Reprinted compliments of Cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer
See todays edition of Henry Gomez's story on his Inside City Blog [2]
At this rate, it is not outside the realm of possibility that Cleveland's Fourth of July fireworks show will have more blasts and sparks before the event than during it.
The controversy, for those who haven't been paying attention, hinges on the role that City Councilman Joe Santiago, Ward 14, is playing in this year's festivities.
First, Santiago characterized himself as the savior of the annual show, which was in danger of being canceled because of funding issues. Santiago forked over $30,000 from his Community Development Block Grant allocation, a pool of federal tax dollars
To allow some wiggle room [3], Tom Newman of the Flats Oxbow Association, which puts on the show, said Santiago's contribution did not go directly to the fireworks. Rather, the money helped Flats Oxbow free up unrestricted funds for the pyrotechnics.
So, technically, Santiago is not sponsoring the event.
That brings us to Wednesday, when a full-page advertisement appeared in Cleveland Scene to promote the firerworks show. The ad lists "Cleveland Ward 14 Councilman Joe Santiago" as a sponsor, along with the city and other companies and organizations.
I received several calls and e-mails that night from members of a furious anti-Santiago faction.
James D'Amico, who is running against Santiago this year, wondered why Ward 14 constituents weren't listed as sponsors instead. Henry Senyak, a neighborhood activist, said Santiago's $30,000 was essentially a campaign gimmick.
So, I posed the following questions to Santiago, who requests all queries in writing and does not return my phone calls, in an e-mail late Wednesday night:
• If Community Development Block Grant money cannot, by law, be allocated specifically to the fireworks, then how can you be a sponsor of this show?
• If in fact you can take credit as a sponsor, why not instead list the citizens of Ward 14, since Ward 14 tax dollars are making the fireworks possible?
No word yet
Pictures from the ribbon cutting at Roberto Clemente Park on 06-27-09
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PC241882.JPG [4] | 778.25 KB |
PC241880.JPG [5] | 794.69 KB |
PC241892.JPG [6] | 772.02 KB |
Links:
[1] http://li326-157.members.linode.com/content/pc241880jpg-0
[2] http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/07/the_sparks_keep_flying_over_jo.html
[3] http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/06/did_cleveland_councilman_joe_s.html
[4] http://li326-157.members.linode.com/system/files/PC241882.JPG
[5] http://li326-157.members.linode.com/system/files/PC241880.JPG
[6] http://li326-157.members.linode.com/system/files/PC241892.JPG