Saturday, May 25, 2013

Response regarding concerns of passage of legislation increasing number of Cleveland traffic cameras

I'm supportive of red light and speed cameras and am most concerned with ensuring safety.


Cleveland traffic red-light and speed cameras camera locationsSource: Cleveland Plain Dealer 
In terms of the two locations on W. 25th Street/Clark and Pearl Road/Denison, both locations are listed as high accident rate intersections (out of 103 intersections), according to the NOACA 2009 Accident Study (PDF):

  • W. 25th Street & Clark - 77 accidents in the three year period (2007-2009), ranked 18th by frequency (19th composite ranking), with 20 resulting injuries; 
  • Pearl & Denison- 58 accidents in the three year period (2007-2009), ranked 36th by frequency (31st composite ranking), with 22 resulting injuries; 
NOTE: Composite ranking include info on accident frequency, property damage, injuries/fatalities and rates per number of vehicles entering intersections.

For arguments I support regarding the use of traffic cameras, please the article regarding the use of cameras in Washington D.C. (April 2013), provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

See also the NOACA 2009 Accident Study (PDF) that shows that 82% of pedestrian injuries due to car accidents happen within Cuyahoga County (73% bike accidents as well) and specifically in high density urban areas such as neighborhoods in and around W. 25th Street Pearl Road. Interesting to note that over 46 % of these crashes occurred between 3:00 - 9:00 pm.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Marilyn Wieczorek honored as Senior of the Year for Cleveland Ward 14


Today the City of Cleveland celebrated Senior Day as part of the national Older Americans Month 2013.  We're proud to feature Marilyn Wieczorek as the honoree as Senior of the Year for Cleveland Ward 14.

Each year Council members are asked to honor a senior from their wards as part of this celebration and we want to thank the the local development corporations and local block clubs and our faith community and other institutions we work with in always assisting us in the process of making that selection.

We also want to  recognize the great work of Jane Fumich and her staff at the City's Department of Aging and Mayor Fank G. Jackson for his support of this special day and for spending time and honoring the seniors.

Marilyn Wieczorekw, who hails from the Jones Home Historic District in Brooklyn Centre, was one of 19 individuals recognized today at the Seniors Day event held at the Cleveland Public Hall.

These honorees represent the thousands of local seniors who continue to devote their time and efforts to make Cleveland the great place that it is.  They have enriched our communities with their service and today is the day that we recognize them and all seniors as playing a vital role in our City.  Congratulations Marilyn and thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our community!

Marilyn Wieczorek



Ms. Marilyn Wieczorek was born in Cleveland and moved to her current home when she was 5-years old.  She has four sisters, three of whom are deceased, 10 nieces and nephews and 10 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Marilyn is now retired.  She worked for the Plain Dealer in the cafeteria and was also employed in the food service industry for many years working in a variety of restaurants.

Currently, she is very active in the community.  Ms. Wieczorek has coordinated the Daisy Avenue Street Sale for over 30-years.  The Daisy Avenue Street Sale is held the first Saturday and Sunday in August.  Ms. Wieczorek cares about the safety of residents in her community.  She belongs to her local community block club and the 2nd District Community Relations Committee.  She passes out literature to residents on how to maintain and promote their safety.

Ms. Wieczorek is committed to keeping the neighborhood nice and participates in community clean-ups.  She successfully reached out for support from various community organizations and started a community garden.

In addition to gardening, Marilyn enjoys cooking; her specialties are stuffed-peppers, spaghetti and breaded veal with mushrooms.  She is a parishoner of Mary Queen of Peace Church and is certainly an active Ward 14 senior.




Monday, May 13, 2013

Fund to benefit Berry, Knight and DeJesus launches web site and drop-off and spiritual reflection location

To donate to the Cleveland Courage Fund complete go to The Cleveland Foundation's donation page.



The Cleveland Courage Fund announced a new web site and their partnership with the Family Ministry Center as a drop-off and spiritual reflection location where cards, letters, well wishes and donations of goods can be made. Family Ministry Center is located at:

3381 Fulton Road, Cleveland Ohio 44109

The new drop-off location opens beginning Monday, May 13th through to June 22nd. Donations will be accepted at the south entrance of the church Monday through Fridays from 8:30-4:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am -12:00 pm.

Up until this announcement, supporters of Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry and her daughter we being dropped of at the 1st and 2nd District Police Stations.

The Fund is asking for volunteers to assist in receiving donations, please email your availability to: clevelandcouragefund@gmail.com



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Donor Fund is in the works for Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight

A Donor's Fund is being developed for Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight.

We are working to announce the establishment of a bank, account and a mechanism to allow for tax exempt donations to benefit these women.

Also, we'll be posting tomorrow a phone number for in-kind donations.

We would like to thank the Tremont West Development Corporation's Safety Committee, the Second District Community Relations Committee, Guardian Angels, Stockyard, Clark Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Organization and all of the volunteers that are helping the community deal with this ongoing investigation.

PUBLIC NOTICE - Meeting regarding the Berry, DeJesus and Knight Abduction Case



WHEN:  7:00 pm, Thursday, May 9th, 2013
WHERE: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2928 Scranton Road, Cleveland, OH 44113

Being planned in conjunction with the Ohio Attorney General's Office, City of Cleveland Administration, Cleveland City Council, City of Cleveland Community Relations Board, Cleveland Division of Police, FBI, US Marshalls, Tremont West Development Corporation and Stockyard, Clark Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office, Near West Side Interfaith Community
[intersection of Scranton and Seymour Avenue]

Complete agenda to follow.

Statements from Cleveland City Council Members on the Berry, DeJesus and Knight Abduction Cases


     “Although the community is relieved and overjoyed that after so many years these three young women and child have been found alive, it is clear that the some of the most difficult work begins today. As we celebrate their return, investigations into what they have endured in the past decade will begin until all the information is found to convict those who are responsible.
     My heart goes out to the families of these victims and I offer any assistance needed to help them begin a new chapter in their lives. Cleveland City Council will continue to support the Mayor’s Office and law enforcement agencies in their investigation and disseminating information related to this case.”
– Brian Cummins, Cleveland City Council, Ward 14


     "After 10 long years I am overjoyed for Amanda and her family that she is finally free.  Amanda's family and the community have kept this issue in the forefront, never giving up on the hope that Amanda would some day be found.  Thank God this story has a happy ending.  I wish the best to Amanda and her daughter as they begin their new lives."
–  Dona Brady,  Cleveland City Council, Ward 17


     “I cannot express the joy I feel for the DeJesus family. Gina’s disappearance shook my community, but we never gave up on her. I cannot recall the countless times I’ve met with her family to console, to support or to rally. Gina’s parents, Feliz DeJesus and Nancy Ruiz, never accepted the fact that their daughter was gone and this is a testament to their love and faith. To know that not only Gina, but two other women, have been found alive is a Godsend. It is a testament to the strength of these women, these families and of many across Cleveland.”
–  Matt Zone, Cleveland City Council, Ward 15

If anyone has information about this case or about the suspects Ariel, Onil and Pedro Castro, please contact the Cleveland FBI Tips Line at (216) 522-1400


REF:  Cleveland City Council