Clifton Prado is one of the city’s strangest streets. It might have been a neat looking place 20 years ago, but now, not so much. Lakewood’s animal control officer visited 1280-82 Clifton Prado on September 24th to remove a dog from a house believed to be vacant. A police officer on the scene called public works to clear out the stinky garbage littering the premises. He also requested that someone from the housing department respond to help determine who owns the property.

It seems like it’s a ghost house – no one lives there, no one pays property taxes. The auditor’s office indicates Valerie A Harms of 27626 Caroline Cir, Apt C, of Westlake, OH has owned the property since 1997. She owes $8,000 in delinquent property taxes. The house went into foreclosure in 2008, but the sheriff’s sale was withdrawn.

Also in the updated crime calendar, two more copper pipe thefts were reported on September 28th at 2032 Dowd and 1356 Fry.

As a city of over 50,000 people, Lakewood receives a load of federal money it must spend on programs to benefit low to moderate income residents. The city expects to receive an estimated $2,214,511 in community development block grant (CDBG) funds and $96,745 in emergency shelter grant (ESG) funds.

Over the course of the past month, city departments and non-profit groups have been pleading their cases — in very poorly attended public meetings — to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) in an effort to get a piece of the action. The CAC, composed of Lakewood residents appointed by the mayor and city council, will make funding recommendations to city council on September 30th. Their task is complicated by the fact that grant requests exceed available funding by roughly $200,000 (CDBG) and $80,000 (ESG).

On September 15th, as part of the decision making process, Mayor Edward O. FitzGerald provided his funding recommendations to the CAC. He touched on requests from city departments and LakewoodAlive only. Although he had previously warned the CAC that funding request totals from city were carefully calculated and included no fluff, FitzGerald reduced some dollar amounts even further

Requested/Recommended – Group (*** reduced)

(CDBG)

***$57,050/$30,000 – Lakewood Alive-Outreach Services for Housing Code Compliance (Application .PDF)

***$59,928/$45,000 – Lakewood Alive-Economic Development- Mainstreet Approach (Application .PDF)

***$39,000/$27,000 – Division of Aging-Outreach and Case Management Services for Older Adults (Application .PDF)

***$8,000/$7,000 – Lakewood Foundation-Community Leaf and Snow Service (Application .PDF)

$500,000/Full – Department of Public Works-CDBG Street Reconstruction Program (Application .PDF)

$420,000/Full – Department of Planning and Development-Administration incl. Fair Housing (Application .PDF)

$350,000/Full – Division of Community Development-Loan Programs (Application .PDF)

$150,000/Full – Division of Housing and Building-Project Pride Code Enforcement Program (Application .PDF)

$100,000/Full – Department of Planning and Development-EDF- Low-Mod Job Creation (Application .PDF)

$100,000/Full – Department of Planning and Development-CPR- Storefront (Application .PDF)

$92,154/No recommendation – Spanish American Committee – Pre- to post-purchase program (Application .PDF)

$90,000/Full – Division of Early Childhood-Childcare Scholarship Assistance. (Application .PDF)

$60,000/Full – Division of Community Development-Purchase Revitalization Program. (Application .PDF)

$57,500/No recommendation – North Coast Health Ministry-Medical Assistance. (Application .PDF)

$55,000/No recommendation – Department of Planning and Development-Section 108 repayment. (Application .PDF)

$53,250/Full – Refuse & Recycling – Special Refuse Collection (Application .PDF)

$40,000/No recommendation – Beck Center-Art Education Scholarships for LMI students (Application .PDF)

$30,000/Full – Department of Public Works – Madison Park Improvements (Application .PDF)

$25,830/No recommendation – Lakewood Christian Service Center-Supportive Housing Program (Application .PDF)

$21,325/No recommendation – Cleveland Mediation Center-Landlord tenant mediation (Application .PDF)

$8,000/Full – Division of Early Childhood – Family Literacy/ Learn through play (Application .PDF)

$7,000/Full – Division of Aging-Yard Maintenance Program (Application .PDF)

(ESG)

***$34,100/$26,000 – Division of Youth-H.O.M.E.S. (Application .PDF)

$33,842/No recommendation – Lakewood Christian Service Center-Rent and Utility Assistance (Application .PDF)

$31,500/No recommendation – Domestic Violence Center-Shelter Services (Application .PDF)

$20,000/No recommendation – YMCA of Greater Cleveland-Y-Haven Transitional Housing (Application .PDF)

$19,453/No recommendation – MHS -Community Women’s Shelter Operation and Maintenance (Application .PDF)

$19,453/No recommendation – MHS – Emergency Shelter for Disabled Men (Application .PDF)

$17,354/No recommendation – Cleveland Mediation Center-Homeless Prevention Project (Application .PDF)

Mayor: Housing concerns are becoming city’s #1 issue

FitzGerald told the CAC his funding recommendations were directed towards the city’s greatest needs and in areas that would have the broadest impact. He said housing issues are “emerging as Lakewood’s number one issue,” surpassing crime and public safety. He provided committee members with a nine-page document outlining his decision making rationale (see. pdf).

Aside from FitzGerald’s continued assault on funding for human services,  his less than absolute support for LakewoodAlive’s funding request is notable considering the organization’s relatively cozy relationship with city hall.

LakewoodAlive needs to diversify funding sources

In his letter to the committee, FitzGerald wrote that he would “expect and challenge LakewoodAlive to use their 501c3 [non-profit] status to achieve their funding goals from other sources.” If the mayor gets his way, in other words, LakewoodAlive Executive Director Mary Anne Crampton is going to have to bust out the tin cup and start begging for money from foundations and wealthy individuals.

Crampton did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment on the mayor’s action.

A review of her applications indicates she’s LakewoodAlive’s lone full-time employee. A marketing person and a housing outreach person each work part-time. The organization pays $100 a month for office space in the basement of the INA/Bailey building. They also pay $20 a month for a service that allows staff members to work from home, which has resulted in “significant productivity increases.”

Of the $59,928 Crampton is seeking for economic development purposes, $44,928 would go towards her salary and benefits. Of the $57,050 she is seeking for housing purposes, $48,297 would cover the complete salary of the part-time housing outreach person, 20% of Crampton’s salary, and 50% of the salary of a part-time administrative assistant.

Crampton did not provide a copy of her group’s most recent audited financial statement, even though it was required as part of the application. She claims LakewoodAlive has a total budget of $236,400. $121,000 for salaries and benefits and $115,400 for everything else.

Based on the modest sliver of knowledge I have regarding Lakewood’s housing situation, it is doubtful one part-time housing outreach person is capable of making anything more than a slight scratch in the city’s housing problems.  In addition, LakewoodAlive’s  effort to link improvements in downtown Lakewood to improving the “daily living needs” of low to moderate income citizens is a real stretch.

CDBG money is precious and should be awarded to solid organizations with a proven track record of providing quality services to low to moderate income people.

Do you want to see the money go to the Division of Aging where it will help seniors in need, or do you want to see the cash go to pay the meaty salary of a lady who works from home and is her organization’s only full-time employee?

It’s a no-brainer. LakewoodAlive should hit the road and shake down wealthy donors for funding instead of elbowing truly worthy CDBG recipients out of the way.

It will be interesting to see how city council, where the mayor has more than a few mind slaves, decides to distribute the money.

The crime calendar has been updated through September 20th. The price of copper spiked last summer, bottomed out early this year, and is back on the rise — and so are copper pipe thefts in Lakewood.

8/27 – 14770 Athens – Stolen Copper Pipes

8/27 – 1333 Lakeland – Vacant House. Breaking and Entering

8/28 – 2044 Warren – Stolen Copper Pipes

8/28 – 2228 Wyandotte – Stolen Copper Pipes

8/30 – 12955 Harlon – Stolen Copper Pipes

8/31 – 13222 Hazelwood – Vacant House. Breaking and Entering

9/2 – 1530 Wyandotte – Breaking and Entering

9/3 – 2018 Warren – Vacant house. Breaking and Entering. Male arrested.

9/8 – 1432 Mars – Vacant house. Breaking and Entering.

9/17 -  2080 Chesterland – Vacant. Breaking and Entering.

9/18 – 2094 Brown – Stolen Copper Pipes.

A notice to proceed has been issued and reconstruction of the West End Bus Loop — one of the ugliest sights in western Lakewood at 18856 Detroit Ave., across the street from Around the Corner Bar, near the Harry Buffalo — is imminent, according to Joseph Shaffer, RTA’s director of engineering and project development. Shaffer said the construction contract is for $367,226 with Daniel R. Schmoldt Enterprises of Warrensville Hts. 80% of the total cost is federally funded.

The June 2009 RTA bid solicitation detail outlines the scope of the project:

“The Greater Cleveland RTA will be reconstructing the Lakewood West End Bus Loop, formerly known as the Rocky River Loop. The loop is located at the west end of Lakewood where Detroit Road turns to go over the Rocky River Bridge.

The project shall completely reconstruct the site with new pavement, new bus waiting structure, landscaping, and fencing. The existing pavement and building structure shall be removed. New underground utilities shall be installed. New reinforced concrete pavement with sidewalks and drive aprons shall be constructed. A new brick waiting area with operator facilities shall be erected. The work also includes ornamental fencing, landscaping, site lighting, signage, and various site amenities.

During the project, the Contractor will be responsible for all maintenance of traffic as stipulated within the documents.”

Due to budget constraints, full site renderings were not created. However, RTA did provide an image of the bus waiting structure building elevation (see above).

A Lakewood landmark for nearly 50 years

Maria’s Restaurant — better known as Maria’s Roman Room — located next to Discount Drug Mart East at 11822 Detroit Ave. has closed. (See .PDF of menu)

Maria Bastulli operated the business for 44 years before selling it in early 2005 to Leonard and Olga Fink. Ownership transferred again in late 2008.

A sign posted in the window reads:

“The premises are under court ordered protection. Do not attempt entering or tamper with locks without proper legal authorization. Violators will be prosecuted.”

The building is owned by a trust bearing Maria Bastulli’s name. Property taxes from the second half of 2008, due in 2009, are delinquent to the tune of $3,679.35.

The Ohio taxman has four liens on the business:

JL-09-387477
JUDGMENT AMT: $4,051.29
MARIA TSIFTIS
107 GREENWOOD WAY N
NO OLMSTED, OH 44070
FROM DATE: 07/23/2009

JL-09-364298
JUDGMENT AMT: $1,639.91
J P FOOD SERVICE INC DBA MARIAS FAMILY RESTAURANT
FROM DATE: 01/29/2009

JL-08-345756
JUDGMENT AMT: $1,000.7
J P FOOD SERVICE INC DBA MARIAS FAMILY RESTAURANT
107 GREENWARD WAY N
NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070
FROM DATE: 08/21/2008

JL-08-340964
JUDGMENT AMT: $1,573.16
J P FOOD SERVICE INC
107 GREENWARD WAY N
NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070
FROM DATE: 07/24/2008

According to comments on Cleveland.com’s food forum, things were not going well for the most recent owners.

Ice cream trucks haven’t legally traversed Lakewood’s streets since 1983 when city council voted to ban them.

741.07 SALE FROM VEHICLES ON STREETS PROHIBITED.

No person, firm or corporation shall sell, offer for sale or otherwise exchange any product, goods or merchandise from a motor vehicle, push cart or tricycle on any public street or sidewalk within the Municipality, while such public street or sidewalk is open to normal public use. (Ord. 52-82. Passed 2-7-83.)

Part of the rationale behind booting them from city limits had to do with safety concerns. Here’s the text of an October 26, 1972 Sun Newspaper article (see .PDF):

Ice cream regulation asked

Alarmed by the number of children injured while buying treats from ice cream trucks, Lakewood council last week moved to restrict the vendors’ hours and have city police patrol their activities.

Councilmen Mark R. Magnotto and George J. Usher reported “statistics obtained from the police department indicate within the last 18 months eight accidents relating to ice cream vendors have been reported in the city wherein nine children sustained injuries.”

The councilmen added, “Fortunately, there have been no traffic deaths.”

Council asked the law department to draft legislation requiring two attendants on every ice cream truck, limiting vendors hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and placing enforcement of the restrictions in police hands.

“When viewed historically,” Magnotto and Usher said, “there probably was  time when ice cream trucks were beneficial.”

Due to increased traffic and home freezers the pair said, “The benefits derived from these types of vendors are outweighed by the hazards involved.”

Magnotto and Usher also pointed to “the chaos which is created by their chimes and bells,” and “the exorbitant prices charged by these vendors clearly indicate that some limitation should be place” on them.

In 2008, an ice cream truck vendor approached city council and asked them to repeal the law. They quickly dismissed the request, but not before the mayor belittled the guy for selling food that’s “not healthy.”

Someday, the ban will be challenged again, but for now, ice cream trucks are like leashed dog walking in city parks — just another Lakewood memory.

Signaling an undeniable happiness with the direction of the city, Lakewood residents largely avoided participating in the September 8th primary. As a result, six highly qualified and deeply knowledgeable candidates will advance to the general election where it is almost certain electors will embrace more of the same kind of successful progressive leadership they’ve been gifted with over the past few years.

According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Mary Louise Madigan’s Fighting Ward 4 was the happiest place  in the city. 90.3% of registered voters showed appreciation by steering clear of their polling place.  Indeed,  the glee was greatest in Precinct 4-E,  home of  Cove, Beach, Fry, Hird, and North and South Lanes, where 94.82% of registered voters, or 823 people, unanimously said, “Eat your heart out Ward 1!”

The generally joyous denizens of Ward 1 and Ward 2 had stay-cation rates of 87.55% and 86.17% , respectively.

Don’t be surprised if the mayor dispatches a hug squad to Ward 3 — site of the least satisfied registered voters in the city.  Just 85.72% of them felt it was necessary to waive their constitutional right to vote.  Go figure, the mostly well-heeled tax payers of  Precinct  3-A, including Wilbert,  Lake, Homewood, Roy and Parkside, had the worst case of grumpy pants.  Only 76.03% of them were comfortable enough to enjoy their relaxing lake views without any pesky interruptions.