Political Laugh In at City Hall
Plus: PD Cuts Time, Pay and Much More

The three Cuyahoga County Commissioners date at City Council on the Med Mart/Convention Center became a laugh and love in this past Monday, May 18. Nary was a contrary word could be heard. Tim Hagan started the discussion saying he was "delighted to be here" and nothing could have changed his mind as four City Council legislative committees "grilled" the Commissioner with banalities.

Commissioner Jimmy Dimora stroked the Council members as he addressed "this august body," commending them for "all the good work you do in these difficult and challenging times." Stop guffawing.

"Public service is very difficult,” he stroked and wished them "success in their re-election bids" this year. What that had to do with the business at hand no one knows. He made another inaudible joke about “wards and wallets” as Hagan jibed, "Let me disassociate myself." Great comedic stuff...
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

It was fun time, setting the tone for the “serious” discussion that never quite arrived. Any surprise?

Some members concerned themselves with just how wonderful the new facility would be. Let’s get descriptive, why don’t we. Usually, that would usually mean a “state of the art,” defined facility. However, someone came up with “platinum.” Our new convention center would be of Platinum quality.

Hagan said, “That’s where we’re at.” But let’s not be hasty.

Dimora jokingly corrected the label, “It’s silver. I’m sorry.” Hagan had earlier slipped, I thought, in linking the new facility with our hospitals as “the new GM.” GM? Isn’t it headed for bankruptcy?

Matt Zone picked up on the seemingly important platinum/silver high-level discussion. He appreciated the “silver” designation but warned that the level should be “the basement not the ceiling.” Tough stuff.

The “grilling” of the Commissioners continued.

Veteran member Jay Westbrook thanked the Commissioners “for their leadership.” He poked at the Plain Dealer for editorially admonishing the Commissioners to “hurry up” and then to not “go to fast.” He noted that all had gotten “a kick” out of the PD’s confused messaging. Humor is tried but not often achieved.

By this time, nearly an hour into the dull discussion of the $1 billion deal, Dimora noted he wanted to leave. Peter Lawson Jones hadn’t yet appeared. Dimora took his bow out, however, with more applause. How wonderful Mayor Frank Jackson and other officials involved had been. Mutual appreciation was the mode of the day.

When Lawson Jones did appear, Dimora quipped, “Everyone stand up” to salute his colleague. Dimora exited. A bit later, Hagan noted he had join Dimora, noting a bit of lack of trust to leave his colleague alone at their next meeting. Jay Leno, you’re missing some good stuff.

Jokes and laughs all around.

Veteran Mike Polensek took a turn. Polensek often plays the grouch. Now can we expect some fireworks? Nah. It’s the new Polensek. Polite and accommodating. He has just been returned from exile to the Finance Committee. He now was admiring of his leader Council President Marty Sweeney and Mayor Jackson. Nice to see people can change and be accommodating.

Polensek tossed roses to the Commissioners for their “political courage to do what you did” – that is, increased the sales tax to tap into some $400 million dollars from Cuyahoga County taxpayers’ pockets. Usually Polensek is on the other side.

Tedious quips continue in the absence of real talk. Hagan hinted at a “Polensek Park” nearby the new center. Why not pet the purring Polensek.

Hagan then left and Lawson Jones had center stage, a place he finds comforting and satisfying.

Lawson Jones said he expected to be severely cross-examined. About what? His dancing performance of the previous night, he said. More laughter.

A $100-Million Hold-Up, A Suspect Identified But No Arrests Made

There’s been a multi-million dollar holdup and the police are doing nothing about it. The bandit – Alcoa - world’s leading producer of aluminum and aluminum products. Hard to believe. Or not.

Alcoa, with assets of $37.8 billion and sales in 2008 of $26.9 billion is holding up the State of Ohio and other local governments for more than $100 million for a broken press.

Alcoa is holding hostage the jobs of 1,000 employees in Cuyahoga Heights.

No press, no jobs, Alcoa says.

Here’s the story, according to a Plain Dealer report: Alcoa has a 50,000 ton hydraulic press that needs repair. So it goes to the taxpayer, not its owners, for a fix.

Alcoa is laying its hands on the State of Ohio for a $3 million low (starting at 1 percent and rising to 3 percent over 10 years) loan. Adding to this will be the need for public funding of $111 million to get the large press up and running. A $111-million!

At the same time, $3.2 million will go to Cleveland to help clean-up the Flats for the proposed Wolstein development. If you can’t give money to the rich, why run for office?

Does the government give you money when your car breaks down or your house gets damaged, or even destroyed by fire? I don’t think so.

But a multi-billion company can pressure your government to open its pockets to hundreds of millions of dollars. Alcoa is throwing its weight around and holding people’s jobs as detainees.

Alcoa in 2008 had a profit of $229,000,000. Why doesn’t it use its own money to fix its own machinery?

Well, because our governments have become easy marks for our corporate community to use. They have one state trying to outcompete with another state for business and jobs. Nobody gets hurt more than taxpayers.

Alcoa’s top executive, Klaus Kleinfeld was paid $10,396,164 last year and $27,066,977 the year before. Why don’t Alcoa executives begin to pay their own costs of doing business?

With charitable governors, mayors and county officials they don’t have to use their money. So you have pick up the slack and pay more taxes while taking less pay.

Does this country need a revolution or what?

Plain Dealer Shakedown Continues

Plain Dealer editorial staffers have agreed to wage reduction and furloughs in exchange for a one-year moratorium on layoffs.

Other unions, including press operators and some Teamsters turned down the concessions.

Editorial people will take an 8.1 percent slam on their paychecks and 11 days of “furlough,” meaning days off without pay.

One PD reporter said that she gladly takes more time off but wasn't too happy with the loss of income.

The result of the pay cut and furlough provides some 12 percent cost savings for the Plain Dealer. That's the percentage of savings management desired in talks leading up to the vote on Friday.

 (:divend:)