClevelandID
--> WEST SIDE MARKET. Establish Market District as Special Improvement District. Funnel more funds into it for renovations. Build parking garage, provide unique eating space for consumers. Develop residential in the area.
--> CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL LEARNING CENTER. Set up a block with classroom buildings, dormitories, labs, etc. for inviting Ivy-League and all other college students across the country for a "Semester in Cleveland." Provide unique internships, job-shadowing activities, networking events, real-world experience, skill-building programs, etc. for students. Promote HS programs, Undergraduate programs, graduate programs. Interact with CSU & numerous community stakeholders to provide a truly unique experience for students & increase the downtown student population by 1,000. Maybe on Euclid Corridor between E. 9th and E. 13th.
--> GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY --> Each police precinct should host a monthly meeting for citizens to ask questions/ answer questions/ educate about challenges, etc.
The future is bright in Cleveland whether we do these things or not; but I'm certain the future will be EVEN BRIGHTER with these platforms in place.
Friday, January 28, 2011
A New Leaf
I'm kind of pleased to inform you I CAN'T run for mayor in 2013, seeing as I won't pass the residency laws at that time.
I also asked my councilman Kevin Kelly how many signatures anyone needs to run for mayor, he said 3,000 literally, or 5,000 in actuality.
SO, I'll work behind the scenes while at college, trying to absorb as much knowledge I can about the academic stuff, while simultaneously studying Cleveland and the stories/ideas of its people.
There are SO MANY people that want Cleveland to be better than the amazing parts here and there that we see; I think it's important to tap into that resource for all of our challenges.
Given that I cannot run, I'm looking to set up a forum/blog/resource page detailing what I and YOU think would be great things for a person seeking to be mayor of Cleveland would run on. If you know anyone with these skills, please let me know.
Some interesting sites:
urbanophile.com brings together articles/opinions on cities particularly in the midwest. This guy and his opinions are very cool.
theciviccommons.com most closely resembles what I want my site to be; it's a great site of Northeast Ohioans suggesting ideas on topics that effect some, or all of us.
gcbl.org identifies sustainability topics and news
Want my next blog to be on a specific topic besides news? Please let me know! :)
-Ken
I also asked my councilman Kevin Kelly how many signatures anyone needs to run for mayor, he said 3,000 literally, or 5,000 in actuality.
SO, I'll work behind the scenes while at college, trying to absorb as much knowledge I can about the academic stuff, while simultaneously studying Cleveland and the stories/ideas of its people.
There are SO MANY people that want Cleveland to be better than the amazing parts here and there that we see; I think it's important to tap into that resource for all of our challenges.
Given that I cannot run, I'm looking to set up a forum/blog/resource page detailing what I and YOU think would be great things for a person seeking to be mayor of Cleveland would run on. If you know anyone with these skills, please let me know.
Some interesting sites:
urbanophile.com brings together articles/opinions on cities particularly in the midwest. This guy and his opinions are very cool.
theciviccommons.com most closely resembles what I want my site to be; it's a great site of Northeast Ohioans suggesting ideas on topics that effect some, or all of us.
gcbl.org identifies sustainability topics and news
Want my next blog to be on a specific topic besides news? Please let me know! :)
-Ken
Saturday, January 22, 2011
2010 Reflections
Hello! It's been WAY too long.
My last post was during finals? yikes
Classes start in two days and I'd like to report my findings from my 4-week homecoming (winter break).
Dang, our media is SO negative. From afar, reading the Plain Dealer's articles online through last semester, it looked like Cleveland was free-falling through space and time. Huron trauma center was closing, the statistics kept getting worse, our sports teams are all the bottom of their leagues for the first time in my lifetime, SEWER BILLS ARE EXPECTED TO TRIPLE, taxes kept getting higher, 3-C rail was shot down, we're going to lose our Continental Airlines hub, old-name politicians were elected to the new county council and secret meetings ensued, more corrupt county employees were weeded out. . . . . . . . .
So, when I arrived in Cleveland I expected the worst.
And I was surprised with the staleness I felt in Cleveland for the first time.
Yes, 2010 was a year about reinvestment in things that'll effect us in 5 years: Innerbelt Bridge is moving along, Medical Mart broke ground, a new county government was instated, a casino was approved, Detroit Shoreway established itself as a complete cultural hub/neighborhood, etc. And yes, these are investments in our construction and minimum-wage economy. They have potential to spur either short term or long term development, creating spinoff jobs, etc.
I'm also optimistic about the grassroots movements growing: the LEED corporation moving to make us a hub in the wind turbine movement, local retailers moving to East 4th street in the first move of its kind in decades (Looking forward to Dredgers Union visit this summer), reinvestment in small businesses and biomedical firms, the blossoming of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, etc.
There ARE great things happening.
And I'm highly optimistic that Cleveland is still a great place for me to live.
Cleveland does have a brighter future than it may have seemed to have 5 years ago.
People like Terry Schwarz at the Kent State Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative are working at new solutions for controlling our shrinkage and making us a greener city again.
Even the city is setting up an International Welcome Center, trying to collaborate with businesses again, and disillusion people into thinking publicly-funded projects are going to save us (We are STILL paying off the stadiums. . .).
ALSO: websites like coolcleveland.com and theciviccommons,com are displaying our positive side and willingness to collaborate as a united Northeast Ohio.
Yet despite my optimism, I'm a realist.
And Cleveland felt STALE. It felt like nothing was happening, despite my knowledge of the huge growth in University Circle and reinvestments in downtown.
And because of this, I'm reconsidering running for mayor.
SOMEONE needs to be in charge who will:
--> be independent
-->not be corrupt
--> be creative, with new solutions
--> engage the community in issues from safety, to services, to schools, with transparency and a willingness to listen to the people AND consulted experts
--> be willing to work with local cities & businesses to spur regional growth and GDP output
--> balance the needs for HUGE social and economic reinvestments
--> offer lower tax rates in response to economic and population growth
--> finally tackle the lakefront and river valley
--> reform the education, safety, and justice systems
--> clean up the streets, providing premium experiences downtown for residents & visitors, making downtown competitive with the suburbs and other cities in the world
--> provide a young progressive face symbolizing the future of the city
--> cut the red tape, rezone the city, quicken processes for business-owners, and rid the law books of crazy laws
--> provide equal investment in neighborhoods of all races, representing Cleveland's population in government with a balance of credentials and non-quota'd diversity.
etc.
and I think I can be/do that. And in running for mayor and establishing my platform, I'd rely on others and collaboration to get things done. I'd provide the credit necessary to all the people who helped get movements going, the people who led grassroot movements, the Clevelanders who make the city who it is, no matter the race, religion, or sexual orientation.
We are all Cleveland. We all need a helping hand.
And if I am to make a run at office, there'll be a platform I'd attempt to pursue while in office. Which I'll publish a preliminary report on my next blog ;-)
Stay cool Cleveland
the air isn't really THAT stale
and it's in the negative degrees in Ithaca. fun!
-Ken
My last post was during finals? yikes
Classes start in two days and I'd like to report my findings from my 4-week homecoming (winter break).
Dang, our media is SO negative. From afar, reading the Plain Dealer's articles online through last semester, it looked like Cleveland was free-falling through space and time. Huron trauma center was closing, the statistics kept getting worse, our sports teams are all the bottom of their leagues for the first time in my lifetime, SEWER BILLS ARE EXPECTED TO TRIPLE, taxes kept getting higher, 3-C rail was shot down, we're going to lose our Continental Airlines hub, old-name politicians were elected to the new county council and secret meetings ensued, more corrupt county employees were weeded out. . . . . . . . .
So, when I arrived in Cleveland I expected the worst.
And I was surprised with the staleness I felt in Cleveland for the first time.
Yes, 2010 was a year about reinvestment in things that'll effect us in 5 years: Innerbelt Bridge is moving along, Medical Mart broke ground, a new county government was instated, a casino was approved, Detroit Shoreway established itself as a complete cultural hub/neighborhood, etc. And yes, these are investments in our construction and minimum-wage economy. They have potential to spur either short term or long term development, creating spinoff jobs, etc.
I'm also optimistic about the grassroots movements growing: the LEED corporation moving to make us a hub in the wind turbine movement, local retailers moving to East 4th street in the first move of its kind in decades (Looking forward to Dredgers Union visit this summer), reinvestment in small businesses and biomedical firms, the blossoming of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, etc.
There ARE great things happening.
And I'm highly optimistic that Cleveland is still a great place for me to live.
Cleveland does have a brighter future than it may have seemed to have 5 years ago.
People like Terry Schwarz at the Kent State Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative are working at new solutions for controlling our shrinkage and making us a greener city again.
Even the city is setting up an International Welcome Center, trying to collaborate with businesses again, and disillusion people into thinking publicly-funded projects are going to save us (We are STILL paying off the stadiums. . .).
ALSO: websites like coolcleveland.com and theciviccommons,com are displaying our positive side and willingness to collaborate as a united Northeast Ohio.
Yet despite my optimism, I'm a realist.
And Cleveland felt STALE. It felt like nothing was happening, despite my knowledge of the huge growth in University Circle and reinvestments in downtown.
And because of this, I'm reconsidering running for mayor.
SOMEONE needs to be in charge who will:
--> be independent
-->not be corrupt
--> be creative, with new solutions
--> engage the community in issues from safety, to services, to schools, with transparency and a willingness to listen to the people AND consulted experts
--> be willing to work with local cities & businesses to spur regional growth and GDP output
--> balance the needs for HUGE social and economic reinvestments
--> offer lower tax rates in response to economic and population growth
--> finally tackle the lakefront and river valley
--> reform the education, safety, and justice systems
--> clean up the streets, providing premium experiences downtown for residents & visitors, making downtown competitive with the suburbs and other cities in the world
--> provide a young progressive face symbolizing the future of the city
--> cut the red tape, rezone the city, quicken processes for business-owners, and rid the law books of crazy laws
--> provide equal investment in neighborhoods of all races, representing Cleveland's population in government with a balance of credentials and non-quota'd diversity.
etc.
and I think I can be/do that. And in running for mayor and establishing my platform, I'd rely on others and collaboration to get things done. I'd provide the credit necessary to all the people who helped get movements going, the people who led grassroot movements, the Clevelanders who make the city who it is, no matter the race, religion, or sexual orientation.
We are all Cleveland. We all need a helping hand.
And if I am to make a run at office, there'll be a platform I'd attempt to pursue while in office. Which I'll publish a preliminary report on my next blog ;-)
Stay cool Cleveland
the air isn't really THAT stale
and it's in the negative degrees in Ithaca. fun!
-Ken
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