You be the Judge???? Welcome to Lorain Judge Mihok and George Schneider

Christopher Ritchey and the Welcome Sign Black River Landing

Welcome to Lorain by Judge Mark Mihok and George Schneider

JUDGE MIHOK ( SHOULD HE BE BENCHED- ???)
If the miscreants aren’t held accountable should then not the enablers be held accountable?

Photos of 1965 East 28th Street taken January 12th -2013

Do you remember this post:
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/george-schneider-appealing-properties-or-wheres-the-judgement/

Do you remember what JUDGE MIHOK adjudicated???? 4 and 1/2 years ago.
The Morning Journal October 2nd 2008:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/10/02/news/doc48e43ce33eaae305070782

George Schneider, owner of the former Jay Metals building, 1965 E. 28th St., was supposed to be sentenced yesterday for a property maintenance code violation and to monitor the progress of repairs, according to Lorain Municipal Court records. His case was continued to Oct. 31, said Judge Mark Mihok.

Schneider pleaded no contest in August to the violation and was sentenced to the maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail.

BUT according to the judge- Mark Mihok

“The building department representative indicated that demolition has begun, but there is some asbestos that was found,” Mihok said yesterday. The state now has to determine if they’re going to do an asbestos study, he added.

“We should have a final disposition from the state and hopefully some more progress on the demolition,”

And last September I asked the question:

That 180 days – and $1000 dollar fine was SUSPENDED and Mr. George Schneider on June 25th 2009 had to pay $614.00 initialed by MM

So why one wonders wasn’t the original judgement carried out?

Did things change, what “justifiable reasons” were given to the court to allow this lovely view to continue in one of our entranceways to Lorain

HOW DOES ONE GO FROM 180 DAYS JAIL TIME TO A FINE OF $614.00?

Was an eyesore demolished ? I couldn’t see any evidence of things looking better in the past 4 years ?

Was asbestos found? What happened -was it abated and did work stop? ? Or is it blowing in the wind along with the corrugated siding?

Does the good judge ever drive past 1965 E 28th Street and wonder if the Building Dept and the City of Lorain will come before his court again with 1965 E 28th Street

According to the Lorain County Auditor’s site the ownership still stands unchanged

Parcel Number:03-00-086-102-019
Owner Name
Address:G S PROPERTY SERVICES
1965 E 28TH ST LORAIN, OH 44055
Tax Bill Mailed to:SCHNEIDER GEORGE
1214 W 26TH STREET LORAIN, OH 44052

So let us take another pictorial walk through the property as of Saturday January 12th- the one that is – Nature’s demolition at least continues : we now have no security at all as per “gates –

My photographer tells me :

There is absolutely no barrier to keep anyone off this property.The east end is completely open to the street.

Do you think those cretins of scrap for drugs have found a “shopping mart of their own?”

err what is the red furry stuff??? Are we growing our own “rust mold??

It is important to note that there is no sidewalk on George’s side of the street, at least in the vicinity of this mess.
If there were a sidewalk, however, the loose stuff in the yellow building would be dumping out onto it.

You be the judge what welcome would you like to see ?

Disconnected thoughts- COMMUNITY??? Which Community???

I am in disconnect mode – thoughts pop in and out but I have little inclination to follow through- Maybe it is the pre school “plague”- Yes! since Gavin started preschool we have all suffered. Since October 2nd we have sniffled sneezed and coughed with at least 4 different viruses. We, like typhoid Mary, continue to infect each other. Oh! you can wash your hands all you want but when the baby is using your neck to wipe his nose as the poor little stuffed up mite tries to get some sleep- forget the hand washing! As for that flu shot (Sigh) Please people keep your sick kids home- we old ones have enough problems with the “rusty” years.

Thought Two: Mayor Ritenauer wants the community to band together
Mayor Chase Ritenauer says community must stand against ‘unacceptable’ mayhem by Rick Payerchin: Morning Journal

My thoughts are good! about time – the community should band together – however what about that “OTHER MEMBERS of community” – you know such as the BUREAU OF COMMUNITY SANCTIONS-
http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/bcs.htm

The Bureau includes staff members located throughout the state working with halfway house vendors, independent housing vendors, non-residential community corrections act grant programs, and community-based correctional facility grant programs. The Bureaus halfway house beds to house felony offenders and provided subsidized funding to divert offenders from prison and local jails throughout Ohio. The Bureau also oversees the transitional control program and an electronic monitoring program for offenders who violate their terms of supervision.

The Bureau of Community Sanctions, in partnership with state, local and private/non-profit agencies, develops and enhances community corrections programs utilized by local courts and the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for sanctioning and treating offenders in the community

THE multi million dollar granting facility from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that helps the offenders… the same “Community” that helped the now defunct Compass House to help populate this area with more RSO’s than we knew or know what to do with (261 in Lorain- as per the data from the Sheriffs Dept.

How about those halfway houses for the adult parolees???? not that we don’t have parolees in our neighborhoods and community already Looks like there were 287 parolees in Lorain as per the Dept of Corrections website – And these are just the members of our “COMMUNITY” that can be tracked .

AND how about the lucrative Non Profit SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES- you know that part of our “business” COMMUNITY whose clients are part of our community

I have said it before
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/a-very-civilized-affair-well-that-is-meeting/

and will say it again

THESE CLIENTS are in my neighborhood, they are walking my neighborhood streets they are sitting in my park and getting coffee and donuts from those that care. I have a right to complain because I LIVE here I spend 24 hours a day with the CLIENTS!

THEY too are being “serviced” by the number of social service agencies and their millions in funding .

You can talk about poor “old Joe” who isn’t all there but harmless as he wanders around the park where I LIVE and urinates in the fountain as he says good day to another neighbor whose claim to fame is
“burglary, GSI, Attempted rape, conspiracy AGG Robbery, weapons and unlawful dangerous ordinance”.

You have to wonder if this “Community ” was one of the reasons that Anthony Calabrese and Co thought it profitable for those “half way houses” business You know the now infamous “Alternatives Agency”
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2011/09/22/anthony-calabrese-iii-and-sanford-prudoff-indicted-in-cuyahoga-county-corruption-saga

Could the money that could be garnered from such a “community” have led to more “inmates in the correctional facilities”?
http://www.cleveland.com/countyincrisis/index.ssf/2011/09/federal_grand_jury_indicts_att.html

One is a scheme to bankroll and plunder the Alternatives Agency, a nonprofit halfway house on East 55th Street represented by Calabrese.

The agency was in danger of losing its county funding when it hired Calabrese. According to the indictment, Calabrese had the agency pay $201,000 in phony consulting fees to his longtime friend, J. Kevin Kelley, who in turn bribed Dimora and Russo with trips, including a Las Vegas gambling junket, expensive meals and unspecified personal services.

Can it be???? Is it such a stretch? ( pun intended!)
YES! WE NEED ALL THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER not just those of us that live here !
To be continued………………

.

If you want to fix and cover up something – then you “own it”- John Sinclair and Anglemoss

FURTHER UPDATE:

http://ravingpikey.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/derek-sawyer-former-leader-islington-borough-council-and-former-chaiman-of-the-london-regional-courts-board-gets-nailed-finally/

It is with great pleasure that i inform you all that Today the 2nd of October 2012 that a press release was given out by Pannone Solicitors.

This press release refers to the action to be taken against Derek Sawyer former Labour leader of the Islington Borough Council, and the former Chairman of the London Regional Courts Boards as well as chairman for Catch 22 and other organisations.
Derek Sawyer is being held accountable for his knowledge and cover up of the abuse of children in India.

We as former Victims of Derek Slade whom Sawyer assisted through the years to abuse children here in the UK and abroad and also helped cover up the Islington Child Abuse cases within Islingtons council run childrens homes are pleased that this vile man is finally being held accountable for his knowledge of the crimes that Derek Slade did.

UPDATE:
Finborough School- the marketing movie:
http://twbrit.com/2012/09/21/finborough-school-the-movie-we-are-not-the-droids-youre-looking-for-honest/

But the continuation of the denials, perpetually ignoring the pupils and what your school and its staff (either past or present) did to us shows you don’t adhere to the words of the school’s principles and shows a complete and utter lack of integrity. You can put a new name one it (like lipstick on a pig), sure call it Finborough School as you have for so very long. But until its past is owned, you’ll never truly move forward.

Workhouse Children- Dickens

Charles Dickens wrote”

“how I could have been so easily cast away at such an age”

The most famous social critic of his time pointed out the plight of the child in that age – the child who was without benefit of societal protection. How many of us have been touched by the urchin faces of Dickens’ illustrations over the centuries?

The infamous villains whose names alone conjured up evil and greed
Sikes, Quilp, Creakle, Scrooge and Squeers- but were Dickens alive today how he would have told the tale of SLADE and portrayed the children not of the 1800′s but of the 1980″ and beyond – children whose lives were forever changed

Their innocence torn from them , their expectations crippled because of perversion , cruelty, greed and enabling of acts so outrageous upon a child it sickens one and yet it took 30 years for the children to finally be heard.

Derek Slade was finally brought to court for his vile nature two years ago this month his case made national headlines in the UK :

Pervert boarding school headmaster jailed for 21 years for abusing pupils

Slade’s victims had ‘lost days of childhood innocence’, been left with feelings of inadequacy, blame and worthlessness and become men whose ‘lives were seriously damaged’.
A jury found Slade, of Staffordshire, guilty of sexually assaulting and beating 12 boys aged between eight and 13 between 1978 and 1983 following a four-week trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

Jurors heard that Slade, who has no teaching qualifications, ran St George’s private school,

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1309510/Headmaster-Derek-Slade-jailed-21-years-sex-abuse-boys.html#ixzz26rhNGiV0
but what of the others who were part of St. George’s School – justice???

Some of the teachers have left the country, others committed suicide. Two are serving prison sentences ……..

One name seems to be in the forefront in all the documentation at the time :

John Sinclair-

His name appears on the letterhead along with the “Slade”

he appears in the newspaper article ( from which the photos were cropped of the children in 1978) ”

and the financial backing of Mr. John Sinclair

( noted as the ADMISSIONS OFFICER)

Mr. Sinclair seems to have had a “hands on approach” http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/principal_follows_in_father_s_footsteps_1_87632

and has run foul of the law for having a hands on-

A SUFFOLK public school principal found guilty of beating a dog walker with his hiking stick is unlikely to lose his job, it emerged today.

John Sinclair, owner and principal of the independent Finborough School, was ordered yesterday to pay a fine, compensation and prosecution costs totalling £900.

Sinclair, 55, of The Coach House, Great Finborough near Stowmarket,

The Coach House- home of John Sinclair until 2003 –

had denied, but was found guilty of assault by beating on September 24 last year after hitting a fellow dog walker after their dogs clashed.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/public_school_principal_guilty_of_attack_1_135976
Mr. Sinclair and his family are still heavily involved in the NOW Finborough School- Note the name change from St. George’s Finborough to THE Finborough School-
http://www.finboroughschool.co.uk/

St George’s School 1980

BUT the building where so much childhood terror and perversion took place is still welcoming pupils. One has to wonder does not Mr. Sinclair ever hear the cries of the children as abuse was heaped upon their little bodies echoing through the rooms that held such torment for those young boys. A building that was once a workhouse in its past now also holds the history of depravity.

Finborough Now

His own children are part of the NOW “Finsborough family”
http://blog.finboroughschool.co.uk/
Sweeping green lawns , photos in local papers and the net proclaiming its worthiness to educate the young – the whole building is “dressed “ the school marketed professionally- but there is a disease of perversion that perfumes the atmosphere of those not so hallowed halls that needs to be eradicated – its history will continue to haunt – no matter how they dress it up -

The new heraldry cannot “shield” the past – the schools and the people are linked no matter what Wikipedia etc state- as evidenced here
http://ravingpikey.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/the-schools-are-not-connected/

You can read the account of one of the school’s children here

http://ravingpikey.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/of-good-courage/

Another pupil of the “Children of Slade”, himself one of England’s warriors stated:

If you want to fix and cover up something – then you OWN IT”

You can read about the ongoing fight for justice and recognition of their past here:
Who Could Be Worse Than The Roman Catholic Church? A Company called Anglemoss Ltd!!-Finborough School-a Company called Anglemoss Ltd.

http://twbrit.com/2012/09/09/finborough-school-a-company-called-anglemoss-ltd/
There is also a face book page set up

http://www.facebook.com/StGeorgesFinboroughProtestGroup

Free Speech artwork – Christopher Ritchey

TW NOTE: So why does a woman in Ohio care? Apart from the obvious disgust that this happened and the pain caused to children- my mother and her family are from Ipswich- I have happy memories of Suffolk, picnics laughter cousins , aunts and uncles – wonderful memories unlike the children of Slade .

My immediate family is still part of the Suffolk community, they do business, document daily lives for readers, document our own history, their children and grandchildren are part of the fabric that is England. The names of the places , the buildings all too familiar… this disgrace is part of that fabic.

The parents of children now attending this school should be asking the hard questions and demanding the children of St George’s be recognised – A St George’s School by any other name( The Finborough School) is still St. Georges The children who lost themselves at the hands of abuse, who toiled, wept , who received no recognition of their pain in those very rooms of the now Finborough School where their children walk – are still waiting

As readers of this blog know “it is all about “accountability” All too often scum rises to the top of the pond in this world – it is time for the voices of those children reaching out across the miles, and years to now be heard! You see I believe if you “IGNORE the abuse of children – you OWN it too!”

George Schneider (Appeal)ing Properties- or where’s the judgement?

UPDATE: DEMO DAYS :
http://bustershouse.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/specially-approved-demolitions-coming-soon/

The Goldberg Property Kansas and East Erie

http://bustershouse.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/as-seen-in-lorain-the-goldberg-properties/

This blog and others have been looking at the not so appealing situation Lorain finds herself that of the conglomerate landlords and the impact upon this community when they are determining the “health and conditions” of those neighborhoods by their sheer weight of numbers.
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/for-rent-one-city-who-dictates-the-health-of-your-neighborhood/

To the average person driving by these eyesores you don’t need a degree to tell you they are inhabitable or not meeting a basic standard. So why hasn’t our “Building Dept “ done more to make sure basic building codes are followed?

Time for a judgement ! In the previous post with regard to George Schneider
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/george-schneider-4-years-and-still-timely-fame-it-and-shame-it/
The Morning Journal reported at the time October 2nd 2008:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/10/02/news/doc48e43ce33eaae305070782.txt

George Schneider, owner of the former Jay Metals building, 1965 E. 28th St., was supposed to be sentenced yesterday for a property maintenance code violation and to monitor the progress of repairs, according to Lorain Municipal Court records. His case was continued to Oct. 31, said Judge Mark Mihok.

Schneider pleaded no contest in August to the violation and was sentenced to the maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail.

BUT according to the judge- Mark Mihok

“The building department representative indicated that demolition has begun, but there is some asbestos that was found,” Mihok said yesterday. The state now has to determine if they’re going to do an asbestos study, he added.

“We should have a final disposition from the state and hopefully some more progress on the demolition,” he said.

AHHHHHH so what happened?

The only PROGRESS in demolition , I could see, as a lay person, on Sunday September 9th-2012 since this “structure” was cited on December 8th 2007 ( five years previously) by the City of Lorain and when the CASE WAS CLOSED on June 25th 2009 has been the slow demolition by Mother Nature.

Mother Nature is trying hard to cover the eyesore. As we stood there on Sunday last taking the photos from across the street, the sounds of blowing corrugated tin siding screeching and banging in the lake breezes heralded the death knell of yet another piece of the building falling to the earth.

Here is what happened to that 180 days and 1,000 dollar fine

CRIMINAL CASE CRB 0801080 - JUDGE – MARK MIHOK-
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE – 1965 E 28th Street
Complainant – City of Lorain
Defendant – George H Schneider – Attorney Brent English

That 180 days – and $1000 dollar fine was SUSPENDED and Mr. George Schneider on June 25th 2009 had to pay $614.00 initialed by MM

So why one wonders wasn’t the original judgement carried out?

Did things change, what”justifyable reasons” were given to the court to allow this lovely view to continue in one of our entranceways to Lorain

HOW DOES ONE GO FROM 180 DAYS JAIL TIME TO A FINE OF $614.00?

Was an eyesore demolished ? I couldn’t see any evidence of things looking better in the past 4 years ?

Was asbestos found? What happened -was it abated and did work stop? ? Or is it blowing in the wind along with the corrugated siding?

Does the good judge ever drive past 1965 E 28th Street and wonder if the Building Dept and the City of Lorain will come before his court again with 1965 E 28th Street ?

THE ANSWER MY FRIENDS IS “STILL” BLOWING IN THE WIND

To be continued _ the Ohio Supreme Court on Broadway

1965 E 28th Street photos Lisa Miller

BANKS- Banking on Lorain???? – Business of Blight??? Devaluing Lorain

Once again I am feeling at odds with the world of Lorain. I wish I could walk away and take my wounded spirit with me – I can’t . All I can wish for is to get through and maybe have a little peace. That looks once again to be denied to me and this neighborhood thanks to a “BANK“in this case First Federal Savings of Lorain – the ‘community bank?? and their latest decision that ripples out and effects my home. . I believe the people who OK’d these unhealthy mortgages and have caused the ripple effect of foreclosure should be held accountable. Nobody seems to be doing that so I will at least address it because I am involved up to my lessening equity – the banks need to be held accountable.
1121 West 4th Street- I have written about this house in a previous post. How it has been used and abused( pimped by the landlords) and then painted up – split and sold and then foreclosed and then fixed up again and then foreclosed again only to have it purchased back by First Federal Savings of Lorain ( who of course OK’d that mortgage that failed in the first place) from Sheriff’s sale for $28,000 in May of this year and now
http://www.trulia.com/property/3088607256-1121-W-4th-St-Lorain-OH-44052

Bank will strongly consider financing to owner occupied qualified applicants.
Listing Info for 1121 W 4th St
Most recent information provided by Realty Trust Service, LLC on 07/10/2012 03:58 AM:

•Price: $13,900
•MLS/Source ID: 3331006

Well First Federal Savings of Lorain I have seen and “heard ” the “people” who have come to see your listing . I spoke to a couple of them as the parked on the lawn next door under my dining room window- as I informed them they were parking on another’s property and that it wasn’t a driveway – they knew and didn’t care- they were buying the the blue house? SIGH. Oh! and quite frankly I am dreading the rest of the summer thanks to you and your “business” decisions .

You, First Federal Saving of Lorain have, in my opinion, “dumped your unwanted housing” from $56,000 to 28 thousand (buy back )to 13,900 listing just two months later .great !!! And let us face it – it was your bank that made the decision just a few short years ago by giving a mortgage to someone unable to pay it in the first place that set in motion this chain of events.

You are responsible, in my opinion, for what will ripple out and effect this neighborhood. Don’t forget, you were also the mortgage holder and foreclosed on the other neighborhood house next door 1125, W. 4th street- now scheduled for demolition.

Remember that one? Sold to Henderson then to Parlow for 28,500 then you foreclosed – 12,000 and then ZERO – well it is history – or soon will be ……

Ok! so by my math on just those two houses alone you have lost over $50,000 and also devalued the surrounding property. But that is just “business” and no big deal – you don’t live in my neighborhood! Yes, I am so grateful for your input in my block. Thank you very much First Federal Of Lorain

But you aren’t alone , we in Charleston Village have been putting up with another “banking decision” this time “passing the buck JP Morgan - another foreclosure – Thanks JP Morgan !How what is good for your business is NOT good for Lorain!!!!!

Photo Chronicle Telegram

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/07/04/lorain-bank-at-odds-over-burnt-out-house/

Mayor Chase Ritenauer said the dispute is typical of the “shell game” cities like Lorain face with banks and former residents in determining the property owner and responsibility for maintenance or demolition of a home. Lorain officials have their hands full.

One in every 240 homes in Lorain was in foreclosure in May, according to RealtyTrac, a real estate website. The overall rate in Ohio was one in 495 and the U.S. rate was one in 639.

Ritenauer would prefer that JPMorgan, which earned about $19 billion in profit last year, pay for the demolition rather than Lorain. The city has been on fiscal watch by the state since 2002 and is facing a $2 million budget hole. Ritenauer estimated demolition will cost at least $10,000.

“There was an inherent risk in them lending the mortgagee that money, the mortgagee didn’t come through and now, in my mind, it’s the bank’s responsibility,” he said. “This, to me, is the cost of doing business for a bank, and they need to step up and knock the building down.”

License to “fraud” – it is a “big deal”- USA- election process-

UPDATE:::::: Oh My My ….. cards on the table??? And just who is swiping the card in the racially charged community ???

Former LCCAA board member Gilchrist pleads not guilty to voting charges Brad Dicken – Chronicle Telegram
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/06/29/gilchrist-pleads-not-guilty-to-voting-charges/

Some of Gilchrist’s supporters have said the allegations against Gilchrist, who is black, are racially motivated. Caruloff, who is white, has denied that race was a factor in her complaint.

Gilchrist said he doesn’t know if the accusations against him are because of his race, but added that “I would be a fool to think we don’t live in a racially charged community.”

Speech can segregate you from everyone- by Chris Ritchey

In recent months on this blog there have been any number of categories discussed- polticians, credibility , society , history , education, politics, religion, rental housing , crime , Lorain, media and the common thread is “accountability “ and trying to hold those in control accountable for their actions when they are found lacking.

Accountability for one’s actions.

Robert Gilchrist – former Service Director- City of Lorain and “terminated” Head of LCCAA has been indicted by the grand jury on 4 counts of voter fraud.

Yesterday’s news ……
Chronicle Telegram

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/06/26/former-lorain-officials-and-head-of-lccaa-indicted/ Brad Dicken 

Elections board Director Paul Adams said his office occasionally deals with allegations of voters casting ballots in the wrong place, but typically those deal with the elderly or someone with a mental issue.

But he described what Gilchrist did as a “blatant” violation of the rules requiring someone to change their voter registration after moving.

“I think it’s a perfect example that we take any kind of voting violation seriously,” Adams said………….

……..Supporters of Gilchrist, who is black, also have previously suggested the allegations were leveled against him because of his race.

Morning Journal
http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/06/26/news/doc4fe938c15f2c2243133674.txt
Fox News Channel 8
http://fox8.com/2012/06/26/former-official-charged-with-illegal-voting/

Caruloff says she has been the target of accusations that her motives are racial, since Gilchrist is black and she is white.

“People were saying things like ‘oh you are going after a black man’, and I was real upset that they made this into a racial, because it was never about race it was strictly about somebody voting in a ward where he should not have been voting and more than one time,” said Caruloff.

This apparent “election fraud” has morphed into the question of race and about a singling out of Mr. Gilchrist

(previously by two people who depend or depended upon that same election process) and those that think this is “no big deal”- petty stuff – etc.

The original complaint of voter fraud caused one elected official in Lorain requesting the presence through an email of the 100 men group to turn out for the hearing at the Board of Elections. This aspect of the situation was explored on this blog ( and I was unpleasantly drawn into the story- by Lorain’s 3rd Ward council person Tim Howard also of the 100 Men Group

http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/the-duelists-weapons-of-choice-words-and-who-is-your-2nd/

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2011/07/29/robert-gilchrists-hearing-on-voter-residency-postponed/

Paul Hill, one of Gilchrist’s supporters, said the elections board looked like a Ku Klux Klan meeting as the board prepared to begin the meeting. The members of the elections board are all white, while Hill is black.

Hill’s comment drew an angry response from former Lorain City Councilman Dennis Flores, who asked whether Hill saw any white hoods in the meeting. Flores, who won the May Democratic primary in his bid to reclaim his seat as the city’s 2nd Ward councilman, is Hispanic.

Hill later said he was upset because he feels Gilchrist is being singled out for investigation because of his race.
“They’re trying to get something on him because he might run for mayor someday,” Hill said.

Denise Caruloff, the Lorain resident who filed the complaint against Gilchrist that led to the investigation, said after the meeting that race had nothing to do with her raising the issue.

“I personally thought it was disgusting that it turned into a racial issue,” she said.

1. Mr. Gilchrist had a complaint filed about him because of WHERE he voted in elections- Nov. 2009- May 2010 and again November 2010 and MAY 2011

2. Mr Gilchrist ( even if he had made a mistake of address in Nov of 2009 had a further 18 months of being able to correct his voting whereabouts.)

3. Rules are made in a democracy for “all to follow”- accountability is not a matter of color or being singled out as his attorney Jennifer Brunner stated:

Gilchrist’s attorney, former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, previously has said she believes Gilchrist was singled out for prosecution. Brunner could not be reached for comment Monday.Brad Dicken Chronicle Telegram

4. Fairness and accountability in the election process it is why in fledgling democracies all over the planet such pains are taken to ensure there is no fraud in their elections. Those international groups trying to oversee a fair election process aren’t always successful in stopping fraudulent elections but through them and their ensuing reports we are made aware of phony tallies , intimidation and voter fraud. Then this country and others take those elections into consideration when dealing with the governments of those nations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_International

This country prides itself of setting the bar very high when it comes to the election process. I am sure there are mistakes, issues and maybe some fraud that slips through the cracks but on the whole I think the citizens of the United States have faith in the system .

Mr. Gilchrist was an official in an “elected” government administration- he represented the City of Lorain in his capacity as Service Director. He was not someone who forgot where he lived, for 18 months- voted in the wrong ward on 4 separate occasions- presumably voted for that ward’s representation- because obviously he couldn’t vote for the ward representation where he actually lived ( although he took out petitions for that person) . He knew the election process and the inner workings more so than many of the regular voters. He also did not renew his driving license within 10 DAYS of moving – also against the rules. He broke the rules – that fact alone by default – singles him out from those of us that follow the rules!

As I read some the comments on the articles listed above I was concerned that a number people thought this was not such a big deal, or was petty and insignificant or a Republican vs Democrat issue -

It is a big deal- Mr. Gilchrist may not have set out to commit voter fraud but he did ( imho) 4 times- he “skewered” the system and had it not been for a voter in that 2nd Ward , Denise Caruloff, following through with her concerns and NOT just about Robert Gilchrist, who happens to be black but in another instance where she felt there was wrong doing by one whose voting address she found suspect Paul Biber - BOE- who was white, would any of this comes to light?

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2011/07/30/complaint-filed-over-lorain-school-board-members-residency/

The only black and white in this issue is accountability for one’s actions – it does not come down to race ( as many would like to say) – or no big deal it comes down to the right for fair and equal election process – to vote, the right to have your vote counted, and to have faith, credibility in a system held up as an example on an international scale.

Jennifer Brunner, as a former Secretary of State has no business putting the blame on the complaint by a member of the electorate for Mr. Gilchrist’s actions. Ms. Brunner depended upon the fair and unsullied votes of the community -
http://www.jenniferbrunner.com/index.php/pages/index_new/about_jennifer_brunner/
- to throw doubts upon the process is irresponsible, in my humble opinion, by saying Gilchrist was singled out seems somewhat ironic, is not the election law the election law – did she not tout herself as the champion of overseeing those laws ? Singled out ? I don’t think so!!!!!- he admitted voting in that ward 4 times in 18 months- his reasoning- 

I voted the address on my license!

Mr. Tim Howard, 3rd Ward council person , Lorain in trying to organize his 100 men to – as an elected official- who also depends upon an unsullied election process should also have put the ” credibility of the election process” before crying foul in the above email and basing his conclusions on the race card and the request to watch the “bullsh** process unfold” .

It was that ‘bullsh** process” that helped elect you !

Why Mr. Gilchrist didn’t follow the rules- I can’t say – but he didn’t – he was found to be in violation by a Grand Jury and the system has to now kick in-  accountability to the system !

BUT it is a big deal- because the world looks to these United States – the only colour that matters is that of red white and blue.

By your one vote you give power to others to act on behalf of you- the people- that vote should not be compromised!

These Old Houses are talking- are we listening?

Logo – Chris Ritchey

In the past weeks this blog and also Daniel Brady’s Blog have been exploring the houses a history of Lorain, especially in my neighborhood.
http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/

My neighborhood is the “oldest” part of Lorain. It is where commerce commenced and those who arrived built their dwellings, where the seat of government, education, and community began. From this little neighborhood a city grew, flourished and floundered , picked itself up and started again on more than one occasion .
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/lorains-history-moved-about-literally/

I wondered in my previous post whether I would ever get back to Lorain’s history.
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/the-neighborhood-that-was-landlords-banks-and-business/

I was ranting about landlords , banks and , in my opinion, the raping of Lorain by the rental business and the cost of the pimping out of these old homes for profit .

And then….. last night an email in response to our 2nd Ward Councilman’s request to the city administration concerning a garbage and grass problem brought to his attention by our Portside chairperson came across the computer screen . The mess has been there for many months but with Lorain International coming up this weekend , people attending, walking the area – the state of the property caused consternation .

So what??? you may say we have those problems all over town , well maybe this old house 138 Washington is saying look at me – my story- and the rental rape and what is happening in other parts of the city could be one in the same.

photo Lorain County Auditor

For many months since the last renters moved out this house has had garbage stacked around the outside and of course not one soul has done anything about it.
Why ? Unfortunately the owner of the property Mr. Lewis Strnad passed away in December 2010 so the garbage bill wasn’t paid.

Understandable- this little house falling through the cracks BUT Mr. Strnad had 31 other properties ( see Lorain County Auditors site) – One has to wonder what has happened to those rentals and those garbage pick ups. Over the years some of Mr. Strnads properties housed people who made the news in not a “positive” way . Have other streets and neighborhoods been suffering the stench of garbage and vermin? Who collects the rents whilst neighbors put up with rats?

Apparently the “estate” of Mr. Strnad has been in limbo so to speak and a responsible party is being sought to clear up the mess -on Washington ( at least) Hopefully before this weekends Lorain International Festival.

.
Charleston Village has involved the Mayors office which is fitting because this little house also on the Ohio Historic Inventory ( and a possible candidate for the National Register) was at one time the home of one of Lorain’s early mayors . You have to wonder what mayor Frank King would say about the 20th and 21st century mayors that have allowed the “prostituting of this old neighborhood? Will Lorain’s 50th mayor make them proud and help them rest easy?

This house, situated on lot #76 of the original Charleston Village Plat, may date to the decade of the 1860′s ( possibly earlier) It appears on an 1874 map of Charleston Village by R.H. Penfield. The middle section of lot #76 ( on which this house stands) was sold in 1858 and again in 1861 to Julia Porter ( Grantor Julia D Root)

In 1874, Porter sold the property to Henry J. King, a salt water sailor and farmer who immigrated from England at the age of 25. This property remained in the King Family (ED NOTE- Not the King family of Admiral Ernest J King renown) with out-side ownership 1876-1882.

FRANK JOSEPH KING, son of Henry King lived in this house possibly as early as 1876 ( documented from 1891) and remained there until ca 1915.
F.J. KING was elected mayor of Lorain in 1902 and was one of only two Lorain mayors ( ED Note at the time of the survey in 1993) to suceed himself in office. He did so twice and served until 1912. King was active in the real estate business. He started out in business in Lorain as a grocer. This house has served as a double residence since 1920.

Are the long since passed owners of these old houses reaching out through the years and showing those of us today through their homes what we are doing wrong?

I would recommend Daniel Brady’s posts on George Wickens-
http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2012/06/meet-george-wickens-part-2.html

you know of Wickens Place fame – that too has been in the news lately for the building of a “Family Dollar store” –

I wonder what Mayor King, George Wickens, Captain Wilford, George Wurmser- General Gilmore , Fanny Gilmore,, The Reids, The Baldwins, The Porters, The Bowens even Admiral King would have to say about this old neighborhood and the homes they so lovingly built and the community they worked so hard to protect and help thrive?

Mayor King according to the History of the Western Reserve, Volume 2
By Harriet Taylor Upton, Harry Gardner Cutler he secured a state reduction in the city tax and although a “Democrat” in the mainly “Republican Lorain” was elected twice – his main impetus in his administration was “public improvements”. Something that today Republicans and Democrats can agree.

I think they, who came before and faced hardships far greater than those of today, would be very disappointed in our idea of “progress”.

However, maybe just maybe ,their homes can help point out the problems effecting all of Lorain and confirm to me at least that

” rental businesses” are just that and need to be viewed as such by the local government and held to a higher standard and licensing that befits any business include the “health and welfare of those who are effected by their decisions.

The banks need to stop dumping their unwanted properties and thus causing those that still live and care for this neighborhood further decline

and we need 100 percent garbage pick-up in this community.

It would be a place to start and I think the “old Mayor King ” would agree……………………..

to be continued

The Neighborhood that was???? Landlords ,Banks and Business

Oh dear! it doesn’t seem that I will ever get back to our schedule of house moving and Lorain’s home history mystery .
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/lorains-history-moved-about-literally/
It seems I have to stop reading the papers ( on-line) if I want a quiet life. Although maybe I should look into getting that team of oxen the only way I will get to move………. won’t be able to sell this old house for what I owe on it- Sorry Lorain National Bank talk to your fellow banking buddies over at First Federal of Lorain for the reason.

Kent Sutton one of the founders of theLake Erie Landlords Association ( and quite the political contributor actually helped stop the 100 per cent garbage pick up in Lorain) is up for an award- Most influential ( what??)

MOST INFLUENTIAL: Kent Sutton surprised by nomination
http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/06/18/news/mj6081873.txt

I read the article noting that his name had come across my computer screen a lot lately as I have tracked down addresses in Lorain where the criminal element had been renting and who owned the properties. It stands to reason that Mr. Sutton and Sutton rentals that came in over 60 rentals on just the two quick searches Kent Sutton and Sutton Rentals LLC., and then there were those 77 owned by KTS Enterprises

Oh my ! With that many properties the chances are that more than one miscreant would find a “home” in one of his properties.

The same with Mr. George Schneider and his over 160 properties or how about Deborah Akin and a quick search of the auditors site in her name only 29 properties and remember the those murderous gang lords the police have been tracking down well close to home here at 1026 Brownell -

Randy Glover pleaded guilty-

Glover, along with 21 other suspected gang members of Member of Blood or Money or Bitches gang…..He also pleaded guilty to earlier charges of two counts of felonious assault, having a weapon under disability, obstructing official business and two different counts of burglary……….Police believe the gang is responsible for nine of the last 12 murders in the city in the past four years and other violent crimes including home invasions, shootings, intimidation and drug trafficking.

How did that background check work out for you Deborah? I know how it worked out for my neighborhood.

Ok! it isn’t all the landlords fault they are in it for the business and banks are making business great in the rental market.

Let us take 1121 W 4th- the house has been foreclosed upon twice in recent years. A landlords group did purchase and fix it up a few years ago thankfully- First Federal of Lorain held the mortgage. Apparently that didn’t work out too well and three years ago everyone left and the house has sat empty. First Federal of Lorain maintained the grass and checked on the property every so often.

Oh we, the neighbors,( what is left of us) tried to keep an eye on it as best we could- just the other day stopped aluminum shed from being ripped off but not before they had destroyed it.

The house went up for Sheriff’s auction in May and was purchased back by First Federal of Lorain for $28,000 ( see Lorain County Auditors site) – this house was purchased after the lot was split in the early 2000′s for 80 thousand dollars up from the 54,000 the “property developer” paid for the two houses on this lot.

They were split into 33 foot lots ( not a good idea) and the other little house that was on the original lot is scheduled for demolition after it too had been foreclosed upon and a tree fell on it – once again the mortgage company was First Federal of Lorain

Just a few hours ago I saw the real estate chap whom I had dealings with earlier in the property’s history with clients over at this house at 1121 West 4th

What is happening I asked

Oh we are looking at the house First Federal will sell it for 13,000 , wiring been stripped out etc.- but not a bad deal.

No not a bad deal??? the property has lost $15,000 in a month! Now I maybe dense but I want to know what this wonderful business deal is doing to the market value left of my property. Makes me wonder especially when Mr. Sutton of Lake Erie Landlords fame also pronounces

“We simply assure housing providers that they are running a business not like any other business,” Sutton said. “The housing should be kept up to some condition of the neighborhood.”

there you have it folks the thinking – HOUSING SHOULD BE KEPT UP TO ‘SOME’ CONDITION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Well sorry Mr. Sutton, but the unhealthy conditions in my neighborhood are through thinking just like that and banks dumping their unwanted on my “property doorstep’!!!

Yup! you and others like you who follow that thinking and business plan are certainly INFLUENTIAL in my neighborhood!!!

Lorain is being prostituted in my opinion by those who see her as a “business deal” and pass her housing around like some old worthless slut. And so goes the neighborhood………..

COMING TO A STREET NEAR YOU!!!
2010 census report

3615 – vacant
1642 vacant for rent
57 rented but not occupied
557 for sale
159 sold but not occupied
83 for occasional use/ temp housing
1,110 – all other vacant – abandoned

http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/lorain-oh-broken-homes-and-broken-people-just-plain-broke/
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/lorain-oh-broken-homes-broken-people-just-plain-broke-part-two/

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING ???? City (Lorain and Schools) Heard of consequences???

This has been a rough week in the city of Lorain- the thought processes seem to have become discombobulated. What started off as possibly “good ideas and with good intentions”- caused angst, chagrin, anger, media posturing and distrust from those that are paying the piper ( the tax payer) and has caused “thatwoman” to have “What were they thinking or were they moments”

First up the City vs the Schools and the meetings that confused and “riff’d ” a relationship.

http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/lorain-city-schools-and-the-city-finally-friendly/

Following hot on the heels of that “storm in more than a tea-cup” came Lorain’s New Safety/ Service Director Robert Fowler enacting the “Lorain Sick Abuse Policy” -
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/06/13/lorain-officials-keeping-eye-out-for-sick-time-abuse/

This new policy ( although we can agree as taxpayers the abuse of sick time should not be tolerated- the cure is as bad as the disease)

Not all my own work

Now this little inconsequential blog and this particular Lorain – nut job’s “ opinion ( Mine) really won’t make much of a difference in the world of “not thinking through the consequences of ones actions”. In the F word of Futility world where I now reside, I did react to the fact that is “well thought out???” NOT!!! policy had allowed Lorain a spot on the “nationaL news circuit”. Bravo!!!! there is no such thing as “bad publicity ” maybe this is a new marketing ploy to get Lorain on the map! One can only hope there is a “plan” -

Although, once again this week, another “withdrawal”

http://www.woio.com/story/18801142/city-of-lorain-checking-on-sick-employees

LORAIN, OH (WOIO) -
The City of Lorain is on blast this week after checking on workers who ‘call in sick.’

This, after the city started using a nurse to knock on the doors of sick employees, checking to see if employees are abusing sick time on the city’s dime.

The Lorain Police Department Union just sent a scathing letter to the city because employees weren’t notified of the new policy. The department made the discovery after a nurse showed up on a sick dispatcher’s door step. The worker was so upset by the surprise visit, she began to cry.

The union claims the new policy is in clear violation of their privacy. “They are totally not trusting us. They give us a gun and badge, but yet they are going to send a nurse to our house to take our temperature and blood pressure. It’s uncalled for” say LPD employee Kyle Gelenius.

City officials say the nurse visits began after they noticed a pattern develop in some departments over sick time abuse.

Now, it appears the city will be rethinking the knock on the door and will sit down with unions in the city to discuss it.

“We are a new administration, and we are going through some growing pains. Unfortunately, this is one of them. We will work through it, hopefully we have the best services for the citizens of Lorain, and we will go from there” says Derek Feuerstein with the City of Lorain.

Now if that wasn’t bad enough we then have to go back to Lorain City schools and the fact they once again made front page for their meetings – was it and “agenda meeting” or whose agenda???
http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/06/14/news/doc4fda363b0472c517505028.txt

Did not Mr. Williams the Board of Education President learn anything from his trip of “meetings called ” that was a levy wasn’t a levy meeting only to send out the following email :

Dr. Branham, Dale Weber, Bill Sturgill, Tony Giardini, Tim Williams
I am requesting the 5 of us meet at 5:00pm for a 30 min. meeting in Dr. Branham’s conference room.
Additionally I am requesting Mr. Giardini be present at our meeting. We will define our meetings not the public perceptions.
We are on the same team and will be expected to perform as such. The boards legal council is clearly defined and has not been changed. That is The Law Firm of Mr. Giardini. Our Supt. is Dr Branham. Any and all discussion of this topic should be among the board not the public nor the media. I am also requesting we temporarily suspend all communication to the media except through formal press release. This is simply a request and is open for discussion. If needed we can discuss everything in public and I do mean everything. There are no victims here. We signed up for this. If there is a battle we all lose. There is no moral high ground for any one of us to take. Every one of are involved in the politics of this school district and this city. That’s our job. There are plenty of examples to be cited. If there are any concerns, objections or conflicts to this 5:00 o’clock meeting please let me know.
Thanks Tim

Now maybe not an explosive email in and of itself but on the heels of what occurred during the week previously….. can one blame Mr. Smith for drawing attention to the “lacking of open leadership”

At the start of every school board meeting the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. The following words are part of that Pledge; “and to the Republic for which it stands”. In a Democratic Republic the public elects individuals to represent them at all levels of government. That includes members of the Lorain City Schools Board of Education. I believe that the citizens of Lorain deserve to know the facts and I will continue providing those facts.

Do some school board members believe that the board will determine what the public, and the media, should know? I certainly do not. To hold meetings and hide conversations from the public defeats the very purpose of the 1st Amendment to our constitution, “Freedom of Speech”

This amendment also guarantees “Freedom of the Press” to protect the right of every citizen to be fully informed. While the purpose of the meeting in question probably did not break the law, I believe it broke the spirit of the law.

In closing, I am happy to inform the public of what I learned on Thursday. Plans for the new Lorain High School Urban Learning Campus are moving forward. By sometime in August the architects hope to unveil the initial drawings of the building for public inspection. The building will stand on the site of the present high school.

Jim Smith

Message to those whom are elected to represent “we the people” and/or who are being paid with our dime:

Please THINK of the consequences of one’s actions – before you go tramping around in the corridors of power – we can’t afford any more lawsuits, mythering, bad publicity , angst and division of community . You see all of the above are supposed to be representing ME the taxpayer- the voter – the nut job and I want more THOUGHT put into the “Thought Process”

Lorain City Schools and the City- finally friendly?

After all the hand bags at dawn scenario played out between The City of Lorain and Lorain City schools in the past few days:

What the paper said:

Dr. Branham has an Op Ed in the Morning Journal which is explains the “how did this happen” aspect

DR. ED BRANHAM: Lorain school chief responds; ‘Keep politics, personal agendas out of schools, school decisions’
http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/06/13/opinion/doc4fd8084426691290559616.txt

I met with the Mayor on June 4, 2012, to discuss how the city and the schools could work together on the type, amount and cost to the taxpayers for the November school levy. This meeting was necessary because Mayor Ritenauer communicated to the Board that he would actively work against any income tax levy for the district. I was unaware at that time of any new high school site plans or donations of any property. Mr. Giardini, acting independently of the school district and the Board of Education, presented the possible land donation to the city and/or schools for a possible new high school/shared site. I did not approach Mayor Ritenauer with this proposal

ED Note: That statement by Mr. Branham may explain a lot- communication seemingly lacking and also since Mr. Giardini apparently was acting “independently” perhaps it wasn’t clear to the City of Lorain that he was not acting as the Lorain City School’s attorney and thereby not representing the schools.

You can see where the confusion may have started. Communication and going through a “chain of command” or proper procedures/protocol and less “multi- tasking ” is imperative . In my opinion presenting the “idea” re: the high school movement to the Lorain City Schools as an entirety first and foremost and not at a levy meeting- could have stopped a lot of the rhetoric of the past few days.

Also, in my considered opinion, Mr. Williams as BOE President needed to have taken a “clear stance” and suggested the idea be presented at a different time and not further muddied the waters by requesting the following of the city:

http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/press-release-from-the-office-of-the-mayor-chase-ritenauer/

After meeting with the schools on June 4th, the City, at the request of the School Board President, composed a letter discussing the potential for collaboration.

Mr. Williams should have been wearing his BOE hat at this point – I don’t believe he was !

Lorain High School deal fades; Mayor Ritenauer backs off, Branham objects to ‘politics’
http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/06/13/news/mj6347301.txt

And the statement that Ritenauer issued also affirmed his support for Branham. Ritenauer said, “While approaches to management will inevitably have philosophical disagreements every so often, the city looks forward to those conversations and ultimately wants to see the Lorain City Schools be successful and will work with the schools to that end.”