July 12, 2007 was a watershed event for Cool Cleveland, and our partners Brewed Fresh Daily, the Meet.The.Bloggers* network of blogs, and the Cleveland Public Library. Gathered together to discuss the proposed Medical Mart, as well as the Cuyahoga County Commissioners' intention to raise the sales tax to pay for it and other "economic development" plans, the discussion was civil, rigorous, and even passionate at times.

While a number of subject matter experts attended as resources in the fields of government, economic development and convention centers, anyone willing to step to the mic could ask questions and raise issues about the 1/4% sales tax recently proposed by the Cuyahoga County Commissioners to raise money for a yet-to-be-determined convention center and attached medical mart. There weren't any panels, long presentations or speakers. After a brief powerpoint by Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready to frame the issue, the audience raised point after point (with comments from both Cool Cleveland and Brewed Fresh Daily tossed in by Thomas for good measure) while Meet.The.Bloggers* partners Tim and Gloria Ferris took notes. You can download a PDF of the issues here and of the questions and comments here.

See photos from the forum by Janet Century here.

Listen to these audio excerpts:

• Tom Turner of Lakewood asks about the port authority. Joe Marinucci responds.
• Jill Miller Zimon inquires about the risks/rewards. "It appears at this time that the bulk of the risk is on the public side. What are the risks taken by Medical Mart and Forest City Enterprises?"
• Carla Rautenberg wonders about profits. Kelly Brewer of the CVB calls them "loss leaders".
• Anastasia Pantsios questions the rosy projections. Samantha Fryberger, Director of Communications for the CVB responds. Kelly Brewer reinforces.
• Jeff Buster: "We have our priorities distorted in this town. We continue to line the pockets of the rich at the expense of those in our midst who can least afford it."
• The entire recording is here.

Bloggers followed up with these comments:

• Jill Miller Zimon calls it a citizen journalism bonanza.
• Roger Bundy has a blow-by-blow account here
• Jeff Buster expounds on his ideas in this post
• Other BFD comments here and here

Think that's it? Think again. After you've reviewed the above info, head to Brewed Fresh Daily to continue the conversation:
http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2007/07/03/coolclevelandcombfdmtbyoucool-community-forums/ (:divend:)