Q) What is your vision for Ward 18 [soon to be Ward 16]? I mean, do you envision the Ward as another Tremont, Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway neighborhood? If so, what is your strategy to set the neighborhood apart and make it distinctly ward 18 [Ward 16], and not some attempt to be like Tremont?
A) I really like this question. I do not envision Ward 16 to be another Tremont, Ohio City or Detroit Shoreway. To the extent that the leaders in those neighborhoods are working hard to develop communities attractive and vibrant for their constituents, I would like to see the same progress in Ward 16. However, my vision is to work to enhance the strengths and the unique qualities of the Ward 16 neighborhoods rather than attempt to mold them into something they are not.
For example, Ward 16 has a much more family oriented feel then the neighborhoods above, and I would like to enhance that feel. I have referred to my vision as an Urban Suburbia. If you move to the suburbs, you find all sorts of small industry and amenities that are difficult to find in the Ward. However, if you move to the suburbs, you lose your proximity to the lake, downtown and the entertainment areas close by in Tremont, Ohio City or the Detroit Shoreway, and you lose the vibrant community feel that you get in the city. I would like Ward 16 to attract new tech industry, and new amenities to bring the positives of suburban life to the city.
A small list of things I would work hard for are (note the lack of bars & restaurants on the list, except for perhaps the Hispanic and Arab districts):
• Maintenance of streets for the sake of our cars, and sidewalks repaired for the safety of our elderly and children.
• Speed bumps throughout our neighborhoods. I recently visited Charelston SC and many of their neighborhoods have speed bumps designed so that the bumps are neither unsightly nor harsh on cars, but enforce a safe speed limit.
• More amenities within walking distance. Several residents have complained about closed grocery stores and a lack of a congregation point (both for adults and youth), such as bookstores, arcades, neighborhood squares, etc.
• A more aesthetically pleasing Ward. I plan to rally volunteers to help maintain and beautify neighborhoods. I also hope to work with businesses or new developers to enforce city design codes for buildings and to continue the Cudell paint program.
• Small tech industry. As an engineer and patent attorney, I love technology. I believe brining in tech jobs not only will enhance the attractiveness of the Ward, provide training and jobs for the community, and increase the city tax base, I just think having high tech industry in the neighborhood would be cool. I am an alumni of CWRU and CSU, and hope to work with both Universities to lure new tech transfer startups and other high tech industry to our Ward.
• With the growing population of Hispanic and Arab residents in the community, I would like to encourage a Hispanic and Arab district to spring up within the Ward.
I believe some of our main streets, Clifton, West 117, Madison, Lorain, Denison, need attention. If there is a specific building or area your are concerned about, please let me know.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Questions - 2
Another question.
Q) How would you work with Cudell Improvement, Inc. What are your thoughts about the organization?
A.) This is a no-brainer. I would work as closely with Cudell Improvement as the organization desired, which I hope to find is extensively. While I believe I have good ideas for the community, I am also realistic and understand good ideas spring from everybody, and that good input and good advice is necessary to ensure any action taken on behalf of the neighborhood is carried out wisely. As such, I would work with Cudell to solicit input and ideas from and for the community, and also look to Cudell for advice and input on potential development projects for the Ward.
In addition, it is my understanding that Cudell works closely with community block clubs. One of the most important things I would like to do as councilman is ensure that all of our block clubs are fully functioning with healthy attendance and plenty of support. As such, I anticipate working closely with Cudell to rally the community to get involved and stay involved in their block clubs.
In short, I think Cudell is an essential part of the community and I hope to develop a strong partnership with it for the benefit of the Ward.
For the sake of those not covered by Cudell, I will not forget about you. Although Cudell Improvement covers a substantial part of the Ward, the new Ward 16 boundary will also include portions of the Stockyards and WireNet CDC’s. Needless to say, I plan to work with these CDC’s as well to the extent of their interest in the Ward.
Chris
Q) How would you work with Cudell Improvement, Inc. What are your thoughts about the organization?
A.) This is a no-brainer. I would work as closely with Cudell Improvement as the organization desired, which I hope to find is extensively. While I believe I have good ideas for the community, I am also realistic and understand good ideas spring from everybody, and that good input and good advice is necessary to ensure any action taken on behalf of the neighborhood is carried out wisely. As such, I would work with Cudell to solicit input and ideas from and for the community, and also look to Cudell for advice and input on potential development projects for the Ward.
In addition, it is my understanding that Cudell works closely with community block clubs. One of the most important things I would like to do as councilman is ensure that all of our block clubs are fully functioning with healthy attendance and plenty of support. As such, I anticipate working closely with Cudell to rally the community to get involved and stay involved in their block clubs.
In short, I think Cudell is an essential part of the community and I hope to develop a strong partnership with it for the benefit of the Ward.
For the sake of those not covered by Cudell, I will not forget about you. Although Cudell Improvement covers a substantial part of the Ward, the new Ward 16 boundary will also include portions of the Stockyards and WireNet CDC’s. Needless to say, I plan to work with these CDC’s as well to the extent of their interest in the Ward.
Chris
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Questions
I recently have been garnering some questions about the DEMAS for Ward 16 campaign. Over the next several days I will attempt to respond to some of those questions. I'd love to get your feedback. Please feel free to comment with any further inquiry or other constructive opinions.
Today's first question:
Q.) You propose term limits of 3 terms per position for a total of 9 possible terms an individual could serve on council. My question- wouldn't this model actually perpetuate the "same faces" on council as the current set up does?
A.) To a certain extent yes, it is designed to allow the best of the best to continue serving. To a greater extent, the proposed system is designed to foster a dynamic and much more innovative council. Allow me to explain.
There are two general concerns when discussing term limits. First, we do not want “good” representatives to be term-limited out, but second, we do not want “good” representatives to go “bad.”
My proposal for term limits allows the best of the best to continue to serve their city. The proposal calls for a tiered council, having a base of 6 ward councilmen, followed by 4 at-large councilmen and finally a council president voted in at-large. By design, as a councilman reaches their term limit they will have an opportunity to move on to a new position. However, only a limited number of councilmen will actually realize this possibility in light of the proposed tiers. The design separates those who excel in city service, allowing only the best of the best to continue to serve. In this regard, we will keep some of the “same faces,” but only as the electorate sees fit and according to the citizens’ concerns that they do not lose out on “good” representatives.
The proposal also guards against “good” representatives from going “bad.” It is our human nature to become stagnant unless faced with new challenges. As such, after a certain time in office and as constituents become comfortable with their “good” councilman, even the best representative will become comfortable with the duties of the job and stagnancy, among other things, will seep into the fabric of the community. The proposal addresses this problem by requiring councilman to change duties after a set amount of terms. In the proposal, ward councilman will face different constituents and different challenges than at-large councilman, who in turn will face different challenges from an at-large council president. Further, as councilmen do make it from ward to at-large to president, their previous post will open for a fresh face from the community to step in with new ideas and new energy. Thus, moving through the tiered system will not only keep a particular councilman challenged, it will allow for new fresh faces to fill in behind with new and innovative ideas for the community.
In short, the proposal ensures that our good representatives may continue to serve, while fostering a dynamic and innovative representative body that allows new representatives to serve. I might also add that the tiered system with ward and at-large council will provide a dynamic balance between the concerns of single wards and the best interests of the entire city. Of course, the plan is a proposal and open to any suggestions for improvement and I would appreciate any input.
Chris
Today's first question:
Q.) You propose term limits of 3 terms per position for a total of 9 possible terms an individual could serve on council. My question- wouldn't this model actually perpetuate the "same faces" on council as the current set up does?
A.) To a certain extent yes, it is designed to allow the best of the best to continue serving. To a greater extent, the proposed system is designed to foster a dynamic and much more innovative council. Allow me to explain.
There are two general concerns when discussing term limits. First, we do not want “good” representatives to be term-limited out, but second, we do not want “good” representatives to go “bad.”
My proposal for term limits allows the best of the best to continue to serve their city. The proposal calls for a tiered council, having a base of 6 ward councilmen, followed by 4 at-large councilmen and finally a council president voted in at-large. By design, as a councilman reaches their term limit they will have an opportunity to move on to a new position. However, only a limited number of councilmen will actually realize this possibility in light of the proposed tiers. The design separates those who excel in city service, allowing only the best of the best to continue to serve. In this regard, we will keep some of the “same faces,” but only as the electorate sees fit and according to the citizens’ concerns that they do not lose out on “good” representatives.
The proposal also guards against “good” representatives from going “bad.” It is our human nature to become stagnant unless faced with new challenges. As such, after a certain time in office and as constituents become comfortable with their “good” councilman, even the best representative will become comfortable with the duties of the job and stagnancy, among other things, will seep into the fabric of the community. The proposal addresses this problem by requiring councilman to change duties after a set amount of terms. In the proposal, ward councilman will face different constituents and different challenges than at-large councilman, who in turn will face different challenges from an at-large council president. Further, as councilmen do make it from ward to at-large to president, their previous post will open for a fresh face from the community to step in with new ideas and new energy. Thus, moving through the tiered system will not only keep a particular councilman challenged, it will allow for new fresh faces to fill in behind with new and innovative ideas for the community.
In short, the proposal ensures that our good representatives may continue to serve, while fostering a dynamic and innovative representative body that allows new representatives to serve. I might also add that the tiered system with ward and at-large council will provide a dynamic balance between the concerns of single wards and the best interests of the entire city. Of course, the plan is a proposal and open to any suggestions for improvement and I would appreciate any input.
Chris
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Plan - Part 2
To the citizens of Ward 18 (soon to be Ward 16) and the City of Cleveland,
In the last post we discussed city government and how I would address making it more efficient and vibrant. Today we will briefly discuss my ideas on how to foster in our residents a sense of ownership in our communities so that we collectively take care of our neighborhoods. I stress briefly, as each idea could develop into its own full post.
In the last post we discussed city government and how I would address making it more efficient and vibrant. Today we will briefly discuss my ideas on how to foster in our residents a sense of ownership in our communities so that we collectively take care of our neighborhoods. I stress briefly, as each idea could develop into its own full post.
First an aspect of community health that has become important to me is ensuring that our youth develop a proper sense of what they can accomplish. Crime statistics for youth climb steeply from preteen to tweens to teens. I believe the best and first place to nip problems in the bud is at home with parents. However, if as a community we can provide an early outlet for youth, it could greatly assist parents in the community and give peace of mind to the community at large. As such, if elected, I will work with community residents and business leaders as well as other city officials to develop a youth entrepreneurship program. The purpose of the program will be to provide youth with jobs while also teaching them how to start and run a business, keep them off the street and out of trouble, and ultimately turn them on to their inherent potential.
In addition, I will work with the community to foster an entrepreneurial spirit. Our Ward currently has a growing Hispanic and Arab population. While there are a few restaurants and shops in the Ward celebrating these ethnicities, I would like to encourage even more. Not only will I work with the community, but, as a legislator of the city, I will call for a review of
I would also like to put my energy into reconstructing our neighborhood block clubs. Some areas of the Ward still have strong clubs, while others are completely non-existent. Because, unfortunately, the police are stretched very thin, it is important for neighbors to look after neighbors. A strong block club discourages crime, breeds friendship and generally promotes a higher standard of living. Similarly, I will push for more block or neighborhood parties so that neighbors get to know one another better. I will also encourage more volunteerism in the community, both from residents in the Ward and from volunteer groups outside the Ward.
As councilman, I can be an organizer and rallying point for volunteer activities, and I will dedicate myself to constantly being in the neighborhoods to rally volunteer support. The proposals above will take time and money to implement. If elected, I vow to give both. Not only for the goal of raising our standard of living, but so that the community becomes a more vibrant and more attractive place for businesses (jobs) and new young families to want to live.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to let me know.
Regards,
Chris
Monday, July 6, 2009
The plan - Part 1
To the citizens of Ward 18 (soon to be Ward 16) and the City of Cleveland,
We all know that Cleveland has been going through difficult times for at least the last decade, and these difficult times are only exacerbated by the state of the national economy. However, we must keep in mind that from every down-turn there proceeds a subsequent up-turn. Though the nation is in turmoil at the moment, the turmoil will not remain. As such, right now is when we as a city need to prepare to be in the best position for taking advantage of the forthcoming up-turn.
I believe there is a great deal of opportunity to be pursued in Cleveland, immediately and in the coming national up-turn. However, to realize the opportunity we must be efficient with our resources, balanced in weighing the plethora of competing city concerns and vibrant in our city leadership. We must also, every one of us, foster a sense of ownership in our communities so that we collectively take care of our neighborhoods.
We will discuss ways to foster community pride and ownership another time. Today, I would like to discuss reforming the structure of our government to ensure efficiency, balance and vibrancy.
If elected, I will propose to my fellow councilmen that we reduce the size of city council to 11 and institute term limits. In my proposal, the 11 council members will consist of 6 ward council representatives, 4 city representatives elected at-large and a council president elected at-large. Term limits in the proposal will allow a maximum of 3 terms per position. That is, 3 terms as a ward councilman, 3 terms as a city councilman at-large, and 3 terms as council president, for a total of 9 terms for any one individual in city council.
The new council will be more efficient. A reduction in the size of council will save the city nearly $600,000 per year in salary alone. Further, all Cleveland residents will benefit from the representation of up to 6 councilmen, 1 dedicated ward councilman and 5 at-large councilmen. The current system only provides 1 dedicated ward councilman for residents to turn to.
The new council will be more balanced. Breaking the council into ward representatives and at-large city representatives will promote balance in council between the needs of any one ward with the needs of the city as a whole.
The new council will result in a more vibrant leadership structure. My proposal to reduce the size of council and adopt term limits offers practical solutions to foster the development of dynamic leaders in our city. Human nature is such that stagnation is virtually inevitable for politicians who hold office for their entire career. We must counter this tendency and ensure the City of Cleveland can benefit from a continuous stream of fresh talent, fresh perspectives and new ideas. What better way to compel new leaders to get involved than to demonstrate to our youth that their involvement is necessary and that the opportunity to lead and make a difference in our community is built into the very structure of our council?
There are plenty of other upsides to reducing council and setting term limits. I hope to discuss these with you, and any other questions you may have as I meet you door to door this summer. In the interim, if you have any comments please feel free to contact me at 216-939-2382 or demas4w16@blogspot.com.
Thank you, and I hope to meet you soon.
Sincerely,
Chris
We all know that Cleveland has been going through difficult times for at least the last decade, and these difficult times are only exacerbated by the state of the national economy. However, we must keep in mind that from every down-turn there proceeds a subsequent up-turn. Though the nation is in turmoil at the moment, the turmoil will not remain. As such, right now is when we as a city need to prepare to be in the best position for taking advantage of the forthcoming up-turn.
I believe there is a great deal of opportunity to be pursued in Cleveland, immediately and in the coming national up-turn. However, to realize the opportunity we must be efficient with our resources, balanced in weighing the plethora of competing city concerns and vibrant in our city leadership. We must also, every one of us, foster a sense of ownership in our communities so that we collectively take care of our neighborhoods.
We will discuss ways to foster community pride and ownership another time. Today, I would like to discuss reforming the structure of our government to ensure efficiency, balance and vibrancy.
If elected, I will propose to my fellow councilmen that we reduce the size of city council to 11 and institute term limits. In my proposal, the 11 council members will consist of 6 ward council representatives, 4 city representatives elected at-large and a council president elected at-large. Term limits in the proposal will allow a maximum of 3 terms per position. That is, 3 terms as a ward councilman, 3 terms as a city councilman at-large, and 3 terms as council president, for a total of 9 terms for any one individual in city council.
The new council will be more efficient. A reduction in the size of council will save the city nearly $600,000 per year in salary alone. Further, all Cleveland residents will benefit from the representation of up to 6 councilmen, 1 dedicated ward councilman and 5 at-large councilmen. The current system only provides 1 dedicated ward councilman for residents to turn to.
The new council will be more balanced. Breaking the council into ward representatives and at-large city representatives will promote balance in council between the needs of any one ward with the needs of the city as a whole.
The new council will result in a more vibrant leadership structure. My proposal to reduce the size of council and adopt term limits offers practical solutions to foster the development of dynamic leaders in our city. Human nature is such that stagnation is virtually inevitable for politicians who hold office for their entire career. We must counter this tendency and ensure the City of Cleveland can benefit from a continuous stream of fresh talent, fresh perspectives and new ideas. What better way to compel new leaders to get involved than to demonstrate to our youth that their involvement is necessary and that the opportunity to lead and make a difference in our community is built into the very structure of our council?
There are plenty of other upsides to reducing council and setting term limits. I hope to discuss these with you, and any other questions you may have as I meet you door to door this summer. In the interim, if you have any comments please feel free to contact me at 216-939-2382 or demas4w16@blogspot.com.
Thank you, and I hope to meet you soon.
Sincerely,
Chris
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Introduction, from Chris Demas
To the Citizens of Ward 18 (soon to be Ward 16) and the City of Cleveland, Thank you for stopping by my blog. For those of you that do not know me, I'm strictly a product of NorthEast Ohio. I was born and raised in BrookPark, and graduated from Midpark HighSchool in Middleburg Heights. I attended Case Western Reserve University where I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, and my first job out of school was as an engineer at the Sherwin Williams’ technical center on the river behind Tower City. I worked at Sherwin Williams several years before going back to school at the Cleveland State University Marshall School of Law. While attending law school in the evenings, I worked as a law clerk with the firm Pearne & Gordon, LLP, located downtown on East 9th. I graduated from Cleveland-Marshall in May of 2008, passed the bar that summer, and was admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio in November of 2008. Currently I am an attorney at Pearne & Gordon practicing Intellectual Property Law, that is, patent, trademark and copyright law. We are in tough economic times, but I believe we are a hard-working and energetic people, and I believe that hard work and directed energy can pull the citizens of Cleveland (and Ward 16) out of this current decline. In addition I vow to fight for term limits for our elected leaders. It is my firm belief that the best civil servants are those who serve out of a sense of duty to their fellow citizens, rather than as a career objective. Term limits can fend off the potential for corruption and the problem of stagnation in government, while promoting in those seeking civil service a true sense of duty to the community. For these reasons I vow, if elected, to pursue no more than two terms in office.
Short Introduction
Cleveland has been facing a declining population, loss of industry, diminishing home value, and a poor primary education system for some time. Now, we are facing difficult financial times that further threaten our jobs and our homes. We cannot continue the ways that have perpetuated our decline and expect to make it through these times smoothly. What our ward and our city needs are new ideas and new energy.
By many accounts, our current councilman has been an honorable steward of our ward for 30 years, reacting quickly when problems arise. However, our city is changing. Not only are our wards shifting, but new and energetic people are trying to rebuild our city, in Tremont, West 65th & Detroit, Kamm’s Corners, East 4th Street, etc. If we want to continue to force a Cleveland renaissance, we must get behind proactive people. I would like to be a proactive leader for the city and our ward.
As a proactive leader, I vow to put my time, money, network, ideas and any other means at my disposal into one goal, service to the ward and city. If elected, I will:
I would like to hear what you think. I will be out in the community all summer, walking door to door to meet you. Please let me know your thoughts for the community then, or provide your comments to me at demas4w16@gmail.com. If you look to the right, you will see a poll question. Check back from time to time for a new poll; get an idea of what the rest of the ward thinks.
I hope to meet you soon, and please, remember to vote Chris Demas for Ward 16 Council.
Sincerely,
Chris
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