On Wednesday July 1, Cleveland’s Orchestra presented a Star-Spangled 

Spectacular in downtown Cleveland’s Mall B. While the music performance started shortly after 9:00 p.m. – the crowds started gathering after 7:00 p.m. and sat directly on the grass, on blankets, or on folding chairs. There was a festive atmosphere all around – food stations and vendors selling sparkling flags. And, yes, I was there with my WELCOME JIMMY DIMORA SQUARE campaign signs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before the start of the music program, for nearly two hours, the attendees were treated to non-stop infomercials dealing with the benefits of the arts to the community presented by Cuyahoga Arts and Culture – an organization that gets its funding from a Sin Tax – a tax levy on cigarettes. The infomercials were really paid for by the cigarette smokers of Cuyahoga County –but no one cared to mention the exploited minority. Also, there was a plug from Mayor Jackson. At the end of the infomercials, Cuyahoga County Executive Budish asked the attendees – estimated at about 12,000 -- to vote for the renewal of the Sin tax in November 2015.

 

The VOTE NO ON SIN TAX ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 campaign is actively opposing the 2015 SIN TAX with demonstrations all over. While I don’t smoke, I love the arts and the role they play in enriching our lives on a daily basis. As a volunteer teacher for the past 10-years in a local CMSD preK-8 School – I have integrated the arts in the teaching of science, math, and engineering.

The practice, in Cuyahoga County, to tax cigarette smokers to support the arts is not fair, totally repugnant, and aesthetically insensitive.

 

Sin Taxes are regressive taxes that take a higher percentage of income from our poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

I have spoken at six Cuyahoga County Council meetings – calling for fair funding for the arts where we all pay, not just cigarette smokers, for an activity we all enjoy. Unfortunately, the council members ignored all my requests and on June 23, 2015 voted unanimously 10-0 (with one member absent) to ask the voters to continue the 10-year old levy on cigarettes (30 cents per pack) for another ten years – to pay for Arts and Culture.

 

The Sin Tax levy, promoted by Jimmy Dimora, was first approved in 2006 by a vote of 56 to 44%.

 

In fact the Sin Tax should be called the JIMMY DIMORA SIN TAX.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one-hour program included selections from Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, John Williams,and others. There were songs from Camelot. The favorites included: "American Salute," "The Star-Spangled Banner," "Armed Forces Salute,"  "America the Beautiful," and finally "Stars and Stripes Forever"

 

 

 

 

  

 

Immediately after conclusion of the music, fireworks which lasted about ten minutes lit the night sky as a series of cosmic bursts – a sight to behold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While there were many parades in the region, I attended the Kamm’s Corners Annual Independence Day parade held on Cleveland’s West Side and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of West Park. The parade, seen by thousands, was held along Lorain Avenue, West Park, and Rocky River roads on a pleasant and sun drenched Saturday morning. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The VOTE NO ON SIN TAX ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 campaign was present, on the sidewalks, during the parade and after.

 

 

 

 

WE SHOULD ALL PAY TAXES TO FUND THE ARTS, NOT TAX CITIZENS WHO SMOKE! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could not attend these fireworks held over the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in the evening. Photograph is by Chuck Crow of The Plain Dealer.