Cleveland, OH

Council Pulls Legislation to Use Public Funds to Fight Participatory Budgeting Initiative

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2023

Press Room

Council Pulls Legislation to Use Public Funds to Fight Participatory Budgeting Initiative

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Maria Elena Scott

PB CLE campaign manager Molly Martin called the ordinance, “another example of this status quo institution choosing to expand their power rather than respect the will of the people”.

A proposed ordinance sponsored by Cleveland city council President Blaine Griffin, added to council’s Monday agenda over the weekend, would have authorized, if passed, the council president or designee to use public funds to “provide the public information about, and to support or oppose passage of, proposed tax levies, bond issues, and other ballot issues.”

While not explicitly about the impending vote in Cleveland on a participatory budgeting charter amendment, it was clearly the target.

But the legislation was pulled from consideration yesterday.

“People’s Budget Cleveland is dismayed by City Council’s latest efforts to subvert the democratic process in Cleveland. This weekend, City Council introduced last-minute legislation to retroactively authorize the President of City Council to spend public money to defeat resident-led ballot initiatives,” said PB CLE campaign manager Molly Martin in a statement. “This broad overreach sets a dangerous precedent, and is another example of this status quo institution choosing to expand their power rather than respect the will of the people. Our city deserves better.”

Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer, who co-sponsored legislation for a participatory budgeting pilot program earlier this year and tried to coordinate a compromise between PB CLE and Council leadership this month (but who ultimately came out against the charter amendment), blasted the proposed ordinance.

“What we are talking about here is spending taxpayer dollars to run a campaign to tell residents how to vote,” Maurer wrote in an Instagram story. “The city never needed this statutory authority before for city tax levies or school board levies. Now, 7 weeks before a citizen-led election on the very question of budgeting, we want the ‘clear authority’ to spend money to oppose it? That’s a power grab.”

By Monday afternoon, council appeared to reverse course, removing the legislation from the Monday night meeting agenda and letting the Bibb administration take the fall.

“It was suggested by the administration that council move forward with this ordinance,” council director of communications Darryle Torbert told Scene. “After internal conversation, council leadership decided that they were not going to move forward with it.”

“I just wanted to make sure that we were compliant and that we did everything above board,” Blaine Griffin told Signal, referencing the conversations with the law department. “This does not mean and this has never meant that we are trying to run a campaign out of City Hall.”

Meanwhile, a Bibb spokesperson told Signal the law department offered advice but that City Hall did not advocate for the measure.

But it seems that council might still proceed with the same plan, just relying on legal avenues other than city legislation.

“They felt it was unnecessary…because it was something that was proposed by the mayor’s law team to council and there’s already information at the State House and information from the State House, from the Supreme Court, that says that local governments have the right and the ability to use resources to inform and to advocate for or against issues that might be of importance to residents,” said Torbert.

Maurer, in comments on social media, disagreed.

“They are arguing that Ohio law doesn’t explicitly forbid it. And without it being explicitly forbidden apparently our Law Department looked to other sources,” Maurer wrote over a picture of the “Ohio Auditor of State’s FAQs related to Section 9.03 of the Ohio Revised Code’s prohibition against using public funds to support the passage of a political subdivision’s levy or bond issues”.

Over a picture of the court case “Kidwell v. City of Union,” Maurer wrote:

“The First Amendment case does not address what’s obviously a long-standing Ohio state law question about spending public dollars for campaigns. And it’s far from clear that this statutory authority is something the city can grant to itself rather than through the charter or by virtue of state law.”

Maurer went on to clarify that, even if using public funds to campaign against the charter amendment is technically legal, she doesn’t think it’s right.

But PB CLE isn’t just facing trouble from council. Republican State Senator Jerry Cirino (Kirtland) has announced plans to introduce a bill Tuesday to prevent the passage of the charter amendment in November by mandating that only city councils can make decisions about a city’s budget, effectively pre-empting the issue. (Council and Bibb have previously decried state preemption laws, most recently when it came to local gun laws and proposed legislation to ban flavored tobacco products in a city with the highest smoking rate in the state.

“I think this is a situation where the Statehouse needs to step in, lest other cities think they can do this as well,” cleveland.com reports Cirino said. “So it’s not just about Cleveland. If this were to happen in Cleveland, I think it’s such a bad idea, I wouldn’t want to see it come up anywhere else.”

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland, Ohio: Thanksgiving Rain Tonight, Snow Expected This Weekend Along Lake Erie

Published

2 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Cleveland, Ohio: Thanksgiving Rain Tonight, Snow Expected This Weekend Along Lake Erie

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Cleveland, OH – A Winter Storm Watch is set to take effect Friday, bringing heavy lake-effect snow to Northeast Ohio and areas near I-90. Residents should prepare for travel disruptions starting late Thursday night as snow bands develop.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm will persist through Monday, with snowfall exceeding eight inches in some locations. Areas along Lake Erie could see totals above a foot where lake-effect snow bands remain stationary. The heaviest snowfall is expected Friday night into Saturday morning, with visibility dropping below a quarter mile in some areas. Hazardous conditions may delay or halt holiday travel plans.

The extended forecast predicts a rainy Thanksgiving Day in Cleveland, with highs reaching 45°F before temperatures drop sharply overnight. Rain will transition into snow late Thursday, with a chance of snow showers throughout Friday. Breezy winds are expected, adding to the potential for drifting snow and icy roads.

Saturday and Sunday will bring scattered snow showers, with highs in the low 30s and nighttime lows dipping into the low 20s. These colder temperatures will likely worsen road conditions and create slick surfaces for drivers.

Drivers planning to use I-90 or Route 2 this weekend are urged to monitor conditions closely and consider alternative travel plans. Be prepared with an emergency kit and allow extra travel time. Stay updated through local alerts to avoid sudden hazardous conditions.

The National Weather Service encourages residents to finalize preparations today, ensuring vehicles are winter-ready and outdoor plans are flexible.

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Cleveland, OH

Male shot and killed in Brook Park

Published

9 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

BROOK PARK, Ohio (WOIO) – A male was shot and killed near the area of West 130th and Holland Road Tuesday.

Police said they got called around 315 p.m. for the shooting.

The shooting is under investigation with no other information available at this time.

Brook Park Police Department will not be releasing any information until on or after Dec. 3, according to Southwest dispatch.

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Cleveland, OH

9 people indicted for illegal bar scheme throughout Cuyahoga County

Published

17 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

9 people indicted for illegal bar scheme throughout Cuyahoga County

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Investigative Unit and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office announced a 45-count Criminal Enterprise indictment in connection with a network of illegally operated bars across Cuyahoga County Tuesday.

The investigation uncovered a scheme in which “straw” owners purchased bars illegally as early as 2019, using illegal proceeds to continue to purchase more bars over a period of several years.

According to a press release from OIU, between 2019 and 2024, illegal were established at the following locations: Boozerz and The Bench Lounge in Euclid; Aura-Iconic and Aries Restaurant & Lounge in Garfield Heights; Night Capz and The Score in Cleveland Heights; and Bar Mayfield in South Euclid.

Investigators said that ownership of several of these businesses were later transferred to individuals with significant criminal histories, who would have been prohibited from being documented owners.

The enterprise generated nearly $4 million in illegal profits.

Investigators said that these proceeds were distributed to members of the enterprise and were used to purchase property and fund considerable personal expenses, entertainment, and leisure activities.

While being operated, these premises became significant public nuisances with frequent shootings, gun crimes, assaults, and disturbances, according to the press release. This placed a strain on local law enforcement resources and prompted numerous complaints from residents near these establishments. During the execution of search warrants in October, OIU agents seized cash, business records, and multiple firearms.

Nine people from northeast Ohio were indicted in the enterprise, including:

Randy Pittman (Age 53, of Macedonia)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (6 counts)

– Grand Theft (4 counts)

– Money Laundering (5 counts)

Sharita Roberts (Age 42, of Newburgh Heights)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (12 counts)

– Grand Theft (4 counts)

– Money Laundering (5 counts)

Rayshawn Duncan (Age 35, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (5 counts)

– Grand Theft (3 counts)

– Money Laundering (2 counts)

Donald King Jr. (Age 43, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (2 counts)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

– Having Weapons Under Disability

Daryel Jones (Age 43, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (2 counts)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

Dewayne Stewart (Age 37, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

Daisha’vu O’Neal (Age 38, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

Tremaine Golston (Age 35, of Cleveland)

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

Jazmyn Barrow-Stover (Age 40, of Solon)

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

In addition to the criminal indictment, 76 Administrative Violations were issued against the liquor permits in use at the involved premises. Those citations will ultimately be heard by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, with possible sanctions including revocation of the liquor permits.

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