Welcome! This free speech community journal was created so the Maple Heights African American community could share videos, photos, events, articles, posts, ideas, thoughts, and information. We're now exclusively on Facebook, so don't forget to also check out our Facebook page. Have a fantastic day!
Showing posts with label MAPLE HEIGHTS AFRICAN AMERICANS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MAPLE HEIGHTS AFRICAN AMERICANS. Show all posts
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
MAPLE HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Don't forget to attend Maple Heights City Council Meetings
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month
Time: 7pm / you are allowed to speak
caucus is at 6:30pm in a separate room from council meetings (you can't speak in caucus, but you can listen)
Where: Maple Heights Senior Center,15901 Libby Rd., Maple Heights, OH 44137
1. The city's finances (are we in debt and how much?; Do we owe more than we have coming in as revenue? & if so, How long has it been that way?)
2. Maple Heights crime statistics and where to find them online, or elsewhere ..
3. What employees are protected from being laid off? How many of that group are African Americans and what's the %age of the total group?
4. How many African Americans were laid off this year and last year?
5. Will the 2013 "Music in the Park" and the "Mayor's Splash Parties" have a significant # of African American musicians that are proportional to the # of African Americans in this city; and will there be an effort to have more of those musicians be residents of Maple Heights?
6. What department had the most layoffs? How many African Americans were in that department?
6. What department had the most layoffs? How many African Americans were in that department?
What other questions would you like to ask, or comments would you like to make?
African Americans are 70% or more of Maple Heights population (2010 census pop # 23,138)
Meetings during the months of June, July, and August, are held only on
the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the same time and location.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
THE MAPLE HEIGHTS AFRICAN AMERICAN GAZETTE WISHES ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING
HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND ENJOY THE PARODY
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
AFRICAN AMERICANS IN MAPLE HEIGHTS CALL FOR PUBLIC MEETING
Many among the African American community in Maple Heights, want to discuss the city's finances. In light of, the superintendent of Maple Heights school's call to renew a levy, this administration's call to renew a levy in November, *very high home foreclosures (and see Plain Dealer article listing Maple Heights as worst regarding property values in Cuyahoga County / 2009), continued high unemployment, troubling signs in this economy, and the perception that the current administration is hiding something from residents, ... a public meeting is definitely warranted.
Several African American homeowners want to know what the police are doing to help raise revenue for themselves. Are they enforcing the noise ordinance, which carries hefty fines? Are they enforcing other ordinances that help generate revenue for this city?
Several African American homeowners want to know what the police are doing to help raise revenue for themselves. Are they enforcing the noise ordinance, which carries hefty fines? Are they enforcing other ordinances that help generate revenue for this city?
Years ago, the city of Maple Heights worked out an agreement (1) to make sure African Americans had more representation in the police and fire departments, schools, etc. Well, the plan is not working well (even though the schools have seen much improvement), and with some city departments, the plan is not working at all.
Minorities are still significantly under represented even though African Americans are almost 70% (or more) of the population in Maple Heights. What are the city's plans to address this? This also needs to be discussed in a public meeting, because if African Americans and other minorities are not significantly represented in Maple Heights government (especially in full-time and high salaried and leadership positions), and there are no plans to address this, and money keeps flowing from African American tax payers who help pay city worker's salaries and benefits, to [what looks to be predominantly Caucasian] city workers and contractors (many) who live outside the city, then getting a levy passed, may be fought vigorously by African Americans in this city to vote against the levy.
Minorities are still significantly under represented even though African Americans are almost 70% (or more) of the population in Maple Heights. What are the city's plans to address this? This also needs to be discussed in a public meeting, because if African Americans and other minorities are not significantly represented in Maple Heights government (especially in full-time and high salaried and leadership positions), and there are no plans to address this, and money keeps flowing from African American tax payers who help pay city worker's salaries and benefits, to [what looks to be predominantly Caucasian] city workers and contractors (many) who live outside the city, then getting a levy passed, may be fought vigorously by African Americans in this city to vote against the levy.
African Americans in Maple Heights also want a concerned citizen's group, an independent civilian review board and an independent citizen's advisory board (where the mayor has no authority to appoint board members, and city council members have limited input), because they feel their needs and wants are not being met, and their voices disregarded by Maple Heights government employees (that includes all elected officials). Some residents feel that community policing is also necessary. Generally speaking, people who live in Maple Heights have a vested interest in making sure Maple Heights is a vibrant, safe, and economically sound city.
Note:
Note:
African Americans who have voiced concern about, or are fighting for, more diversity in Maple Heights government, and wish to discuss a range of other pertinent topics (like holding a public meeting), have reported break-ins and acts of vandalism, some even called racist, etc. Not sure what the connection is yet (if any).
[*Just learned from ESOP that Maple Heights is still either the worst or one of the highest in foreclosures in the county. That means the city is still losing thousands of dollars in property taxes. Why didn't the city do more to help homeowners hold onto their properties? What are they doing presently to help homeowners prevent foreclosure? And I don't want the mayor or other members of council to take credit for what councilman Richard Trojanski is doing to address home foreclosures all by himself.
Property values are still in decline, yet real estate companies are still listing property in the $90,000 range even with foreclosed homes all around. Why is HUD selling foreclosed homes to real estate investors for $15,000 to $20, 000, who then list the property for $80,000 to 94,000? There needs to be an investigation. Also why are we seeing a company called Corelogic (**CORELOGIC, 2500 WESTFIELD DR, ELGIN, IL 60124) listed for the tax mailing address of many of these properties?]
[*Just learned from ESOP that Maple Heights is still either the worst or one of the highest in foreclosures in the county. That means the city is still losing thousands of dollars in property taxes. Why didn't the city do more to help homeowners hold onto their properties? What are they doing presently to help homeowners prevent foreclosure? And I don't want the mayor or other members of council to take credit for what councilman Richard Trojanski is doing to address home foreclosures all by himself.
Property values are still in decline, yet real estate companies are still listing property in the $90,000 range even with foreclosed homes all around. Why is HUD selling foreclosed homes to real estate investors for $15,000 to $20, 000, who then list the property for $80,000 to 94,000? There needs to be an investigation. Also why are we seeing a company called Corelogic (**CORELOGIC, 2500 WESTFIELD DR, ELGIN, IL 60124) listed for the tax mailing address of many of these properties?]
[To be further edited]
To request public documents: Ohio Sunshine law manual
Related:
Cuyahoga County cities brace for property tax losses by Laura Johnston, July 9, 2012
Update:
Please read the July 25, 2012 Neighborhood News (section that talks about Maple Heights - reduction in mayor and council salary) and also responses to this post in the comment section.
Update on Corelogic:
The Illogic of CoreLogic, August 26, 2012
To request public documents: Ohio Sunshine law manual
Related:
Black America's Mobility Crisis by Jamelle Bouie, July 18, 2012
Cuyahoga County cities brace for property tax losses by Laura Johnston, July 9, 2012
Update:
Please read the July 25, 2012 Neighborhood News (section that talks about Maple Heights - reduction in mayor and council salary) and also responses to this post in the comment section.
Update on Corelogic:
The Illogic of CoreLogic, August 26, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)