Posts filed under ‘city of lorain’
No Exit – trapped in Lorain- The Others
freedom of speech by Chris Ritchey
I don’t know why I am writing this , not much point really apart from getting it off my chest. In my theatre days I was part of a production at the Palace Theatre ( Lorain) of John Paul Sartre’s “NO EXIT” Three people trapped in their own kind of hell……
““All those eyes intent on me. Devouring me. What? Only two of you? I thought there were more; many more. So this is hell. I’d never have believed it. You remember all we were told about the torture-chambers, the fire and brimstone, the “burning marl.” Old wives’ tales! There’s no need for red-hot pokers. HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE!”
The “Other” people, they come into a neighborhood that is quiet especially in old Lorain , a Lorain that is not growing old so gracefully.
First: The Others come in and dump what used to be decent family homes onto the market because of poor business practices and the sub prime mortgage scandal.https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/my-roses-their-guns-walk-away-from-lorain/
Then : Others come in like money hungry vultures and buy up the properties for pennies on the dollar,
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/when-vision-is-cloudy-property-holding-llcs-ny-times/
Agencies provide housing lists where RSO’s and those on parole can “assimilate into the neighborhoods- Bureau of Community Sanctions http://drc.ohio.gov/community
Bureau of Community Sanctions Overview
The Bureau of Community Sanctions distributes and monitors grant and contractual funds provided to local jurisdictions and private vendors to establish community sanctions and residential services for adult offenders that are re-integrating into the community or who, otherwise, would be incarcerated in local jails or state prisons. Programs funded by the Bureau include Halfway Houses, Community-Based Correctional Facilities, Community Residential Centers, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Community Corrections Act grant programs including Intensive Supervision Probation, Standard Probation, Prosecutorial Diversion, Non-Supervisory Treatment Programs, Electronic Monitoring, and Community Work Service. Additionally, the Bureau has provided Probation Improvement Grants, Probation Incentive Grants, and SMART Ohio Grants in order to alleviate voids in services. The funds and contracts managed by the Bureau are addressed in Ohio Revised Code Sections 2301.51, and Ohio Administrative Codes 5120:1-3-01 and 5120:1-5-06.
artist not found
and the Adult Parole Authority , http://drc.ohio.gov/parole
The APA’s mission is to “aid in the reentry of offenders by partnering with community stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to preserve public safety by holding offenders accountable through diverse supervision strategies and technology.” The philosophy of supervision statement for the Field Services section of the APA is to “effectively supervise and provide opportunity for offenders to reenter into law-abiding citizenship and to reward, encourage, and promote positive behavior, while holding offenders accountable for negative behavior.” The APA determines release of inmates from prison to parole or transitional control, sets supervision conditions for inmates released on post release control, coordinates placement of offenders in the community and supervises them upon their release from prison. In addition, the APA assists counties in the development of basic felony supervision services upon request for the Courts of Common Pleas. The APA administers Ohio’s interstate compact agreement for probation and parole coordinating movement of supervised offenders among states.
and now rehab centers for drug dealers and convicted felons, along with people who NEED Rehab. ( follow the money , and the grants)
https://www.familywatchdog.us/
RSO’s around my house 165 mapable and 15 unmapable…. churches, schools also in the same vicinity along with a struggling downtown.
A neighborhood starts to spiral downward, a business district suffers because of deteriorating neighborhoods surrounding that district and they are getting worse.
Others move into these homes, others who are bent on living THEIR life style , no respect, just feed the sound system, deal the drugs, intimidate what is left of a neighborhood, bring in “others’ until what is left are those that cannot move , are unable to cope and so hide within their homes, frightened of the “armed others”.
The “left people, meaning those that are left – not of the political term- they try to call government, the police, anyone , they for the most part do not live this lifestyle, it is foreign to them , they don’t understand this disrespect or how this is happening, they do not know what can and can’t be done, they reach out for help……… and not a lot can be done.
There is NO HELP from the likes of a Bureau of Community Sanctions, helping THEM to live in their neighborhood. No service agency for those that are left , trying to live a peaceful hardworking existence and live out their lives in their homes whether owned or rented.
Most of these issues, the music , the loud lifestyles, the implied intimidation , watching people dealing in parking lots , the lack of quality of life CANNOT be addressed quickly or with much accountability. So we live in a limbo of fear of retaliation perceived or intended.
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/hurled-through-the-window-retribution-who-done-it-lorain/
The crime map of this morning , as I type, you can see this old neighborhood is seemingly outnumbered by the “Others” How does community breathe in the 44052 . http://communitycrimemap.com/
Oh some of the drug deals etc are looked into and documented for the courts by our Lorain Police Dept, sometimes months of work goes into these deals and dealers. BUT what good is it when felons are given a ” time out for drug rehab” and a $750 fine and released back into the neighborhood. What message – Judges of Lorain and County does this send to the people who are “left” ?
The police can only do so much, “call when there is an issue.. “make sure your mention they have a scanner if you believe that to be the case” The police have to witness the “crime or activity”. In Lorain on any given day or night there are only 6 -7 officers on the streets for a population of 64,000 and covering 24 square miles and is comprised of 113 Police Officers and 34 civilian employees.
The “Others” know the system they know how to get around the laws, they know how to waste time , they know eventually the “the lefts “ will either give up, die , move or just get plain worn out or be put down as a “complainer”… Been there done that
In this house, at the moment I have a hospice patient, last days of living in Lorain…. dying slowly without a murmur and if you ask me Lorain and the 44052 are following in the footsteps…….
I hope I am wrong but if this street and what is happening in this neighborhood is anything to go by we the lefts are terminal as there isn’t much hope with the solutions we have…… I am not sure there will be a “continuation…..” not when the “others are spreading the disease as quickly as they are….
To Stabilize or DE-stabilize that is the question Lorain County
UPDATE!!!! today the 29th of April I drove past the property that was the Olde English Parlour and Lorain Creamery and what a difference in just a few days. The property has had the mattresses and tires and junk cars on the sidewalk of last week removed and the place tidied and cleaned – Thank you City of Lorain
The 10 hundred block of 4th street especially 1026 has been mentioned in the past few days . https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2018/04/23/a-dangerous-situation-castration-of-justice-lorain/
The Incarceration House
Interesting home , a pretty home and now a mini jail ( in my opinion ) where ,according to court records ( Judge John Miraldi’s court), there is a history. Check out these court cases from Lorain County Court of Common Pleas and John Miraldi’s courtroom – You be the judge – and please check out the indictments
16CR093607 03/25/2016
Then there is court case : 16CA011062 which is apparently ( not being an attorney I have struggled with some of the documentation ) an appeal … but that date is 12/27/2016
BUT this “gentleman – of our neighborhood “ was arrested less than one month later with regard to a heroin bust at 1141 W 14th Street
http://www.morningjournal.com/article/MJ/20170124/NEWS/170129722
Jan 24, 2017 – A Lorain Police Department SWAT Team member watches the front of Matatanes Auto Repair and Towing, 1141 W. 14th St., as narcotics detectives search the business Jan. 24, 2017. The Lorain Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the automotive repair shop and at 911 W. 14th …
Approach the bench – side bar-
Lorain readers will remember this lovely little business at 1141 W 14th used to be the Lorain Creamery / Olde English Parlour . How many of us enjoyed ice cream and a a meal at the Olde English Parlour?
https://sites.google.com/site/loraincreamery/home/production
http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2009/07/lorain-creamery-scoop-5.html
Photo Dan Brady
http://www.chroniclet.com/news/2012/03/18/Fire-damages-former-Lorain-Creamery.html
and now???? Just drive by , I did – past the trash , junk and mattresses etc. Who let that facility end up the way it has , where are the inspections???? … From Lorain County Auditors Site – Owners Nicolaou Petros & Elena – tax bill mailed to 897 S Lake St. Amherst . Ohio
Oh yes! been down that road before – Whomever it was should have been fired in my opinion….. but I digress back to the courts:
Case number 17CR095700 ( back in John Miraldi’s Court ) 02/14/2017 
You may well be asking WHY am I still banging on about this guy and his court case ? You see there is a little more history on this 10 hundred block.
In my opinion the County and the Courts have acquiesced to having this person serve time ( under house arrest) in our neighborhood thereby “destabilizing” a neighborhood that has its struggles and abuts the downtown which everyone is wanting to “bring back???
He wasn’t originally living in this neighborhood NO! he was arrested at 911 W 14TH ST LORAIN, OH 44052 owned by Barreto Cadido and Megdalia and whose tax bill of $6,273.98 doesn’t look to have been paid in 5 or 6 years .
These streets around downtown could be positive foot traffic for the big downtown renewal but what sort of foot traffic is being sent your way answer me that – Downtown Lorain?
In fact the county , under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program poured money into this block, taking down a derelict house that had stood abandoned for over forty years, upon the advise of another expensive “study” –
Thriving Communities Institute of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy- Sarah Ryzner, the institute’s director of projects, and Paul Boehnlein, GIS and conservation planning specialist had a lot to say starting with two doors down from the now “incarceration house”
The Icon House
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/welcome-to-fairyland-aka-in-the-pink-lorain-ohio/ and https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/away-with-the-fairies-living-in-lorain/
True to their word with much hoopla Lorain County Land Reutilization and Lorain County Port Authority came and took down the Icon House
“So under the auspices of the Lorain County Land Re-utilization Corp – Lorain County Port Authority
whose mission ” Improving Lorain County and Revitalizing Neighborhoods” the eyesore ,that was once a well-loved and cherished home, came down.”
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/07/16/history-demoed-another-rehabbed-pt-1/
This segues into the rest of the story because thanks to the Neighborhood “Stabilization” Program -the county and co – another historic property The Coleman House – 1031 W 4th was rehabbed see the story here …
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/history-demoed-another-rehabbed-pt3/
The county duly rehabbed the house- it was too far gone for an historic rehab, but supposedly helped with stabilizing the neighborhood. More than a few 10’s of thousands went into this “icon” project …We, in the street were pleased someone was recognizing the worthiness and rehabbing.
My question is will the county and courts get on the same page …. please make up their mind because using the “house across the road from the rehab house as a “16 hour a day place of incarceration” is not conducive to stabilizing this neighborhood .
And whilst we are at it and the cost to the “community”- that apparently has no say so in control- I asked the Judge John Mirald etc i- for which I never received and answer :
How much does a drug raid cost us the taxpayers , local, state and federal for our law enforcement to go on these raids as opposed to the amount of sentencing????
MAKE UP YOUR MIND LORAIN COUNTY – DO YOU WISH TO STABILIZE OR DESTABLIZE THIS STREET……… The community who have invested years have rights too………….. OR DO WE?????? Lorain County and Courts enquiring minds would like to know!
A dangerous situation- Castration of Justice- Lorain
UPDATE: May 14th-2018 ACCORDING TO THE OWNER – MR. ROBERT GONZALES OF 1026 W. 4TH STREET, CARLOS LOPEZ AS DOCUMENTED IN COURT RECORDS UNDER HOUSE ARREST AT 1026 W. 4TH STREET DOES NOT RESIDE AT THAT PROPERTY…. YOU HAVE TO WONDER THEN “I WONDER WHERE THE FELON WENT”…….
Let me first say – this is entirely my own opinion formed by circumstances beyond my control.
This past month I wrote a post :
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/my-roses-their-guns-walk-away-from-lorain/
For over forty years we have lived next door to a house that has ALWAYS been “difficult” both with tenants and lack of respect.
We stayed the course always hoping and trying not only to make this a better neighborhood and invest in what is Lorain’s oldest neighborhood. In the last two years we have put in over $22,000 dollars in to an empty lot next door
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/money-where-your-mouth-is-part-7/
turning it from this
to this
Lack of code enforcement and bank dumping in recent years have made the adjoining property even more of a nuisance.
As mentioned ,so many times before on these pages – the system that is Lorain, inspections , judicial , enforcement and accountability have, in my opinion, caused this deterioration of a community, all you have to do is ride around “old Lorain and the downtown” .
Ease of public trough monies, bank dumps and property management companies (in and out-of-state) has pretty much overpowered and forced out the people who have expendable income. Lorain’s past history (Community Development ) and her knee jerk reactive development has caused that to happen. Those who have stayed … they either have to or are still trying against odds that are becoming insurmountable.
OK ! people ( who can) move out leave their homes or are looking to leave. But these past few weeks , I have found something far more sinister and frightening to we who stayed. As documented, we have had issues with individuals who , quite frankly, I wouldn’t have anything in common or to do with , a culture of blatant disrespect on the other side of the fence. I don’t understand their “behavior” uncivilized and a detriment to community. But that is not the scary part.
Last week the designated alley was blocked by the tow truck which has been parked next to my fence and their house for weeks. Our at large council person can attest to that fact.
I needed to get out of my garage. Simple ???ask them to move what I consider an illegal commercial vehicle , out-of-the-way. This tow truck bears the Matatanes Towing – the “business” that was raided in
Lorain police net two arrests in suspected heroin bust
Jan 24, 2017 – A Lorain Police Department SWAT Team member watches the front of Matatanes Auto Repair and Towing, 1141 W. 14th St., as narcotics detectives search the business Jan. 24, 2017. The Lorain Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the automotive repair shop and at 911 W. 14th …
Once again I was met with the curses and obscenities from individuals who do not reside at that residence.. drop off and carry out…
What was even more worrying was the fact when I said:
fine I will call the police, I was met with laughter , high fiving , and call – don’t care .. call the police… etc.
Eventually the tow truck and its cargo ( after having some items stripped) was returned to its usual parking place next to my fence with now the car on the top partially stripped in full view over the top of my 8 foot fence – looming , reminiscent of a vulture salivating at the demise of civility.
The Lorain Police Dept. is our last bastion of support for the everyday citizen They protect and serve and yet here were people with guns, yes guns for my European readers – par for the course in Lorain apparently – scaring the hell out of me – having the very people who can protect and serve, FOUND TO BE LAUGHABLE. I was gobsmacked – they obviously didn’t give a monkeys….
WHY IS THAT??? … well in the case of the posse next door – I believe it stems from a judicial decision, Judge John Miraldi , Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Case no. 17CR095700
DEFT HAVING COMPLETED PROGRAMMING W/PRIMARY PURPOSE BOND IN THIS CASE IS MODIFIED. DEFT SHALL REMAIN ON HOUSE ARREST AND RESIDE AT 1026 FOURTH ST., LORAIN, OH. DEFT GRANTED WORK PRIVILEGES MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. DEFT SHALL REMAIN ON CSR SUPERVISION AND GPS MONITORING THROUGH COURTMON. ANY CHANGES TO THIS SCHEDULE WILL REQUIRE APPROVAL BY THIS COURT. SEE JRNL. (16CR093607/17CR095700)
How nice and comforting for those who live here and attend school…. this man now lodging 2 houses down from a school – under house arrest , a trafficker, moved from the 14th street address to our neighborhood.
OH he ISN’T an RSO so he can live there- My thoughts.. if he is under house arrest then the Adult Parole Authority and by the judge agreeing, has now turned this “rental” into a place of incarceration – a jail. Oh and don’t forget this guy has gone through a few weeks of rehab- that is OK then???? Community Control- this community would like more of a say so in the control!!!!!
The other “gentleman “ was not unknown to the “good” Judge John Miraldi he had appeared ( gone through a drug rehab program under his previous – go around) 12CR086331 in 2012 and after 4 pages of court documents where he thwarted the courts ended up with him being incarcerated in a real jail.
However The “good” Judge must have forgotten how lax this “gentleman” was in the previous go around 2012 because this was his sentence after pleading guilty his latest appearance in court ( and he has quite a record!!!) 17CR095698
DEFT APPEARED IN COURT FOR SENTENCING AFTER HAVING WITHDRAWN HIS OR HER PREVIOUSLY ENTERED PLEA OF NOT GUILTY AND HAVING NOW ENTERED A PLEA OF GUILTY TO AND HAVING BEEN FOUND GUILTY BY THE COURT THE FOLLOWING CHARGE(S): COUNT 1: TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS – 2925.03(A)(1) – F5 COUNT 2: TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS – 2925.03(A)(1) – F5 DEFT IS SENTENCED TO COMMUNITY CONTROL FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS ENDING 10/23/2020. SANCTIONS: ISP; DEFT IS TO SERVE SIX (6) MONTHS IN LCCF; PAY ALL COURT COSTS IN FULL; PAY SUPERVISION FEES IN THE AMT OF $720.00; PAY ALL COURT APPOINTED ATTY FEES IN FULL; SEE JRNL FOR OTHER SANCTIONS UP TO 3 YEARS OPTIONAL PRC (JRM)
Pity he didn’t remember that case because apparently The perpetrator seems to be following a pattern – He has a BAD address and so is not responding to the court…….OH MY!!!!
| DEFENDANT HAVING BEEN ORDERED TO REIMBURSE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES, THE COURT FINDS THAT COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES ARE: $848.00. THE DEFENDANT IS TO PAY SAID AMOUNT TO THE LORAIN COUNTY CLERK OF COMMON PLEAS COURT. THE LORAIN COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS SHALL PAY SAID FUNDS TO THE LORAIN COUNTY TREASURER. SEE JRNL. | ||
| 11/22/2017 | AGING | A/R AGING START DATE |
| 12/14/2017 | MOTION | MOTION TO BE GRANTED JAIL TIME CREDIT FILED BY DEFT. PROSE. |
| 01/22/2018 | ITEM | ITEMIZED BILL SENT TO DEFENDANT. |
| 02/20/2018 | COLLECTIONS | 30-DAY DELINQUENT COURT COST LETTER SENT TO DEFENDANT. |
| 02/20/2018 | N/A | RETURNED MAIL – BAD ADDRESS |
| 03/19/2018 | N/A | RETURNED MAIL – BAD ADDRESS |
| 03/26/2018 | COLLECTIONS | 60-DAY DELINQUENT COURT COST LETTER SENT TO DEFENDANT. |
| 04/16/2018 | N/A | RETURNED MAIL – BAD ADDRESS |
Good luck with that then Judge – although I know where he has been off and on hanging with the posse.
Can this be why those individuals last week found it laughable that I would call the Lorain Police Dept. Has the judicial system stymied them in their ability to protect and serve , how problematic a “ticket” when they are given such leeway in drug trafficking , breaking and entering etc. ?
I wrote to Judge John Miraldi, to the courts wanting to know why? I realize the Judge John Miraldi has his own issues to deal with
http://www.chroniclet.com/cops-and-courts/2018/02/01/Watch-live-Cody-Snyder.html
BUT, in my opinion, his court and the way the drug traffickers are given the benefit of the doubt and “rehab” and a slap has castrated justice. I have not received any answer or confirmation . There is a surprise ..BAD ADDRESS maybe……….?????
The City of Lorain, the enforcement of her ordinances and the judicial system are two departments that can affect the quality of the lives of those that are still here, but seeing a wonderful and I mean wonderful Lorain Police Dept, with whom the organization of which I am co- chair (CVSI)
http://www.loraincounty.com/charlestonlorai/
has worked in hand with for 30 years laughed at sticks in my craw .
These officers put their lives on the line , their welfare and yes sanity every time they go on shift. They have to have the support of the judicial branch. Time to step up- these people are admitted traffickers……… stop enabling the dealers!!!!
“Game of Loans” Clear as Mud- CDBG funds Lorain
The Lorain Development Corp – an ongoing ripple effect – standing alone – questions and accounting tools all as clear as mud to me and I have been writing about this for yonks! 
There is a plethora of information starting with a series of articles on Lorain Community Development in 2008 ( 10 years ago ) by Mark Teleha
https://locophotogblog.wordpress.com/category/community-development/ and his interviews with Sandy Prudoff and Doug Rangel
“the opportunity to meet Doug Rangel. Doug is the Executive Director of the Lorain Development Corporation. Flashing back briefly, this is what Sandy Prudoff explained to me during the interview:
The other division, which is not really a city department, is our contract with the Lorain Development Corporation. The reason why we have a contract with them, we don’t have city staff doing that, is that he (Doug Rangel) has a ward of accountants, bankers, attorneys and business people. They, for no fee, and volunteer time, meet with Doug, and any small business request for financing, all the way up to $1.3 million on the Duane Building, all the way up to a $6 million undertaking of the Industrial Park, he and his Board, but primarily him, will structure the financing, monitor the financing. The Industrial Park had $2+ million for the loan, a loan from the State. A $2+ million loan from the Federal Government, a $2 million grant from the State, and a $2 million grant from the EDA (Economic Development Association)……
D. Romancak 2008
Doug doesn’t work for us, he works under contract with us. His agency is independent. He takes care of all the financing and business loans. So, first perception that we’re these rogue agents just doing whatever we want is definitely misplaced in a statutory city where we are the City of Lorain; we’re not separate and apart, we’re not different. We find it, sometimes amusing, as people say ‘There goes Community Development again, doing whatever it is that they do.” So said Don Romancak,
https://locophotogblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/saving-downtown-there-is-available/
Note the above link make interesting reading as to how the system was supposed to work https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2009/03/22/community-development-city-of-lorain/
FAST FORWARD to 2015 https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/money-for-old-rope-a-taxpayers-question/
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/lorain-development-corp-lorain-op-ed/
and then 2016
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/lorain-development-corp-the-revolving-evolving-story/
http://www.chroniclet.com/news/2016/04/26/City-cuts-ties-with-Lorain-Development-Corp.html
Robert Ellis, a local attorney and president of the LDC board, said the corporation, a nonprofit, has two options — it can find another foundation that is willing to loan money to businesses in Lorain, or it can dissolve.
AND then the FBI enters the picture: http://www.chroniclet.com/news/2016/07/08/FBI-probes-loan-program-by-Lorain-Development-Corp-ran-for-city.html
and THEN!!! August 30th 2017
http://www.chroniclet.com/Local-News/2017/08/30/Lorain-acts-on-defaulted-loans-before-HUD-comes-calling.html Glenn also noted the FBI investigation regarding the program, which began last summer, is still going on 
and now the situation as it stands today February 28th 2018
as the ripple effect of decisions made by Lorain and the spending of money and write offs is still causing ripples
http://www.cityoflorain.org/announcements?view=1683 February 26, 2018 Public Hearing – CDBG PY2017 Substantial Amendment
http://www.chroniclet.com/Local-News/2018/02/27/Lorain-wants-to-change-block-grant-spending.html 
Ritenauer {Mayor} said one of the biggest hurdles to lowering that ratio, though, is the revolving loan program, which was frozen several years ago due to over $600,000 in loans being written off and thousands of others were delinquent. “The problem is HUD counts that credit against us so that’s inflating our ratio,” he said. “It’s just north of a million dollars and when we get payments that makes it go up. Well, we can’t spend it to make it go back down because they’ve frozen it. We’d be in good shape if they would unfreeze that money and we could put it where it needs to be.”
Also the Morning Journal : ” Lorain puts local projects on hold to repay federal money http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20180226/lorain-puts-local-projects-on-hold-to-repay-federal-money
Lorain’s problem comes in part because the city and HUD have frozen Lorain’s revolving loan program to help businesses. That was due to questions about loans raised by Glenn’s predecessor, Leon Mason, who led the Department of Building, Housing and Planning. That frozen account inflates Lorain’s ratio of CDBG money allocated to money spent, the mayor said.
10 years of documents papers and pointing up the issue on this blog with Money for Old Rope three years ago.. and that pesky $600,000.00 I couldn’t figure out and apparently I wasn’t far off the mark. was I ( even if I can’t understand government accounting 101) 😉
In the middle of all this moneying…. and accounting is a loan of $250.000.01 to South Shore CDC
“As Mr. Mason stated, the issues with the revolving Loan fund came to him from the State Auditor
“I got an email from the state auditor who wanted to know why the city of Lorain had over $600,000 in loan write-offs,” department director Leon Mason said. “My response was that I didn’t know what he was talking about, and when he sent me the information, I was able to pinpoint some of the loans, but I did find some that were troubling, to say the least.” Mason said one that stood out to him was a $250,000.01 loan to the South Shore Community Development Corporation.
UPDATED- Minutes of the committee meeting April 11th 2016 where the report was given to Lorain City Council members
Oh well – 2018 and we are still trying to find our way clear of this one. BUT I am troubled – I am like the majority of tax payers, I can’t even figure out my own taxes let alone understand “accounting tools” of government .
I looked through spread sheets – I looked through “loans” and to whom they were made- BUT I looked at them as a citizen with a fair to middling IQ. 
I looked at was down as a “loan” to the City of Lorain (Building Housing and Planning)
NOTE: Yes! I know I have issues with the way “that” department is and has been run https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2016/08/09/municipal-manipulation-lorain-e-again/ and the archaic means at their disposal when it comes to checking Point of Sale and the “paperwork”-
Little did I know I was in for a plethora of emails and answers and more confusion. I looked at a sheet of what were termed “loans” and one in particular caught my eye- no interest and under the category “closed not paid”- since the 501C3 mentioned was still an ongoing organization HOW COULD THAT BE? Well what was to be a simple question turned out to be a confusing answer 
You see this “Loan” wasn’t a loan – No! No! I have it all wrong apparently BHP needs an accounting tool to track payments for RENT etc.
The said organization paid out IN LEASE/RENT $ 19,050 from April 2013- March 2017 BUT in the accounting for BHP this was down on the books as a LOAN
Why?? according to the City of Lorain : their (BHP) system is a LOAN system. The way they keep track of any building lease/rent is to enter it in this system as it tracks the “due “ payments and categorizes them if they are late/past due etc.
Art Work Scott Bakalar
So confusing as it is – when is a loan not a loan when it is an accounting tool with BHP. Note: Excuse me just would make life easier it seems if it was classified under something say : Incoming rents from city owned properties I think there might be software somewhere to handle that………. Just my 2 cents ( or is it?) 😉
Now let us get back to South Shore Development Corp and that $250,000.01 loan that was written off by the Board of Lorain Development Corporation on February 3rd 2014
The Board was supposedly independent of City Administration and Council etc. BUT there were in place safety measures – from Mark’s 2008 interview :
“All of these loans are subject to review and approval by the loan board of Lorain Development Corporation as well as Board of Control, if they fall within the guidelines and would additionally require City Council approval if the loan request goes outside of guidelines. Doug Rangel “
In the case of the loan to South Shore Development Corp there were issues with conflict of interest. 
http://www.chroniclet.com/news/2016/07/08/FBI-probes-loan-program-by-Lorain-Development-Corp-ran-for-city.html
One of the loans that HUD officials flagged is a $250,000 loan made to South Shore Development Corp. in 2011 to help keep the struggling St. Joseph Community Center afloat. That loan was never repaid and eventually written off by Lorain Development Corp. State auditors have said that more than $600,000 worth of loans distributed by Lorain Development Corp. were written off over the years, but Mason said that his research indicates that figure might be slightly lower because of how some of the loans were structured.
The HUD review said that the money lent to South Shore was troubling because at the time of the loan, Robert Gilchrist was serving as both the city’s service director and president of the South Shore board. HUD called Gilchrist’s dual role “an apparent Conflict of Interest.”
Mr Gilchrist – he of the diversionary program – voting illegally , pleading guilty to drug charges
and alleged domestic abuse which cost him his job at as President of the Lorain County Community Action Agency was also in his Service Director position on the BOARD of CONTROL for the City of Lorain.
You know that BOC that is one of the checks and balances the taxpayers have. But hey we are OK because this Lorain Development Corporation is a separate entity – although contracted by the then Community Development Dept. ( see 2008 interview) and the money to fund it came from where ? Too many of the same names and relationships for my liking .
Early in 2009, South Shore announced its intention to close the St. Joe’s center because its income was outstripped by operating expenses, notably high utility costs. Lorain City Council in 2010 approved money to operate St. Joe’s while Krasienko’s administration looked for ways to keep it open. Lorain Service Director Robert Gilchrist was a key in brokering the deals needed to keep the center open and yesterday he made the city’s presentation to the Clean Ohio Council in Columbus.
Such plans in 2011- ……….
You can find the Board of Control minutes here – through various administrations http://www.cityoflorain.org/mayor/documents You can also access the Journal Entry on the discussion with the County Commissioners et al APRIL 2012 with charts and discussions in depth here JOURNAL ENTRY Commissioners Meeting St. Joes
| 2012 (no leasing) | 2013 (15k ft) | 2014 (15k ft) | 2015 (15k ft) | |
| Revenue | 913 | 1,063 | 1,213 | 1,363 |
| Expenses | 1,046 | 1,077 | 1,109 | 1,142 |
| Net Income | (132) | (14) | 104 | 221 |
| Capital/Other | 212 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Grants/Loans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Receipts | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Profit/Loss | (342) | (212) | (94) | 23 |
Loans;
- $1,350,000 Loan on Property from the State
- Guaranteed $675,000 each to the City and County
- Payback of the State Loan does not begin until profitable OR when SSCDC property is sold.
- As a part of the development agreement a $250,000 Loan was provided to South Shore Community Development Corporation to cover operating shortfall.
- Beginning on April 1, 2012 the first monthly payment of $1,488 is due.
- The Loan is unsecured.
Grants:
- HUD EDI Grant – $166,500. Grant funds were used to fund the LCCC expansion/extension and Little Lighthouse tenant improvement work.
- HHS – $253,000. Grant funds were used to fund mechanical deferred maintenance to the then occupied areas and common systems.
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant – $480,000
- City application for funds allowed for both a grant component and loan component for use at St. Joe’s totaling $480,000.
- In 2011, when EECBG project scopes for St. Joe’s were being developed, use of funds for maintenance of existing systems was disallowed.
- The Dep. Of Energy also determined that the combination of both a grant and loan could not be used at St. Joe’s; thus the funding became capped at approximately $200,000.
- City and SSCDC now developing a revised scope to utilize the available EECBG funds for non-maintenance energy efficiency projects.
CORF
- $1,600,000 Grant Awarded to the City of Lorain for SSCDC project.
- Mercy match over 3 years- $120k per year for 3 years = $360k
- Demolition includes Building D, Reidy Scanlon Bldg., Thrift Shop.
- The City of Lorain is currently advertising for a certified professional.
- Demolition anticipated to begin summer of 2012
and the rest of the story????????????????????????????? Who knows but I agree with Mayor Ritenauer .. to me this is all as clear as mud………… and just to help with information :
CPD_Funding_Grantee_Matrix_LORA-OH_OH_20180201
Copy of Public Service Streets and 108 spreadsheet(2)
Economic Development Final http://destinyhosted.com/loraidocs/2016/CCREG/20160404_68/628_Economic%20Development%20Review%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf
LDC Conflict of Interest Policy http://destinyhosted.com/loraidocs/2016/CCREG/20160404_68/628_Lorain%20Development%20Corp%20Conflict%20of%20Interest%20Policy.pdf
LDC Subrecipient Agreement http://destinyhosted.com/loraidocs/2016/CCREG/20160404_68/628_LDC%20Subrecipient%20Agreement%20PDF.pdf
Portfolio Quality Report http://destinyhosted.com/loraidocs/2016/CCREG/20160404_68/628_Portfolio%20Quality%20Report.pdf
EDA Title IX Plan http://destinyhosted.com/loraidocs/2016/CCREG/20160404_68/628_EDA%20Title%20IX%20Revolving%20Loan%20Fund%20Plan.pdf
Lorain’s Housing- owners of the dirty diapers- Part 3
And the clog in the system keeps on coming .
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2017/10/22/lorains-housing-the-owners-of-the-dirty-diaper-pt1/
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/lorains-housing-owners-of-the-dirty-diapers-pt-2/
You would think , this house at 1348 West Erie, after being front page in local media ( print and electronic) predatory property holders investigated by all and sundry ( including the NY Times) https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/when-vision-is-cloudy-property-holding-llcs-ny-times/ we would not find ourselves back to square one.
Touted as the poster child by realtors as being a negative because of the amount of money having to be put in escrow ( Point of Sale) as being a detriment to home sales in Lorain.
Lorain house sets record with $45,750 escrow requirement by R. Payerchin June 2014 –
Let us revisit once again the housing court history – First up after the dumping of the home by Federally backed mortgage company Fannie Mae to Kaja Holdings for ZERO dollars and NO Point of Sale Inspection, Fannie Mae acquired the property Aug. 2013
| Sale Date: | 8/5/2013 |
| Sale Amount: | $95,116.00 |
| Conveyance: | 2013003968 |
| Grantor: | KRAUSE TODD |
| Grantee: | FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION |
it was purchased February 2015 from Fannie Mae 1 year and 1 month after Point of Sale was introduced to Lorain
Sale Date: 2/3/2015
Sale Amount: $0.00
Conveyance: 2015090327
Grantor: FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION
Grantee: KAJA HOLDINGS 2 LLC
Many trips to housing court and then finally the lawyer (after much publicity) arrived on scene only to be given “time” grace time to fulfill their promises- little discussions at the table to the side with the ” Lorain City Prosecutor ” who agree with giving the benefit of the doubt on more than one occasion ( sigh) First up for Kaja Holdings was attorney
JIANG, LEI
http://eb5info.com/eb5-attorneys/35-lei-jiang
From what I could gather that day of August 12th,2015, the attorney Jaing, Lei was given another court date of September 9th to remedy and or update the situation
Then a lot of toing and froing – another continuance this time December 9th,2015 nearly a year in housing court https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2015/10/22/housing-court-and-you-lorain-continued/
Fast forward to April 2016 5 months after the December 9th continuance another court date and another attorney this time
Mr. James White http://www.fkwdlaw.com/attorneys/james-r-white/
( who started a dialogue on this blog ) https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/plump-lady-plummets-and-the-housing-trip-continues/
I had contact with Mr. White through emails about 1348 West Erie and what his clients proposed to do : In fact August 3rd 2016 found the following email :
Hi Loraine- Several of the violations to the exterior have been repaired. The City’s required escrow to perform the repairs has been deposited with an escrow agent with repairs to follow.
Great news “finally something happening BUT…. looking through the paperwork on the home of 1348 West Erie PDF found here : 1348
Mr. White did get that escrow “lowered” from $45, 750 . to $16,680 and then lo and behold the property changed hands AGAIN ( twice – albeit to the same man but different LLC’s- Mr. Farah Issa and Kaja Holdings got their escrow money back!!!!
Mr. Issa was duly notified he had to assume the escrow amount and he apparently did according to the PDF file pages 34,35,36 of the PDF .
and 
Certainly Mr Issa was not unaware of the issues with the house . Contacting the BHP Dept I received this email via Mr. Given SS Director (my bold):
Attached is the file for 1348 West Erie Ave. Page 34,35 and 36 of this document is the current hold of escrow for the property from the new buyer. The escrow was released back to Kaja once the funds were placed for the new buyer. This property actually transferred to Prosperity Investment Fund LLC and then again to FICC Realty Holdings – same agent on the Corporations though (Carmen Camino). They were supposed to be in court on October 11th (the summons shows service on court site) but they did not come to the hearing. I must assume that Law will attempt service again (since they won’t issue warrant on corporation).
“Owner makes plea for house that has been Lorain ‘problem for decade’”
We, Lorain, are allowing this behavior. Where is our Law Dept.? They, including Law Director Pat Riley, are supposed to represent us, fight for us , this home , once loved , still loved has been left rotting whilst the legal system floundered around like the last dying gasps of that fly. Those who represent the legal aspect are accountable for the last 2 years of this history and if this is the way we proceed legally in Lorain then we need to address that aspect!!!One , unless they have researched the disappointing process of legalisms, inspections, housing courts, thinks it is easy but trust me on this after years of the “history ” of 1348 – we, the public are naïve and welcoming the big fat spider into our parlour to devour our quality of housing, buildings and life. It is the biggest foulest filling of the diaper yet and it oozes out a putrid stench ….
Picture: Arleevector)
Lorain’s housing- the owners of the dirty diaper- PT1
Come into my parlor said the FLY to the SPIDER – Lorain being the name of the FLY and the SPIDER -???)
Notorious Opponents of Exactitude
I am not an inspector, I am not a builder, I am not a politician , I am not a legal eagle , ( although in some cases around this “wonderland” the eagle fails to fly )I admit I have no qualifications what so ever pertaining to “housing” I am however an “expert taxpayer”. I didn’t come down with yesterday’s shower and I am not a complete fool.
I have written about housing in this city for years on various blogs, been picked up by national and local media- brought situations to the fore- and still the same behaviours when it comes to “predatory property LLC’s “continue …
Back to Lorain City Hall on October 19th and the Demolition Board of Appeals – ( why ? when I said I was done!) because the icon house of thousands of my words and documentation was on the list. 1348 West Erie
In 2012 I wrote about this house situated in one of the better areas and also along the main thoroughfare into what is called “Lorain’s downtown, business , entertainment, waterfront, social service and law offices abound District“-
In 2012, as I wrote about this home, we thought the house was one of the oldest , historically speaking in Lorain according to Ohio Historic Inventory
only to do some detective work to see the original house on that site was destroyed by the 1924 Lorain Tornado . After the tornado a home was built over the original foundation – https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/lorains-history-mystery-the-wurmser-house-a-tale-of-two-houses/
It wasn’t another tornado causing this home to be on the demo list.There is a blockage in the bowels of the building housing and planning system and Lorain’s right to decent housing .
The system is clogged, broken and the cause of a lot of Lorain’s housing ills
Cartoon Source – Sannimas – https//www.sswm.com
So who or what Lorain City / Lorain County Dept is helping to fill the dirty diaper of decay , to bugger up the system causing the foul stench to permeate Lorain’s older neighborhoods , streets and if something is smelling in Denmark
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
it is positively putrid ( in my opinion) in Lorain!
The social media will have discussions of conspiracy, kickbacks and anecdotal evidence- to be fair that has happened – ( William Desvari Chief Building Inspector under Mayor Craig Foltin) comes to mind .. Those decisions made during that time have resurfaced just a few weeks ago
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2017/08/25/am-i-bovvered-lorain-fire-in-the-belly/
The mere fact reports stated from the Chronicle Telegram Newspaper that earlier in another administration ( Foltin) “inspections were “case closed” by an administration that was “landlord friendly” on this building.
http://www.chroniclet.com/Local-News/2017/08/07/Section-of-Broadway-remains-closed-until-Thistle-Building-is-razed.html
http://www.morningjournal.com/article/MJ/20120427/NEWS/304279955 The date on that particular article was around the same time the 1348 House documentation was starting to be written.
Even before that 2012 article the rot was setting in , the “waste product “of”friendly inspections” brokehomes started to clog the flow. Yes we did have the issues of fraud etc in the Building Dept.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/07/lorains_chief_building_officia.html
Desvari was placed on paid administrative leave in February while police investigated accusations of accusations of dereliction of duty, conflict of interest and issuing improper building permits against him. He was hired in 2003 for the $63,000-a-year job.
In 2004, he was charged with falsifying his job application for not disclosing felony convictions of fraud, forgery, theft and passing bad checks, all from Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court between 1987 and 1990.
And the tale continued http://www.chroniclet.com/news/2012/08/06/Former-Lorain-official-dies-while-awaiting-trial.html
You see it wasn’t that he was a fraud and a thief – known to have issues, criminal charges and legal issues but the fact that HE WAS HIRED by the Foltin Admin in the first place is my issue . And WHY when the initial reports of his “iffy ” resume reached us through the media – where was our outrage -why didn’t we use our collective voices to say NO! this isn’t right?
Did not Mayor Foltin, at the time, do due diligence he was and is a very intelligent person, you mean to say he did not check the on line university for the degree of Billy Boy was well pretty much non existent. Well the diaper may not have been full but it was fast becoming smelly. There were certainly enough red flags back then but it seems the Foltin Administration REPUBLICAN- 2000-2008 were red / green color blind.
Of course we also had issues with the next administration this time DEMOCRAT- 2008-2012 Mayor Krasienko – and that is still on going – a Safety Service Director – Robert Gilchrist ( also a resume that had flags) who was less than desirable and one of whose participation in the loan program is still under investigation by the FBI- Photo source Gilchrist’s Mug shot ( but I ask you who is really the “mug” in all this????
Of course the whole 5th floor of city hall was also now starting to reek from the odours as to those in charge- we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Sandy Prudoff – controversial head of Community Development for many , many years ……… http://www.cleveland.com/countyincrisis/index.ssf/2012/06/sanford_prudoff_former_lorain.html
Sanford Prudoff, former Lorain official, pleads guilty to conspiracy; will testify against Anthony O. Calabrese III
found also to be entangled with Attorney Calabrese who worked for the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
This law firm was brought into the city also under the Foltin administration (according to Lorain City documentation)
http://www.morningjournal.com/article/mj/20131118/NEWS/131119348
Cleveland law firm to pay Lorain $3 million (with video)
http://www.cleveland.com/countyincrisis/index.ssf/2013/11/anthony_o_calabreses_former_la.html
You can see why people in chat rooms and face book pages call out corruption and kickbacks no matter who is in city hall or on city council . The smell of those involved hasn’t gone away and lingers on those who now work in the city environment and I can see the diaper being filled .
The smell oozing through the political cracks did start to attract attention and although we can “hopefully” eventually catch those that add to our decaying housing, decaying building who are found to be crooks -gaining money and power through nefarious means –they are the least of our worries .
No, it is my opinion what is happening now to fill the diaper , which is causing the blockage in the “system” of decent housing is far more dangerous- yes money and a lot of it is involved , but LEGALLY – which is even more horrendous than all the fraudsters we have had though the years. WE ARE INVITING THEM IN TO THIS COMMUNITY – we are the little fly inviting in the great big money grabbing salivating spider and its enablers!
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/when-vision-is-cloudy-property-holding-llcs-ny-times/
TO BE CONTINUED ……………..
Lorain’s Housing -owners of the dirty diapers- Pt 2
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2017/10/22/lorains-housing-the-owners-of-the-dirty-diaper-pt1/
October 19th- 2017 another year another Demolition Board of Appeals . (9:00 am) Hours of sitting scribbling notes and feeling filthy – hundreds of photos – disgusting photos of human and animal waste, homes that had been built with families in mind left rotting and decaying , carpets heaving with mold and fleas
and heaven knows what else that was breeding in those structures. The mold in this home had attached itself not only to the surface areas but has literally compromised the wood and structure of the home. Well what do you expect when it had been open to the elements for years.
There is a sub culture in this town using these nauseating dwellings as evidenced by the insides of these structures. These structures are obviously deemed safe from prying eyes by those who frequent the vomitus homes for their illegal and dangerous dealings because no one in their right mind or any sort of consideration of their own worth would enter these places let alone sleep on an excruciatingly filthy couch surrounded by human feces and animal waste, rats and fleas – It just doesn’t bear thinking about .
It is no wonder those that had to inspect had to wear masks and environmental protection gear. The Lorain Police Dept. having to check to make sure the properties were at least free of the dangerous human elements. Hundreds of photos later I was thankful the smells of those places were missing from the presentation.
Everyone was sworn in who intended to speak . I didn’t take the oath for once I wanted to observe and keep my mouth shut……. and then Deja Vu. One of the homes 4310 Meister Road – empty and decaying for 5-7 years
Since this was an appeals board, people could appeal the property being put on the demo list. A property LLC representative came before the board offering $70,000 to save this house. There was much discussion and to the needs of the house, all which apparently could be rectified. Oh that is a positive one would think : So why was I sending out panicked mind messages to the Board members ( not having been sworn in) NO! NO! please NO!!
Back I was transported to another demo board of appeals 3620 Clifton on January 2013.
1. We now know that a property 3620 Clifton purchased in 2011 after five years of being open to the elements was deemed bad enough to be issued a search warrant in Sept 2012-
2. Declared a public nuisance and uninhabitable – the property listed for demolition ( along with two neighboring properties ) Jan 4th 2013
3.Given a reprieve because the “Duo of Will Do” ( Barbee and Johnson) owners pleaded before the Demolitions appeals Board for more time a week later Jan 11th 2013 by that same board . A board that had doubts caved to the “give em a break mentality”
You can find the series and reports ( all documented ) https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/a-tale-of-two-the-why-land-of-iz-not-woz/
The fact the gentleman at the mic was well meaning didn’t change my mind. You see he had not purchased or even had letter of intent to purchase from the supposed owner of the property ( another of those wonderful banks) –
he did not have a business plan or list of contracted subcontractors showing the intent to do the work or even a check as a gesture of intent.
As the representative of the legal dept. spoke those words (paraphrasing because I was instantly sent back to another time -2013) “we can always re-inspect……. aaaaaahhhhhhhhh”and FAMOUS last words from 3620 Clifton
Because those same words uttered led to 3620 sitting for another 4 years and having to start the process all over again…….. see the photo at the top of this post. The Statute of Limitations ran out.
When we (Lorain 365 Blog) https://lorain365.com/ researched the process of 3620 Clifton , we found that inspections are not all what they are cracked up to be . For instance for the inspectors etc to go through the inside of these properties there is a lot of legal procedures. The city has to get a search warrant. ( these are for these abandoned homes).
We found the properties could only be inspected from the street or neighboring property ( with permission) in the case rehabbing a property ( residential) unless the inspectors were “invited in by the owners”.
Should electrical or plumbing permits are pulled they can fall under inspection process.
BUT what if people don’t ask them in or pull those permits – and that does happen a lot believe me – happened to the house next door to me on both sides – one is now demoed). You see not everyone follows the rules ( if they did we wouldn’t have these structures in the first place!!!!
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/otherzoonosis/Mold.htm
I was very interested in the mold abatement – and it seems an unscrupulous builder, contractor could very well come in spray the bleach , chemicals put up new drywall change out the carpets and Voila…..you are non the wiser…… unless the Building Dept are asked in………. Yes I can see that happening with especially the out of town LLC’s – I don’t think so!!!!! From the City of Lorain BHP dept.
We, the law abiding citizens and property owners , are not protected by a system that has no accountability – and so it continues – back to 1348 West Erie next time …….. Welcome to my parlor (Lorain) said the fly to the spider – slice us and dice up
To Be Continued
November 6, 2017 at 5:02 pm 7 comments