Question - 3

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.