I hope each and everyone of you have been

enjoying this great Summer weather. With it

has come many Capital improvement projects.

The largest being the $198 million Euclid Creek Tunnel Project which is well underway.

The two major access shafts, one at the Triangle

Park at Nottingham Road & Lakeshore Boule-

vard and the second at St. Clair Avenue and

Nottingham Road, are nearly at their required

depth. The rebuilding of Lakeshore Boulevard

and the installation of new storm sewers in

coordination with the Regional Sewer District

(NEORSD) will continue throughout next year.

This project is not only vital to Euclid Creek but

will help alleviate some of the ongoing prob-

lems with basement flooding in the Ward.

In addition, the $1.4 million Wildwood Wetland and Stream Restoration Project

has begun in Wildwood Lakefront State Park.

This project will create a unique fish & wildlife

habitat, which should have a major impact on

sport fishing in our community for years to

come. Completion is targeted for November,

2012.

Two other projects that are critical to the vi-

tality of the St. Clair corridor is the development

of the Nottingham Village Commerce Park and the proposed construction of a new

Dollar General store. The Commerce Park

initiative in the Nottingham Village neighbor-

hood is directed at demolishing abandoned

commercial and industrial properties not suit-

able for rehabilitation. In addition, the City’s

Economic Development Department, in part-

nership with Collinwood Nottingham Villages

Development Corporation (CNVDC) and my

office, are working with other businesses on

expansion and job creation efforts. My heartfelt

thanks to the mayor’s Economic Development

Director, Ms. Tracey Nichols, who has really

shown great interest in the St. Clair Corridor

and the potential for business growth and rede-

velopment.

The other project that is of great interest is

the construction of a new Dollar General at the

corner of East 157th Street and St. Clair Avenue

in the Collinwood Village neighborhood. The

Collinwood Nottingham Development Corpo-

ration has acquired four major parcels and is

working with the Zaremba Retail Company to

develop this site which will complement the Re-

deemer on the Avenue Party Center. Construc-

tion is set to begin in September. My sincere

thanks to CNVDC and their Executive Director,

Ms. Yolanda Anderson, for their efforts to

redevelop the St. Clair Avenue corridor.

The design work for the $5 million Waterloo Arts & Entertainment District Streetscape Project is nearing completion with the Ohio

Department of Transportation (ODOT) review-

ing the final plan. My sincere appreciation to

Northeast Shores Development Corporation

and their Executive Director, Mr. Brian Fried-

man, and Arts Collinwood, for their involvement

and leadership on this historic project which is

designed to enhance the Arts & Entertainment

District based on a pedestrian village concept.

Stay tuned for exciting things to come including

the opening of the new Blitz Bar-B-Que across

from the Beachland Ballroom, new artistic green

infrastructure and the reconstruction of the I-90

Noise Walls from East 200th Street to East 140th

Street.

Furthermore, throughout the summer the

city’s vacant property initiative will continue

to identify abandoned and foreclosed proper-

ties with condemnation and demolition when

necessary. Bricks and mortar, however impor-

tant, are no substitute for a livable and safe

neighborhood. My sincere thanks to the FBI, US Attorneys’ Office and the Cleveland Police Department for their efforts that culminated

in a major June 12 sweep of major drug sus-

pects and operatives on the northeast side of

Cuyahoga County. Eighty-two (82) individuals

Michael D. Polensek • Councilman, Ward 11 | Summer 2012 | www.ClevelandCityCouncil.org

I cannot support a massive school levy that is

not equitable nor fair... If you think for one moment that

passing a massive school levy on the backs of Cleveland homeowners will motivate uncaring parents,

“you have another thing coming.”

At the 2012 City of Cleveland Senior Day celebra-tion on May 16, Councilman Polensek nominated Ms. Frances Hunter as this year’s Outstanding Senior for the Ward 11 community.

A Collinwood resident for 25 years , Ms. Hunter completed her Bachelor’s and an Urban Education Certificate from California State, Hayward and the University of California, Berkley. She received her Master’s from Cleveland State University. From 1996-2008 Fran served as the Coordinator of Internships & Graduate Assistantships at Cleveland State University, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. She was credited with developing and implementing effective nationally recognized graduate recruitment programs.

She’s is the recipient of many awards, most

recently the Cleveland Housing Network Margaret George Community Service Award, 2012.

Currently Ms. Hunter serves as President of the Board for Arts Collinwood. She is a member of Neighborhood Connection’s grant making and monitoring committee, and a community meals volunteer at Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Fran also volunteers for the Collinwood Recreation where she serves on the advisory board. Previously she served as a trustee for Northeast Shores Develop-ment Corporation and Cleveland Housing Network.

Ms. Hunter is a member of the Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Women of Royal Destiny and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is committed to the Ward 11 community.

God Bless You Fran!

Ms. Frances Hunter with Councilman Polensek

and Mayor Jackson. (CREDIT: City of Cleveland

Photographic Bureau)

Continued on page 3

The Ward 11 CitizenKeeping you informed about our neighborhood!

Last year, because of the rising number of Building and Housing Code violations within the City of Cleveland, City Council voted on a co-operation agreement with the Building and Housing (B&H) depart-ment and all the Community Development Corporations (CDC’s) within the City. The CDC’s are to go out and visually inspect the outside of homes within a specified area (concentrated inspection area/CIA), one at a time. The owner is then to be contacted regarding any and all violations observed by the code enforcement officer for the ward. The owner is to be given 30 days to correct these violations. If the violations are not corrected within the 30 day time period, and the CDC is not informed as to progress/intent by the property owner, the house is then turned into B&H for a formal inspection, ticketing and a potential housing court appearance.

Letters have gone out to homeown-ers within Ward 11 that have so far been inspected, telling them what violations need to be corrected on their homes before B&H Department comes out to formally site them. We have been getting a lot of positive responses from home owners looking for assistance and acknowledging the problems existing on their properties.

This is what the program is all about: communication between prop-erty owners, the local CDC as well as the B&H Department. Trying to get things done before it gets to the point that it ends up in court is why City Council voted for this partnership in the first place. It is going to take a while to see

dramatic changes, but this is a good start. Ward 11 has always had a solid residential base and this partnership is only going to make it better.

For more information on the partnership and when your street is slated for an inspection, please contact either CNVDC 383-9772 or Northeast Shores 481-7660.

Code Enforcement PartnershipBy Yolanda Anderson

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving quality of life for all residents. To keep neighborhoods safe, clean and green the city will enforce waste set outs and recycling laws. Any violations will be considered a civil offense, resulting in a ticket being mailed to the property owner’s address.

Trash setout guidelines:• Trash in cans or other containers should weigh less

than 70 lbs

• Set out trash no earlier than 7:00 pm on Sunday before your regular Monday trash collection day

• Remove your waste containers no later than noon Tuesday, the following day in Ward 11

• Limit your set out of large bulk material

• Keep your cut and bundled wood/branches to 3 ft in length and 24” in diameter and under 40 lbs

• If you received City Issued Carts – Recycling is mandatory; you must use the blue cart

• Place all newspapers, cardboard, magazines, glass, aluminum and plastic material in your blue cart

• Put all other waste material such as food and non-recyclables in the black or grey waste cart

• Bulk items such as furniture and yard waste will be collected by a separate truck on your collection day

Please help keep Ward 11 cleanby properly containing your waste and

following the proper set out guidelines. For more information call 664-3717.

City of Cleveland Waste Collection &

Recycling Guidelines

If you live in the 44119 zip code area of Ward 11 and your roof is battered and in need of repair, you may qualify for the 0% interest loan offered by Neighbor-hood Housing Services in partnership with Northeast Shores. Loan terms and qualifications include:

• Terms: 0% Interest; no payments; loan due upon sale or transfer of property

• Loan Amount: Maximum amount is $10,000

• Types of Repairs: Roof and gutters only

• Must live in the zip code of 44119 within Cleveland

• Must be current on your property taxes

• Must be current on your mortgage payments

• Documentation and application required

This limited time program offers you the opportunity to take care of a major issue without incurring the kind of upfront, debilitating expense that a new roof generally comes with. This program not only allows you to take action now, but it allows you to rest comfortably, without worrying about interest or payments.

You literally owe nothing back; you WILL NOT have any payments until you either sell or transfer your home! This program is designed to help us all through these tough economic times, not to create more debt.

Do not assume you don’t qualify for this program. Be sure to contact Northeast Shores directly to verify your

eligibility. Also, Northeast Shores wants residents to note that not all programs have the same requirements. If you don’t qualify for the 0% loan, please note that Northeast Shores has other great housing programs available for Ward 11 residents.

For more information about the 0% loan for your roof and to find out about other housing programs, please contact Northeast Shores Housing Programs Manager Charlie Kamen at 216-481-7660 or ckamen@northesatshores.org.

Cover your assets no interest loan

317 East 156th StreetExecutive Director:

Brian FriedmanPhone: (216) 481-7660

Fax: (216) 481-7129Email: info@northeastshores.org

Website: www.northeastshores.org

Northeast ShoresDevelopment Corporation

Collinwood &Nottingham VillagesDevelopment Corporation

15614 St. Clair AvenueExecutive Director:

Yolanda AndersonPhone: 216-383-9772

Fax: 216-531-8459Email: info@cnvdc.org

Website: www.cnvdc.org

UpStage Players, the non-profit children’s theatre company based in Collinwood’s Waterloo Arts District, is in the midst of an organizational and artistic renaissance. The group’s most recent spring musical productions have played to packed houses every night for the last three years, and UpStage is enjoying a rise in its fundraising and grant campaign monies.

Although the organization was founded in 1995 with 30 children and a vision to create love and re-spect for the performing arts, UpStage Players is now poised to enter a phase of unprecedented success in the coming years. Beyond evolving into a strong group of nearly three times as many children today, the newly-adult alumni of the early UpStage years are now seeing the results of the group’s mission, as several enjoy respectable careers as professional stage actors, doctors, law professionals, non-profit workers, missioners, etc.

Two keys to the success of UpStage over the years have been its unwavering no-cut policy and its army of committed volunteers who are dedicated to transforming everyday kids into accomplished artists. The children of UpStage Players come from varied backgrounds and neighborhoods, yet they all enjoy demonstrable measures of success. The feedback from the families is proof of UpStage Players impact within the Collinwood community.

For additional information about UpStage Play-ers, visit their website: www.upstageplayers.com

Upstage Players: Working for the kids of CollinwoodBy Matt Orgovan

The Gallery Committee is scheduling monthly openings of work by some of Cleveland’s more inter-esting artists, and to help you get the fine points, Dan Tranberg leads a Gallery Talk with the artist, usually on the third Thursday of the month. The gallery is also home to the M4M (Music for Miles) series of chamber con-certs, which Arts Collinwood is presenting in partnership with the Musicians’ Union Local 4; the Olympic Brass Ensemble will bring the summer series to a resounding close; plans for fall and winter concerts are underway.

Evenings on the second Saturday of the month at the Café, we host Sistah Sinema. Indie film groups are using our ArtCenter for showings and our favorite guitarists are keeping space in their schedules for the re-opened Café.

This year’s Waterloo Arts Fest was the biggest

and best in our 10-year history, and we are full of gratitude to our supporters, neighbors and volunteers for helping us make it happen.

In late fall we will have our annual Holiday Art Sale – the beloved Weekend on Waterloo which is filled with Cleveland’s best arts and crafts for holiday shoppers, along with music and food.

We know the Café is missed – but it will return. With the help of a restaurant consultant, and we promise to choose an operator who will maintain the Arts Collinwood vibe. With the departure of Cheryl Carter for another position, Amy Callahan has stepped up as interim Executive Director.

Visitors to www.artscollinwood.org can get the latest Arts Collinwood news and subscribe to get email updates too.

Always feel free to contact us at 692-9500.

Plenty is happening at Arts CollinwoodBy Nan Kennedy

Have fun at the Lake Shore Golden Age CenterSeniors age 60 and older can enjoy great

activities at the Lake Shore Golden Age Center, located at 16600 Lakeshore Avenue in Ward 11.

The Center is open Mondays through Thurs-days from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and seniors can receive limited van transportation to and from home. Seniors are provided a hot nutritious lunchtime meal (a $1.00 donation is appreci-ated but NOT required).

After lunch, recreational and educational programs are offered including: guest speak-ers, prizes and cash bingo, arts programming and performances, Bible study, card games, line dancing, day trips around and outside of the city, computer classes, festive gatherings and lots more! The center also has an on-site social worker who can provide assistance with numerous matters. When you visit the center ask about the SilverSneakers – a fun, energiz-

ing program that helps older adults take greater control of their health by encouraging physical activity and offering social events.

Councilman Polensek encourages Ward 11’s “golden” residents to stay active, socialize and enjoy the all the great people and activities at the Lake Shore Golden Age Center. For more information about all of their programs, please call 481-0631.

The Cleveland Department of Aging in partnership with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Community Development has a new short term program to help seniors with limited incomes with hazardous tree and branch removal on their personal property. Please note that issues related to tree roots are not addressed by this program.

To qualify, applicants:• Must be a low income Cleveland senior homeowner 60 years or older

or an adult 18-59 years of age with a disability

• Must reside in and own a single or two family home

• Tree of concern must be on the applicant’s property

This program is funded with HUD funds which target low income families based on total household income. Therefore, participants must verify current yearly household income.

Councilman Polensek urges Ward 11 residents who qualify to call the Department of Aging at 664-2833 for program details and how to apply.

2012 Cleveland Tree Assistance Program for Seniors

Help Cleveland’s children bymentoring

FIrsT TIME rIDErs In WArD 11, must call the Department of Aging at

664-2833 to sign up.

Call 1-800-983-4782 to schedule a trip.Service is available Monday - Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Two one-way trips provided per week; fare is $1 per one-way trip.

were apprehended with thirteen (13) of

these coming from the NE Side of the City.

I hope this only reinforces that we will not

tolerate any type of criminal activity in the

Ward 11 community.

I would be remiss if I did not comment

on the proposed 15 mill school levy

which is set to be on the ballot for this

November’s Election. If passed, it would

cost a homeowner of a $100,000 home approximately an additional $459

a year and on a home valued at $50,000 it would be approximately an additional $230. I know firsthand how critical schools

are to our community since my youngest

son just graduated in June from the Cleve-

land Metropolitan School District.

However, I am greatly alarmed by the

size of this levy and what it will mean to

communities like ours. We are already pay-

ing for garbage collection with major in-

creases for water & sewer already in place.

The last thing we need is to have property

taxes raised disproportionately, so as to

drive more families out of this city while at

the same time seeing their property values

crash. As you all know, I am not politically

correct so let me say how I really feel: What

our dear so-called friends did in Columbus

recently was to shift the tax burden onto property owners in the City of Cleveland

to support our schools while at the same

time taking $55 million from the school system and then bragging that the state has a budget surplus of over $540 mil-lion. Something is terribly wrong with this

picture.

The State Supreme Court has ruled on

more than one occasion that the funding

formula for public schools in Ohio is un-

constitutional, yet it continues. I cannot support an enormous school levy that is not equitable nor fair. Is money impor-

tant? You bet it is! We need the governor

and legislature to give back the $55 million

they took from Cleveland’s school district.

In addition, this City needs more parents

engaged in the education of their children.

If you think for one moment that passing a

massive school levy on the backs of Cleve-

land homeowners will motivate uncaring

parents, “you have another thing coming.” What we need is the folks in Columbus to do the right thing and restore proper funding for our Cleveland schools. Until

that happens we will continue to rear-

range the “deck chairs on the Titanic.” Remember, you can always reach me in

my office at 216-664-4236 or via email at

council11@clevelandcitycouncil.org.

Sincerely yours,

Michael D. Polensek

Councilman, Ward 11

AARP Experience Corps tutors work one on one with children in grades K through 3 at least twice a week to focus on helping with basic reading skills.

My Mentor My Friend volunteers spend lunch time once a week with a 4th grader to support and encourage their improved aca-demic attitude, social skills and self esteem.

Both are programs of Greater Cleveland

Volunteers serving Cleveland Metropolitan Schools. If you enjoy children and would like to learn more, Councilman Polensek encourages you to call 216-391-9500, ext. 125 today!

Message continued

PRESORT STD

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The Ward 11 Citizen

Visit ww

w.ClevelandCityCouncil.org

UpCoMing

Comm

unity Meetings

please become a stakeholder in our com

munity:

gET inVoLVED!

Collinwood Homeow

ners’ & Tenants’ Association1

st Wednesday of the M

onth at 7 pmSt. M

ary’s School, 15519 Holmes Ave.

East 185th street Area Block W

atch2

nd Tuesday of the Month at 6 pm

Lithuanian Village Hall, 877 East 185th St. (Rear Entrance)

nottingham Civic Club

3rd Tuesday of the M

onth at 7 pmNottingham

United Methodist Church,

18316 St. Clair Ave. E. 156th street Block W

atch3

rd Wednesday of the M

onth at 6 pmB&M

Bar-B-Que, 15116 Lakeshore Blvd. at E. 152nd St.

C O L L I N W O O D H I G H S C H O O L U P D AT E

Meet Collinwood’s new head football coachGreg Wheeler Jr.

CollinwoodRecreation Center

16300 Lakeshore Blvd.

Water Slide& Kiddie Pool

Learn to Swim

Water Exercise

Open Track

Fitness Room

Zumba

Open Gym

Organized Basketball& Volleyball

Line Dance

Drill Team

Arts & Crafts

Game Room

Activities include:

For hours and schedule details call theCollinwood Recreation Center at 216-420-8323.

It is important for voters to be prepared to cast their ballots.

The voter registration deadline is October 9, 2012. Voters who have m

oved or changed their name since they last voted

need to complete and return a new Voter Registration Card. After a voter has

registered they will receive a post card that lists their ward, precinct, and voting location. Do not forget that all registered voters m

ay vote by mail.

Vote by Mail ballot applications are available at the Board of Elections

website: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us, by calling the Board of Elections at 216-443-3298, and at all public libraries. Voter registration Cards are also available on the Board of Elections website along with a listing of registration locations.

VoTE – it’s your duty as a citizen and your god given responsibility!

Novem

ber 6, 2012 Presidential G

eneral Election information

Voters who are interested in serving as poll workers m

ay call 216-443-3277 or apply on-line at: w

ww.boe.cuyahogacounty.us.

Dear Ward 11 Residents:My name is Greg Wheeler Jr. and I am

the new Head Football Coach at Collinwood High school. I am cordially inviting all young men slated to attend Collinwood High School to participate in our football program. Collinwood has a proud football tradition and we want

your son’s help in resurrecting the program. With lots of hard work, determination and dedication, Collinwood Football will once again be one of the beacons of our community.

I am a 1989 graduate of Collinwood High School. I am humbled and honored to take over this storied program. I understand the traditions and legacy of Collinwood athletics and its importance to the community just like Councilman Polensek – who proudly played for the Railroaders in the legndary Charity game. The team is asking for the entire community’s support because the great teams of yesteryear always relied on the backing of

the community. With your help, Collinwood will once again become a winner.

We look forward next season to having your son or loved one become part of the Collinwood Railroader football family and his-tory. All they have to do is bring a positive attitude and be ready to work. If you have any questions about the Collinwood foot-ball program or would like to know how you can support the team, feel free to contact me at 216-820-5923 for details. Sincerely, GREG WHEELER JR. c/o ‘89Collinwood Railroaders Head Football Coach

City Council Offi

ce:601 Lakeside Avenue, Room

220Cleveland, O

H 44114

Phone: 216-664-4236Fax: 216-664-3837

Email: council11@

clevelandcitycouncil.org

DIA

L-A-N

UM

BER

Emergency (Police, Fire, EM

s) ……

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ergency) ……

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ents) ……

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ayor’s Action Center ……

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Animal Control (dogs, etc) …

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ent of Aging ……

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Dominion East Ohio Gas …

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Health Department Com

plaints ……

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Illuminating Com

pany ……

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Potholes/snow rem

oval ……

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street Light Outages ……

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Traffic signs Dow

n & Missing …

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ing/removal …

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Waste Collection Issues …

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Water Departm

ent (leaks, hydrants) ……

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664-3060

ArTICLEs WAnTED Be the reporter of what

is going on in your neighborhood! For details visit www.CollinwoodObserver.com

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First Home Game of the SeasonCOLLINWOOD vs. SHAWFRIDAY, AUGUST 31Collinwood Stadium @ 7 pm

Councilman Mike Polensek (top center) with Coach Wheeler, assistant coaches and members of the 2012 Collinwood fooball team.