Public Comment

Considering city has a lot of other pressing issues like fixing existing streets in disrepair for years, saving money by using shoddy recycled patch material in winter vs commercial grade, resulting in dangerous pebbles after rain and spring rework - While I appreciate DOT picking up ~90M (gas tax revenue?) The other half would seem to come from citizens pockets(recent property tax hike? Bonds?) Where's the ROI on a bridge that appears to serve very few people and requures ongoing upkeep?

At this point in the new mapping process, the die is cast, and you are expected to vote to approve the new wards tonight. This is a very sad time for many of us in the current Ward 12, especially for me, as the Democratic Ward Leader. I'm leader of a lame duck area that will be split into six parts. We will lose not only many of our associations in the ward club but also our Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer, who has worked extremely hard to serve this area. Since we can't change; the current process --maps were released with minimal public input-- it's time to look to the future. Cleveland City Council voted to support the Ohio Issue 1 in the November 2024 election to create fair maps at the state level, so we ask Council to also change the city charter to take the mapping process out of the hands of the council president and give the power to the citizens. Should Council not do that, many of us are prepared to take the issue to the ballot by petition.

Below are my two maps proposals that are within the appropriate guidelines: https://davesredistricting.org/join/357ef986-0098-4325-8f77-8b277f40e0e8 https://davesredistricting.org/join/b310f62e-c5d5-40f8-8311-a1ba17cdbe25

The League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland is submitting a proposed map to Council as an example of how it is possible to draw a fair map, one that keeps communities and neighborhoods together, has wards fairly equal in population, and gives citizens a true voice and representation. Moreover, the proposed map includes two true Hispanic opportunity districts in Wards 11 and 14 (over 30%). https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::4bf4f05c-f621-48d2-b7b4-96d682e6ce42

Dear Members of Council - Given the extensive public criticism of the proposed ward map presented by Council President Griffin, please delay your vote. The public and its council representatives need more time to fully comprehend the weaknesses in the map and what appears to be gerrymandered boundaries to protect incumbents. Moving forward with a vote on January 6 will only confirm citizens' suspicions that Mr. Griffin and the $100,000 team he assembled have purposely divided neighborhoods to achieve hidden agendas. This is very concerning. Council President Griffin delivered this map to council during the busy holiday season and has determined a vote for early January. Neither council members nor residents and business owners have had enough time to fully digest the impacts of the proposed wards. President Griffin's timing is disrespectful. I urge you to delay this vote until early February and host public input sessions where ALL council members should be present to hear all comments. There is no need to rush this vote. You can allow for further consideration without jeopardizing any deadlines, timelines or requirements. Sincerely, Leslie Bednar

Well, I like it and find it much less gerrymandered than the previous version. I only wish the law would be re-written to prioritize traditional neighborhood continuity more and population less. The New Ward 8 is MUCH improved. Previously St Clair was divided along its median throughout the St Clair-Superior neighborhood, which made public engagement with street issues more difficult. Personally, I like the number "7" much more than "8." Can we keep our number? lol

Ward 8 now appears to include most of the st clair avenue neighborhood. The only incosistency is by the lake front off east 55th street and toward east ninth street: it should have been included. Councilwoman Stephanie Jones Howse is doing a good job.

My neighbors and I have worked hard, through St Clair/Superior Development, to build on the idea of St Clair, a lakefront community, but now St Clair/Superior will be in ward 8, with the lakefront addressed by an extended ward 7. The whole point is to connect the neighborhood to the lake, but now the representation of the lakefront and community will be divided. That makes no sense. You are turning your back on our community work.

Thank you council president Blain Griffen and the Ward redistricting team. This process has included the public more than in Prior years. The new ward 11 is great. From west blvd, to 117th and west and from the lake to the south of Cleveland. The new Ward 11 has a chance to be Cleveland's greatest Ward. . I look forward to meet ing My Neighbors to the south. No complaints!

I am deeply concerned about the proposed ward maps. The boundaries are unnatural. To give just a few examples, Shaker Square is cut in two down the middle. The previous ward of Slavic Village is now cut into 6 parts. The proposed Ward 11 might be described as the Edgewater/Detroit-Shoreway/West Boulevard/Stockyards/Old Brooklyn ward, and would include both Edgewater Park and the Zoo! For my own ward 15, natural boundaries such as West Boulevard or W. 85th will be forsaken, and tiny W. 73rd chosen instead. These unnatural boundaries seem to belie hidden motives. I implore Council to vote No on these maps, ask the State for more time, and then seek a new consultant who will create new proposed maps based on keeping neighborhoods together. Thank you.